Mk1 Universal Carrier found

[Tony Smith]

Originally Posted by Tony Smith

On the Hull sides inboard of the centre roadwheel are the numerals 348 painted in large red paint. A highly peculiar position, as it would be covered by the metal track guards, the upper track and the roadwheel itself, but it appears to be well laid out professionally (not done with a house brush!), lending credence to it being official.

The mystery deepens! T58471, being 11 WD Nos earlier than this carrier has the numbers "336" painted in the same location as the "348" on this carrier. The contract that these 2 carriers were built was for 360 Mortar Carriers, but T58471 was 246th in the order, and T58482 was 257th.

Does ANYONE have ANY pics showing a carrier of any nation with numbers in this location on the side of the hull behind the tracks? Thinking that these 2 carriers might have probably come back from North Africa, I'd be keen on seeing any pics of English, Indian, South African or Polish carriers with 7 digit serial numbers OTHER than the WD number.

[Brian Johns]

Originally Posted by Tony Smith

Does ANYONE have ANY pics showing a carrier of any nation with numbers in this location on the side of the hull behind the tracks? Thinking that these 2 carriers might have probably come back from North Africa, I'd be keen on seeing any pics of English, Indian, South African or Polish carriers with 7 digit serial numbers OTHER than the WD number.

Tony, have you any news on these big RED numbers painted on the side of carrier hulls. I'm cleaning up an old British MkI hull, likely by the bits off it, made by Wolseley. It has the RED numbers 1166 painted on the side from the rear suspension back, the numbers are 325mm high, 40mm thick. I'd post a photo but you just can't see anything with the camera.

Brian

[Tony Smith]

Originally Posted by Tony Smith

The mystery deepens! T58471, being 11 WD Nos earlier than this carrier has the numbers "336" painted in the same location as the "348" on this carrier. The contract that these 2 carriers were built was for 360 Mortar Carriers, but T58471 was 246th in the order, and T58482 was 257th.

That's interesting, Brian! No I haven't found any more, just the supposition above that somehow the numbers may have been some factory job number for the hulls. Yours, showing 1166, if it is a factory job number, must have been from a much larger contract. Of course, these numbers could have absolutly nothing to do with factory numbering of hulls under construction, and could be for an entirely different reason! Any indication from the body as to what type of carrier it may be?

[Brian Johns]

Tony, I can't positively identify it, but the Wolseley contract I think it's from was for 2000, contract 2251, the same contract my carrier is from, plus I've come across (3) other plates/carriers from this contract here in NZ, so I believe it's a Mortar Carrier.