abandoned U/C carrier

[Gordons]

say can anyone make out the regiment name on the side ...MINSTER REGT ?

[sth65pac]

Hmm, Gordon,

I presume you're in Canada...perhaps you could try and talk to Coulson's?? http://www.coulsongroup.com/aviation_sikorski.html

They fly Sikorski S61's (Sea King) for logging & firefighting.. You might be able to get the carrier hauled out as a PR exercise. I would try that spin.

An S61 can lift 4500 pounds underslung. I think Coulson's S61 aircraft are of a higher rating..5000? if they are in the area,(on a mission or for the season) they might do it for a few hundred $$$. An S61 costs about $4500 an hour to fly so if they were quick (10 mins) you might only pay $450.... or a carton of ???

Otherwise, have you thought of a strip of the hull completely, and then use logs & skid it across to the shore or the lake, then when you're at max ice thickness skid it across on long lengths of timber. 30 or 40 foot. That would disperse the weight to around 4 pounds per foot?! So, with a cable, you would be able to get it to your side of the water.

Ian (in OZ)

[kevinT]

Hi Gordon,

But I cannot be sure of what is in the ()
It looks like ?ATOR. But that is a guess.
Do you know if there is a WD serial visible anywhere?

Cheers
Kevin

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

Originally Posted by kevinT

Hi Gordon,

But I cannot be sure of what is in the ()
It looks like ?ATOR. But that is a guess.
Do you know if there is a WD serial visible anywhere?

Cheers
Kevin

The WD number on these girls is stamped into the top edge of the armour plate immediately in front of the driver...

[rob love]

Originally Posted by fordchevcmp

say can anyone make out the regiment name on the side ...MINSTER REGT ?

The marking on the side is "The Westminster Regiment" from New Westminster British Columbia. The word in the brackets is likely "Motor".

http://www.army.gc.ca/royal_westies/history6.htm

In April of 1941 the 1st Bn, Westminster Regiment (MG) underwent an entire reorganization, re-rolled, and re-equipped with Bren-Gun Carriers, White Scout cars and motorcycles. They became a motor regiment a precursor to today's mechanized infantry units. In-conjunction with their new role was a subsequent name change from 1st Bn, The Westminster Regiment (MG) to 1st Bn, The Westminster Regiment (Motor).

[rob love]

If you strip the carrier down to it's center roadwheels only, and pull off everything that can be pulled off, it can be floated reasonably well. There was a method of using oil drums strapped to the sides. I believe each drum is good for something like 600 to 800 pounds. You can also wrap the hull in a tarp so it will float even a bit better.

A quad will pull a stripped carrier hull with just the center bogies on it.

I would love to go for a project like this. It's been a few years since I have helped dig carriers out of marsh banks, or from across 10 miles of water.

[Bob Moseley (RIP)]

Hi Gordon - at this stage, instead of questioning how to retrieve it, I would be questioning how and why it got there in the first place. Possibly an old local may know. But then you have probably been down this avenue.

Bob

[charlie fitton]

Originally Posted by rob love

I would love to go for a project like this. It's been a few years since I have helped dig carriers out of marsh banks, or from across 10 miles of water.

I'm with Rob on this - If it were possible , I'd help.

Best one I helped with (other than mine) was north of Toronto, Brass plate on the front mudguard, paper air filter, and an archeological dig in the botton gave up a top for the AA mount.

Pi##ed of the neighbour ladies dog though........

[Gordons]

ok a few numbers here
also see parts for the final drive of an LVT-1 in these parts

[Gordons]

few more pic looks like flame thrower on frt

[Gordons]

one more pic