Carrier Canvas

[Jordan Baker]

Hi everyone

Does anyone know what the size would be for the canvas tarp issued to carriers. The part number given is CO1UC 100719.

Reason for asking is that Princess Auto has a 10' x 12' canvas tarps on sale for $33.00 over the next few days. I would imagine that this is close to the original sizing.

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

The canvas Princess Auto tarps I've seen are a brown/grey. Are these the ones you're talking about or are they O.D.?

If brown/grey, can they be died?

[Jordan Baker]

Brown/ grey

I don't know if they could be dyed or not. But the browner ones look very close to some original brown canvas that Ive seen.

[Stewart Loy]

That your tarp dyed.

The 10x12 footer that I got from Proncess was not dark brown for long. After about 1 hour in the sun it bleached to a very pale grey/brown. The tarp never gets taken from the back of the MkII* Carrier, but the colour looks OK.

Our pal Charlie Fitton invested in a very large tarp from PA - a 30x40 monster. When drapped over 3 Carriers it kept them and the 20 crew members dry and warm.


Stewart

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

I popped over to see these at Princess Auto. The ones on sale are in bags labelled 'tan' but are black. The non-sale ones are a nice brown, and I'd love to experiment by soaking one in a lime green dye for a minute or two. I aso think the 10' by 12' is about half of what the original looks to be.

[Jordan Baker]

I found reference to the tarp sizing in the W.A. Gregg Canadian Military Profile Series Volume 2. In profile #5, Carrier Universal No2. MkII* there is a stowage listing provided.

It states "Cover waterproof, Drab, 20' x 15' " For both versions of the carrier the cover is given the same part #CO1UC 100719

So I guess I answered my own question although Bruce wasn't far off.

Next question is what would be the proper colour. Woudl it be more of a yellow similar to the Bell tents, brown, or a greener colour?

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

Jordan, I have NOS canvas parts in three colours. There is a chocolate brown (13 cab CMP window flaps and hinges), olive drab (seat covers and 13 cab window flaps) and 'dark' khaki which is half way between brown and khaki (CMP seat covers, Fox door canvas & brass catching bag, CMP side curtains, shift boot). I've seen an orange/buff colour as well. CMP parts books take great pains to have separate colours of canvas associated with certain serial numbers.

I think canvas colours probably followed paint colours ie. khaki from 1940-43., brown in 1943 then O.D. from 1944-15.

I only wish colours could be accurately sent via a computer.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally posted by Bruce Parker
I think canvas colours probably followed paint colours ie. khaki from 1940-43., brown in 1943 then O.D. from 1944-15.

Indeed, according to Gregg's 'Blueprint for Victory', canvas came in sand, khaki and brown, depending on the colour of the truck. So the sequence would be Khaki Green, Brown and then Olive Drab. Plus of course Light Stone (sand) for the Middle East.
Possibly they went back to Khaki Green canvas when the trucks were painted Olive Drab. Green is green ayway, isn't it?

H.

[Jordan Baker]

Does anyone have any information on what the edges would have looked like for the canvas cover. Im wondering if there were any gromets or such things.

Can you guys check your pictures and see if anything comes up.

With the order that Stewart is making for CMP Canvas box covers I figured UC shouldn't be left out in the rain. Im going to get one made but need more details then just the finished size.

[Adame]

HI Jordan

I'm with Bruce. I've seen 3 different colours the Brown-Red canvas, as well as the Olive Drab (green) and the usual yellow. the books seem to indicate Olive Drab but loooking at the pictures I see what appears to be mostly the Brown-Red on British carriers. I have an Olive Tarp I had made 20 X 15, with brass gromets.

Adame

[JTH]

Princess Auto Canvas tarps are NOT water proof. They must be treated with canvas tent treatment available at big sporting goods store, OR you can find a recipe for canvas waterproofing on the web. The brown ones run like tea when wet and fade to a pale tan in the sun. Having said that I do like the cost when on sale and they are a nice weight. An option is to go to a boating outfit or awning shop and either buy their outdoor canvas or even have them make the tarp. Having said that I am looking for a heavy duty sewing machine to make covers and I will probably use the PA tarps with added waterproofing.

Jeff

[cletrac (RIP)]

I've heard it said that you can colour canvas by spraying it with a few coats of very diluted latex paint, letting it dry between coats. I've never tried it but I'd try it on a small piece first to see what happens. The person who told me this said it doesn't go stiff if you do it right.
When I was fixing my Cletrac M2 I got O D canvas from Canadian Tarpaulin Supply in Saskatoon. They had it in stock.

[cletrac (RIP)]

Here's a picture out of Military Vehicles Profiles.

[Stewart Loy]

Originally Posted by JTH

Having said that I am looking for a heavy duty sewing machine to make covers and I will probably use the PA tarps with added waterproofing.

Jeff

Jeff,

The canvas lady who is making up the 15cwt truck covers tells me that she has a surplus hefty duty sewing machine - a 'Jukki' brand if I recall correctly. If you need something like that drop me a PM and I will get you more details.

I think that she said $750ish - but I forget stuff lately ...


Stewart