Rhodesian Carrier

[maple_leaf_eh]

Peter Cooke and Peter Locke are the authors. Both New Zealanders.

The carrier is not mentioned in their book, which tells me that it escaped their otherwise exhaustive research. My pencil notation in the book mentions it appearing in Soldier of Fortune, July 1979. It must be a one-of-a-kind. The two photos are coincidentally the same vehicle from two sides.

[dcrfan]

I know this thread is long cold but I just found it. The Rhodesian T16 is remarkably similar to pictures I have seen of similar conversions undertaken during one of the minor African wars (Congo?) which some Rhodesians could well have seen. As is always the case, I can't find the pictures at the moment.

[Lynn Eades]

Hi dcrfan I'm not sure how you have registered without a name, but as you are a kiwi, I'll assume good things, so, welcome aboard!

[dcrfan]

I have recently received further information on this vehicle which goes a little way to solving the mystery. It was the prototype of a private venture modification by a Salisbury engineering company using a T16 chassis removed from a museum. It was tested by the Rhodesian Army Rh Armoured Car Regiment, WO O'Reilly, Troop 4.1 in 1977 at a dam on a farm for its water fording capabilities but deemed not suitable as it was too slow (due to the weight of the armour?) and it's reliability was suspect. Due to these factors it was only suitable for airfield defence. It is unknown if it was actually operated by the Army in this role. The members of the Rhodesian Air Force Regiment who operated Eland 60 armoured cars in air field defence do not recall it being operated by the regular forces.

Paul Napier

[RichardT10829]

Looking at that carrier, you can see where the design inspiration came from for the CVRT Spartan !