Help with Carrier ID

[Neil Ashley]

It was the conflicting T numbers for contract S/M1349 which I was wondering about.

I don't know what source you used for your book.

"On the Bovington list serial numbers T178800-T181058 are allocated to contract S/M 1349 which is listed as being for Windsor Carriers. Having said this all the contracts listed immeadiately prior to this cover both Windsors and Universals so perhaps a mistake was made on the list".

"Unfortunately in Nigels book Contract S/M 1349 is listed as having serial numbers T28149?-T286848. I could not immeadiately see your number in Nigels book but I assume you have a copy to check".

[Nigel Watson]

At the back of my mind I knew I had seen something about a No.2 MkII* and as I was looking at Volume 2, there it was a carrier id plate with Universal Carrier No.2 MkII*. Assuming this was fixed to a carrier and not a mock up, Canada produced carriers fitted with the American made V8. Having just found that I came across my reference for engine types. Neither of these contradict each other but simply say Canada produced carriers fitted with Canadian made V8s as well as American and hence the Carriers Nomenclature altered. England did the same so Ron if your MkII* has an American V8 you can call it a No.2 MkII* if you like!!!!

Nigel

[Nigel Watson]

Originally Posted by Neil Ashley

It was the conflicting T numbers for contract S/M1349 which I was wondering about.

I don't know what source you used for your book.

"On the Bovington list serial numbers T178800-T181058 are allocated to contract S/M 1349 which is listed as being for Windsor Carriers. Having said this all the contracts listed immeadiately prior to this cover both Windsors and Universals so perhaps a mistake was made on the list".

"Unfortunately in Nigels book Contract S/M 1349 is listed as having serial numbers T28149?-T286848. I could not immeadiately see your number in Nigels book but I assume you have a copy to check".

Hi Neil
My source for the WD Nos and subsequent Contract Nos. come from a Bovington Document entitled Schedule of Allocation of WD Numbers to AFV Contracts by Chilwell dated August 1944 Chilwell Ref: 215.14. Which Bovington List do you refer to?

What is interesting is that it states T178800-183799 was for Universal Carriers to Contract S/M 1349 placed with Loyd! I have a note to say that this Contract was originally placed with Ford and then changed to Loyd (Can't find the source of the note at the moment). However CT179405 is a Canadian built Carrier with Serial No. 24753 and Upper Hull 179405? and Lower Hull 23773 (Again I have it as a note against this Contract but can't find its source either. Belongs to someone we know I feel! Anyone?). I wonder if a certain amount were produced by Ford before the Contract was placed with Loyd?

The reason you couldn't find the numbers in my book is most likely because you were looking under Commonwealth Production. They are under UK Production because of the Contract being placed with Loyd latterly.

We'll all sort this out one way or another.

Nigel

[Ledsel]

Mine is a No.2 MKII* and its original. BUT I don't know if it has a Yankie engine and I can't look because it's in the shed at the farm. I don't think it says made in Canada on the head.

[Lynn Eades]

Heres some pictures of the manual. Its obviously a British Carrier manual, with no references to N.Z.

[Ron Pier]

Likewise I need a spare hour or so to get in my engine bay. From memory I'm sure I saw MADE IN USA on one of the heads?? I'm heavily into a couple of other projects in the shed at present. But I really want to check the numbers and confirm what I have got. It seems to have been an issue worth talking about though. Thanks for the comments chaps. Ron

[Ledsel]

Lynn, That looks like a nice manual. I've never seen one before.

[Lynn Eades]

Over here we have been lucky enough to have a range of different carriers. Although the numbers are not big, we have had British built carriers, Canadian built carriers, as well, the Australian ones were copied and some 600+ were built here, along with the 6 proper 1938 Bren carriers, that came here pre-war, and the 40 LP1's that were patterned from them.
Because of this we can compare the differences between the different types, that you guys in Canada are unlikely to see.( We have not had T16s or Windsors)
I note that even in the U.K., a U.K built carrier is fairly rare. (most of the guys in the U.K. on this forum have Canadian built carriers.)

Nigel The manual has amendments dated to April 1945.

[Nigel Watson]

Originally Posted by Lynn Eades

Heres some pictures of the manual. Its obviously a British Carrier manual, with no references to N.Z.

Hi Lynn
Thanks for posting the manuals. They seem to describe carriers in a totally different way, very interesting. I wonder if they standardised things later, after your manual? Here is where I got info from.

I wonder what is in the Service Instruction Book for Carriers...Chilwell 63/53? I don't have a copy, anyone?

Have also noticed the description of a MkI having a step on the side.

Nigel