Carriers in U.S. Service

[Lynn Eades]

Is the position of the ID plate another indicator?
The Australian built ones appear to all have them situated on the RF guard.
The New zealand ones are on the triangular top plate above the instrument cluster. Is this a point of difference between the Aust. and N.Z. carriers or are there differences on each side of the Tasman?

[Rob Beale]

The early Kiwi carriers had the plate on the track guard like the Australian ones.

In later production it was moved to the top of the hull and welded above the instrument cluster. This is possibly to stop loss of the plate.

I think the first 520 NZ carriers were all issued to home based units during the war. 3 NZ Div took some to Guadalcanal but found them unsuitable and converted the carrier platoon to infantry. Given that a number of C8AX puddle jumpers ended up in Australia as war surplus, it is possible that a carrier was left behind.

I have a picture of a field full of carriers and other vehicles brought back to NZ from the Pacific. These include LP, UC and 3" Mortar types

We know some of these were swapped to USMC, but where they went is unknown.

Also the ones sold to the US and given to the Free French in the Pacific were from the later ESGC contract for 650 LP2A.

So, yes, a photo of the plate on top of the instrument panel would help.

Rob

[Big D]

Rob/Lynn,

Thanks for the replies. I'll get the changes made and send them to him this weekend.

Cheers.

[Big D]

Hi all,

I've finally got some photos back from Honiara. Apparently some rioting over there has held him up. Excuses!

Anyway, I'm not sure that these photos add any value to the discussion but I will post them for what it is worth. It looks like he has not sent (or taken) everything I've asked him to but judging by what he has sent I don't think many more photos will help.

The carrier seems to have been stripped long ago and the corrosion on it has probably prevented any markings being visible.

I'll let the experts on this forum judge and if you think I should ask for some more details, please let me know.

IMG_0442.jpg IMG_0443.jpg IMG_0444.jpg IMG_0445.jpg IMG_0446.jpg

[Big D]

More photos.

IMG_0447.jpg IMG_0448.jpg IMG_0449.jpg IMG_0450.jpg

[Rob Beale]

I will suggest it is a mid production NZ produced carrier from the first wartime batch of 520.

It shows two sets of holes for the MG mount which suggests it could take either of the heavy Vickers casying or the light UC style bren casting.

The centre towing eye and square tapping blocks also point to mid production.

Late production had no central eye, and most tapping blocks were circular.

Rob

[Darrin Wright]

This has been a most interesting and educational thread in regards to Aust vs Kiwi carriers and their identifying characteristics.

I am still none the wiser ref this BGC and if it is Aust or NZ, but have the following to add:

Early Aust BGC had a rectangular ID plate located on the RHF guard, this was later moved to the top of the triangular steel panel above the dash, and welded in place. Not sure what hull number or date this occurred but would have varied between manufacturers.

Some early Aust BGC had circular mounting blocks welded to the hull (my Vic Rail 731 does), but most had the common square mounting blocks welded to the hull.

It was a field mod to cut the centre front tow eye off, this was to reduce the incident of crews banging their hands on it when utilising the crank handle. This was later overcome by the centre tow eye not being installed in late production BGC; and a slightly longer crank handle extension rod procured. This mod is not documented in the DME book.

I have found several BGC that have a number stamped on the centre tow eye, it is not a hull number but a work order number or similar. For example, a BGC that has stamped '106' on the eye, it is a Aust LP2- very early due to the flare box mounting being by the gunners Left knee. 106 would make it a LP1.

The front hull gun mount has several holes in it, this feature is also on many Aust BGC, 2 of the 3 BGC that I have, have these holes in the same position. Not sure what they are for, but Rob may have a likely suggestion.
There was also a mod conducted in this area, but I will leave it for a new thread.

Not sure if I have assisted any. This hull does have square mounting blocks, flare box located left of the gun position. Not much else stands out.

Regards