Wanted: Project vehicle ? Preferably tracked

[RichardT10829]

Cheers Hanno, can they be used on roads ?

[Jim Burrill]

Richard, I think the "official" wartime tracks have some deep track grousers on them. I followed a weasel in my bren carrier at one of the winter battle of the Bulge reenactments here in Pennsylvania, and I was watching him chew up the ice. The same ice that my tracks were spinning on.

They may well be some post war rubber ones that don't use the grousers, but just be aware that the cleated ones are on a lot of them.

[Marc van Aalderen]

Weasel.... poor man's carrier....

[RichardT10829]

True.

The ideal would be a carrier not even snobby enough to ask for Mk 1's only !

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by RichardT10829

Cheers Hanno, can they be used on roads ?

Yes, they have rubber pads on their tracks. Tracks are their weakest link though, but newly-made ones are available as well as refurbishment technologies.

[RichardT10829]

Thanks Hanno.

Will have a look see. I really really really miss my carrier. It's new owner has had it to numerous shows since buying it....keeps sending me pics of it which is great but stings at the same time.

I am happy that it went to a good home though.

[eddy8men]

wait for a carrier to come along, it won't be too long before one comes up

[ozm29c]

Richie,
For interest, here are links to the two weasel aftermarket track manufacturers.
https://www.facebook.com/LibertyAutoRestoration/
http://www.staman.nl/
If you were to decide to restore a weasel and fit Staman tracks, could I suggest that you ring Tony at Axholm signs and gauge his opinion on both owning a weasel and the rubber track system. I don't think Liberty are making their tracks nowadays, but if they were, you would need to take a second mortgage out on your house to pay for them and the shipping from the USA to UK. As an example, back in 2013 my LAR tracks cost $9500USD plus shipping. Good luck with your final vehicle choice although as an added incentive, weasels do float if you are nautically inclined . Just out of interest, will a carrier float without added buoyancy?
Cheers
John W.

[horsa]

You can re-band your existing grousers and then essentially have new tracks for approximately $1500-$2000US plus your own sweat equity. I know because I rebuilt the pair on our M29C Weasel right after I finished the work on my T-16.

With a good engine, it will fly over rough ground without beating you to death like a jeep would do. Gives the smooth sensation of being in a boat. Very fun to drive but its not the same as armor.

They are referenced in some wartime British regimental war diaries as continuous tracked carriers and are one of something like 28 patterns of "universal carriers" that were in British service. They were even used in the Netherlands by some of the tank units so vehicle commanders could be gathered for briefings since conditions often made it difficult for them to go in their tanks.

[horsa]

Three short video clips showing my father driving the Weasel after the track rebuild. He's pretty big at roughly 240lbs and over 65 years of age when this was shot.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTSLWEdTIfU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9RhHaAHzqQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHGpt4XRubM