AKA Cambridge carrier

[David Herbert]

Jon,
You may well find that the manuals and parts list are relatively available. Generally these British '50s vehicles are not very glamorous so people don't aspire to them, and often have never even heard of them, so there is little general demand. One place to try would be Bovington library archive though they can be expensive. UK ebay is always worth keeping an eye on, recently some FV421 books were on there - a much more obscure vehicle than the Cambridge. I would be happy to forward books from the UK to you if posting is a problem to a vendor here.

Incidentaly I assume you have seen just how close the family relationship is between FV400, FV420 and FV430 series. Each was developed directly from the one before.

Do you have the Hull number (possibly on a little plate about 3x2cm welded on the back somewhere like FV430s) or its army Reg number?

Regards, David

[Jon Bradshaw]

David- I have not looked at the hull for a number but that will happen soon.

I have sent an email to Bovington to see who answers and how forthcoming they are going to be with info and pictures.

I have attached the pic that I could find of the Bovington Barn and you can just see it in the back (top right corner). Last in line behind the Oxford.

The one at Bovington I assume is the later variant with a roof, the earlier? seems to have a flat roof of a three sided type as seen in pic #2.

According to the attached doc the only two surviving ones are the one at Bovington and mine (formerly from the swords and plowshares collection)

Does anyone have info on any other examples of this carrier? Seems some went to the ranges never to be seen again.

[Jon Bradshaw]

David- Here is what I think you are looking for- hull #FV63629? or #A4496?
I also wonder about the other stamped number #6?
I attached the pic so you might be able to see what you are looking for....

It looks like the one at Bovington was used as a hard target and then possibly saved for display. The picture of the the one on the range labelled as a target and the one at Bovington have the same number UXM65.

Also wondering if anyone recognizes this 5 speed final drive with forward and reverse lever?

[Michael R.]

Nigel Watson covers the Cambridge in ‘Universal Carriers Volume II’.

[Richard Farrant]

Originally Posted by Jon Bradshaw

David- Here is what I think you are looking for- hull #FV63629? or #A4496?
I also wonder about the other stamped number #6?
I attached the pic so you might be able to see what you are looking for....

?

Jon
The photo with numbers in it is a view of the radiator and numbers relate to that.

[Jon Bradshaw]

Richard- Is there any info you can gain from this radiator ie: a standard one used on multiple variations or is it specific to this one?

Michael- Thanks I will try to see what it says about them -Amazon is out of copies of that volume right they have Vol 1 and 3 but not Vol 2. So I can't buy it.

I am told it has a B80 engine and the Saracen transmission so those should be fairly commonplace. Both the engine and transmission are seized so not the easiest to get running yet.

The final drive seems in good shape and free enough that it steers and brakes when under tow. The 5 speed shift lever and the reverse lever in the final drive are both stuck though.

The pics I took that day are not showing any data stamped on the hull. I will need to crawl around on it next summer when I have time.

[Richard Farrant]

Originally Posted by Jon Bradshaw

Richard- Is there any info you can gain from this radiator ie: a standard one used on multiple variations or is it specific to this one?

I am told it has a B80 engine and the Saracen transmission so those should be fairly commonplace. Both the engine and transmission are seized so not the easiest to get running yet.

Hi Jon,
There is a brief description in this booklet about the FV432 and its predecessors:
http://www.fv432apc.com/manuals/fv43...432+series.pdf

I saw in an earlier post that this is a FV402 which according to the booklet is an Armoured Observation Post Team Carrier and fitted with a TN20 Hobbs transmission, whereas the FV401 is shown as having a Wilson pre-select type (which is of the type in a Saracen). Going by the photo of the gear selector, it does not look like a Wilson box.
The photo of the plate you posted, upper plate shows the radiator was made at Morris Motors' Osberton radiator works. The plate under it with the FV number will be the part number of the radiator, under that are inspectors stamps. More than likely specially built I would think.
Sorry, I have no other info on the Cambridge. Few were built as far as I know and mostly prototypes for trials I think.

[Jon Bradshaw]

I am not the expert on these British machines and am going on what I was told at time of sale. Here is a picture of the transmission, it has sat looking like this since about 1983 so the transmission is almost certainly a write off. Anyone who can identify it with certainty would be a help. Is it from a Saracen, another British vehicle or something else entirely?
I suppose also confirming that it is a B80 engine would be good.

[Tony Smith]

Originally Posted by Jon Bradshaw

According to the attached doc the only two surviving ones are the one at Bovington and mine (formerly from the Swords and Plowshares collection)

This comment struck me the most, and I thought it indicated that Jon was well aware of the rarity and significance of this vehicle, perhaps not.