MK II Mortar Carrier Front Seats

[Petr Brezina]

Hi Luigi, I believe that you are right. According to the Chilwell, Mk.II mortar carriers used backrests from Mk.I Universals, so as the seats. Unfortunately, I don't have a picture of the observer's seat from this mortar carrier from the Czech Republic, but I do believe that its also Mk.I type.

[RichardT10829]

I think Kevin Powles has a Canadian Mortar carrier in his collection, got it from John Bizal many years back.... cannot recall if he still has it, or what Mk it is, but he may be a good starting point for info.


Cheers

Richie

[Petr Brezina]

This Czech carrier is British made, so as my reference. It's quite possible that Canadian ones have some differences.

[Higgins]

It was my job, many years ego....This "Czech bren carrier" on photo, ex-Norway, but my mystake, poor owner.....

[Luigi Manes]

Thank You all!

Luigi

[Lynn Eades]

Luigi
it would help if you could identify the carrier you wish to follow.
FYI,
A Mk I is British built.
A Mk I* is Canadian built. This is across the board, firearms as well. (the * means Canadian made)
The next thing to consider is that the transition from MkI to MkII in a Mortar carrier does not coincide with the transition from MkI to MkII in a Universal Carrier.
The transition is usually as a result of a major re think of the stowage (or less often a slight redesign of the hull)
From Nigel Watsons Books.
The first three contracts for Mortar carriers do not identify the mark, and I make the assumption that the transition happened from MkI to MkII at T82618.
I have a plate off Mortar Carrier T80908 It has no Mk on the plate it merely states,
"CARRIER,3INCH MORTAR W.D.No. T80908" I assume this and any earlier Mortar carriers to be retrospectively MkIs.
This transition in British Universal carriers appeared to happen at about T200,000 (100,000 carriers later)
The carriers you show in your photos are likely much later and in a range T 250,000 or say 1944 as opposed to 1942 era.

So back to your question. The early MkII Mortar Carrier had the same height adjustable seat in both sides of the carrier as the early MkI universal.
At what point in history the fixed gunner's seat happened, I do not know.
I hope that helps.
Anyone with info to the contrary please speak up.

[Paul Dutton]

Hi
Just an add to this.
As far as I know, Kevin Powell’s still has his Canadian Mortar Carrier.
I have two British Mk1 Mortar Carriers, both stripped and currently in storage. All parts are boxed and packed away. Hoping to get onto them after all the house build is completed this summer. These are the ones I imported from New Zealand nearly two years ago.
One is featured in Nigel Watson’s books while it was still in NZ.