Mk1* Carrier T No

[Lynn Eades]

Tom, Here are pictures of your carrier T53664.
The first picture shows a cut carrier hull bearing that faded T number, with a proud younger Allan Watson. As it happens Allan came to my place to show me his photos about 2 to 3 years ago. I contacted his wife who told me that Allan had died about 18 months ago from cancer. Mrs Watson wasn't able to give me much detail, but was happy to let me photograph her photos.
The Lady and gentleman so dressed were Lady Blundell and the Governor General of New Zealand, Sir Denis Blundell. Sir Denis Blundell served as Governor General from 1972 until 1977.
As you can see the left side hull upper plate was replaced with a plate from the lower hull from another carrier. This shows the rivet holes and rust line along the floor junction angle iron. You can also see the slot that the rear bogie frame mounts through.
So to your hull number etc.

I have recorded a few lower hull numbers.
They are:
4198
4200
4282 (mine) (I will probably use T 53043 as I have used the floor from it and
have the piece of the left side plate bearing that number)
4291
4294
4935. (yours)
I can tie one lower hull number to a "T" number. 4291 belongs with T 53043
However 4294 belongs to T 53666 (a 620 jump forward) Block of numbers used elsewhere?
As it happens T 53666 also has its upper number which is CB 4201.
I cannot explain why your "T" number is 2 lower and jumps up dramatically on both upper and lower numbers (around 600 on both) Has your drivers front plate been changed?

On the pressed serial plate, can someone show me by photograph where exactly that plate is located. I have never seen one of those plates in N.Z. and question that they were ever fitted to the carriers that came to N.Z. In saying that I have not seen a plate on the front guard either.

Are there any other surviving carriers from contract WSL-72.2 (T 51965 to T 55364) This being the contract that the Kiwi Canadian carriers came from.
Anybody have any ideas?