surviving T16s

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally posted by Snowtractor in Gweru Military museum
A T-16 if I am not mistaken

Surprisingly, this "Zimbabwean Bren Carrier" survives in the Gweru Military Museum in Zimbabwe, Africa.

Can anyone tell if/when the T16 was in military service in Zimbabwe?!? Reportedly, the Swiss Army sold 300 T16s to Biafra via a dealer in Toronto in 1965; could it be (some of) these ended up in Zimbabwe?

Thanks,
Hanno

[Phillip Evans]

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

Surprisingly, this "Zimbabwean Bren Carrier" survives in the Gweru Military Museum in Zimbabwe, Africa.

Can anyone tell if/when the T16 was in military service in Zimbabwe?!? Reportedly, the Swiss Army sold 300 T16s to Biafra via a dealer in Toronto in 1965; could it be (some of) these ended up in Zimbabwe?

Thanks,
Hanno

According to a write up in the book 'Fighting Vehicle & Weapons of Rhodesia 1965 - 80' (2nd Edition), pg 90, by Peter G Lockr and Peter DF Cooke it states the following. 'T16 Universal Carriers served with the RAR in Kenya from 1944, when they were described as "fearsome clanking monsters", and with the Southern Rhodesian Forces post war. They carried the flash, three assegai, of the Federation of Rhodesia & Nyasaland Army. In mid 1970's one was exhumed from its museum resting place and returned to active service. It was given an armoured superstructure onto which were fitted 2 x twin machine gun mounts (Bren gun mounts). Fitted for radio, it was used for airfield defence but the tracks and running gear were considered too geriatric and high maintenance for anything more arduous or long range. This is the only info I have found so far on these vehicles in Rhodesia.

[Didier Huybrechts]

another survivor in argentina T16-E2
i'm trying to rapatriate him to belgium, but not easy

[andrew honychurch]

Nice one, What is the problem with repatriating it to Belgium? Is it getting it out of Argentina or into Belgium? Perhaps you can jeep me posted with your efforts and success as I too want to bring a vehicle back from Argentina? andrew.honychurch@btinternet.com

[Didier Huybrechts]

Andrew

i send you a mail
thx
didier

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Phillip Evans

According to a write up in the book 'Fighting Vehicle & Weapons of Rhodesia 1965 - 80' (2nd Edition), pg 90, by Peter G Lockr and Peter DF Cooke it states the following. 'T16 Universal Carriers served with the RAR in Kenya from 1944, when they were described as "fearsome clanking monsters", and with the Southern Rhodesian Forces post war. They carried the flash, three assegai, of the Federation of Rhodesia & Nyasaland Army. In mid 1970's one was exhumed from its museum resting place and returned to active service. It was given an armoured superstructure onto which were fitted 2 x twin machine gun mounts (Bren gun mounts). Fitted for radio, it was used for airfield defence but the tracks and running gear were considered too geriatric and high maintenance for anything more arduous or long range. This is the only info I have found so far on these vehicles in Rhodesia.

“Biafran 1967 homemade Tankette...more dangerous to crew than enemy.”

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Source: https://www.facebook.com/ModernAfric...44532392531579