Australian Carrier T-Numbers

[Lynn Eades]

I don't believe Nigel is suggesting there was an "order" to produce 2000 carriers. Rather, I think, a block of 2000 numbers, was allocated by the war office for Australian produced carriers.
I guess Breaker Morant's influence came in here, and the Australian authorities chose not to follow Mother Englands directions.
And so today I have learned that Aust. built LP2/2a's never had a "T" number.
ps. Mk1* were Canadian.

[Roddy de Normann]

Lynn -

Many thanks for both replies. I will now add several new pages to my database to accommodate the Aussie numbers.

The next question however is if there are listings of those UK Carriers that went home to Australia in 1941/42 or indeed issued to Aussie forces in the Far East ? I have a feeling this will mean a trawl through all the War Diaries. Luckily they are on the Net !

Many thanks again

Roddy

[Tony Smith]

Originally Posted by Lynn Eades

I don't believe Nigel is suggesting there was an "order" to produce 2000 carriers. Rather, I think, a block of 2000 numbers, was allocated by the war office for Australian produced carriers.

p113: "Ford Australia: Contract A1071: UC Mk?: 2000
Ford NZ: Contract NZ1083: UC Mk?: 650
**** Orders were placed with Australia and New Zealand for Universal Carriers, but it is unclear if they were fulfilled."

[Lynn Eades]

Now I see from where you are quoting. The 650 LP2a's were built by N.Z.(ordered by the Eastern Group Supply Council)The order was cancelled, because the order had been covered, presumeablyby Canada and the U.S. !0 were supplied to the Free French, and 23 to the U.S. The remaining 617 were taken over by the N.Z. army after the war, where they gradually replaced the LP2 in service.
My guess is that Aust. received an order for carriers (britian had a dire need), but cancelled fothe same reason as N.Z.'s cancellation.
The Aust pattern carrier would have been considered a "U.C." from the U.K.'s point of veiw, as it would have fulfilled the same role.
All the above about N.Z. carriers is quoted from Jeff Plowmans book.