MkII Restoration Completed: Huntsville Legion

[HUntsville Matt]

Lynn,

All good questions - thanks!

The carrier is a volunteer work in progress and funded by donations. Huntsville is a small community, and we have a limited budget. So, while we have re-rubbered 2 of the most badly damaged wheels, the remaining wheels haven't been off. If the wheels are inside-out, we'll have to blame some unknown tinkerer 30 to 70 odd years ago, because that's the way it was when we got it.

When the Legion member, Robert Boothby, who donated the carrier to the local Legion branch originally bought the carrier, the prior owner had removed all the armour plate and buried it on his farm. I'm guessing like a lot of surplus carriers sold to the public, it was used as a utility vehicle. Mr. Boothby and a friend had to be directed to the spot the farmer best remembered having buried the parts. The restoration volunteers are in the process of getting premission to have a look around the farm with a metal detector to locate the gunners armour that was missed, but there's no guarantee the farmer either had it to begin with or hadn't use it to fix something on the farm. The gunner's armour has been "roughed-in" with plywood until we have sourced replacement parts. It looks like an AOP now, but our plan is to complete it with the standard front armour.

I wasn't aware of the book you're referring to until a few weeks ago. We've been going by reprinted manuals that Richard ordered and the Osprey Carrier book. I'd love to have the Watson book, but it's not readily available to us here. From what you're describing the data therein is exhaustive.

We'll post a picture of the gunner's interior soon.

Thanks for your interest and the support of all the MLU forum members.

Regards,
Matt Allen
Huntsville, ON

[Piper]

Man Richard, don't those fuel cans look good!!

Nice that the straps now are functional

This weekend is just going to be stellar!

Cam

[Marc van Aalderen]

Originally Posted by HUntsville Matt

I wasn't aware of the book you're referring to until a few weeks ago. We've been going by reprinted manuals that Richard ordered and the Osprey Carrier book. I'd love to have the Watson book, but it's not readily available to us here. From what you're describing the data therein is exhaustive.

Hi Matt,

The excellent series of books on the Carriers is availible directly from the writer. His website can be found here: http://www.universalcarrierbook.co.uk/

I can highly recommend to buy all three volumes while they last.

Good luck with the first outing and the rest of the restauration.

Cheers,

[RichCam]

Guys,

The Huntsville Legion 80th Anniversary celebrations and rededication of it's Universal Carrier were a success! The weather cooperated and the parade was short and sweet! This project has now come full circle. The widow of Robert Boothby, (Black Watch/Royal Highland Regiment - original donator of the carrier) was at the event along with her son and granddaughter. They were impressed along with the general public. It is now stored at the Royal Canadian Legion in Huntsville in it's own enclosure. It is operational and will be run monthly and in seasonal parades.

Now, it is time to restore some CMP's.

Thanks again for all of your wise words, encouragement and advice. Don't lose faith in your projects, they are worth the effort!

[Marc van Aalderen]

Hi Richard,

Congratulations on completing your project. Well done! Looking forward to the next restos, don't forget to post regularly.

Cheers,