Carrier tail light

[Michael R.]

Originally Posted by Tom Millward

... I might as well ask my next question; my engine cover seems to be missing the second set of holes for the rifle rest. Is there a reason for this does anyone know?

A factory modified engine cover top armour plate for a mortar carrier . . . ?
Canadian factory mortar carriers did not have firing rests, pogo stick bases or spring clips. No antenna brackets on the rear passenger vertical engine cover protection plate either.

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

Originally Posted by Michael R.

A factory modified engine cover top armour plate for a mortar carrier . . . ?
Canadian factory mortar carriers did not have firing rests, pogo stick bases or spring clips. No antenna brackets on the rear passenger vertical engine cover protection plate either.

But.... Canadian mortar carriers (Mk.II) were based on Mk.I* hulls and had all the non essential holes riveted shut. Why there aren't holes for the firing rest rear may have to do with this being a mortar or something else rear deck of a British carrier. Those pairs of rivets in the pics are not Canadian Mk.I.

[Lynn Eades]

This carrier was rebuilt many years ago in N.Z. It may well have Brit. carrier parts on it. We had more Mortar carriers than U.C.s

[Ron Pier]

Tom here is some information for the position and bracket for the axle flood-lamp that Michael R sent me for my Mk2 (is it the same on Mk1?) The (CMP) lamps and changeover switch came from Dirk and the little plates came from Brian I think.

The flood-lamp bolts to the inside of the rear plate and points to the white disc which is fixed the the right silencer. Ron

[Tom Millward]

Here's another picture of the engine cover, it has a stenciled part number under the paint. Does this correspond to a UK mortar Carrier?
Attachment 108841

[kevin powles]

Tom, If you got a 3” mortar carrier there, surely you want to restore it to mortar stowage configuration?. I would think 3” mortar carriers are rarer and more desirable?, or am I wrong ?.

Kevin

[Tom Millward]

Not now that you have all my mortar tubes! The rest of the stowage seems to be standard configuration as I have the battery box and standard stowage around the driver. I think perhaps the engine cover has come form a donor vehicle. How else could I tell if it is a Mortar Carrier variant?

[Michael R.]

Originally Posted by Bruce Parker

But.... Canadian mortar carriers (Mk.II) were based on Mk.I* hulls and had all the non essential holes riveted shut. Why there aren't holes for the firing rest rear may have to do with this being a mortar or something else rear deck of a British carrier. Those pairs of rivets in the pics are not Canadian Mk.I.

I agree, the Canadian mortar carrier UC-2 armour top plate of the engine cover we are most familiar with is not usually found with this hole pattern. If the top plate could be British, as Lynn suggests, would those holes line up for the base of a 2” mortar mounting/adapter block?

Before we get carrier-ed away, (K.P.) I am merely suggesting this one atypical part not original to the hull. A part that may have been introduced on the early MK-I* hull. From the previous details I am absolutely convinced it is not a factory mortar carrier.

However... like the “Vera Lynn” carrier... a detailed inspection could show which parts are original to the hull and front armour WD number, serial number and build date.

[kevin powles]

Tom, If you post some side, front and back pictures we can tell you if it’s a mortar carrier. One tell tale is the gunners position fire extinguisher mounting bracket bottom hole will have a rivet in it.

Kevin

[BCA]

Tom, I think this is what you want. As per the Carrier FUC-03 Parts Book: C01Q-13440 tail lamp body. Also specified for early Ford CMP. There is a celluloid insert that forms a window but you’d have to fabricate one. These rubber bodies are essentially the same as the later solid rubber bodies except for the cut-out. Nice flexible, NOS condition. PM me for details. ... Brian

[Lynn Eades]

There are many indicators. but mostly rivet hole closures done in the factory.The holes for the smoke discharger bkt are closed as are all the rear compartment gun mounts and rubber rest brackets. also the battery box mounting holes were closed with rivets. Maybe a previous owner can help?
I believe this was a MkI* U.C., but I have only sighted it a couple of times and trying to i.d. it as something else wasn't the focus.

[Tom Millward]

Attachment 108847

Not the best image for explaining my point... But I've looked over the hull and the holes are all there for Bren mounts, antenna mounts, rifle rubber rests etc, so I'm concluding that the engine cover must be a donor from a UK Mortar Carrier.

If anyone has a Mortar Carrier and wants to trade for a standard Mk1* engine cover let me know, before I start making holes in it. I'd rather not modify it, but want to return mine to standard configuration so will need to put the missing holes in it.

[Tom Millward]

Before purchase a rubber tail light, I'm wondering, if the tail light was rubber, would the axle flood lamp also be the same rubber type? I.e. do I need to get two, one for the tail light and one for the axle light?