Indian Pattern Carrier, Wheeled (NZ Pattern)

[Tony Smith]

Some pics of a NZ built Carrier, Indian Pattern, Wheeled. 76 of these were built by the NZ Railways and Ford NZ on rear engined Ford CMP chassis, and closely follow the Indian design. This is the only restored example and may be one of only 3 survivors.
It is in the markings of the 16th Field Regiment during it's service in Korea, where these vehicles were used as OP's.

[Tony Smith]

the driver's viewing port.

the driver sits low between the chassis rails, where the engine would be located on a "Normal" CMP chassis. The gear shift is mounted on the outer face of the right chassis rail, where the steering box would normally, and is linked to the rear gearbox by three linkages, one for each shift rail in the shift tower!

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Tony,

Thanks for sharing these pictures with us, and the ones you posted in other threads - there seems to be a thriving historical military vehicle community in NZ!

Regards,
Hanno

P.S.: cross-reference thread: "India Pattern Carriers"

[Tony Smith]

..... showing the low driving position and the gearshift on the right chassis rail.

This picture is from a vehicle that shows the fate of many rear-engined carrier chassies in NZ- it was converted into a fire tanker for the NZ forest service.

And another view of the lowered driving position.

[Tony Smith]

The NZ chassis (and the Indian pattern, also?) is a major redesign of the driving controls from the original rear-engined chassis.

[Nigel Watson]

I want one! Nice machine and it uses the 1940s truck steering wheel too!!

That now makes my want list: Indian Pattern Carrier, wheeled; Canadian Armoured Snowmobile; Bren Carrier; Loyd Carrier; 2pdr Tank Attack Carrier. Oh I do love dreaming!!!!!!

Any chance of bringing it to the Scottish National Show this year?

Nigel

[Tony Smith]

Nigel, I doubt you'd come across a complete carrier project for sale, but there are still a few of the post war fire tanker conversions around. I'd love to give one of those a drive in some of the steep forests around here. Even though they carry about 500-700 gal of water, the centre of gravity is kept nice and low. It'd certainly be different driving with the motor waaaay down the back.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

This Life Magazine picture of Un Troops In Korea taken in February 1951 provides a magnificient shot of an Indian Pattern Wheeled Carried in New-Zealand service.

H.

In early 1941 the NZ Government was approached by the Eastern Group Supply Council in India, over the possibility of assembling the INDIAN PATTERN WHEELED CARRIER, in New Zealand. Despite an initial unethusiatic response, it was felt that if the vehicle could be used for local defence, then they could be assembled in New Zealand. In order to test local use, two chassis were ordered from Canada, and on arrival were fitted with mild-steel bodies at the NZR workshops in the Hutt Valley. With a local requirement of only 45 vehicles and with India no longer requiring any of these vehicles, it was decided not to manufacture any. But after trials in Waiouru, and following a few alterations, the Ford Motor Company was asked to order 45 chassis and the NZR workshops were ordered to manufacture the bodies, in March 1942.

The vehicles were used as observation posts by the Field Regiments of the NZ Artillery. After WW II, at least two were used by the 16th Field Regiment RNZA, in Korea. In 1953 some were issued to the 1st Armoured Car Regiment (NZ Scottish). They remained in service until about 1955/56, when most of the chassis were sold and the hulls were used as hard targets.

Source: http://antipodeanarmour.blogspot.com...ern-mk-ii.html

[David Hardway]

Nice machine but its one of two restored (Possibly three) and there are at least another three projects (Must take some pics of mine)

Dave

[Andrew Rowe]

A young guy near me is restoring a New Zealand Pattern Wheeled Carrier. These were based off the Indian Pattern type. We are after a better picture of the oil conditioner label , so we can reproduce them. Would someone be able to post a better picture for us , Thanks Andrew.

[maple_leaf_eh]

A ten year old thread on a 75 year old idea deserves the light of day! I thought it was sort of scout car sized, but nope. Rather armoured car sized.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by maple_leaf_eh

A ten year old thread on a 75 year old idea deserves the light of day!

Indeed, more so because of James' latest project!

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Sourece: http://antipodeanarmour.blogspot.com/

Carrier, Wheeled, N.Z. Pattern, Mk II

A production vehicle receiving the finishing touches prior to delivery to the NZ Army. (National Archives)



Country of Origin: New Zealand
Crew: 4
Battle Weight: 6 (tonne) approx.

Dimensions (m)
Length: 4.953
Height: 1.981
Width: 2.311
Track Width: -
Track Centres: 2.057

Armament
Main: .303-in Bren or Boyes A/T rifle
Secondary: -

Armour Thickness (mm)
Maximum: -
Minimum: -

Traverse: -
Elevation: -

Engine: Ford, 95hp, V8, petrol

Speed
Road: 80kph approx.
Cross-country: -

Suspension Type: Semi-elliptic spring

Road Radius: -
Fording depth: -
Vertical Obstacle: -
Trench Crossing: -

Ammunition Storage (rds)
Main: -
Secondary: -

[dcrfan]

OK not 1:1 scale but NZ Pattern Carriers will not be forgotten in swords to plowshares version. Models of post war conversions underway in 1/48 scale - Tanker, Pumper and Fire Appliance


http://photos.kiwimodeller.com/image/1w2pR

[Hanno Spoelstra]

One more picture of a NZ pattern wheeled armoured carrier during a parade in New Zealand (via John Baker)