Derk’s new Universal carrier Mk 1*

[rob love]

Those old counteshaft tools were at the princess auto surplus quonset. When they were closing, you could fill a12 pack beer case for $10 or a 24 case for $20.

I still have one of those tools somewhere. I miss that place.

[David Dunlop]

John, was the guy who ran their surplus Quonset as I recall.

Wonder whatever happened to his MV Reference Library upstairs in that place. His collection of Maintenance, Parts and Drivers Manuals was staggering.

There was a pretty interesting yard across the street as well.

David

[derk derin]

I was too young to experience going through all the old buildings at Princess Auto but heard about all the treasures that used to be there.
I have a 1964 Princess Auto catalogue that lists some items I wouldn’t mind owning now for the price listed back then like a complete Bren gun carrier engine for $199.50!

[derk derin]

And we’ve all heard of the famous Lee Enfield rifles for $12.95 and bayonets for $2.49 or how about a Webley flare pistol for your carriers for $9.95!

[derk derin]

I went out to the shop today and took a few photo’s of the engine in the carrier.
In the bell housing casting shows C69A. The right head has a stamping
C81T-6049, the left head is C81T-6050. The brass rebuild tag is self explanatory but shows a rebuild date of 1954 so must have been done close to being surplused as Dave’s dad bought it in the 1950’s.

[derk derin]

The block heaters are both different. One is marked Carter Engineering, the other one blank. The distributor looks different from the ones I’m used to seeing. Is this one an upgraded model from the older aluminum one?

[derk derin]

The ignition filter unit is LUCAS marked. I had a look in my original carrier toolbox and found a Ford marked filter one of the Prairie Command members gave me. I’ll use that one instead. I also have the spare coil Dave gave me. I hope it’s still good and can use it. I’m not sure how to test it to see if it’s still good? Will have to bug Rob Love one day to show me how.

[derk derin]

I have a question, where would I find my engine serial number stamp on the engine? I looked all over the engine and found nothing.
I’ve tried doing a search here on MLU and found no information. I tried googling it on the World Wide Web and couldn’t find out where so I’m sure the knowledge on this site will be able to tell me?
Please and thank you.

[maple_leaf_eh]

There are stages in every hobby. You have the good fortune of having friends. They know you, and appreciate your interests. The carrier would have been a prize for any collector, but to be offered the stash of tracks and other parts, was the mark of a true hobbiest.

At some point, you too will have to move the collection along. We don't own these pieces. We're just their temporary caretakers.

[Colin Alford]

Derk,

That engine may or may not have a serial number stamped. The general Ford practice was to stamp the engine number on the top edge of the transmission rather than on the engine block itself. Carriers were an exception where the engine serial number was also stamped on the top flat of the engine block on the left side of the intake manifold near the rear of the block. Try looking on the flats on the top of the block either side near the rear of the intake manifold.

For your Canadian wrench roll, the marking you can see is SCYCO. The manufacturers name is the only marking I have noted on the wrench rolls I have seen. SCYCO is Scythes & Co which was based in Toronto. A company history can be found here: https://canadianaflag.ca/blogs/blog/...vXuP8KsbK1Cs9B

[Colin Alford]

Derk,

I have not seen any leather handgrips like those before. I am not sure what to make of them. The parts lists seem to agree that MkI* carrier had the black rubber grips. This thread shows a later leather cover wood grip found on some MkII*: http://www.mapleleafup.net/forums/sh...ad.php?t=31280

I note that they look fairly short compared to the rubber grip. Possibly a non-Canadian or non-carrier part?

That Lucas marked ignition filter is interesting. I wonder what journey it took to find its way onto your engine.

For the track adjusting cam, I do not have enough knowledge of non-Canadian cams to give an opinion if it is US or British produced.

[Colin Alford]

Derk,

That distributor is commonly referred to as a “crab” type whereas Ford called it the flat type. Most CMP production used that type of distributor.

See this thread for guidance if you are ever tempted to switch to the older dome type distributor: http://www.mapleleafup.net/forums/sh...ad.php?t=34229

Earlier you mentioned the antennae mount. While that type would not have been fitted to that carrier when it was produced, it might be a later Mk 1* part. I have seen a period document which showed something similar to that simplified mount. It might have been the 19 set installation instructions but I am not sure where mine are hiding right now.

[derk derin]

I just went out to the shop and had another look for the serial number on the engine. When I googled where to find it yesterday the only location mentioned exactly where you said, at the back right flat spot beside the manifold.
I had a look and couldn’t find any markings. Looked on both sides and nothing so I scraped off all the paint hoping it was covering it but still nothing.
Now looking at the brass rebuild tag on the engine it says Engine number and has 2447 stamped in it. I will have to have a closer look next summer when it’s not dark outside at 4:00 pm and I won’t freeze my fingers holding the flashlight!

[derk derin]

These are the 2 rear flat spots at the back of the engine.

[derk derin]

As for the leather handgrips, I contacted Dave today and asked him again if those leather handgrips were on his carrier when his dad got it from surplus and he confirmed they were on the carrier.
I had a closer look at them today and noticed one of them had a blue felt liner in between the inner roll of leather and the outer leather handgrip.
The second one had a horsehair liner in between the inner roll of leather and the outer leather handgrip.
I’m now wondering if they were a base workshop repair/replacement handgrip that was made to replace broken/ missing rubber handgrips?
Thank you for finding that thread on the question Michael R. had on the leather handgrip he had. You can see in the pictures of mine that they are shorter than the rubber one. Michael R.’s picture shows a metal retaining ring on the bottom of his and the stitching on his is different than the ones I have.
With all the differences in construction makes me think they were made as needed and not something factory made.
Curious if anybody else have some examples of leather handgrips they can post?

[maple_leaf_eh]

Originally Posted by derk derin

And we’ve all heard of the famous Lee Enfield rifles for $12.95 and bayonets for $2.49 or how about a Webley flare pistol for your carriers for $9.95!

Sigh. Those were amazing catalogues!

[rob love]

211 base workshop is Regina.

[maple_leaf_eh]

Originally Posted by rob love

211 base workshop is Regina.

Was their shop just north of the tracks that run through the middle of the Queen City?

[derk derin]

I managed to fabricate my carrier radio adaptor tray, 19 set no. 22 carrier tray and the junction block mounting plate today.
I also managed to save my 4 rubber shock mounts. They fell apart on me and rock hard but I wanted the mounts on the tray to give it the proper look so I JB Welded the rubber to the metal pieces and to make sure they hold together I drilled a hole through the 2 metal plates, tapped the inside metal part of the mount and screwed them together. This is fine to make sure the rubber mount doesn’t fall apart again but definitely not strong enough to support the entire radio set so I welded 4 metal columns between the adaptor tray and carrier tray, drilled & tapped 4 large flathead screws and this will secure the 2 trays together and prevent the rubber shock mounts from breaking apart.
I can’t believe even brand new those 4 rubber mounts held the weight of that entire 19 set! Especially when they jump those carriers in the air!

[Jordan Baker]

Derk

I make new made shock mounts.

[derk derin]

Got those covered Jordan, what I need now is one of those antenna hooks you were making up. Any chance you have one left for sale?
Thanks,Derk

[Jordan Baker]

Long gone for the antenna hold down

[derk derin]

Seems I’m a few years too late piecing my carrier together. Lots of items were being reproduced like your hooks, grips were being done, antenna mounts etc.
I guess I’ll continue looking for original parts or make up what I can on my own.
One bonus on working on my carrier now is all the research everyone here on the carrier forum has done over the years is now documented in all the posts and threads. Descriptions, measurements and photo’s of carrier items have been Well discussed and theories were turned into actual facts on a lot of questions. Thanks to all who researched and put in the effort for owners like me to now have the information to restore a carrier right this time. When I did my first carrier back in 1998 I didn’t have the information needed to get things like seat cushions sewn right or even the right material that was used. Now I hope doing this carrier I will have a more complete and authentic example.
Thank you,Derk

[Michael R.]

Originally Posted by derk derin

One bonus on working on my carrier now is all the research everyone here on the carrier forum has done over the years is now documented in all the posts and threads. Descriptions, measurements and photo’s of carrier items have been Well discussed and theories were turned into actual facts on a lot of questions. Thanks to all who researched and put in the effort for owners like me to now have the information to restore a carrier right this time.
Thank you,Derk

A shout out to Hanno for maintaining this resource ?

[derk derin]

Yes a big thank you to Hanno for keeping MLU up and running for so many to enjoy sharing and passing on so much knowledge of a hobby we all enjoy.
Happy Holidays to everyone on the MLU community.
Merry Christmas, Derk

[derk derin]

Does anybody have information on this type of blackout shield? Dave had it on his carrier. Would this be a proper shield for a Mark 1* carrier?
I’ve never seen this type before. I do have a regular blackout shield Dave gave me with the pile of spare parts if I need to exchange it.
Thanks, Derk

[derk derin]

After owning a sewing machine for 12 years now it was time I used it. After spending some time cleaning it up, figuring out how to load the thread and get the tensions just right I tackled my first project, the canvas pouch that’s riveted to the inside lid of the crew locker. I must say it turned out alright!

[derk derin]

Next item was the waterproof canvas junction box cover. I had to correct a few mistakes along the way but in the end it turned out acceptable.
I also ordered the snap fasteners and installed them today to finish them off.
Thanks to Rob Love for borrowing me his original sample of the canvas pouch to make a copy and thanks to Geoff Truscott for his efforts of posting original photo’s of the waterproof cover as well as measurements to replicate them.

[Petr Brezina]

Very cool!

[Ron Pier]

I've never seen that swivel version BO lamp before. But towards the end of the war, as BO restrictions were being lifted, both Lucas and Butler made their own versions of BO hoods that could allow more light on the road. I have the Butler hoods on my Morris and Austin Tilly which have the hinge up panel.

Nice work with the sewing machine. I saw one of those junction box covers (NOS) at a military fair many years ago and didn't know that I would need one and have never come across one since. Doh! Ron