Nigel Watson's "Universal Carriers" in Print!

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

Our mate Nigel has done it! Here's the press release:

New Book “Universal Carriers”

A new reference book for the Universal Carrier range is being launched at War and Peace this year.

Three years’ research and compilation has led to a comprehensive reference source for these small tracked vehicles, with over 400 photographs and 100 diagrams used, many before unseen. Being published in three volumes, with the 304 page Volume One available at the show, they tell the story of the development of the carrier from the interwar years through to the postwar period.

The books are aimed at enthusiasts and model makers alike, but will also appeal to veterans and vehicle owners. The extensive use of photographs not only shows the vehicles but also the terrain they were used in and provide a good source for diorama modeling.

Volume One deals with the early Dragons, MG, Cavalry, AOP, Bren, Loyd and Universal MkI carriers, but also covers variants such as the Ambulance, Anti-Aircraft Unit and Bridging vehicles. Special equipment is explained with many original drawings showing the wading and flotation mechanisms.

There are chapters on the vehicle and crew weapons, engine and track details as well as the communication equipment that was associated with these vehicles. A full list of carrier WD Nos. is included in the Appendix.

Nigel Watson, the author, is also the owner of a 1941 Universal Carrier MkI* which will be at the show as part of a desert living history display, and he will be signing copies of his book at the Model and Victory marquees. Nigel’s father served as a carrier officer with the 8th Punjab Regiment, British Indian Army during World War Two.

The book will be available for purchase at his stall “The Bottomless Sporran”, Stall No. R6.

Well done, Nigel!

To all -- we'll sort out how to order the book through MLU when Nigel gets back from Beltring. Those going to the show please drop by his locations and introduce yourselves!

[Pedr]

Is he going to charge us extra for autographed copies on MLU?

And how much do we need to find? ( cost wise )

Are we buying direct from Nigel....or are we going to use this opportunity to raise some monies for the upkeep of this fantastic site?

I would be more than happy to find a bit extra than the ticketed price for signed copies if they were through this site.

In excited anticipation!

Pedr.

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

Gentlemen,

I just got off the telephone from a long conversation with Nigel as he's wrapping up loose ends to head to Beltring tomorrow (we know each other personally, beyond the obvious shared interests, having stayed at each other's residences in years past). Anyway, he explained the perspective he's given to his tomes, and I think you will be pleasantly surprised! I certainly understand and approve of his approach...

He'll have about 1000 copies for sale at Beltring as an example of his work, and I hope those of you here will drop by his stall and his Desert Platoon display to introduce yourselves, review Vol. 1 and perhaps purchase a copy for yourselves!

No, I do not know what price he might be setting as a debut show special, nor what his retail price might be thereafter, so don't ask me...

However, I can tell you this: his primary purchase source after Beltring will be through a website he's setting up, at http://www.desertplatoon.org.uk/ ... note that the site is not up yet, as time has not permitted its completion before this Beltring operation; you will be advised here when the actual link will be live.

If there are any complications with proofing the software he's purchased to ensure secure and timely transactions, we will forward manual purchase information through this thread, copied in the For Sale section.

In addition, there are ongoing negotiations for a North American distributor, and possibly one in Australia. I want to stress that nothing in this regard has been settled, so for the moment, we'll go with purchase at the source.

Nigel will be back home after the week at Beltring and will sort out more of this at that time. He or I will update you accordingly!

In the meantime, he would like to reiterate that everyone here who will be at Beltring should drop by to say hello!



PS: ...and no, Pedr, I'm not going to try and horn in on Nigel's day in the sun! I'm just happy to be able to offer MLU's resources to my friend in support of a worthy project which has been years in the making.

[colin jones]

SOME ONE TOLD ME THAT PAGE 13 IS MISSING FROM THE NEW CARRIER BOOK?

[Lynn Eades]

So!! the page 13 thief is at it again!!!

[Bob Moseley (RIP)]

Hi all
I spoke to the original source of this manual tonight and page 13 was never in existance. Looking at the parts numbers the missing page 13 must contain parts between 649/12 to 661-8.
Bob

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

By the kind permission of Les Freathy, herewith photos of the front and back covers as well as a flyer describing all three volumes in the series "Universal Carriers".

Specifics for ordering Volume 1 will be published here ASAP.

Photo by Les Freathy:

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

Photo by Les Freathy:

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

Photo by Les Freathy:

[Hendrik van Oorspronk]

Nice Friends you are

My almost neighbour and good friend Arie Hamer bought a copy for me at Beltring, I am already waiting 2(two!!!) days for him, so I can pick up the book, now I have seen some more details, waiting is getting far more harder and harder.

Hendrik

:idea:

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

Don't whinge too much, Hendrik... what about the rest of us sorry lot who have to wait a lot longer than that?!

You can get your own back and tell us all about it when you get yours!



Jif

Originally posted by Hendrik van Oorspronk
Nice Friends you are

My almost neighbour and good friend Arie Hamer bought a copy for me at Beltring, I am already waiting 2(two!!!) days for him, so I can pick up the book, now I have seen some more details, waiting is getting far more harder and harder.

Hendrik

:idea:

[Hendrik van Oorspronk]

Originally posted by Geoff Winnington-Ball
Don't whinge too much, Hendrik... what about the rest of us sorry lot who have to wait a lot longer than that?!

You can get your own back and tell us all about it when you get yours!



Jif

Makes me feel a lot better, I was told the books are very good and Nigel can retire, that good the books were selling at Beltring.

Hendrik.

PS. Hanno, met al die Kangeroes en schapen die touwtje springen, wordt het niet eens tijd dat wij Nederlanders onze klompen of een windmolen krijgen.

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

BTT... Nigel, over to you! Oh by the way, welcome home!

[Lynn Eades]

And I may well be the owner of the first copy(gloat, gloat) to land in this corner of the south pacific. Unfortunately, I too have to wait a couple more days.
(I am sorry David E., I was cheeky and requested a friend pick me up a copy at the show)

[Rob Beale]

just pass it around eh cuz?

Seriously though what was the damage? We'll need to get a few copies down to Godzone ASAP

Rob

[David Ellery]

No problems Lynn, I've got one winging its way back as well ,so while your's is travelling by car back down to Tauranga I'll be doing this cheers

[Dirk Leegwater (RIP)]

Congratulations on your new book and thank you for
the nice inscription.

Mvg. Dirk

[Lynn Eades]

That's great David, the guilt has gone. Rob, I have no idea. I just said "Buy it"

[Nigel Watson]

Hi Everyone
Just back from Beltring, unloaded vehicles and kit, had a shave and a long sleep and waded through the emails and answerphone messages!

Thank-you to all who have bought the book and hope you think it is useful. The cost ex-postage is £30. The book contains over 400 photographs and 100 illustrations. I just wanted to put out as much of the information as I uncovered so we all can be better informed and get these great wee vehicles out on their tracks.

I am presently working on my internet shop which should be functioning shortly for those who would like to purchase online but I am also trying to find suppliers in Canada and Australia to ease the cost of postage to those carrier lands. The book is 1.5kg.

Geoff if you think this thread should be moved to another part do so please. Now I wait with interest for the information and photographs that you all will post which isn't in the book!!! That will only inspire Universal Carriers Vol 1 The Return!

Thanks to all of you out there for your interest, you are all mentioned in the book in its Bibliography under MLU members (not individually I'm afraid), because it is forums like this that do inspire and help and for that I thank you.

The de Mole inspired Experimental Carrier thread is terrific.

Nigel

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

As per Nigel's post in the For Sale forum, see the following for secure ordering:

http://www.universalcarrierbook.co.uk/

[claude_GILLONO]

I had no cash left to buy the book (will do later) but a friend did:
VERY IMPRESSIVE BOOK - now waiting for the following volumes!

[horsa]

Well worth a bump!

This is an excellent book which starts a three volume series. Get a copy while you can if you are an owner (or a fan) of a Universal Carrier. Tons of photos and detailed information covering all of the variations.

[Brad Mills]

Nigel,

Just want to pass on your book arrived in this mornings mail...VERY Impressive! Looking forward to the future volume's.

Brad

[David Ellery]

Many thanks from this end of the Globe Nigel, Books hot of the posties bike, Time for the kettle to go on I think .
Thanks again and look forward to the future volumns as well.
Well done David...

[KiwiKev]

My copy was on the table last night when I got home, Couldn't read it at the time as I had a meeting to go to however on my return I spent several hours giving it a once over.
Could I have been the first in New Zealand to read it???? detailed reading to be over the next few nights

Anyway I would like to thank Nigel for such a great book, very very impressive, it will be on the shelf in a very worn state, by the time it gets there, along with my other favorites, Chrisham's US Wheeled vehicles, Bart's Bibles, and the four French books (Jeep, Dodge, GMC and US Army) by Juede and Boniface (I hope thats their names).

The thing that possibly struck me the most is that this book will suit the historian, the restorer, those interested in Carriers, and even the modeler out there, so many books etc of this style of topic today seams to be aimed at the Modeler specifically and the rest of us feel a little left out, So Top Marks for covering the entire interest spectrum

I look forward to the next two volumes
Thanks and Regards
kev

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

....methinks THAT is a suitable endorsement of Nigel's work, wouldn't you agree, people? Time to dive into your penny collection and make a suitable donation to our friend and colleague! He'll send you a very nice book in thanks...

[Lynn Eades]

I was already into Nigel's book on the 28th July. Purchased on the first day of sale at the War and Peace show. (I sent my friend Ray to buy it for me)
Anyway, as you say, a great book and a great effort. Thankyou Nigel for answering so many questions( and generating a few more)I cant wait for the next two volumes.
Kev, Have we met?
Cheers.

[KiwiKev]

Yes we met some years ago when I lived in Palmerston North.
I am also the NZ MVCC Bulletin Editor
regards
Kev

[Lynn Eades]

So, Mr Frethey, the anonimity evaporates (I still can't put a face to the name) I will call you some time and catch up.
Cheers.

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

My copy arrived today - thanks, Nigel! It got stuck in customs on the way through - the bugger probably took it home and read it first!

Gentlemen, I can say little to add to what's come before except to echo that this is the finest tome of its genre I've seen in many a year! In many ways, Mr. Watson's Universal Carriers Volume 1 sets an industry standard, in content, presentation and production; it is worth every damned penny being asked, and more!

For those of you who served on carriers, those of you who presently own carriers and those with a strong techno-historical interest in carriers, this fine work is no less than a "must have" on your book shelf.

Congratulations on an outstanding effort, Nigel - you have my, and MLU's, unqualified endorsement of your work!

http://www.universalcarrierbook.co.uk/