Diamond in the rough
 

I recently brought this beauty home, much to my wifes' dismay, and am still researching before I begin restoration. So first things first. Hull#23608. Number on edge of armour is CT267144. Painted on the let side is #S3.913. I'm trying to find out what this means. On the right rear of the armour is what appears to be a red shield with a rook on it. Perhaps a regiment or unit insignia? I'll post pics when I figure out how.

Attachment 87028 Attachment 87029 Attachment 87030 Attachment 87031

Had to get my kid to help but, here's a few, finally :)

I didn't think you could find them like that anymore. Nice looking machine with tons of original parts all in their right places.

The 'rook' is a tower. It's the sign for the Central Command in Ontario, circa 1950's.

Thanks for the input. I should also mention RCASC is scratched on the side of it. I've been told that S3.913 is not a military number but i think this may have been a trainer or something. Still hoping some one knows.

John,

Like Bruce has said, excellent hull to start with. A rare find these days. Do you have much of the internals as well? I had a Mk. II for 24 years, lots of fun and adventures. Good luck with the restoration.

Perry

The 53.913 number will be the post January 1943 numbering system for DND domestic vehicles. These numbers remained on serving vehicles even after the CAR (later CFR) system came out in the early 50s.

The significance of the number is merely that it is the 3,914 number assigned. They started at 50.000 for wheeled and tracked vehicles other than motorcycles.

Lets have a bunch more pictures, please...especially of the back deck....says he with ulterior motives...

I'm having internet issues tonite so perhaps tomorrow i can put up a few more pics although the plate that hides the diff is also missing but should be an easy fabrication if i can't find one.

Hi Perry. I think all in all it's pretty complete. However the missing parts list currently includes carb,fuel pump, generator and fan, all contents of the instrument panel, and spider and small gears in the diff. I'm doubtful the engine is even going to be rebuildable as parts were removed many years ago and it was left open to the elements. Yet all engine covers and gun/mortar brackets seem to be there. Time will tell.

Very nice find there. We definitely need more pictures now you have teased us. Some nice bits still on it and the missing bits are easy to source. :thup2:

Thanks for the encouragement Paul. I'm pumped to begin but have to finish off a prior committment to a 62 f600 4x4 to make shop space so, likely into January before i can get started. Hoping people here keep sharing their insights with me as to determining the history of this unit. And of course also hoping for required parts. :)

For my money to find a vehicle this long since it was in service with markings still intact like that is gold, doesn't matter what the vehicle.

That is in remarkable condition and you are lucky to have found it.

Good luck with the project

Just found this thread again.
I've two British Mk1 Mortar Carriers myself needing full restoration that I imported from NZ last year.

Gratitude
 

Many thanks to all so far for encouragement and helping me find what i need. The list is steadily getting smaller and progress here at home will soon free up some needed shop space. Green disease has me anxious to begin.

John. What a beautiful Machine! Reminds me of what mine had looked like when found.

Not sure if your data plates are still on the vehicle but thought I would pass along the information from the carrier I owned a while back that was built 22 June 1944:

Model: Universal Carrier No. 2 Mk II*
Serial Number: 27219
Upper Hull No.: 25648
CB Number: CB25648
Lower Hull No.: 25658
Engine Number: TL-28513-F
Contract: CD 2609
WD Number: CT268319
CAR Number: 84-058

Take the CAR Number with a little grain of salt. My carrier had started out as a Welsh Guards Stowage model. but post war was converted to an 81mm Mortar Carrier. The CAR Number 'might' have been changed at the time of that conversion.

Have fun with the restoration.


David

David: That is not a CAR number, it is a DND number. In my experience, some carriers with the pre-1943 DND number were changed to the newer system, some were not. But vehicles that had DND numbers did not change up to CAR numbers, even if they served on into the 60s. By the 70s though, with unification, I believe they all changed to the CFR system. I have a compressor trilaer that was of WW2 vintage and coninued in service right until the late 80s.

Mortar you say?
 

These brackets appear to accept a mortar up to 61 inches long and outer diameter of 5. Can any one tell me what went here?

Attachment 89913

If they are mortar brackets then this 3" mortar is the one. I doubt a Mk.II* carrier originally was set up as a mortar carrier as there were purpose built Mk.II machines that were basically Mk.1 hulls with extra brackets and all the unnecessary holes riveted shut.

There seems to be alot of extras on this one, many brackets and two headlights. One looks like mark I on the right front an the second a markII high on the left. Built2/18/44. Paint on the side says the antifreeze was good in '53.

Very nice project. Tell your wife it really isn't that rough compared to what many others have started with.