Folks, Santa came early in Norfolk (UK) yesterday. driving through the country roads on my way home i spotted a very familiar shape in a hedge 10 feet from a busy road. With this harsh weather the hedge has really thined out making it visable. so slamed on the brakes - backed up and there it lay - a Universal Carrier MK1 * but it was upside down, no wheels - axle- tracks - and a hole cut in the side - no engine or gearbox - but really well preserved on the floor due to it being upside down. anyway paid for it today and pick it up tomorrow - spent the rest of today hacking through the brambles and scrap and found the remains of a Loyd carrier as well !!!!!! going to recover that as well. trying to upload photos now - just resized one and lets see if it works

the axle is a rear axle off a Loyd

Carrier
 

Hey Shaun

Great find, I am a little jealous, I have 4 carriers and not one has a steering wheel or gauges, I look forward to watching your progress.

Aiden the link you posted does not seem to work for me.

Gary

well spotted
 

Well spotted shaun, I wouldnt mind teasing that drivers steering linkage cover off for you to make a copy of it for mine. Just go's to show whats still out there. :salute:

Nice one...get it painted in 5th div colours ala scicily campaign :) tinwork looks fantastic leave it upside down and weld the guards back in then your laughing :)

edit: - likewise regarding the cover peice (which is pressed piece if i recall) and secondly... Kevin what the hell you doing up this time of night ?

Invest in one of those handheld metal detectors and go through the rest of that hedge. If the hull was there, chances are good there will be more parts.

carrier find
 

Hi shaun,
Nice find just goes to proove that you never know where they will turn up, better check the rest of the area, maybe some bits and pieces in a shed nearby. regards Ron

carrier
 

Great find. Good luck with it. Looking forward to more.
Ryan

Carrier find
 

Nice one Shaun. Do you know what the history is ? How it came to be where it is ? etc, Regards David.

Nice carrier find!
 

Hi Shaun,
Nice find! You have the makings of a good start on a Carrier restoration and this one will be easy to handle as all the heavy parts are gone so a pickup truck or small trailer should let you recover it fairly easy.It may look rusty now but after the hull is sandblasted and painted,the parts start to go back on and before you know it,you will be ripping up the grass in the yard.This is what I started with and it turned out fine;
http://www.alfrules.com/derk/Mk 1 carrier-2.jpg
http://www.alfrules.com/derk/Mk 1 carrier-41.jpg
http://www.alfrules.com/derk/Mk 1 carrier-42.jpg
http://www.alfrules.com/derk/Mk 1 carrier-43.jpg
Have fun with the restoration.
Regards,Derk.

must have eyes like a shit house rat. :)

nice one

eddy

Looks to be in much better condition than some of the other UK finds I have seen photos of over the last few years. Now what were you saying about a Loyd....

have to admit when i am out and about in the countryside i always check over walls and in farm yards.... mainly for wheels but i guarantee there are more out there rotting away in a blueberry bush or being used to house cattle feed or chickens..... i am ajust glad this one has been saved, still has the radio battery box on the rear armour too. i am keen to see what its designation is, year, etc etc sadly i find that stuff really interesting.

What is it
 

Universal MkI*

lynn I have not made myself very clear. i mean Mk1 no 2, no3 etc etc.... is it an early one or a late one, when was it made what is its wd number built to what contract,,,, stuff like that buddy My eyes lit up when i saw the ford motor co tag on the dash pannel... i am strangley excited by this find and it has nothing to do with me

sorry guys i am just that sad !

if i was not at work tonight i would drink to the saving of another carrier !

On a bloody cold day we have recovered the carrier, it took an hour to carefully lift it from it resting place. its now sitting in the yard ( and i am not allowed back there till after christmas the mrs said ! grrrrrr) i managed to get some of the Loyd parts as well going back for more later, not to sure whats left but it has been well chopped up. as you will see from the ID plate its a Feb 1943 machine and has fitting and holes for a Ronson flame thrower. lots of nice patrs still in place still and very solid. enjoy the photos and thanks for the comments sofar ( and yes i will be rebuilding it)

more photos

and more (bored yet ??)

Corrr.... bit of work to be done there buddy, but very very very dooable indeed. great stuff that centre bulkhead shot...is that a mounting pintle for 2lber ? anti tank ?

last ones for now ( and a kid with a new toy !)

ahh they are the bren pintle mounts.... give my right arm for some of them ! the first shot made it look massive :) i am well chuffed for you Shaun should also add 1943 was sicily and Italy for 5th div :) wink wink

I spy a Loyd Rear axle and x-tube with bogie attached.....

sell it to ya cheap hehehehehehe...so is there enough carriers in the uk to form a carrier platoon now ?

Hi Alastair
Its been a busy day and left the phone in the car, anyway im not making any descisions with regards to the Loyd bits untill i see how much else i can pull out of the hedge. the loyd has been cut up big time, i think there may have been 2 ! hard to seperate the bits from real scrap. If i do get rid of anything you will have first shout.

photos
 

Great photos Shaun, not bored at all. I looked at all of them.

And Richard, your not sad at all, just sick, very very sick. :yappy:
But that's ok, because we're all running around this institution together with the same straight jackets!

Excellent find shaun, looking forward to your progress. Keep up the pics.
How about some pics of your other toys in the background.
Colin.

you kiddin me he will be on all day ! it is my goal to have the comet away when he is sleeping..... :yappy:

Richie,
 

I'm very disappointed, this I did not expect from a Copper!!!! :nono:

Merry Christmas to all! :cheers:

Cheers,

Great find!
 

Congratulations Shaun. I think you must have very good eyes to recognize an upside down hull in a hedge on the drive!! :salute: And keep boring us all please. :yappy:

Merry Christmas,

Awsome Find
 

What an awesome find! I am still surprised at what is still being found. Good eye!!

Craig Tanner
Burton N.B.