Great Mk1* restored vehicle pictures
 

Came across this link on another site. Some very detailed shots of a rather complete looking Mk1* Universal Carrier.

Of note. There is a shot for the complete internals of the smoke generator bin. It all makes sense now.

Jordan

https://picasaweb.google.com/m/viewe...40802975957793

Link does not work. Any chance you can "borrow" some of the photos into this thread? (giving credit to the owner of course).

Try this one.


http://www.network54.com/Forum/47208...+pics+uploaded.

Jordan, a couple of things on the smoke generator bin. First, I assume this carrier is missing half the upper wood filler and it's not meant to have only half round holes at the top? Second, what do you make of the angle iron bracket under the bin that raises it up so high? Have you ever seen that before and do you think it's correct? (I've never seen anything like it before).

Bruce. Thanks for posting a different link. Not sure why mine didn't work

As for the bin. No I disagree. The two original bins I've seen only had small wood screw holes on the hinge side of the bin. To me this suggests that the upper level was only a half and on the one side. It makes sense also as it would be easier to lift out the rounds by grabbing the side.

Hopefully my explanation makes some sense.

Sorry Rob, I'm not able to post pictures as my Internet is via my iPhone. No home service.

Nice to see the ME stowage racks as that's what will be going on mine... Spudded tracks too, how very Italy ! not sure they did that to be accurate or just due to shortage of track however its a 43 carrier in a right colour for that theatre of ops :-) to my knowledge first operational use of the spudded track was Nov 43 during Op Avalanche..... Will no doubt be corrected though :D. Thanks for posting them up Jordan

I agree with Jordan on the upper half tray. I had remnants in mine for the bottom, and the remnants of the screws were still in the box. I could not figure out the upper, since as Jordan mentions, the screw holes were only on one side. I think we discussed this several years ago on a thread where we covered a lot of the mk1 carrier mysteries.

I wonder about that stand as well. Could it have something to do with the desert mods? Perhaps they need that extra bit of stowage space for something else? The carriers we dug out of the ground had the boxes directly onto the metal inner fender over the track.

The tow hitch is interesting. Could this be the tow hitch kit for the Mk1 that is listed in the parts manual? Has anyone seen this hitch before? I have only seen mk2 style hitch brackets adapted over to the mk1.

I just expanded the photo with the stand and sure enough, the stand would seem to be a stowage bracket for something. Almost looks like for a POW can....it has the same style securing bracket on the front of the bracket towards the gas tank.

Extra water can ?

Not sure on the stand but those explanations do make sense.

As for the side cut outs in the generator bin. As I understand it they were to hold tins for the special .303 grenade launch rounds.

I found this link that has some pictures of what those tins might look like. Thoughts?

http://www.milsurps.com/content.php?...nd-Dischargers

I thought the box was for 4" smoke bombs not grenades! I can see that they must be fired in a similar way using the 303 round but what does a 4" smoke bomb/round look like?

Ben

Ben, That was my error. I shouldn't have said grenades.

Here is the link to the original thread that covers a lot of the Mk1 stowage items.

http://www.mapleleafup.net/forums/showthread.php?t=4474

Page 4 has info on the 4" smoke generators.

Jordan, just the job. Thanks for the point in the right direction, not seen that thread before.

Cheers

Ben

Hi, Thats a very nice original looking carrier, It would be nice to see behind the rear tool plate to see what support the towe hitch. Also I wonder if they have an original wood seat arrangement over the right gas tank for it?. Proof also about the rear batt box black pitch/rubber paint. Nice grenade box interior. It would be nice to get a history on it, might have been stored up as an original un-issued carrier?. Only reserve is the fire extinguisher holders?. Anyone notice the rear can holder wooden insert in the bottom?.

A couple of pics of an original smoke dis box.

kevin.

I just went out and checked on my carrier and a 2 gallon POL can will fit perfectly in a rack as this carrier is setup.

My bet then is a rad condenser can. Mk.1 carrier have a copper tube that exits the rad cap on the right, goes along the upper right inside of the engine cover...and stops. I had though it went from there to one of the four 2 gal. water tins in the racks on each side of the batter box (I think the picture in the UC-F1 manual might confirm this). I wonder if they may have started out this way then decided to retrofit...or factory fit...this bracket to make space under the smoke pot bin.

I can see it now. By this time next year everyone will have elevated their bin and have a water can under it.

I know I have a half moon shaped piece of wood than needs removing.

A few other observations:

All the straps are web rather than rubber which is correct and a nice touch for a late Mk.1* carrier

The serial is 15685 made in April 1943. Mine is 14606 made in March 1943. I had thought mine was one of the last Mk.1*'s but I see they went at least another 1000+ after that.

This carrier has "SLING HERE" stenciled twice on the rear deck. It makes sense it was stenciled there if it was on the front but I've never seen an actual example before. Do you think this is legit based on evidence or it is the restorer interpreting what 'should' be there? I might ask this of the load and rad fill stencils on the side as well.

I did some digging in the parts manual and found a possible part # for that bracket under the elevated smoke generator bin

C01UC 105747 container- water can inside - used from serial # 11954
C01UC 105748 base - water can container - used from serial # 11954

The base would probably be a wooden filler to level out the running board over the hull angle iron letting the 'container' sit flat. I can't believe this is the first time any of us had any idea such a thing existed. At 1,000 carriers per month #11954 is 2-1/2 months before mine making it +/- December 1942/January 1943. It follows, if this is legit, I need to make one.

There is a water can container that hangs on the armour (sometimes seen on the outside). If CO1UC 1057474 is not the bracket under the smoke bomb bin then it would have to be this.

I found C01UC 105747 listed on page 280 of FUC-03

Just above it are
C01UC 105745 Container water can - right
C01UC 105746 Container water can - left

I've assumed these to be the extra water can holders that were added to the back and sat either side of the armoured wireless battery box.

I thought they were water can holders, and the same for the ones mounted onto the side armour.. Intruduced during the Middle East campaign for the extra water requirement for both vehicle and crews.

update
 

Seventy-six images have been added to the T50198 MK-I* carrier posting from Ditsong museum, Johannesburg, South Africa. With two hundred and sixty-six detail oriented images posted by Mr. Steve Tegner, this provides a resource worthy of thanks from the MK-I carrier community.

(former link invalid)

FMCo part numbers and details of the desert stowage water container racks. Both the single interior as well as double left and right rear exterior are shown. One image also shows the brace, C01UC 100901 used to support the alternate towing hook bracket. See FUC-03 page 305.

Thank-you Steve.

Thanks for contacting him and getting more pictures. Slowly the mysteries are being chipped away.

Size?
 

Likewise, thanks. It's clear that quite a number of carriers will need this inside water bracket. From the photo's it's construction is clear and straightforward. It's size can be estimated, but it would be nice to get an accurate length, width and height before making a reproduction. Any chance the museum might be willing to provide it?