I'm busy at the moment overhauling a No2 MK2* . It's not a full rebuild more a strip clean and paint. After removing years of paint by previous owners I was really surprised to get down to original paint from the factory with stencilling. As I was taking the vehicle apart it struck me it had never really been apart before. I think it may be one of the much roumered carriers "straight out of the crate" from the 1970s.

And another one

Last one for now

stencil thread
 

Looks good Shaun ... there is a stencil thread with a few MKII* stencil patterns, including the tool and spares stowage boxes. Bruce Harris started the stencil thread last year.

Shaun...Very nice pics...Very similar to ones I have seen over the years that others and myself have posted.

Please contiue to post as you find them, and please PM me for some tips on where to look for others that may still be hidden!

Cheers,
Bruce

thanks for posting the pics, it's nice to original markings.

rick

Hi Bruce, im not sure i have posted these before . these are images from over carriers i have or have worked on.

Just a couple of more markings turned up today:

1. This photo is near the rear sling eye.
2. I Came across the original position for the "T" number - but no sign of a "C" before the T
3. All the information on the top edge of the armour in front of the drive is lovely and clear !
4. From what I can make out this one says "areal set"
5. This is the upper hull number , I forgot to photograph the lower hull number , I will post that tomorrow.

The armour on this vehicle is in great order with lots of test marks .

Armour test point cleaned up .

Aerial Stencil
 

Shaun,

I would like to buy a vowel...
We could play "Wheel of Misfortune" here but ...this is the complete marking.

Grabbed this pic from a carrier that was posted years ago on this site. It had many of the complete markings...

Your partial is a good way to verify and confirm that this stencil is proper.

More pics are welcome...EVERYONE....Please keep 'em coming.

Thanks,
Harris

Shaun,

Have merged your postings for now, let me know if you can't get attaching multiple photos to work.

Great reference pictures, BTW - keep 'm coming!

Hanno

Thanks Hanno,
I think it might be because I'm using my IPad and not my lap top .

Scout reg
 

I love seeing the original details hidden under the paint, slowly rubbing away the top coats to find whats underneath is like Christmas.

Only one I can offer is the original reg number from the Scout hidden under the later Aussie camouflage on the lower front armour.

Nice looking carrier Shaun. (ipads do only seem to allow only one attachment at a time)

Ben

No marking found , so starting the repaint now. But just for info as promised here is a photo of the lower hull number .

Ben it's the Mk2 I was telling you about, finally got my hands on it.

I remember, hands on to keep or just a tart up?

Ben

Ben it's going to be up for sale when it's finished . It's not far off being done just dropped the lump back in today .

Shaun,

Like Ben said, iThingies only seem to allow only one attachment at a time to be uploaded. I will have to look into add-on software that enables mobile devices to better work with the forum.

Hanno

If you would indulge someone coming to this thread (and the last one) late...what are these stencils? Are they Ford/Ford of Canada factory applied or are they an army after thought? Did all Mk.II* carriers have them? (I can't recall seeing them in factory photo's).

And the big question for Mk.1* carrier owners...were similar stencils ever factory or after-market applied to Mk.1* carriers? Sandblasting mine I found the SLING HERE markings and the yellow circle/black 5 bridge class sign only.

Hi Bruce, I believe these are factory applied markings on mk2* from Canada . The only markings I found on my mk1 was like you the "sling here " signs.

when i rubbed the paint down i found these markings on my mk1*, the name welland can be clearly seen as can some of the ct number but what i really want to know about is the horizontal line above with what looks like a capital t in the middle beneath it. does anyone know what it is, at first i thought it was a wading/fording line but you'd have wet feet by the time the water got that high so it seems unlikely. anyone got any suggestions ? cheers

rick

Rick I think Kevin had a similar type of "line " on one of his carriers.

Those are early war unit/vehicle number markings as used in Canada. There is a thread going on about them here:

http://www.mapleleafup.net/forums/sh...379#post181379

stencils from factory
 

I suppose there is a modification memo somewhere outlining the introduction of the more detailed stencil protocol?

Here is an image of what I believe is a NO2 MKII* carrier being crated at Ford in Windsor, Ontario Canada. Clearly the WD numbers are applied, but is that also the "STEN M.C." stencil on the engine cover protection plate?


Here are two different early unit markings: one for the Rocky Mountain Rangers shown here parading through downtown Vancouver. Not Los Angeles as suggested by the second floor shop in the background.
The second one has been posted before, the Queen's Own Rifles at a training camp in Sussex, New Brunswick. One of the first two thousand or so Ford Windsor produced MKI* assigned in Canada using British supplied proprietary parts such as the Lucas lamps.

Photo credits: Ford Archives, Vancouver Archives, PA Simundson

cheers fella's
i'll have a flick thru nigels book and see if he mentions the horizontal line, I've got another pic of a wartime carrier with what looks to be a similar marking, i'll try and find it and post it up.

thanks again

rick

stencils
 

Hi Shaun,

Great looking carrier you've got and also to uncover most of the original marking's :thup2: Unsure if you know about this web site but have a look at it! it may help you! special with the yellow circle on the front gaurd.
www.axholmesigns.co.uk
I found it when I was looking for British marking's that are on my Fordson WOT2-H, as you can see via the photo on the passenger door and the Driver's side front gaurd it has the yellow square with the number 14 marked inside it.

The web site state it represrents "B" Squadron unsure what that means maybe you shed some light on it for me Shaun.


Kind regards
Ian :)

Gentlemen.

I have a collection of Ford of Canada production photos taken at Windsor, Ontario during production of the UC Carrier and Windsor. When these vehicles rolled out of the factory, all the Kit Stowage points were identified on the Carrier with white on clear water transfer decals. These are easily identified by the solid white letters and in some cases by the light reflecting from the clear transfer film.

The only painted stencils Ford applied to the Carriers on completion were the 'SLING HERE' markings on the front plate and rear deck, adjacent to the lifting rings.

Once these vehicles were in service, general wear and tear took it's toll on the factory original decals and, as needed, the Army reapplied the markings using painted stencils, typically about twice as large a font as the original decals.

When I was at Bill Gregg's Convention many years ago, Bill showed me one of the Ford Lynx Scout Cars he had brought back from Europe. It too had several surviving white on clear stowage location decals still visible both in and outside the vehicle.

I think also, CM used black on clear stowage location stencils on the inside of the Staghound Armoured Car at the factory.

David

Narrative without images
 

Wow ! David, can you please post some of the Ford factory images of these transfers? That would be a good contribution.
Some of the Dr. Gregg collection Lynx too! Is that the same Lynx that Rob L. looks after in the Shilo museum, the Lynx that was returned from Portugal?

RE: I have a collection of Ford of Canada production photos taken at Windsor, Ontario during production of the UC Carrier and Windsor. When these vehicles rolled out of the factory, all the Kit Stowage points were identified on the Carrier with white on clear water transfer decals. These are easily identified by the solid white letters and in some cases by the light reflecting from the clear transfer film.


Is there any chance the original lettering may have been white paint, with a clear coat of a shellac like material over them?
Here is an image from a portion of the BREN spare barrel & accessories stencil as found inside the lid. A survivor of a few service performed repaints.

If there is one thing I am pretty sure of, it is that there is seldom "the only way" of anything associated to the production of these vehicles. Not too much room for "always" and "never"?

Gord Falks mk2 carrier has the remnants of the kit stowage stencils. Perhaps if Gord is lurking here he could supply some photos.

I'm starting to be content I have a Mk.1* and not a Mk.II* carrier. It seems like there would have to be a whole lot of additional stenciling/decal-ling to make it 'right'.

I find the use of water transfer decals interesting. Other WW2 Canadian AFV's used a screened or printed lettering.

If any local Carrier owners require stencils in 3/4" or 1" size I have cutting machines for both of these and a large quantity of paper. (About 3/4 of a ton).

David

David, are you talking about the "oilboard" paper for the stencil cutter machines?