Carrier Armour Extensions
 

I am not at all sure of the history of this photo that turned up on Facebook, however, can anyone determine what series of Universal Carrier this is and if the attached armour extensions with long pins to secure them was an official conversion, or something that was likely a field expedient modification?

David

Not armour at all. These are deep wading screens used for landings such on during the Normand landings.

Deep Wading
 

Deep Wading screen.

And without the plates
http://www.mapleleafup.net/forums/at...1&d=1754649023

Waterproofing Kit
 

The plates were part of a kit that was provided to allow the Universal Carrier to wade ashore from a landing craft. The kits were vehicle specific and provided not only the plates but all of the necessary sealants, waterproofing material and instructions to complete the job prior to loading for the assault.

Attachment 140838

The incorrectly labeled Archives Canada sourced image was taken about 04 June, 1944 in UK during final preparation for Operation Neptune. The universal carrier was an obsolete Canadian MK-1* that has been updated in UK to MK-II. The update program accepted carriers with minimum condition status scores of 75%.

.


While the LST had vehicles substantially attributed to 14th Field, RCA, the error is clear, n’est-ce pas ?

.

perhaps a better match than a British made carrier, here is an image of an obsolete Ford Canada MK-I* now updated to MK-II. Occasionally referred to as MK-II W.G.S. , (Welsh Guard Stowage)

Not C31UCW No-2 MK-II*, which was not deployed during the early months following the Normandy landings.

Assorted reference sources, though Nigel Watson, Universal Carriers, Volumes 1 & 2 are exceptional. Volume 3 has a drawing archive to complement the book.

I've seen the term 'Welsh Guards Stowage' in books and on blogs for years, but I've never seen it explained. Do you know what WGS is or means?

Welsh Guards
 

Welsh Guards Stowage

As Stephen posted, the change in how a MK-I/MK-I* universal carrier stowed the E.I.S., along with BREN tripod, small arms, SAA, grenades, tracer rounds, … personal issue equipment. . . you get the idea… a place for everything.

The Welsh Guards came up with a unit specific stowage system that improved on the MK-I/MK-I* standard carrier. That style became the accepted standard in the UK. The Canadian military attended a demonstration of the standard, along with the Ford Canada factory representatives who were posted to CMHQ, London. (Sid Swallow, et al)

The name, Welsh Guard Stowage remained.

With major changes in carrier production about to be implemented at Ford Canada, the UK based Canadian factory reps reported the details to Ford Canada, which were then included on the Canadian No-2 MK-II* carrier, identified as C31UCW… the UC self explanatory, the ‘W’ for Welsh, as in Welsh Guard Stowage.

Reference to the process is captured in a series of CMHQ file reports now available through Library and Archives Canada.

However, as this process was underway, the British military group assigned to Washington, USA were meeting with Ford, USA designing a completely new carrier with welded hull and updated stowage system: the 1942 birth of what rolled out as the MARK 1 T16.

Welsh Guards
 

Thanks Michael R, I new you would have the a far better explanation then me.