Australian 6Pdr Anti-Tank Carrier
 

These pics might arouse some interest in the Audience!
An Australian experimental attempt to mount a 6Pdr Anti-Tank gun to a LP2A Carrier. While the rear compartment is largely unchanged, there are some major modifications to the front gunner's compartment. Note the frontal armour is now straight across with a cut-out for the gunsheild of the 6Pdr in the lowered position.

The gun is mounted on what appears to be a Hydraulic Ram to enable the gun to raise and lower what appears to be approx 12 inches.

The Hydraulic Ram seems to be a substantial size. I wonder how the Hydraulics were driven? A PTO on the gearbox?
Interestingly, the GM/H made 6Pdr is the Tank version, not the trailed artillery version.

Does anyone have any info on any written reports on this experiment, and why it was not followed into production?

Not such a big bang
 

Looking at 'Making Tracks - the Carrier Story' 1973 by Chamberlain and Ellis what you've got here is the 2 Pounder hydraulic hoist Carrier. See picture
The book does not say why the approach was abandoned however there were many attempts by various nations to put an AT gun of about 40mm on a carrier (including a number of captured carriers fitted with a 37mm gun by the Germans). They all had the same problem by 1941 fitting a tank hunter with this size gun was like shooting elephants with a .22 target rifle.

What is it?
 

Tony, I ould say interested rather than aroused. Anywho, what is the beastie in rhr of first photo?

Re: What is it?
 

The thing looks like the Carrier 2 Pdr Tank Attack - a lengthened carrier with modified rear area to allow a 2 pounder to be mounted with a 360 degree traverse.

The only 2 pounder carrier built in any numbers seems to have been a Canadian version with the gun up front and this was wisely reserved for training.

Tony among the photo's on the Australian War Memorial site are the following 4 showing a similar carrier.

Pic 1

Pic 2

Pic 3

Pic 4

cheers
Cliff:salute:

Not just similar
 

They're all the same carrier - hull 3078.

I'll be putting high res pictures of this carrier and others on my soon to be released CD-ROM of carrier images.

Re: What is it?
 

Lynn its the 2pdr Tank Attack carrier. Really nice machine!

Nigel

Nigel
 

It does look to be an asthetically (spose I've spelled that wrong Bob) pleasing variant. Have any survived?

You obviously haven't watched your "Year of the Carrier" DVD yet, Lynn!;) There are still a few getting around, but probably the one in best condition was the one restored by Bandiana Museum and which was at Corowa this year. See this thread.

Carrier 3078
 

Hi Tim Tam Tony
According to my database with an extract from Mike Cecil's book this was a 2 pdr mounted in hydraulic hoist and was the fore-runner of the AT carrier. Manufactured by Victorian Railways under Order Number 1228. I also happen to know the location of the remains of this Carrier.
Bob

gun carrier
 

is it my eyes or it seems thier is more space between the bogis on the restored carrier than to the original pics of the gun carrier more space between the front and 1 st bogi wheel. someone clarify please or is it just me. Cheers

BIG MIKE

Re: gun carrier
 

You are right.Stretched....Eating your carrots makes you tall and see good...
You can't see the engine on that baby but it sits where the co-driver or bren gunner sits..
A cobbled up rig..
Wierd..eh!!

Re: Re: gun carrier
 

The decking was also reinforced to take the strain of the 2Pdr and the tracks had am extra 6 links put in.

the Australian Tank attack carrier is 8 inches longer then the normal carrier. As has already been said the engine is relocated to the left front by the driver. The Australian 3inch mortar carriers shared the same setup as well.

cheers
Cliff :salute:

I think more of you Guys need to eat more carrots or get better glasses LOL

BIG MIKE

Tank Attack carrier
 

I have a page of pictures of survivors here.

3" Mortar carrier layout
 

This was essentially the same hull as the production tank attack carrier. Have a look at the awkward gearshift.

Looks so much roomier in it's bare bones mock up state.

Shades of the FV432
 

So thats where the design of the FV432 came from!:D

Cheers, Mike