Carrier Track Orientation

[Bob Moseley (RIP)]

Hi All
I know this link is already in the postings "A Bit Of Carrier Maintenance" but I wold have thought a few more responding posts would have been forthcoming. Hence, subject to the Moderator's decision, I'll make it a stand-alone topic to try and draw more crows.
Bob

http://www.oldcmp.net/moscar_1.html

[Keith Webb]

Originally posted by Bob Moseley
I'll make it a stand-alone topic to try and draw more crows.
Bob

http://www.oldcmp.net/moscar_1.html

Aren't crows considered a delicacy in your part of the world, Bob?

[Tony Smith]

Originally posted by Keith Webb
Aren't crows considered a delicacy in your part of the world, Bob?

They're sacred, like Hindu Cows. They worship them. If you look carefully, you can see the one on the State Flag has tyre tracks on it. Or are they Carrier tracks? (Just bringing this thread back on "Track")

[Keith Webb]

or an object of worship to others...




source

[Tony Smith]

RAEME Cpl: "My book says the track goes this way".

RAEME 2nd Lt: "But my book says it goes that way".

Inf Officer: "I don't give a bloody rats ...... ! Put it back together and let's go!"

[Keith Webb]

Great find, Tony

[gjamo]

I gotta go look up Keffie's site to see which way Bob said this goes.

Source: http://www.awm.gov.au/

[Rod Diery]

Originally posted by Tony Smith
RAEME Cpl: "My book says the track goes this way".

RAEME 2nd Lt: "But my book says it goes that way".

Inf Officer: "I don't give a bloody rats ...... ! Put it back together and let's go!"

I was proud to be a RAEME Cpl. I would put money on him being more likely to know more than a couple of bloody officers.

Cheers
Rod

[ww2steel]

Not that this is at all absolute, but Tamiya kit 35249 (Brit UC MkII) gives a specific note on track direction, showing on the ground that the cleat is at the front and tail (tapered end) to the rear.

Were there maybe different directions on different models/ years?

Would it matter technically- or just so we don't look dumb at a reenacment with our tracks on backwards?

Mike

[Bill Mulholland]

Originally posted by Rod Diery
I was proud to be a RAEME Cpl. I would put money on him being more likely to know more than a couple of bloody officers.

Cheers
Rod

Rod; I too was a RCEME Cpl once upon a time, and what you said is too bloody true!!
Cheers, Bill

[Tony Smith]

Originally posted by ww2steel

Were there maybe different directions on different models/ years?

Would it matter technically- or just so we don't look dumb at a reenacment with our tracks on backwards?

It would seem so far that all British, all Canadian, all New Zealand and Aussie LP1 Carriers had the track oriented so that, on the section in contact with the ground, the tail of the link was to the rear. Sometime around the publication of the Australian "Carrier, MG, instruction Book" of July 1943 there was a decision made for Australian LP2, LP2A, 2pdr Tank Attack, 3in Mortar Carriers and the Tracked Truck to have the track oriented with the tails to the front. There must have been a technical reason for the Aust Army to be out of step with the Empire! Does anyone have pictures of the later production Carrier variants (2pdr T/A, 3in Mortar, TT, etc)with the track "Tail to the rear"? I've only seen them with "Tail to the front" and they seem to have come this way from the factory. LP2 and LP2A Carriers are where the confusion comes in, as it is common to see the track either way.
You would imagine that early Carriers would have had the track remain "Tail to the rear", but some have been turned around. Pictured below is an early carrier issued to the 2nd Bn, 1st Div (Militia) (Vickers gun/ gunshield, tools stowed down the side). Despite being an early make, it has the track "Tail to the front". This pic dates from after July 42, when Carriers reverted to Hull numbers as their registration number (Hull 1355).

[Tony Smith]

The "Carrier, 2pdr, Tank Attack", or "Carrier, 2pdr, Anti-Tank":

[alleramilitaria]

hey toney is that a NSW flag??
if so how can i get one? my wife is from NSW and she didnt think it was.
and whats the bird?

thanks
d

[Tony Smith]

No, Dave, it's the State flag of South Australia featuring the state's God of Roadkill. Er, sorry no, it's actually a "Piping Shrike", although it's common to mistake it for a Magpie or Crow. Bob tells me they're delicious in a pie with a little Tomato Sauce or Vegemite gravy!

[Bob Moseley (RIP)]

Pictured below is an early carrier issued to the 2nd Bn, 1st Div (Militia) (Vickers gun/ gunshield, tools stowed down the side). Despite being an early make, it has the track "Tail to the front".

The one question I would ask about this Carrier is, had it been through an army workshop after its manufacture. If so, then te possibility exists that the track may have been re-oriented.

Bob

BTW - a common name for the Piping Shrike is the Murray Magpie. This bird is about half the size of the common magpie and crow. As far as cooking them, the recipe is the same as for galahs. Place the bird in a pot of boiling water along with a large beach pebble. Boil until the pebble is soft, throw away the bird and bake the pebble in a pie.

Gourmet Bob

[alleramilitaria]

you forgot the vegemite gravy for the pebble