Lots 'o beasties

Keith Webb · #1 21-03-05, 05:36

Here's the first of the pics... hope to post some others soon. These are the 17 carriers which completed the run - also in the centre the 2 pounder carrier of the Bandiana Army Museum.

Keith Webb · #2 21-03-05, 05:39

Brian Laurence, the sound recordist took this pic of me about to head off in the LP2A modified with Stuart tracks, a Dodge 318, 5 speed and Eaton 2-speed diff.

The camera is one of the new high definition ones.

It was a wild ride which you'll be able to experience on the DVD.

Bob Moseley (RIP) · #3 21-03-05, 10:50

Hi All
And here he is, hard at work to produce the ultimate DVD, namely, The Year Of The Carrier. This DVD will be sooooo good that I will actually buy a DVD player just for it.
Salesman Bob (on behalf of Keefy).

I might get a free DVD out of this.

Hanno Spoelstra · #4 21-03-05, 13:10

Quote:

Originally posted by Keith Webb
These are the 17 carriers which completed the run

Look like it was great fun - s/n 1499 must have been feeling sad for itself, being grounded in a rainy country like England....

H.

Keith Webb · #5 21-03-05, 16:37

Hi Hanno

Here's 1499's mate, 1449 - much modified with the Dodge 318 et cetera.

Hanno Spoelstra · #6 21-03-05, 22:30

Quote:

Originally posted by Keith Webb
Here's 1499's mate, 1449 - much modified with the Dodge 318 et cetera.

Except for the suspension, who´d say this once was a Carrier?!? Poor thing, what is it´s designation - Carrier, job, cut-n-shut, Aussie

H.

Keith Webb · #7 21-03-05, 22:35

Quote:

Originally posted by Hanno Spoelstra
Except for the suspension, who´d say this once was a Carrier?!? Poor thing, what is it´s designation - Carrier, job, cut-n-shut, Aussie

H.

Most of the hull is still carrier, albeit cut down.

He moved the rear bogie back to improve the landing characteristics, as well as using Stuart tracks which weigh almost as much as the carrier itself and are a bit over-engineered for the job.

He's had it up to 100km/h on the open road, but the tracks were starting to balloon and the carrier road wheels were floating about 2 feet off the tracks.

With the 2 speed Eaton he's calculated a theoretical maximum of about 140 km/h.

It is an impressive performer!

Nigel Watson · #8 21-03-05, 23:14

Shame on you guys! Hanno this calls for a ban on the Carrier Forum for these guys!! How could you? Breaks my heart! Can't bear to look!!

Nigel

PS Are the carrier tracks available to buy, and are you taking orders!!!!!!!!!!

Keith Webb · #9 22-03-05, 00:48

Quote:

Originally posted by Nigel
Shame on you guys! Hanno this calls for a ban on the Carrier Forum for these guys!! How could you? Breaks my heart! Can't bear to look!!

Nigel

PS Are the carrier tracks available to buy, and are you taking orders!!!!!!!!!!

Nigel, you'll be able to see and hear it on the DVD...

Keith Webb · #10 25-03-05, 20:03

Brian Laurence took this one of me too... both of these are Hedges vehicles, the CMP is their delightful C15 "Tickets".

Keith Adams' carrier after throwing a track on a sideways bank.

Lots more pics here over two pages with many more to be added.

Keith Webb · #11 25-03-05, 20:06

Here's another pic taken on Friday where a number of the carriers were parked to compare the differences between LP 1, 2 and 2A.

Link

Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP) · #12 25-03-05, 21:45

Keefy...... you always have that shit-eating grin on your face! Bugger you! With 17 of the things running on parade, we're going to have to work hard to beat that. Hmmmmm.....

BTW, were Aussie carriers ever used in the Western Desert, or were they confined to local climes?

Nigel Watson · #13 25-03-05, 23:08

Quote:

Originally posted by Keith Webb

Brian Laurence took this one of me too... both of these are Hedges vehicles, the CMP is their delightful C15 "Tickets".

Keith Adams' carrier after throwing a track on a sideways bank.

Keith and you lot having way too much fun in your carriers, did mommy not tell you that you should never drive your carrier half on the level and half on the slope? Its called the track throwing manoeuvre! Nice colour scheme though!

Nigel

Keith Webb · #14 25-03-05, 23:31

Quote:

Originally posted by Geoff Winnington-Ball
Keefy...... you always have that shit-eating grin on your face! Bugger you! With 17 of the things running on parade, we're going to have to work hard to beat that. Hmmmmm.....

BTW, were Aussie carriers ever used in the Western Desert, or were they confined to local climes?

Yes, I believe we did send some LP2/2A carriers to the Western Desert - Not sure how many came back.

As for that grin - I bet you couldn't keep one off your face either!

And as for the record - the challenge is out there - go for it!

Bob Moseley (RIP) · #15 26-03-05, 12:04

Hey Spin Ball
Keefy wasn't the only one grinning. There was one rare LP1 Carrier there belonging to my mate Ian on which I was both a passenger and a driver on our WORLD RECORD run.

Ian and the LP1 will feature on Keefy B. De. Mills brilliant upcoming Year of the Carrier DVD (freebie freebie) that will be hitting the shops shortly.
Bob

Keith Webb · #16 26-03-05, 22:03

Maybe we should change "Salesman Bob to "Freebie Bob"!

But thanks for the plug... hey, maybe you want to be my S.A. rep?!

Here are some more pictures...

It's great to see the Aussie flag flying.

These were taken as we roared past them with hazard lights flashing...

Many more here.

Keith Webb · #17 26-03-05, 22:19

Quote:

Originally posted by Bob Moseley
Hey Spin Ball
Keefy wasn't the only one grinning. There was one rare LP1 Carrier there belonging to my mate Ian on which I was both a passenger and a driver on our WORLD RECORD run.

Ian and the LP1 will feature on Keefy B. De. Mills brilliant upcoming Year of the Carrier DVD (freebie freebie) that will be hitting the shops shortly.
Bob

Ian was shy but we managed to get an interview.

I was surprised to hear the hull number can't be verified - isn't there an alternate place where it is stamped, or is that just the LP2 series?

The LP1 was very impressive, even more so because of the original paint, although we had a chuckle watching the backing and filling to go around a left-hand corner on the way back from the airport.

Here's Bob having a ride with Ian behind the tillers.

Hanno Spoelstra · #18 26-03-05, 23:53

Quote:

Originally posted by Keith Webb
He's had it up to 100km/h on the open road, but the tracks were starting to balloon and the carrier road wheels were floating about 2 feet off the tracks.

What purpose was this built for?!?
Carrier, Dragster?!?

H.

Phil Waterman · #19 27-03-05, 00:16

Must have been a wonderful sound to ear all those Ford flat heads warming up followed by the clatter of all that steel track as they moved off. By any chance did you get the sound in stero?

Keith Webb · #20 27-03-05, 07:26

Yes Phil,
Not only that but we were also recording the stereo audio to DAT for the highest quality possible.

My friend Brian Laurence is a location sound specialist and he's done an awesome job.

Here he is with his kit - he's holding the pair of Senheiser 416 microphones flat so it only looks like one here.

I had a listen to several segments from the DAT and they sound amazing.

Tony Smith · #21 31-03-05, 16:58

Quote:

Originally posted by Geoff Winnington-Ball
BTW, were Aussie carriers ever used in the Western Desert, or were they confined to local climes?

LP1's were also in North Africa, Greece and Crete. (Picture of Keith filming "Year of the Carrier, MCMXXXXI")

Tony Smith · #22 31-03-05, 17:06

And here's the "2005" version: (Funny, everywhere Keith went, Brian would follow with a pair of fluffy slippers. Is he your Batman, Keith?)

Keith Webb · #23 31-03-05, 20:10

I like the "then and now" comparison... those "fluffy slippers" cause endless amusement to people we interview, although it's usually the same smart comments...

So you're finally back from Na Zillun...

Tony Smith · #24 01-04-05, 00:04

Yes, I'm back from tracking down more Carriers (and C8AX's and Portees!

)

Bob Moseley (RIP) · #25 01-04-05, 12:33

Hi Tim Tam Tony
Where did you find that Carrier, what are its details. Incomplete in the boxes area, Lewis in wrong position and pseudo Vickers out of place as well AND THE TRACKS ARE ON THE WRONG WAY. Somebody needs edificationing.
Bob

Tony Smith · #26 01-04-05, 13:11

Let your re-edificationing begin now, Bob. This is an NZ built LP2A carrier and this particular one I pictured above has a SURPLUS of stowage boxes. In the 50's, NZ trialled the conversion of LP2A's to a couple of different variants (3in mortar, Vickers MMG and 6pdr tower). 18 were converted to 6pdr towers by the removal of the rear stowage bins to be replaced by a rack that could carry up to 7 cases (4 rounds per case) of ammunition. An ex-CMP tow hook was mounted to a bracket spaced out far enough to clear the tools stowed on the rear of the carrier.

Bob Moseley (RIP) · #27 01-04-05, 13:42

Thanks Tim Tam for the clarification. I take it this Carrier was dedicated to the gentleman depicted.
Always learning - Bob

Richard Farrant · #28 01-04-05, 19:40

Quote:

Originally posted by Tony Smith
Yes, I'm back from tracking down more Carriers (and C8AX's and Portees! )

Tony,

Is that a Mark V tank in the background?

Richard

Bob Potter · #29 01-04-05, 22:45

This is a truly fascinating thread. How can I get a copy of this DVD when it comes out? (I had better get your DVD on CMP's while I am at it . . . .)

My question is about that two-tone sand yellow and pale sand camouflage on one of those carriers, for the sake of discussion I am calling it "red 57." I will NOT ask how accurate it is because I knew you fellows are expert at all this. I will as where it might have been used. Is it a Western Desert thing or was it only used somewhere with a name like Nether Warranga?

I think you lot have too much fun doing all this, but I am sure am proud to know a group who is preserving vital parts of our collective military heritage.

Bob Potter

Bob Potter · #30 01-04-05, 22:46

My fat fingers cannot spell today. They can't spell "pattern" either . . . .

Bob