Tank Hunting Carrier

cletrac (RIP) · #1 07-07-05, 19:56

I got this picture out of Canadian Military Vehicles Profiles and wondered if anybody had any more pix or info on this variant It makes a neat looking machine but I wonder how useful it would have been.

rob love · #2 07-07-05, 20:06

I believe the number produced was about 10 times or more than that listed on the caption of the photo. I have seen remains of several around the prairie provinces.
Usefull? Probably about as useful as a 2 pdr (not very). The recoil must have been murder on the crew, and the muzzle blast would likely kill the poor driver.
Still, it looked pretty cool.

Stewart Loy · #3 07-07-05, 21:34

I had heard that 1 of these rare beasts was auctioned off in Ontario a few years ago. It was minus the gun, but most of the rest was there.

Where did it go?

Note how the stowage locker on the back deck is mounted backwards - they must have had more ammo in there.

Stewart

Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP) · #4 07-07-05, 21:39

Quote:

Originally posted by Stewart Loy
I had heard that 1 of these rare beasts was auctioned off in Ontario a few years ago. Iwas minus the gun, but most of the rest was there.

Where did it go?

Stewart

I was at that auction and was actively engaged in the bidding, but it went way beyond my means. I do know the chap who got it, though. It was indeed reasonably complete including the gun cradle and supports etc, but a bit of the front armour had been cut off. Nothing that couldn't be fixed, however.

I believe the whereabouts of six or seven are known, including the one they have in the CWM. Not bad for only the handful which were made.

Bruce Parker (RIP) · #5 07-07-05, 22:08

There were a number of 2 pdr guns fitted to 6 pdr carriages used for training here in Canada. Several survive. I would not have a problem separating a 2 pdr from such a jury rigged contraption to mount it on a tank hunting carrier. Somebody opught to do it.

Hanno Spoelstra · #6 07-07-05, 23:02

Quote:

Originally posted by Bruce Parker
I would not have a problem separating a 2 pdr from such a jury rigged contraption to mount it on a tank hunting carrier. Somebody opught to do it.

Looks like the CWM did just that: http://dana-nield.com/vimy/UC2Pdr.asp

H.

Snowtractor · #7 08-07-05, 04:05

Quote:

Originally posted by Stewart Loy
Note how the stowage locker on the back deck is mounted backwards - they must have had more ammo in there.

Notice the boxes on the top carrier appear to be MkI style where the pic you posted may be a field mod. Interesting for such a small number that changes were made.
Sean

Lynn Eades · #8 08-07-05, 06:14

Is this the same gun as was fittedin the Mk5 Valentine?

chris vickery · #9 08-07-05, 14:28

Up until a few years ago, I owned a cutdown hull which was remains of one of these beasts.
I agree with Rob Love that the numbers stated are no where close to accurate as I have happened across a couple here and there over the years, surely the odds of seeing that many "rare" carriers brings this into question.
A fellow by the name of Cliff Ladouceur owns the one that went at auction.
It is a nice looking beast, only really missing the 2 pdr.

Eric Korhonen · #10 08-07-05, 16:19

In regards to the photo Stewart Loy posted, i have a question about the engine cover . It is a rounded hood . I have a hood like that on a dismantled carrier i bought a number of years back. I was not sure if it was an original hood or was adapted to fit by previous owner . If any one knows about this type of hood i'd like to know more of it .

Thank you

Eric

Hanno Spoelstra · #11 08-07-05, 17:33

Quote:

Originally posted by Eric Korhonen
It is a rounded hood . I have a hood like that on a dismantled carrier i bought a number of years back. I was not sure if it was an original hood or was adapted to fit by previous owner . If any one knows about this type of hood i'd like to know more of it .

Eric,

Could it be a Loyd Carrier engine hood?

Regards,
Hanno

Source: http://www.mapleleafup.org/vehicles/carriers/loyd.html

Eric Korhonen · #12 08-07-05, 17:51

Thanks Hanno, but i don't believe it is off of a Loyd Carrier. The Loyd Carrier hood is uniform width for full length. The hood i have is the same in previous picture. It is wider at one end tappering to other, it also has the inspection door on it as in the picture. Other carriers i have seen have a flat top for engine covers, that is why this picture caught my eye . Just curious about it if it is original or not . Hopefully someone knows of this type .

Thanks;

Eric

cletrac (RIP) · #13 08-07-05, 19:30

The rounded hood was probably made special for use with the 2 pdr. If you check the turret arrangement the gunner would need any extra room they could possibly make. The round corners would also keep him from hooking on the square corners.

c. ladouceur (RIP) · #14 08-07-05, 23:03

A/T U.C.

c. ladouceur (RIP) · #15 09-07-05, 03:58

Again.. along with part-transplant veh.

Snowtractor · #16 09-07-05, 19:16

You know that your donor vehicle looks very good. YOu should consider selling it and using the money to buy the parts you need. Why cut up armour plate when sheet steel will work even easier and look identical . There are still bogie wheels around and lots of components really. A carrier with no armour at all on it sold for 5000us last year on Ebay. That kind of scratch could finish your gun carrier nicely.
Sean

cmp_uc_guy · #17 10-07-05, 05:17

You guys should know Cliff better that this, he has enough parts to build 5 carriers!

....(no really...I'm not kidding)

Rob

c. ladouceur (RIP) · #18 11-07-05, 01:23

This is the top engine cover from my machine.It's approx.27"x23"x8"on highend of taper.

Snowtractor · #19 11-07-05, 05:28

Quote:

Originally posted by cmp_uc_guy
You guys should know Cliff better that this, he has enough parts to build 5 carriers! ....(no really...I'm not kidding)

Well, I do now...it was a little hard to peek over his fence as he is 5000km from me

Sean

Doug Knight · #20 25-07-05, 17:39

Ford made 100 of these "tank hunters" - model numbe C21UCG. One was sent to the UK for trials and the others stayed in Canada. On 28 May 1945, there were 99 at CMD London (Ontario) and instructions were issued to remove the guns and return the carriers to normal use.

So far as I know, the only mod to the carrier was the mounting pivot hole for the gun in the centre bulkhead. The 2-pounder was lifted off the towed carriage and fitted into the pivot.

Does anyone know if they were actually used in Canada?