The Littlest LP2A?

[Mike Cecil]

Today, I was going though some images taken last year at the Littlefield Collection (don't remember its official title) and came across some images of a 1/4 scale LP2A Carrier, all steel, and with a painted label that it was manufactured by the Construction Dept of the Metropolitan Gas Company (MGC or 'MetGasCo') in Victoria. Australian carrier devotees will remember them as one of the Major Co-ordinating Contractors of the Australian carrier construction program. It is not unusual for manufacturers to produce scale models of equipment - the AWM has several of ships, steam engines, railway equipment, and a WW1 lorry - but this is the first I've seen of a carrier. I remember seeing it on my first visit several years ago, and wondering how the hell such a unique and interesting item had 'escaped' from Australia.

The other item that I was sad to see was the AC1, ex-Belfield. Not sad it was in the collection, but very sad to see it left to rot outside in the San Fran, CA, weather - it will need another full restoration in the none to distant future if it is to survive. Tragic, really.

If I can work out how to post images, I'll put a couple of it up.

Mike C

[Lynn Eades]

Mike, hit post reply,
Down the page, below the additional options is a "manage attachments box. Click on it.
In the box is a "choose file' box.
Find your chosen file, and click the upload box.
You can bring up a max of 5.
Scroll down in the box, and you will uncover the close this box.
Now click the submit box.
Done!

[Lynn Eades]

Mike,I can't believe you've posted 572 times without a picture!

I stole this from FordBarn

[Ryan]

Mike, there was one of these for sale on ebay (Aus) last year, LP2, all metal and the seller was in geelong. The price was around $350, I cannot remember though if it sold or not nor who the seller was. I don't know if it was a metgas one.
Did anyone else see that item on ebay??

[Keith Webb]

Originally Posted by Ryan

Mike, there was one of these for sale on ebay (Aus) last year, LP2, all metal and the seller was in geelong. The price was around $350, I cannot remember though if it sold or not nor who the seller was. I don't know if it was a metgas one.
Did anyone else see that item on ebay??

Yes it was one of us, but will let him tell us if he chooses to.

[Jared Archibald]

Mike's post rang a few memory bells.

I have just dug out the October 2002 issue of Military Machines International which has the Aussie Bren Carriers article authored by Ron Fry.

On page 58 there are two images of what I believe is the exact same model Mike has mentioned.

I don't have access to a scanner for a few days so someone else may be able to scan and post the images up.

Jared

[Ian Patrick]

There is also this item held by Museum Victoria;

http://museumvictoria.com.au/collect...s-company-1942

Also built by Metro Gas Company but appears to be closer to 1/16 scale than 1/4 scale.

Ian

[Scrivo18]

The one in the US was at the Bendigo swap meet back in about 1999 2000, and as I had just bought a complete uncut carrier for the same amount I thought it way to expensive little did I know.

It was on the stall of James Swann

Having learnt from my mistake I bought the one on Ebay a few months ago... Its sitting on a shelf behid me as I type...

I am unsure if it is an apprentice model or not, it is made from 16 guage I believe with wooden rollers and leather tracks... The Gun looks to be a .50 cal rather then a Bren or vickers.


Tim

[Lynn Eades]

Photos Tim?

[Scrivo18]

Here are a couple of pics I hope :-)

[Dianaa]

Tim

The carrier has thrown a track.



Very unprofessional of you!

Diana

[Ryan]

a ha! Well my memory isn't too bad. I got the all metal bit wrong though.
Well done Tim.

[Mike Cecil]

Well, I'll give it a try: four images of the LP2A model at the Littlefield Collection.

Mike C

Hmmmm; these seem a little on the small size. The painted label detailing the scale and manufacturer is across the rear. The label on the front right guard is a pseudo AIF number, but reads '1939-45', so if that is original, then this model has to have been made by METGASCO post war. There is also the number '4' in red: maybe there was a small 'production run' of these? Interested in others views, especially Tim (who appears to have one of the others from this 'production run' - they look pretty similar).

Mike C

[Mike Cecil]

And just to support my comment about the AC1, here are a couple of images. Note the rust streaks and faded paintwork.

Mike C