Mk1 1942 built Canadian carrier

kevin powles · #1 10-06-09, 03:50

Quick question regarding the choke cable for the mK1, next to the right hand side of the driver there is a bracket which holds the choke cable between the chocke adjuster and the division plate, about half way along, on my tank hunter carrier, the fixing bolts should go through the hull for the bracket but mine has hull 3/8" rivits in there. Am i correct in thinking maybe early carriers up to the end of 1942 never had this bracket, my mortar carrier 1943 has the bracket.

Also the clutch pedal return spring how long is it unstretched and diameter please.

Also interesting note : most restored carriers i have seen omit the dash panel gasket which is at least 1/4 thick, i have an original gasket if anyone needs dimensions. Also I have pics of original conduit runs with which cable go's were to the dash, mk1 only.

Can anyone supply 3/8" bsf countersunk set screws, which go in the front plate?.

Jordan Baker · #2 10-06-09, 04:36

Hi Kevin

My UC was also missing the choke cable support bracket. Ive seen earlier and as you say, later, UC's that had them. This leads me to beleive that the tank hunter UC had that part omitted for some reason. Mine also had rivets where the midle Boys braket goes.

I'll measure the clutch spring for you tomorrow.

I too have the gasket for mine. i got an original last winter. I just cut mine out of 1/4" neoprene and followed the outline of the dash panel.

Lynn Eades · #3 10-06-09, 10:02

Did they possibly have a choke/thottle set up like the earlier Bren?

Jordan Baker · #4 10-06-09, 15:57

NOpe, mine had the usual box with the spring loaded handle mounted. I just wonder if the reason for having rivets was to help strengthen the hull from using the 2pdr.

kevin powles · #5 10-06-09, 16:23

Hi, I have seen a few Mk1 carriers without the support, I think Nigel Watsons carrier has the rivets in with no bracket, I dont think it is unique to the tank hunter. I have attached another pic of a carrier with no bracket, i will not fit a bracket to mine, what i am looking for is a close pattern choke cable.

kevin powles · #6 11-06-09, 02:38

Hi, can anyone tell me the dimensions please of the rear tow rope holder brackets which bolt on the raer plate, are they the same size as the Mk2 carrier ones which go on the front plate?, I have the webbed piece but need the oblong dimensions of the fixing plate as they have corroded in half.

Jordan Baker · #7 11-06-09, 04:24

The Mk2 tow rope brackets that go on the front are a fair bit smaller. I had some made but they ended up being for the Mk2.

Jordan Baker · #8 15-06-09, 04:11

here is the clutch pedal return spring

Lynn Eades · #9 15-06-09, 08:32

have you got the dimensions for the tow rope bkts yet?
If not I will be able to help. Let me know.

kevin powles · #10 15-06-09, 10:12

hi lynn,

i have an old bracket here the webbed horn part only, not sure if it is from a mk2 or mk1, i understand the horn sticks out 6 1/8", i was going to make the oblong piece 4 1/8" by 7 1/2" from 4mm thick material, from photos the horn is as far out as the rear foot step.

If you can confirm these dimensions or correct them it would be great, i want to make horn of them this week.

Lynn Eades · #11 17-06-09, 11:19

Here's some pictures. Id go for 3 mm steel.

Lynn Eades · #12 18-06-09, 09:32

Metric countersunk screws are much the same dimensions as BSF. UNF/UNC have much larger heads.

Lynn Eades · #13 20-06-09, 09:29

I made that bkt, and its probably not that well done. The rest of the stuff on the back panel is original or pretty accurate.
I will post a pic. that might help.

Lynn Eades · #14 20-06-09, 09:48

I had trouble up loading this. I had to reduce it, and now its probably not much use.

kevin powles · #15 20-06-09, 10:44

hi, thanks for the info, i will put mk2 brackets on for now, but if anyone has got a good picture and sizes of an original mk1 spade axe handle retainer bracket, please post the details.

I have tried reading the part numbers on your picture but there a little blurred. maybe you could e-mail it in bigger font to kevinpowles@btinternet.com.

thanks for your time lynn, i nearly bought a british mortar carrier from new zealand a couple of years back, i wonder what happened to it.

kev.