abandoned U/C carrier

[Mike Timoshyk]

Was that Marsden Matting I saw in one of the pictures....sure looks like...I would loveto get my hands on a couple of lengths of that stuff.

cheers

Mike Timoshyk in Windsor Ontario

[cletrac (RIP)]

The Alligator LVT-1 used a big Hercules 6 like the one in my Cletrac MG!. They were also used in a variety of trucks in the 1940s. That'll be quite the project.

[Snowy]

Wow that LVT-1 is an incredible find, carrier notwithstanding! It's my favourite LVT design. Interesting to see Gordon's photo of the final drive assembly with the 'silent chain' sprocket and the track sprocket. Compare that to the exploded view of it from the TM:



(I have most of the rest of the LVT-1 TM at http://202.63.50.228/gallery2/main.p...g2_itemId=2732 )

PS. I'm in need of a few measurements checked from a real LVT-1 for a 3-view diagram I've done, perhaps you can help me

Also, Ron's idea of floating the carrier out of there sounds good. I'd use plastic sheet, a few tubes of silicone sealant and a pressure can or two of expanding foam to get it watertight. And lash a few 44 gallon drums to the sides for good measure

Steve.

[Gordons]

Steve, if I can be of help let me know, I doubt this LVT will be restored, we have talked about it.

I tried to find a manual for these but never had any luck, so this is a great find .

Currently this LVT is on loan to the local minning museum, the final drive parts you see in the pic are spare parts or may have been removed and replaced with new parts at one time, the LVT-1 is complete less instrument panel and logo which went missing shortly after we put it in storeage.

Check out the welding on the drive !

Also there where two LVT-1's see the pic, the black and white pic shows a 3 step into cargo hold model where as the color pic shows the 2 step into cargo hold model , I have not been able to find any info on the design
changes ?

[Snowy]

Thanks Gordon, I'll get to sending you my preliminary 3-view drawing sometime soon. I'll annotate it with the measurements I want confirmed. The way this came about was, I have a 'gunnadoo' project for a 1/16 RC LVT-1 model one day. I searched the net high and low but couldn't find anyone who had done a LVT-1 scale drawing. I think David Harper (the author of some great LVT books, and an LVT expert) plans to do one sometime, but have no idea when.

On eBay someone regularly auctions copies of 1940s magazine plans for building wooden models, and had an LVT-1 plan in 1/12 scale. Using those I synthesised the CAD drawing that I need checked. By the way the plan instructions mention the track grousers were angled specifically to divert water away from the sides of the vehicle and thus keep the crew and troops drier.

As for the 3-step vs 2-step side, I had a look through my copy of Squadron's 'Amtracs in Action' book. It doesn't mention anything about the dates for the step change. I'm left even more confused because it shows diagrams and photos of the original Roebling 'Alligator 3' with a 3-step pontoon, as well as (all?/some?) of the first batch of 100 built plus second batch of 200 with same. But then the photos show production LVT-1's (1225 made) with a 2-step pontoon. However, it then has a photo of a late-production LVT-1 with a 3-step side! Hmmm beats me.

The early production LVT-1's had widely-spaced front windows but late production ones were close together. Also you'll notice in the TM on page 185 only the very early models had hydraulic tensioners for the track bullnose, this was quickly dropped in favour of the screw-adjustment system - must have been more trouble than it was worth.

That gearbox welding repair looks impressively desperate. Modern engine and heavy equipment rebuild shops could probably tackle that with newer techniques ...if sufficient money was thrown at them.

Steve.

[Gordons]

Steve here are a few pic of the track showing off set mounting, there are four holes in the grousers, but only two are used for mounting this gives the off set. measurements are 11 inch length x 4 inch wide ( pad ) x 3.5 height and 1/4 inch material.

[Gordons]

Originally Posted by Mike Timoshyk

Was that Marsden Matting I saw in one of the pictures....sure looks like...I would loveto get my hands on a couple of lengths of that stuff.

Mike you are correct this is Marsden matting, approx 20 pieces some in very good condition

[king of obsolete]

in your pictures there is a square timber which is actually a winter freighting sleigh bunk. the odds are this machine was pulling a sleigh and when they ran in to bad ice they drove it to shore. 50 years later it is still there because over the years parts were borrowed to keep other machine running.
hope you can drag it home.

thansk
KoO
Published Author

[king of obsolete]

also those welds on the gear box are very impressive for the time frame of using a buzz box on AC current. the water has gotten in and expaned causing the spliting (ok when it freezes). the box can be save, i have rewelded a few.

thansk
KoO
Published Author

[RichardT10829]

I would give my right arm if someone would go retrieve the armour off this for mine ! i cant believe its just sat there mokking me ! Living in the UK sucks big time !

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

Originally Posted by RichardT10829

I would give my right arm if someone would go retrieve the armour off this for mine ! i cant believe its just sat there mokking me ! Living in the UK sucks big time !

Richard,

First of all, welcome to MLU! You've come to the right place for carriers and everything related.

That project you've embarked upon is one hell of a job, especially if you're a first-timer. What I would suggest is that you get hold of Nigel Watson (one of our members, a personal friend and a published expert on the subject of carriers) and see if he or one of his many contacts throughout the UK (Nigel himself is in Scotland) can come up with something a little easier to start with. Carriers aren't for everybody, and they ARE out there - you just have to find the right one for you.

Good luck and keep us posted.

[RichardT10829]

Thanks for that Geoff i have sent him a message. that carrier was offered exceptionally cheap mind, it is located in Fergus Ontario, the vendor lives 7 hours from it so getting lists and pics is problematic, i have been advised most bits are there for it, just not the armour and the engine is seized from standing. I prefer a mk1 if i can get one as this is what my grandfather drove. My budget to get one for resto is $4000 problem I have is if i spend that full amount I will have to store it for a long period over there until i can folk out a further 2k on shipping thats why it eats me to see ones like above just sitting there its gutting !

[Gordons]

Finally family and friends where able to pick up the U/C Mk-1 and a final drive for the LVT-1 Aligator, along with all the Marston Matting good trip, 12 hrs, 17 kilometers -21 today and sunny used a Nodwell, snow cat, Bobcat on tracks and 2 skimmers. This is a New Westminster Regiment U/C.

[maple_leaf_eh]

Some projects have long lead times, but FIVE YEARS?

[Hans Mulder]

If you have time, I'd love to chat to you about this carrier. I recently completed a gate guard carrier for the Westies, and I have my carrier marked to the Westies as well.

[Gordons]

Originally Posted by maple_leaf_eh

Some projects have long lead times, but FIVE YEARS?

Very difficult place to get to, have looked at it for 40 years, I know only 17 kilometers from home ! But almost impossible to get to, has been sitting there since 1947 a bit stripped missing engine, drive line, rear diff with sprockets are there, some of tracks, wheels, a lot of good parts and body and hull uncut, ammo boxes and trays still in place, gas tanks gone, but all the little things that go missing are there, rad cap,