Carrier Pics

[ron]

Hi Gary,
Welcome to the forum, you are in the right place for any help that you may require, You choice of a carrier restoration is still the best way that I can think of to get rid of any surplus money that you may have,just kidding you will have a ball and the friends trhat you make here are forever,
congatulations it will be interesting to watch your progress,
Regards Ron

[RichardT10829]

Welcome Gary, and thanks for posting them up looks like you got yourself something that wee bit more special (mind all carriers are special...but you know what i mean)

what is it with teh rear bogey road wheels the rubber on them always seems to be gash. mine are exactly the same, yet the front idlers and main bogey's are all perfect, as is the little top idler

[Ledsel]

"what is it with teh rear bogey road wheels the rubber on them always seems to be gash. mine are exactly the same, yet the front idlers and main bogey's are all perfect, as is the little top idler"

The rear bogey is the one that takes the most sideways pressure when turning sharply. It is fine when things are set rite but when the tracks are loose they want to climb on the track guids. Mine are like that too because when I was young and stupider than now I didn't adjust my tracks.( too much work, I thought) Now I couldn't believe how easy it is to adjust them. With the rite tools that is.

[gary_bath_jr]

Hey All

Thanks for the encouragement, I am excited about getting these things up and running and going for a ride...Ledsel, I found the serial number in the spot you said, (Thnx) and it is TL24877F, hope that is right.

I will be getting a second carrier on the 23rd of this month and will get pics and serial number for that one, is that the only place to get the serial?

Jeff, I live in Northern BC along the famous Alaska Highway, I was in contact with some members of the MVPA while at the abbotsford airshow about doing a trip along the highway.

Thank you all for any information, I have a friend a few hours away that has 5 carriers and figures that he can build 3 complete ones from the stock, unfortunatly he did not get any salvagable engines so he is on the hunt, he is a member of this forum but is not able to log in very ofton, I will try to get lots of picture of his projects as well as progress of my vehicles. I have 2 CMP's that I am working on as well and will be fixing the C-15 before I work on my carrier so it will be a bit before I have anything to show.

[Ledsel]

That is only the engine serial no.. The only place that the vehicle serial no. is, is on the upper armour. The carrier in your foto does not have any place left that would have any kind of numbers. But from the engine number you could be fairly certain that it was a 1944 model MK.2 probably built early in March. If at all possible I would try and rebuild that engine. Even if the cylinders are in bad condition it can be sleeved.

[RichardT10829]

not that it helps much but the lower hull number on mine is located on the rear gunners side fender (on the angle bar itself) just so you know its there is why i have mentioned it really

[Ron Pier]

Further to Richard and Ledsel's comments. I thought I'd post some pictures of the numbers locations I found on my hull. My upper hull # TI or is it TL 79140 but then the armour was cut here. Can the experts comment. The lower hull number is as Richard states. on the lop left rear rolled edge,and so faint it's barely visible I can make out an F and 44. Would this be FMC 44 or 1944. Ron

[rob love]

Originally Posted by Ledsel

But from the engine number you could be fairly certain that it was a 1944 model MK.2 probably built early in March.

Definitely a mk2....the area over the rear diff does not have the two large square openings.

[RichardT10829]

also as already mentioned on all the major components is the part number and also a date which will give you an indication of its age. the gear lever housing would possibly be a good one to go from as it is unlikely to have been repaired or changed. Mind this is not a concrete method of dating as i am sure they would have used up old stock on later carriers, but it may give you an idea.

[Nigel Watson]

Originally Posted by rob love

Definitely a mk2....the area over the rear diff does not have the two large square openings.

Following on from comments regarding carrier mark can I throw a spanner or two in the works and say, many MkI carriers were upgraded to MkII spec. which including the engines being supplied for the MkII production. Also the holes over the rear diff are also missing on some later bren carriers. Identifying the mark of carriers can only be done for sure by the edge armour information (provided it hasn't come from another carrier, which also happened during the war!). It is easier to identify earlier marks as there are tell tale fixing holes for equipment only fitted to them. Armour thickness in certain areas of the vehicle was altered so this can also assist. Could the two holes on the left mudguard be the fixings for the can holder on the MkII? It would be a great find if someone could locate a document which tied the Lower Hull Number with the Upper Hull Number with the WD Number and Serial Number. Then we would be able to run the hull numbers to find out year and marks. Start looking everyone!!!

Gary, great you have saved another two and good luck with them, it is worth it.

Nigel