MK I carrier seats

[cletrac (RIP)]

Here's some pics of a Mk2 seats but I don't know if the Mk1 were the same. If they were I'll get you some measurements.

[Lynn Eades]

They are quite different, but thanks for the pictures, I have never seen the MKII* seats before.

[shaun]

Originally Posted by cletrac

Here's some pics of a Mk2 seats but I don't know if the Mk1 were the same. If they were I'll get you some measurements.

Those are really modified Mk2 seats ! in fact the gunners seat looks totaly wrong.

[Lynn Eades]

Thanks for that very helpful post.
However can I suggest that is a MII* seat back, as the early (1941 MkI*) parts book shows the same upper and lower brackets on the division plate, and the same straight ended bar (CTL5062), at the top and bottom of the seat back.
Another possibility is, just a change during production, ie. Early and late MkI* production.

[cletrac (RIP)]

On close inspection of my seats, I'd say the back supports and the base on the gunners seat are original. The mounting rod across the back is welded on and not original and the vertical support under the base is an add on too. What I have of the drivers seat looks original but those cast arms are broken off.

[kevin powles]

Hi,I have an original c31ucw-104174 Mk2 carrier plywood seat back complete with mounting bolts and square nuts up for trade.

kevin.

[Lynn Eades]

With all due respect, I would suggest that none of the seat bits in your first two, and the last, photos are carrier related. I can see where the bottom seat back mounts are in your hull. The base frame in the 3rd and 4th photos is correct.
It would be interesting to know what your seats are from.
If your seats were originally carrier bits, they would have part numbers on the bits.

[Michael R.]

Bobbie J started this thread when asking: Is any one out there making MK I carrier seat parts.

As for the seat cushion covers TL 7372 and seat back covers TL & CTL 12657-A as found on Canadian manufactured Universal Carrier variants (not Windsor Carrier):
These are seat cushion and backrest from the forward compartment for driver and gunner of the Canadian made MKI* & NO-2 series, and driver of the NO-2 MKII*. (not the NO-2 MKII* gunner seat back) The original material used as a guide for making copies have dates of 1942 on the seat cushion cover and 1943 on the seat back cover.



The seat back covers use seventeen lift-the-dot fasteners and five grommets to fasten the cover to the backboard. The 1944 edition of Illustrated Parts Catalogue FUC-03 has an error in the seat back image regards positioning of the lift-the-dot fasteners, in that the seat back appears upside down. No, it is not from OZ or NZ. As Kevin P points out: Canadian made Universal Carriers MKI* are usually found with four lift-the-dot fasteners postioned along the top and each side, with five on the bottom where the opening is for the padding. The rear panel below those five lower lift-the-dots is retained in place on the lift-the-dot stud through the use of five brass grommets. Chilwell shows the British made backrest pad has a different layout for the fasteners.



At least two methods of attaching the male portion of the lift-the-dot fastener "stud" on the 3/8 inch plywood back board are found. One uses a brass flat-head countersunk screw through the back of the mounting board into the bottom of the stud. You can see this style in the images from Jordan B. as posted by Lynn E. The other uses a captive threaded post (8-32) in the stud through the back board, retained by a nut.



The Canadian made back board and divisional wall mounting hardware is atypical of the examples found in the British Chilwell Illustrated Parts Catalogue. Canadian seat backs are adjustable for distance from the divisional wall through two methods, British first followed by Canadian replacements. The Canadian lower portion employs use of a left and right side captive adjustment lever rod fitted using two stand-offs on the divisional wall. There are two hooks attached to the mounting board that surround the adjustment lever rod.

The upper portion of the Canadian back board uses a single mounting plate, but can be found with both single position mounting plate bracket(s) C01UC 105802/03 and double position mounting plate bracket(s), TL 5061/62 fitted to the divisional wall. I surely do not know what the standard was: surviving examples suggest whatever was at hand when the vehicle was on the production line was fitted, then refitted as necessary in the field. What we have been refitting in our restorations may or may not reflect production, but in the end it works well enough.



The rounded edge on the forward seat cushion covers (TL7372) should not be confused with the square pads intended for the rear compartment passengers, when used as both rear seats and kneeling pads. Those pads are found as part number CTL 1355 A, with British cushions TL 12657, and Canadian cushions CTL 12657-A (replaced by four (4) part number variations), of which two variations are also used in the NO-2 MKII*, where four cushions are part of the E.I.S..

[Jim Burrill]

Originally Posted by Lynn Eades

With all due respect, I would suggest that none of the seat bits in your first two, and the last, photos are carrier related. I can see where the bottom seat back mounts are in your hull. The base frame in the 3rd and 4th photos is correct.
It would be interesting to know what your seats are from.
If your seats were originally carrier bits, they would have part numbers on the bits.

I thought they looked like US Half track seats! I am at work, but I will look tonight at the seats my fellow club member has in his White HT project.