Shilo's new T-16

[rob love]

There turned out to be one casualty in the whole affair with a baby garter snake which was hiding in the tracks. They are good for pest control, unlike the snakes elsewhere in the world.

Anyway, here are some more photos of some of the markings and interior brackets. The carrier is in the shop now waiting for unloading which I'll do in the morning. Lots of interesting brackets inside.

At this point I think the markings may be artillery along with either central or prairie command shield. More to follow on this.

[rob love]

The brackets up top of the division plate is what really caught my eye. I think they may be for 3" mortar as they appear to be too far apart to hold a PIAT, but I'll confirm this in th enext few days. Stowage in the back suggest PIAT, but in all honesty the T-16s are a new version of carrier to me.

Engine has a TL serial number with a short tube joining the input and output for the oil cooler. The owner states it came that way from the army. However the truck radiator was a replacement for one stolen from the carrier when it threw a track and was left on some other property over a winter or so.

As one photo shows, it almost appears like this carrier had two slightly different DND numbers painted on it over time.

As I mentioned, T-16s are new to me. If anyone has comments on the carrier or it's likely stowage configuration, I'm all ears.

[Wayne Hingley]

Interesting machine, looks great. Will there be any way to find service records based on the markings Rob? Would be nice to see the history of this one.

[rob love]

Most ikely the only way to determine the unit will be the markings under the paint, and you only get one shot at it....then they are gone. From there, a check of the unit's museum (if one exists) might yield a shot of the vehicle, but it is always a longshot.

Looks like the artillery marking may be over another unit's marking.

[RichardT10829]

Great stuff Rob, look forward to seeing this one restored !

[Michael R.]

Is the original WD number 92032 ?
If it is, that is odd for a WD range that started with 92001 through 107000.
What is the Contract number on the data plate?

T16 MK-I 4.2" Mortar Carrier?

The bins in the rear compartment are for the 4.2" mortar, as are the brackets.
Normally found mounted over the engine, you may yet find the brackets for the bipod assembly, or vice versa.
The towing arms remain on the rear hull, less the hook and spring.

Note the full length sand shields removed, a boarding step replacing them.
The hull extension plates are likely factory installed, consistent with the date of manufacture. Straight spoke wheels were recorded as pre-1900 serial number, the Kelsey-Hayes discs began production late Sept., 1943.

If your engine has a TL number on it, perhaps the block is a replacement. A T16 block would show GAU vs TL.

How common are Canadian service T16's in Canada. I have seen one. Did Canada use about 750 T16's in NWE?


As you are far to occupied with a multitude of projects, drag and drop this at my place when you come east to collect the other 25 pdr. I will contribute to your fuel costs if necessary.

[rob love]

Ross:

How very generous of you, but it is now accessioned to the museum so out of my control.

Track appears in great shape with plenty of tooth on the sprockets. They are also TL marked, so I suspect that over time the US track was replaced in service with Cdn track. I have not checked the road wheels to see if the straight spoked ones are Canadian replacements. It is very possible that if this vehicle served through the 50s that the RCEME used what was available and worked as opposed to bringing in T-16 parts for the repairs.

Spotted the rear stowage bin in the back of the carrier with better protected tac signs. Have not pulled it out yet but at this point I am pretty sure it was an artillery militia unit.

There was some modification on the front for mounting the base plate. Between that and the base diameter of the mounts, it should be quick enough to determine if this was was a 4.2 or a 3" mortar conversion.

Regarding the numbers on the side, I suspect that domestically they would be the DND numbers rather than WD numbers. Any Canadian based carriers I have observed had the DND number rather than CTL numbers.