LP2a SAR restoration

[Phillip]

Andrew,

When I first saw this carrier, I also thought that the brackets were for a radio cover and that the other odd brackets were a few civvy mods. It was Wayne Henderson who pointed out to me that it was one of small number of converted carrier given the nomenclature ‘Carrier, M.G. (Aust) Mortar Carrying’.

Darrin Wright documented his outstanding restoration of other Aust Mortar carrier on this site and also did a lot of research into these vehicles at the AWM.

The covers themselves are very much simpler than the radio covers, being simple flat plate with no return around the lip.

I’m trying to work out where the bipod was stored?

[Lynn Eades]

Isn't the bi-pod stored in the left rear up the front? Does it go into a ring welded to the floor?.... or is that for something else?
Andrew will know.

[Phillip]

Good question Lyn.

Vickers tripod stored left front of engine bay - I did wonder if the tripod was thrown away and the bipod placed there, but there is no change to the fittings here. Ring on the floor is usually for the spare Bren barrel cover - not present on this carrier, nor any of the SA carriers I’ve had/ seen up close.

Hmm, who does know the answers?

[Darrin Wright]

Hi Phil,
I have watched with interest as the restoration continues and enjoy your pics.
I spent some time this afternoon and photographed my fixtures to show you how it is all set up.
I still do not know what the 2 threaded blocks on the left inside of hull are for...maybe you do?

In the Vickers tripod mounting brackets I store the cleaning rod for the mortar, there is no fixed bracket or position for it, I just figured after reading the 3" Mortar pamphlet that that was the most logical spot for the crew to place it and I also doubt that they would have ground mounted the Vickers MG as mortars usually fire from the rear.

Can we see a pic of your left cover?

Regards

[Darrin Wright]

couple more pics that failed to upload in the last post

[Phillip]

Thanks Darrin,

It’s interesting that the hinge construction on our covers is significantly different, but then again this hull never had the side rails either, so one of the many variances in construction across carriers.

I had another hull that had those two round pads in the left sponson, it was an earlier SA hull but not a mortar carrier. Someone will know what goes there.

In its stowed position, what is the bipod resting on?

[Darrin Wright]

The bipod sits on top of the timber blocks, there is a strap the retains it down onto the engine cover.

I tried variations to mount it like the mortar tube, but it did not work; so best educated guess is it sits on top. That is also confirmed by a pic that shows no detail in the timber blocks.