Chorehorses in Carriers

Neil Ashley · #1 17-08-09, 18:09

Can I confirm please how a chorehorse is carried in a Mk11* Carrier? Are they bolted in or held in some other way?

Also are they used from within the carrier with the exhaust hose over the side or dismounted?

Ron Pier · #2 18-08-09, 11:26

Neil, the general position for the chore horse ( infantry battalion) is the rear left corner. Studying factory drawings and photos, the chore horse is shown at either the inboard or outside corner. I can't imagine they would have drilled some mounting holes and bolted it in at this location, as it would have hampered access to the fuel tank filler cap. Plus it would negate the option for the crew to lift it out for use. I would assume it just sits loose or at the best a leather/ webbing strap could tie it to the ammo pouch strip, although I can't see any in the pictures.

Here's mine, not a very good picture though. Ron

Neil Ashley · #3 18-08-09, 18:16

Ron

When you are thrashing your carrier across country the last thing you want to happen is to be hit in the back of the neck by a flying Chorehorse Generator.

There must have been a method for securing the generator in the vehicle. My Carrier is not local to me so I could not check to see if they drilled any holes on the inside over the tracks. With a Flexible exhaust pipe the generator could still be used.

Lynn Eades · #4 19-08-09, 08:17

On the AOP carrier (no1 Mk3w) the were stored on the left rear(outside of the hull)

Ron Pier · #5 19-08-09, 09:29

Neil, I totally agree about the thrashing thing! I've just been down for another look at mine. I still don't think a permanent mounting on the track guard can work though. The chore Horse is about 14" wide, were as the track guard is only about 11 1/2" wide. Also some pictures show it stowed over the tank filler. I wonder if some improvised lashing was required from the crew, after all, various amounts of other loose equipment was carried, such as ammo and fuel etc. Ron

Ron Pier · #6 19-08-09, 09:35

PS. These high definition digital photos clearly show that 'er in doors is not performing her duties correctly with the feather duster. Ron

jeff davis · #7 21-08-09, 06:33

I talked to a Sgt with the Westminster Regiment(moior) ww2 italy ,He said that they had the chorehorse mounted in the interior gunner side rear and soon moved it out side to create more room in the interior.other mods were to put an ammo box on the top of the cowl to keep your smokes in and also to mount a .50 on the front armour above the gunners position (courtesy of the Strathconas horse)

John McGillivray · #8 21-08-09, 22:44

Here is a close up of LAC photo PA-116520 showing a carrier of HLI of C with the chore horse on the right front fender. The tac sign is Z1 which I think belongs to the Battalion Commander.

Stewart Loy · #9 23-08-09, 01:08

John,

Thanks for that picture.

My only question now is when will Charlie Fitton get one bolted to his machine?

I think I have a snap of the mount somewhere.

Stewart

Stewart Loy · #10 23-08-09, 01:26

Here is the picture of that mount. I recall one at the right rear also.

Stewart

Neil Ashley · #11 23-08-09, 10:45

Stewart

Are you suggesting that they mount the Chorehorse in the box using those holes?

charlie fitton · #12 23-08-09, 17:57

Fm Stewart...

My only question now is when will Charlie Fitton get one bolted to his machine?

..............and was wondering if the 24 v or so would damage a 6v battery if one were using it to charge. I'm pretty sure the mechanics would say no, especially as the current is so low. The "quick chargers" in the school shop use much higher voltages than that.

rob love · #13 23-08-09, 18:17

I believe the early chore horses would sense the voltage and charge accordingly. I seem to recall one of the early manuals where it showed charging various voltages and combinations of batteries. I cannot speak for the later versions of the chorehorses. I believe there was some modification to the earlier ones to bring them up to the later standards. It wasn't that many years ago we could buy the 24V ones new/rebuilt with the lend lease decals visible underneath the newer semi gloss olive.

Stewart Loy · #14 23-08-09, 20:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neil Ashley

Stewart

Are you suggesting that they mount the Chorehorse in the box using those holes?

Neil,

No, sorry about a snap with that stowage box open.

I thought that the genset mounted on the track guard using that starp of metal on the 'seat' area. There is a substanial stud that must have been a mount for something good - and it is about the size of a chorehorse.

There is a similar mount directly behind the drivers position, also.

Stewart

Ron Pier · #15 24-08-09, 11:08

Oh blimey! I had those straps welded to the track guards of my carrier. I ground them off because I thought they were put there by some farmer?? Ron