all carrier owners please submit your serials....

[RichardT10829]

i am creating a spreadsheet with all the carrier serials / numbers etc etc etc. the more info i gather the more likely i am to trace my own..... plus there will be documentation of who has what and where in the globe.
please post up all ID numbers from your machine, stating what it is ie mk1 mk2 / mortar / etc etc. i will also take details of any T16's, lloyds, windsors, etc etc (just tracked carriers for now please) your name and location. even if nyou see a hull or carrier lying about please note its details so i can log it down.........if i cant get ford to keep documents i may as well start my own......obviously it will be shared amongst the MLU fraternity

cheers in advance guys


Richie Harrison
1942 Canadian UC Mk1 (lower tub 10131)
Newcastle Upon Tyne England

[Adame]

Hi Richard

U.C. N#2 MKII*
Date: Feb 44
Serial 24562
Hull 23625
Engine TL-24879-F
CD 2609

Located in Oakville Canada.

This carrier is untouched original as released by the Canadian Army after the Korean war.

Merry Christmas
Adam

[Ledsel]

Here's mine

[Nigel Watson]

Taken from edge of front armour

Year of Manufacture 7/1941
Manufacturer: Ford
Serial No. 2109

There is a 47 infront of all the numbers but unclear as to what that refers to.

[Nigel Watson]

Originally Posted by Nigel Watson

Taken from edge of front armour

Year of Manufacture 7/1941
Manufacturer: Ford
Serial No. 2109

There is a 47 infront of all the numbers but unclear as to what that refers to.

Forgot to add Upper Hull No. is CB1117

[RichardT10829]

cheers guys they are all added. Nigel i notice that there is an "N" on your plate if you recall on my build thread the SMV unit beleived they could see an N at the end of the number what was this for ?

[Lynn Eades]

If your going to do this, you might need to be accurate, for a good result.. Carriers are a bit like firearms .Two different types can use the same serial numbers, so the designation is what identifies each
The first error that I can see is that Ledsel's carrier is not a Mk 2, but a Mk2*. This would be fine if you were just dealing with carriers built by Ford of Canada, however, as you are intending to list all carriers, then for clarity, the designation needs to be correct.
Maybe Nigel W.,you could give us a bit of input in this area
I see a number of people around the world, putting together lists of various machines. Maybe it would be better to try to co-ordinate these people.
Another thought is that maybe it can be done on the forum, not as a thread, but in the way that G503, does Jeeps. Can that be done, Sunray?

[RichardT10829]

what ever is best for everyone, if the forum admin wants to create a form no problems..

i have listed the carriers in order of Mk anad age ie there is a secton for Mk1's, Mk2's, T16's etc etc and each carrier is designated * for canadian built, but i have aslo put manufacturer ie Ford, Wollesley, Sentinel, etc etc etc.

[ron]

Hello Lyn,
I agree completely with what you say regarding serial numbers of carriers, I would prefer to see the list of numbers kept here on this forum, rather than an individual keeping the records, as we have all seen in the past the records of the information is not always released, and is kept as a private record, this statement is not meant to reflect on anyone on this forum, its just an obsveration that I have made over the last 40 years of collecting and sharing information with various people,I have numbers of quite a few carriers but if the information is not shared in a public forum, there really does not seem much point in giving it to an individual, I must stress again this is only my opinion and is not intended to offend anyone here,we are all here at the end of the day for the better of this hobby,
Regards Ron

[RichardT10829]

no problems, i only offered to do it as it appeared to date knowone else had.or if they had as you say it had not been shared with the community... i dont have mod or admin rights on this forum so i used an Excel spreadsheet which i was going to forward back to MLU and Nigel Watson for his books/research if required. I totally understand where you are coming from and it makes perfect sense, perhaps a table or spreadsheet or something can be posted here and accessed by all MLU members.

[ron]

Hi Richard,
I agree with what you say, regarding the spread sheet and sharing the information on the forum,I am glad you share my point of view, Have a great Xmas, and to all our members have a safe and happy Xmas,
Best Regards to all Ron

[Ledsel]

Originally Posted by Lynn Eades

If your going to do this, you might need to be accurate, for a good result.. Carriers are a bit like firearms .Two different types can use the same serial numbers, so the designation is what identifies each
The first error that I can see is that Ledsel's carrier is not a Mk 2, but a Mk2*. This would be fine if you were just dealing with carriers built by Ford of Canada, however, as you are intending to list all carriers, then for clarity, the designation needs to be correct.
Maybe Nigel W.,you could give us a bit of input in this area
I see a number of people around the world, putting together lists of various machines. Maybe it would be better to try to co-ordinate these people.
Another thought is that maybe it can be done on the forum, not as a thread, but in the way that G503, does Jeeps. Can that be done, Sunray?

Sorry about that. I always forget that darn star * .Ledsel.

[Nigel Watson]

Originally Posted by RichardT10829

cheers guys they are all added. Nigel i notice that there is an "N" on your plate if you recall on my build thread the SMV unit beleived they could see an N at the end of the number what was this for ?

Richie its a 2 not an N. Its a Proof Stamp. In this position it normally is for Field Test but not sure if the 2 is a reference to where it was tested or just that it was the second test. Anyone know? There should also have been a Proof Stamp according to my UC-F1 Manual before the month numeral but it doesn't seem to be on mine. But what is interesting is the end Proof Stamp in the Manual example shows a Proof Stamp arrow with a C over it. Canada?

Must go and wrap some presents and put out the milk and pies. Can you boys south of the line let me know when the great man lands on your roof!

Merry Christmas from a white cold snowy beautiful Scotland

Nigel

[Nigel Watson]

I'm glad to help with input if required. I mentioned to Richie that I had started a Register of Carriers in 2003 but time prevented its advance. I have 25 carriers on record, some have changed hands since then so everything requires to be started again I think.

The important information and terminology should be that laid down at the time of production as this is how it was stamped on the armour and recorded on the plates and ledgers.
This is (according to UC-F1 Manual):
Stamped on top edge of front armour in front of driver.
L-R viewed from front
1. WD.No. Beginning with T or CT (Maybe others)
2. Horizontal Arrow pointing right if present is the Government Inspection Board of the UK and Canada approval of the assembly and stowage of the vehicle.
3. A numeral designating the month of the year the vehicle was produced.
4. The year the vehicle was produced eg 1942
5. Manufacturers Logo (I have only seen Ford script but no others!).
6. Next is the Vehicle Serial Number
7. Arrow Approval Mark signifying vehicle approved after field tests completed.

Stamped on the plate:
Model: For a MkI it is UC-1
Serial: Is the Vehicle Serial Number
Hull: Is the number stamped on the angle iron behind the commander's seat, sometimes referred to as the Upper Hull No. by us!
Engine: Engine Number assigned by manufacturer, stamped on the top of the clutch housing under the mounting bracket for the oil cooler regulator valve and the top of the cylinder block at the right edge of the valve chamber cover.
Order: This is the Order Number or Contract Number for the vehicle. Many vehicles will share this number if made under the same Contract.

We also have the number stamped in the rear which we call the Lower Hull Number, this should be logged as well just in case we find a link between the two 'hull' numbers in the future.

There also needs to be some way of logging in oddities! Different numbers/letters in non-standard places on carriers, like the 47 on my edge armour!

Some other thoughts to run at the same time:
a. Original Lettering that has been found under paint.
b. A log of all wartime WD Nos and associated Carrier Types with photo ref: be it in a publication, on film, from collection, on ebay...anywhere. (mammoth job but what a great reference source!)

Geoff is there anyway you could incorporate a form that we can access from MLU and be able to send to whoever is going to collate the information? That way if the form is done accurately it would be a question of collecting/saving the forms.

If I can work out how to take a picture of a MS Publisher Document that is on my computer I will upload what I had done in 2003.

Good Christmas to you all, and keep on the tracks!

Nigel

[Nigel Watson]

Originally Posted by Nigel Watson

Richie its a 2 not an N. Its a Proof Stamp. In this position it normally is for Field Test but not sure if the 2 is a reference to where it was tested or just that it was the second test. Anyone know? There should also have been a Proof Stamp according to my UC-F1 Manual before the month numeral but it doesn't seem to be on mine. But what is interesting is the end Proof Stamp in the Manual example shows a Proof Stamp arrow with a C over it. Canada?

Must go and wrap some presents and put out the milk and pies. Can you boys south of the line let me know when the great man lands on your roof!

Merry Christmas from a white cold snowy beautiful Scotland

Nigel

Sorry for Proof read Approval!! Its the whiskieeee!

Nigel

[Haridimos]

The only example of universal "Bren" carrier in Greece, is a remarcably preserved machine owned by the Korean veteran Kostandinos Faros, who gave me the numbers:

Number: T249393
Engine Ford 18633130



Regards,

kostas

[Lynn Eades]

The carriers in the old photo are Mk1 carriers.
Is that a kiwi on that tac sign?

[Haridimos]

Originally Posted by Lynn Eades

The carriers in the old photo are Mk1 carriers.

You are right. The Greek Army had the mk I, ex british machines. The photo was taken at a base camp at North Africa.

Originally Posted by Lynn Eades

Is that a kiwi on that tac sign?

No, Lynn, the sign depicts the head of Athena... (Minerva) the sign of the greek mechanised divisions that period. Today has changed slightly

[Eric Korhonen]

The weather was nice out today so I was out and about. Went out to my carriers and took good look at them, got numbers off two of them. On one I could only get lower hull number....5066
The other had more on it. Numbers on armour plate in front of driver are as follows....CT 113449 10/30/1942 Ford 11301 lower hull....0300

Cheers
Eric

[Lynn Eades]

Hi Eric, I think you need to look further at your lower hull number???

[Eric Korhonen]

Lynn you were correct about the lower hull number, I went out with a wire brush and gave it a good cleaning. It was badly rusted so it took a fair bit of cleaning but did find another number. The hull number is 10300, was not able to see the one yesterday. It is so faint to see it
Thank you for correcting me.

Eric

[eddy8men]

my MK1* was built in 41 and had the lower hull number CB874.
under the paint i found the original wartime name. WELLAND

[Flyingtanker]

Uc No2 mk1* Mortar Carrier - ct 163097

[Nech]

Canadian Mk.I*

Serial: No.TL 13 F (original early brass Ford's plate)
Manufactured: 3/41
Hull No: CB 180

The original front armour is not present, I have an replacement.
No: CT 113214
?? 18 1942

Condition - pre renovation, getting the missing parts together first..

By the way - is anyone able tell me the original "CT" number for the carrier?

Cheers!
Martin