Exciting developments...

Lynn Eades · #1 09-06-10, 14:14

When you order your large print, from the IWM, Can you get me one too?

Philliphastings · #2 10-06-10, 07:36

My thanks to all and especially George for putting me onto the pic in the first place !

Yes very exciting indeed. This is the third vehicle I have owned and had an 'in-service' photo of - 2 Pounder Carrier 6146, My Mk2 Ferret 115300 and now the Scout.

By comparing the photo with my carrier in the shed last night I lost all doubt as the damaged left front fender, torn off mudshield, missing rear shovel bracket, damaged rear left mudguard and dented rear number plate bracket are all identical to my vehicle, as is the camouflage pattern that can still be made out.

While stripping off the right air scoop yesterday I found the first trace of deep bronze green so far. I guess the right thing to do is restore it in DBG then add the two tone camouflage later.

Many years ago I used to drool over the article in Wheels and Tracks 'A tale of two carriers' found in New Zealand. I never dreamed it could still happen like that.

I only wish I was able to post up images as the restoration begins in earnest.

The magic continues as I went for a walk at sunset and picked up a good Bren Gun pintol mounting under a tree. Now I wonder if it came off...

Cheers

Phill

Mike K · #3 10-06-10, 07:47

Phil has a habit of this sort of thing.

He at one time , owned the 2 pounder carrier as pictured in the official manual .

Philliphastings · #4 10-06-10, 07:51

Yes - and I still have the official manual!

I also located and helped preserve the only Matilda Tank my former Regiment used in action in the pacific and brought home to Australia (the rest were sunk off barges)

1/15th Royal New South Wales Lancers Memorial Museum is now slowly and patiently rebuilding Matilda tank 'Ace' for posterity.

Cheers

Phill

Philliphastings · #5 11-06-10, 08:49

While scanning the Australian War Memorial database I found another pic of the Scout carrier, in the same sequence of shots but this time front on. The remaining camoflage pattern on the front lower armour is once again an exact match.

AWM image 02988 refers.

It also clearly shows the registration number AIF 5325. I have always dreamed of finding the original Australian number. as a museum associate just said "now I can die happy"

I have a few C plates in the shed, I don't suppose one could be 5325 could it...?

Apparently the machine was very good at turning around in little circles for the crowd. Perhaps it was also a tactic developed to confuse the enemy...

Cheers

Phill

Philliphastings · #6 15-06-10, 07:45

- Make that 5329, just like the brass data plate on the front guard says.

Also in the second pic you can see a large bullet hole just at the bottom of the '4' in the bridge class sign. That hole, and another like it on the inside of the guard is still there. looks big enough to have been around a .50 Cal

Cheers

Phill

Philliphastings · #7 03-07-10, 14:03

Another milestone passed today with the pick up of a full set of British carrier track in exchange for a set of very good Australian Pattern track.

After a 700km+ round trip the Scout Carrier is now a lot closer to being complete.

Obtaining this track has solved the dilemna of whether to import newly made british pattern track or to convert to Australian Pattern track. It would be fair to say that I'm a bit chuffed right now

Cheers

Phill