Intended Carrier recovery, wisdom sought

Lionelgee · #1 24-12-11, 08:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Moseley

Hi Robin - I love doing what you are about to do. A real adventure, the use of crisis management initiative, the victory and the stories around the bbq later on. Plus you are helping save another Carrier, an important part of history. Enjoy the recovery, get down and get dirty.

Bob

G'day Bob,

Your description reminded me of some great photos and descriptions of two carrier recoveries posted on MLU. The first was one where someone in Australia built a raft and floated a carrier across the Murray River. The other one was in Canada where people had tried for two or three snow seasons to liberate a carrier when there was an ice road available.

Does anyone know what has happened to these carriers since they were retrieved?

Can anyone recall the links to these great stories for me so I can follow them again? It would be much appreciated.

Kind Regards
Lionel

Robin Craig · #2 28-12-11, 02:26

Well, the forecast was not good as of lunchtime today so I went I to work to kit up for the retrieval.

Mostly loaded in this box (worth looking at the box for the eagle eyed ones) and some items in truck cab are the tools and kit I am taking.

4 sets of rated chains and turnbuckles for securing load
2x 4 ton web straps for recovery
4x 2 ton shackles for securement
5 ton shackle
assortment of 3500lbs ratchet straps
long and short pry bar
CVRT track pin kit
ball pein hammer, various pliers + vice grips
punches drifts and chisels
propane torch, small
grinder and spare disks and extension cord (power is nearby)
safety glasses
sledge hammer
5 ft pry bar, 2 ft pry bar
hi lift jack
blocking, assorted
chainsaw and chainsaw kit
3 changes of clothing
copious quantities of gloves
1 ton dually diesel
flatbed trailer
cell phone
corporate credit card

Forecast has the mercury dropping overnight with 15 cm of snow by lunchtime, oh joy.

R

shaun · #3 28-12-11, 10:09

Thats a good kit list, you are just missing one very important item ! The brew kit , got to have tea !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Robin Craig · #4 28-12-11, 11:34

Shaun,

as an ex pat Brit I am well aware of the benefits and the traditions of a "brew up" in the British Military and the ubiquitous boiling vessels in military vehicles (of which we have a few, bvs and vehicles!) but I have adopted the "local" brew made by Tim Hortons, the double double coffee.

I would have to say that I think that now I have lived over half my life here in Canada that I have drunk more Tim's coffees than I have hot dinners.

Our military marches on them, just about.

To this end a mate, James, has nominated himself as coffee wallah for the day.

Its now 530am and the snow has started.

R

Cornholio · #5 28-12-11, 15:58

A coffee wallah huh? I don't know how I'm suppose to take that. LOL.

But don't worry, a double double in a double cup is on its way as requested.

I'll be bringing a camera as well to record the event. Unfortunately the snow has started flying!

Robin Craig · #6 29-12-11, 12:58

Well,

The roads were not great with the left lane of the 401 snow covered at Gananoque when I got on but by Prescott it cleared up a bit.

Arrived in Cornwall and the city streets were snow covered, it was minus 8 degrees c at this time and the wnd was blowing fairly hard.

Once at the unit the first challenge was to open the yard gate as the padlock was frozen so out with the small propane torch to thaw that out.

The officer in charge of the Armoury met me and we went to the back yard and he started an LSVW to get it out of the way.

While we were waiting for the tilt n load tow truck we used some straps and shackles and a rental forklift (awaiting pick up from a previous unit event) to gently lift the front of the carrier, resistance was futile and the vehicle lifted out of the ground bringing with it a great big lump of frozen ground under the tracks on both sides.

A few minutes later the tow truck arrived and moments after that James and his mate John arrived with a coffee for me! What fine service.

For Shaun in the UK we present a picture of the carrier in motion an myself in suitably gruby winter work wear!

R

Robin Craig · #7 29-12-11, 13:06

The tracks did move and the vehicle did roll up to a point but then stopped, I think the extra frozen mud jammed the track under the shroud which is what happened.

Anyway the pulling continued and the carrier slid up the deck and we were at a point that the deck could be lowered. At this point I was thanking the good lord for not having to get down and dirty and split track in the cold, that was something I did not want to do.

Next we lined up our trailer and the tow truck to do the cross decking operation.

R

shaun · #8 29-12-11, 23:21

Well done Robin, what a nice write up as well. Being British Army i will stick to TEA, now you have transfered to the colonies you are with in your rights to drink "Coffee". Its seems to have done the job and stopped you from freezing is some nasty weather. Good effort !!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robin Craig

Well,

The roads were not great with the left lane of the 401 snow covered at Gananoque when I got on but by Prescott it cleared up a bit.

Arrived in Cornwall and the city streets were snow covered, it was minus 8 degrees c at this time and the wnd was blowing fairly hard.

Once at the unit the first challenge was to open the yard gate as the padlock was frozen so out with the small propane torch to thaw that out.

The officer in charge of the Armoury met me and we went to the back yard and he started an LSVW to get it out of the way.

While we were waiting for the tilt n load tow truck we used some straps and shackles and a rental forklift (awaiting pick up from a previous unit event) to gently lift the front of the carrier, resistance was futile and the vehicle lifted out of the ground bringing with it a great big lump of frozen ground under the tracks on both sides.

A few minutes later the tow truck arrived and moments after that James and his mate John arrived with a coffee for me! What fine service.

For Shaun in the UK we present a picture of the carrier in motion an myself in suitably gruby winter work wear!

R

Lionelgee · #9 01-01-12, 02:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lionelgee

G'day Bob,

Your description reminded me of some great photos and descriptions of two carrier recoveries posted on MLU. The first was one where someone in Australia built a raft and floated a carrier across the Murray River. The other one was in Canada where people had tried for two or three snow seasons to liberate a carrier when there was an ice road available.

Does anyone know what has happened to these carriers since they were retrieved?

Can anyone recall the links to these great stories for me so I can follow them again? It would be much appreciated.

Kind Regards
Lionel

Hello All,

I found the threads about unusual carrier recoveries.

Cletracker - Erik - UC recovery part 1 19-03-10, 16:05
http://www.mapleleafup.net/forums/sh...378#post158378
My apologies the recovery took place in Sweden not Canada.

Ian Patrick - Carrier recovery with a difference 05-07-10, 21:50
http://www.mapleleafup.net/forums/sh...ad.php?t=15004

Kind Regards
Lionel

RichardT10829 · #10 01-01-12, 02:47

Ian patricks recovery for me has to be the most extreme i have seen.... definately the benchmark for crazy recoveries.... credit to him

servicepub (RIP) · #11 01-01-12, 03:01

Robin,

Bravo Zulu for a great recovery!! Loved reading the tale and wish I had known as I would have gone just to observe and drink a large Timmy's double-double in the cold with you.
Clive