Carrier stencilling

[David Dunlop]

Gentlemen.

I have a collection of Ford of Canada production photos taken at Windsor, Ontario during production of the UC Carrier and Windsor. When these vehicles rolled out of the factory, all the Kit Stowage points were identified on the Carrier with white on clear water transfer decals. These are easily identified by the solid white letters and in some cases by the light reflecting from the clear transfer film.

The only painted stencils Ford applied to the Carriers on completion were the 'SLING HERE' markings on the front plate and rear deck, adjacent to the lifting rings.

Once these vehicles were in service, general wear and tear took it's toll on the factory original decals and, as needed, the Army reapplied the markings using painted stencils, typically about twice as large a font as the original decals.

When I was at Bill Gregg's Convention many years ago, Bill showed me one of the Ford Lynx Scout Cars he had brought back from Europe. It too had several surviving white on clear stowage location decals still visible both in and outside the vehicle.

I think also, CM used black on clear stowage location stencils on the inside of the Staghound Armoured Car at the factory.

David

[Michael R.]

Wow ! David, can you please post some of the Ford factory images of these transfers? That would be a good contribution.
Some of the Dr. Gregg collection Lynx too! Is that the same Lynx that Rob L. looks after in the Shilo museum, the Lynx that was returned from Portugal?

RE: I have a collection of Ford of Canada production photos taken at Windsor, Ontario during production of the UC Carrier and Windsor. When these vehicles rolled out of the factory, all the Kit Stowage points were identified on the Carrier with white on clear water transfer decals. These are easily identified by the solid white letters and in some cases by the light reflecting from the clear transfer film.


Is there any chance the original lettering may have been white paint, with a clear coat of a shellac like material over them?
Here is an image from a portion of the BREN spare barrel & accessories stencil as found inside the lid. A survivor of a few service performed repaints.

If there is one thing I am pretty sure of, it is that there is seldom "the only way" of anything associated to the production of these vehicles. Not too much room for "always" and "never"?

[rob love]

Gord Falks mk2 carrier has the remnants of the kit stowage stencils. Perhaps if Gord is lurking here he could supply some photos.

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

Originally Posted by rob love

Gord Falks mk2 carrier has the remnants of the kit stowage stencils. Perhaps if Gord is lurking here he could supply some photos.

I'm starting to be content I have a Mk.1* and not a Mk.II* carrier. It seems like there would have to be a whole lot of additional stenciling/decal-ling to make it 'right'.

I find the use of water transfer decals interesting. Other WW2 Canadian AFV's used a screened or printed lettering.

[motto]

If any local Carrier owners require stencils in 3/4" or 1" size I have cutting machines for both of these and a large quantity of paper. (About 3/4 of a ton).

David

[Lynn Eades]

David, are you talking about the "oilboard" paper for the stencil cutter machines?

[motto]

I've not heard it called that Lynn but that would be it. Most of it's in rolls 20" diameter and 10 " or so wide. Each roll weighs in at around 60lb.

David

[David Dunlop]

I finally located the photos from Ford Canada and will start cropping the decals information for you. The original photos are all 8 x 10 glossy format. If I leave them as is, they will grind the forum to a halt and Hanno will be travelling over here in short order to KMA! If I compress the photos, the details will be completely lost.

Interestingly, one of the photos Ford sent me is a full right side shot of their Windsor prototype, which they created by stretching a standard UC. It shows where the extensions were installed, what sections of the UC remained original and the dimensions of same. Possibly enough information to create a working "Windsor" chassis assembly.

Back later,


David

[shaun]

Originally Posted by David Dunlop

Gentlemen.

I have a collection of Ford of Canada production photos taken at Windsor, Ontario during production of the UC Carrier and Windsor. When these vehicles rolled out of the factory, all the Kit Stowage points were identified on the Carrier with white on clear water transfer decals. These are easily identified by the solid white letters and in some cases by the light reflecting from the clear transfer film.

The only painted stencils Ford applied to the Carriers on completion were the 'SLING HERE' markings on the front plate and rear deck, adjacent to the lifting rings.

Once these vehicles were in service, general wear and tear took it's toll on the factory original decals and, as needed, the Army reapplied the markings using painted stencils, typically about twice as large a font as the original decals.

When I was at Bill Gregg's Convention many years ago, Bill showed me one of the Ford Lynx Scout Cars he had brought back from Europe. It too had several surviving white on clear stowage location decals still visible both in and outside the vehicle.

I think also, CM used black on clear stowage location stencils on the inside of the Staghound Armoured Car at the factory.

David

David, it would be great to see any carrier related images you have .

I now strongly believe ( having seen a few carriers over the years) the stencil I have been finding were applied at the factory. All the other images others have been posting are all to uniform to have been done at unit level.

[David Dunlop]

Hi Shaun.

I will dig them up and see what I can do. They are large format photos, so I will likely have to fiddle with scan/cropping them to work well in the thread.

Cheers for now,


David

[B. Harris]

Not seen very often..
Tripod and cover

Harris...