Two more wrecks in my yard - Page 2

rob love · #31 28-03-10, 03:48

My guess is that this would have been around the 777th carrier built in Canada. Why would Ford skip serial numbers? Also, There were just under 29,000 carriers built (not counting the Windsors) and the serial numbers I have seen over the years match that production.

Jordan Baker · #32 28-03-10, 05:13

Its Cnd made, the early ones were made to Brit specs then they were changed over to Cnd stuff.

Lynn Eades · #33 28-03-10, 05:38

The list in the back of Nigels book, covers only a few carriers with the, CT numbers, the serial numbers, the Unit (#777 = 8th recce Btn.), and the type of track fitted.
The list starts at serial 502 = CT29002. The word "Census" has been neatly crossed out, and replaced with "Serial" It finishes at serial 1617 = CT43197.
What was the first "T" number allocated to a Canadian carrier?
Jordan, I was guessing parts were supplied from the U.K. early on, and the plan to change stuff over, would have been a low priority (never happened)unless the part failed.
I'm still interested to see a picture of the bed rails.

rob love · #34 28-03-10, 08:45

I have seen a few early carriers, and even scrounged parts off a couple. Other than some electrical components like the speedo or the headlamps, everything was Ford Canada. Some of the earlier cast stuff was in Bronze, rather than in steel, but all were marked FMCo41.
It would not make sense to ship cast stuff in any kind of quantity to Canada, when we had the resources and skills to cast them ourselves.

I have noticed that some early Cdn castings had the part numbers hand stamped into them rather than cast in. If super dave was to look over his carrier components, I believe he may find some early 41 dated stuff mixed in there which I scrounged off a Cdn carrier in the 500 serial range.

Lynn Eades · #35 28-03-10, 08:59

So Rob, Is that clutch pedal in Jordans photo Made by Ford of Canada?
(It looks like the one in the 1941 parts list)

rob love · #36 28-03-10, 09:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lynn Eades

So Rob, Is that clutch pedal in Jordans photo Made by Ford of Canada?
(It looks like the one in the 1941 parts list)

I am 99 percent positive it is. I am still stuck in Kandahar for another month, but when I get home I can compare it with mine. My carrier is also a fairly early lower hull, somewhere around the 1100 mark if I recall. There are a dozen or so features of the early carriers which were dropped after a few thousand were produced, and as well many of the rubber parts were replaced with metal or wood, and rubber straps were replaced with canvas web.

RichardT10829 · #37 28-03-10, 16:24

as previously stated the early canadian carriers were made with british components / spec so could be british could be canadian. i think i posted the CT number for serial 777 at the beginning of this thread. its all interesting stuff more reason to save it rather than cut it up

Phill · #38 05-04-10, 23:21

I put #777 up on blocks, and soon hope to pressure wash the inside out, to get a better look. The floor was not as bad as I thought, but the steering linkage is well rusted and in poor condition. The pedals are different so I've attached a picture. Would this carrier have come with a Solex carb? Phil

RichardT10829 · #39 06-04-10, 10:27

it is my understanding that the pedals are british pattern however this does not 100% mean it was british made so it could be british or..... a very early production canadian carrier made to british specifications. out of curiosity if you run some scotch brite over the top of the drivers front armour it may or may not reveal some numbers... unlikely if its an early one though.... it would help rule some things out. I must stress that this post is only an opnion from what i have learnt from Nigels books and the family here at MLU so as with everything carrier related take NOTHING for granted....and in the words of Shaun Hindle "keep an open mind mate"

PS a fantastic carrier worth saving though

Richie

Aidan · #40 07-04-10, 01:13

I would think if it was an English Carrier it would have all English threaded bolts? Aidan

Lynn Eades · #41 07-04-10, 08:42

All the carriers, British and Canadian, are fastened with BSF fasteners. The only variation that I can think of, is the fasteners in the original Ford componentry. for example the bolts that hold the two halves of the diff housing together, the lid on the gearbox, and the motor fasteners etc.

rob love · #42 07-04-10, 15:32

I have a video tape of an old training slide show somewhere at home, where the film points out that the two bolts holding the angle iron over top of the division plate MAY be 3/8 UNF rather than BSF. I think Gunner had something to do with the video if I recall.

There is no doubt in my mind that this is an early Canadian carrier. It will likely not have the serial numbers on the front armor plate because they likely were still using the large British style ID plate on the front right fender. A quick check of any parts will show the FMOco markings. I am not 100% sure where the changeover was from the data plate to the stamped serials, but I have seen the data plate on carriers in the 500 range.

Phill · #43 08-04-10, 13:06

I looked yesterday for the stamped #'s on the top edge of the armor, just in front of the driver, but found nothing. I think I was looking in the right place. This hull has been out in the elements for a long time. I can't wait to wash the bottom out, my forklift has a hard time lifting it, so I'll have to wait until my backhoe is ready. I'm realizing with all the interest in this hull and not the other MK1, that historically she's quite important.

Thanks for the continuing interest. Would they be any signs of where the data plate was, if on the front right fender? Phil

Lynn Eades · #44 08-04-10, 22:19

There should be two holes in the right guard ,190mm apart The guard bolted on at the back via the head light bracket.The two holes are 200mm forward of the rear edge.

Phill · #45 09-04-10, 01:51

I found the two holes, you chaps really know your stuff

. I guess the proper decal is going to be hard to find?

Attached some more pictures. Note the Ford ID on the bogie assembly. The small bracket under the ration box, what is it for? Also what was bolted on the rear armor? Thanks,Phil

charlie fitton · #46 09-04-10, 02:30

Quote:

The small bracket under the ration box, what is it for? Also what was bolted on the rear armor? Thanks,Phil

..is for the pointy-in end of the starting crank.

I've actually used the crank a few times - surprising how easily the old bugger starts...

charlie fitton · #47 09-04-10, 02:31

Quote:

- surprising how easily the old bugger starts...

....and so does the carrier.

Lynn Eades · #48 09-04-10, 04:46

Now that you have posted these pictures, I agree with Rob, that your carrier is A Canadian built hull, not because it has FMc, but because of the type of armour plate in the 3rd photo. Yoyu need to get a hold of a Canadian carrier book. It will answer lots of questions.
I have added a pic of an Id plate. The picture belongs to Bob Carrerie, previously posted on this forum.

Philliphastings · #49 09-04-10, 05:18

Here's a question for the brains trust. Did the very early carriers have the shifter housing. My Mk1 seems never to have been fitted with one, much in the style of the Australian Local Pattern Carriers...

Cheers

Phill

Lynn Eades · #50 09-04-10, 07:13

I dont know the answer, but I suspect it had the short straight gear lever, with no reverse lock out, on the lever. See the gear lever on the extreme right of the picture below

It won't let me post the picture. I try again later

RichardT10829 · #51 09-04-10, 16:30

"what was bolted on rear armour" if its the drivers side rear it was a bren gun "AA" pintle mount, one was there one on the side and one on the division plate above drivers head and in some cases another on the engine top cover (gunners side) this is not concrete but on many i have seen this is where they tend to get placed.

imagine you had not come on here and cut her up buddy...... you can see why i get so passionate about making new armour for the chopped up ones rather than creating more "tubs" speak with Doug Lavoie regarding your other hull he may do a bit wheeling and dealing with regards to access to schematics

Richie

Jordan Baker · #52 09-04-10, 19:46

When I climed all of over this carrier a few years ago it still had some of the bren AA mounts.

The correct # is 4 for this carrier plus the pogo stick.

Lynn Eades · #53 10-04-10, 03:04

Heres the gear change

rob love · #54 11-04-10, 07:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jordan Baker

When I climed all of over this carrier a few years ago it still had some of the bren AA mounts.

The correct # is 4 for this carrier plus the pogo stick.

Jordan
You appear to have too many of those mounts. You should let me take a couple off your hands.

Are some of those the repros that were available a few years back?

Jordan Baker · #55 11-04-10, 08:18

Those were the 4 mounts I had cast at a foundry in Toronto. I wish I had the money at the time to have made a mould and done up a large run.

rob love · #56 11-04-10, 09:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jordan Baker

Those were the 4 mounts I had cast at a foundry in Toronto. I wish I had the money at the time to have made a mould and done up a large run.

Takes money to make money. This is one of those items that would be a steady seller. Same goes for the smoke discharger bracket.

RichardT10829 · #57 11-04-10, 10:50

perhaps this is something that we as a carrier family can all club together to make a mould and a run for those that need them..... then again i think most you guys probably have them by now hahaha.

Phill · #58 11-04-10, 12:57

I agree, I'm going to need several, with 3 carriers to restore, I'm going to need lots of parts

. That early cast decal plate looks rare as a hen's tooth. Phil