Oxford Carriers

[Gunner]

Hi Hanno: I couldn't get the link to open... pity.

BTW the sand coloured primer is a member of the new family of two part epoxy primers... pricey but bullet proof! I've had several bits of my M3A1 Halftrack done with it... excellent!

Cheers! Mike

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally posted by Gunner
Hi Hanno: I couldn't get the link to open... pity.

Mike,

Picture is courtesy of Dennis Trowbridge, see http://community.webshots.com/user/jtrowbridge5



I'd like to see a carrier line-up up at Bovington one day, from the 1930s up to today - that would make a great sight!

Cheers,
H.

[Gunner]

May the Camel Gods Bless you and all your fleas!

Thanks Hanno... what a great shot. I've been waiting for the inpsiration to get the resoration going on the Cambridge and this may well do it as I now have an idea of how much metal work there is ahead of us.

I still think we'll end up putting in a North American drive train. B81 engine parts aren't that common over here!

Cheers, Mike

Originally posted by Gunner
I still think we'll end up putting in a North American drive train. B81 engine parts aren't that common over here!

Oh dear! We're falling over them, even I have a B81 under a tarp and do remember a huge number of engine parts are common across the range from B40 upwards.

Obviously blocks, cranks, cams, manifolds, heads, pistons (3.5" or 3.75") and carbs have to differ across the range, but most everything else inside is common; there are only two distributors even, one for the sixes and one that does the fours and eights - as they treat the eights a two fours joined.

R.

[Gunner]

Hi Richard:

I've recently been introduced to the delights of the RR B series engines in the form of two gasser FV432 that landed in my lap. After overhauling the carbs in both (gummed solid with varnish) we got one running but not the other... something electrical which we will track down with the aid of the manuals.

The drive train in the Cambridge is a B81 with fully water proofed ignition system attached to an automatic transmission I haven't yet identified. The inspection plates were removed from the trannie many years ago (long before we acquired it) and the trannie is rusted solid inside.

If I thought I could replace the drive train with original parts without taking out a second mortgage I certainly would. Thing is I can get a cheap V8 and automatic trannie here out of any one of dozens of light trucks or big cars from the 70's. If we go ahead with the overhaul we'll make any changes reversible in case some sugar daddy ships over a nice B81 and trannie in a crate!

Cheers! Mike

Originally posted by Gunner
Hi Richard:

Hi Mike

I've recently been introduced to the delights of the RR B series engines in the form of two gasser FV432 that landed in my lap. After overhauling the carbs in both (gummed solid with varnish) we got one running but not the other... something electrical which we will track down with the aid of the manuals.

Un-run ignition systems can give trouble, points become O/C with time and surface corrosion not having "cleaning" current run through them.

B Range distributors on the eights are quite novel and not a bit like the typical dual point principle well-known in the N. American continent; eg. they operate entirely differently from the Ford V8 flathead. PM me if you wish for a full insight.

The drive train in the Cambridge is a B81 with fully water proofed ignition system attached to an automatic transmission I haven't yet identified. The inspection plates were removed from the trannie many years ago (long before we acquired it) and the trannie is rusted solid inside.

All RR B Range engines for mil use are fully screened, sealed and submersible to 20ft as made. If you didn't know, B = engine range, 4, 6 or 8 denotes the cylinders and for the last digit a 0 means 3.5" bore and 1 for a 3.75" bore. There were no B41's or B61's for mil use.

I had assumed the drive train of the Cambridge was entirely similar to the 432, and if so this is an Allison unit from your continent and nothing special at all.

If I thought I could replace the drive train with original parts without taking out a second mortgage I certainly would. Thing is I can get a cheap V8 and automatic trannie here out of any one of dozens of light trucks or big cars from the 70's. If we go ahead with the overhaul we'll make any changes reversible in case some sugar daddy ships over a nice B81 and trannie in a crate!

I see exactly where you're coming from and it makes sense, however, check out the Allison connection, it just might be easier than you think!!

R.

[rob love]

There are a few of the B81 powerpacks from the FV432s kicking around out West. Many of the packs were pulled and sold as scrap prior to the carriers going on to the ranges in Wainwright.
The 432 tranny was a Allison TX200. Many of the parts were interchangeable with the TX100, which is the tranny in the M113 family of vehicles. And they are starting to drag those out to the range now as well.

About 10 years ago I was buying the complete 432 packs for $300 each out of Regina.

[Gunner]

Richard and Rob... hmmm- RR!

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll do more digging on the trannie in the Cambridge. Unlike the 'bent' drive line of the 432 and 113 the Cambridge is all 'in-line' like the drive in a Universal Carrier reversed to spin the front mounted sprockets.

Cheers! Mike

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Tank Chats # 123 | Oxford and Cambridge Carriers | The Tank Museum

https://youtu.be/X_6SY16y-OE

[chrisgrove]

Coming to this thread a bit late, but I can confirm that 1 Glosters also had Windsors in Kores. The patrol that shot up the first chinese crossing of the Imjin was taken out and back in Oxfords.

I can also confirm that other infantry units in the early 1950s depoyed 17 pounders towed by Stuart gun tractors. 1 Royal West Kent for example.
Chris

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

Tank Chats # 123 | Oxford and Cambridge Carriers | The Tank Museum
https://youtu.be/X_6SY16y-OE

From The Tank Museum:

The short-lived Oxford Carrier was a replacement for the British Army’s wartime Universal Carrier. It was nowhere near as successful, with only around 400 being built from 1947. It was larger, with space for up to nine infantrymen and, at eight tons, around twice as heavy. It was mainly used for carrying specialist weapons such as mortars, machine guns, or as here, towing the 17 pounder anti-tank gun.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

From Keith Brooker: