LP2 carrier in Darwin

Hanno Spoelstra · #1 01-03-07, 10:35

This LP2 carrier in a museum in Darwin must be known to our Aussie members, but it's a nice pic anyway.

Source: http://www.twenot-forums.nl/viewtopic.php?t=12266

ron · #2 01-03-07, 11:31

Hello Hanno.
Great pictures and a great site thank you for posting it,
Regards,
Ron,

Ian Pullen · #3 01-03-07, 14:19

It's a shame that the colour scheme is all wrong. That scheme is the current three colour Aust Cam. It's about 63 years off.

Hanno Spoelstra · #4 01-03-07, 19:34

Eric, the guy who took the pictures says this carrier still has its engine and driveline, but it is rusting away.

H.

ron · #5 02-03-07, 11:11

Hello Hanno,
Very interesting picture of the Darwin carrier do you have the hull number of this one? and the maker? or does anyone else have these details? the reason I ask this question is that this carrier has Three (3) 5 spoke B& D wheels the same as the one that I got a few months back its number is 595 and its a Vic rail one, als if anyone has a pic of the other side it would be interesting to see if it has 5 spoke wheels on that side also, on the side that we can see in this pic I can not see if the wheel on the rear bogie is also a 5 spoke one? can any one else make it out,
Regards,
Ron,

gjamo · #6 02-03-07, 11:30

We visited the museum in the 80s. As a boy from the riverina where WWII vintage vehicles slowly obtained a discoloured shade but never significant rust (unless gums leaves built up in a damp corner) I was amazed when touching a discarded track link it crumbled to dust in my hand. Anything steel in that environment is returning to iron oxide at a rapid rate.

ron · #7 02-03-07, 11:41

Hi Graeme,
Do you have a pic of the other side of this carrier? it would be nice to see what it looks like on that side,
Regards,
Ron.

gjamo · #8 02-03-07, 23:00

The only image I can find so far is this blurry overview.

ron · #9 03-03-07, 03:27

Hi Graeme,
Thanks for the pic, its a shame to see them all sitting out in the weather maybe some were dragged inside since your vist?, we can only hope so.
Regards,
Ron,

Rod Diery · #10 05-03-07, 02:18

Quote:

Originally posted by ron
Hi Graeme,
Thanks for the pic, its a shame to see them all sitting out in the weather maybe some were dragged inside since your vist?, we can only hope so.
Regards,
Ron,

All this stuff was still stored outside the museum when I was last in Darwin in 1997. However a reliable source told me that a lot of it including the Blitzes was scrapped arount 2000.
Regards
Rod

ron · #11 05-03-07, 06:51

Hi Rod,
Thanks for the reply, Its things like this happening that makes people think twice befor they donate anything to museums, what have they got between their ears for brains?
Regards,
Ron,

Ian Pullen · #12 05-03-07, 09:34

Steady on..........

ron · #13 05-03-07, 10:43

Hello Ian.
Sorry no offence ment, I was just refering to the blitz trucks being scrapped, if they are of no interest to them why not sell them to the collectors to restore,therfor preserving more vehicles for us all to enjoy and who knows they may end up in the museums at a later date,

Regards,
Ron,

Jared Archibald · #14 05-03-07, 13:17

G’day Ron, Hanno et al

I replied to this thread last night - I had just got it all done and then had a power spike and lost the lot. I gave up in disgust but hopefully tonight will be better.

I live just out of Darwin so know a bit about this carrier and the military museum it is in.

This hull was built by South Australian Railways - is a model LP2A - and is Hull# 1334. The engine and gearbox are straight out of a Blitz and have been placed in the hull to look the part - the box still has the truck shifter and output shaft insitu. Due to its proximity to salt air, it is slowly rusting away. The hull is interesting for a number of reasons. It has the early type side tool stowage brackets but also has the later style rear tool stowage. It also has the late style segmented AA mount on the left of the air scoop (see pic) which I have not seen on any other early hull. I don’t know whether it is made up from a number of carrier wrecks or whether it was field modified in this manner. Has anyone got any insights into this?

The 5 spoke road wheels are reasonably common up in these parts. I assume that they were supplied as a batch of spares later in the war as carrier wrecks and bogies that I have come across here have them fitted randomly in all the different road wheel positions.

Rod’s information is correct. The museums entire outdoor salvage area was scrapped a few years ago. It was done with very little warning - “we need to have a clean up” and almost all of it went - a few of us saved what treasures we could. A real shame.

This carrier holds a special place for me as this was the first AFV I ever laid eyes on as a young bloke. I played on this and other vehicles in the salvage area for a number of years - I was duly bitten by the armour bug and have been suffering from it ever since.

Jared

ron · #15 07-03-07, 05:09

Hi Jarrod
Many thanks for the information and the up date on what happened to the bulk of the collection, I guess we all started down the same track in the same way, its just as well really when you see what has happened to most of these vehicles,
Regards,
Ron

Tony Smith · #16 07-03-07, 06:32

Quote:

Originally posted by Jared Archibald
The 5 spoke road wheels are reasonably common up in these parts. I assume that they were supplied as a batch of spares later in the war as carrier wrecks and bogies that I have come across here have them fitted randomly in all the different road wheel positions.

Jared

Jared, has that pile of carrier wheels and bogies in Darwin been scrapped yet? Could you post a scan of that pic, as I think it would make many blokes cry. (Before we get too misty eyed, the rubber had rotted in the tropical sun and most of the moving bits had rusted and seized, but BOY what a stack of spares gone to waste!!)

ron · #17 07-03-07, 06:47

Hi Tony,
Is that the spares at Kennons,Rumour had it that after the war the carriers were stripped and the steel sent to Japan leaving the tracks and bogies here,
Regards,
Ron,

Jared Archibald · #18 07-03-07, 10:36

G'day everyone,

I am just on may way to the airport - destination Victoria and ultimately Corowa.

I will pick up on this thread when I return.

Looking forward to catching up with all those who are attending Corowa - please make yourselves known - I certainly will be.

See you there,

Jared

cantankrs · #19 09-05-09, 07:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jared Archibald

...destination Victoria and ultimately Corowa. I will pick up on this thread when I return.

Hi Jared,

Found this old thread and wonder if anyone posted any more info about it?

As people who know me are aware a 2 year (or more) gap on my part is not unusual cos life is so darn hectic in this day and age!

Regards

Alex
--
M3 Grant, Ferrets, WM20, CMP's

David Hardway · #20 19-05-09, 06:52

Here`s a shot taken in 2001

Dave