MkII Restoration Completed: Huntsville Legion

[RichCam]

Guys,

We have now completed our part in the restoration of the Huntsville, Ontario, Canada, Royal Canadian Legion's MkII Universal Carrier. We began this project in September of 2007 and it will be returned to the Legion in time for their 80th Anniversary celebrations this weekend, May 26th and 27th.

It is not completely restored, we are still chasing down the missing pieces of frontal armour (buried at the original owner's property) and there are always little bits and parts and pieces that can always be added.

It is, however, being handed over to a new crew that will involve not only Legion members but the local air cadets and the high school. A proper, weather proof, secure enclosure has been built by the Legion for storage of the carrier.

The re-rubberized rear bogie wheels work great. I have been taking it out for it's last shake down runs around my plant. At 33 mph, all is smooth sailing. This is probably the last time it will get into 3rd or 4th gear as the Legion is located in the middle of Huntsville.

On behalf of Cameron, his son Iain (who at 10 years of age put in over 40 hours of work into the carrier) Matt, Wade and Rick, this has been an inspiring project. Enjoy the pictures guys and I'll post a few more after the event.

Regards, Richard Hatkoski

[Michael R.]

Congratulations! Nice to pass the baton and let some new folks run the second stage. Thirty-three miles per hour? Was that GPS speed?

Best wishes on your next project.

[HUntsville Matt]

Originally Posted by Michael R.

Congratulations! Nice to pass the baton and let some new folks run the second stage. Thirty-three miles per hour? Was that GPS speed?

Best wishes on your next project.

It boots along, alright! I was in it yesterday after we finished the markings for a ride, and it moves. I was also driving a "follow car" when we drove it 6 or 8 km into Baysville for a Remembrance Day ceremony last Nov. and it was consistantly over 30mph.

Helping with this project with these people has been a pleasure and an honour.

And thanks to the forum members who responded to my questions about vehicle markings. That was a great help.

[Ralph Volkert]

Boy I can only hope mine will run as well!

I have to ask are you going to get a snowmobile pass for this winter and take it out on the trails?

Oh come on! It will be the only 4 tonne snowmobile out there!

LOL! Seriously though....Well Done!

Your Northern Neighbour

[horsa]

Looks great. Congratulations on completing the project for Legion.

[Lynn Eades]

Firstly, Congradulations on a job well done! She looks very smart and by the sound of your posts you have the bugs all sorted out.

Questions:
1. I wondered at the reason behind why you have fitted the bogie wheels, inside out?
2. I am wondering about the gunners slot ?
I would have thought CT266389 might be an Armoured O.P. (observation post) however I have looked in Nigel Watsons Vol.1, and the listing on page 294, decribes this batch of carriers from CT266094 to CT268593 (2500 carriers) as"UC MkII*WG". The contract was CDLV2609.
Can someone tell me what the "WG" might stand for? Surely this isnt the only batch of Welsh Guards carriers built ?
3. Can you post pictures of the inside detail of the gunners slot please?

Thankyou.

[HUntsville Matt]

Lynn,

All good questions - thanks!

The carrier is a volunteer work in progress and funded by donations. Huntsville is a small community, and we have a limited budget. So, while we have re-rubbered 2 of the most badly damaged wheels, the remaining wheels haven't been off. If the wheels are inside-out, we'll have to blame some unknown tinkerer 30 to 70 odd years ago, because that's the way it was when we got it.

When the Legion member, Robert Boothby, who donated the carrier to the local Legion branch originally bought the carrier, the prior owner had removed all the armour plate and buried it on his farm. I'm guessing like a lot of surplus carriers sold to the public, it was used as a utility vehicle. Mr. Boothby and a friend had to be directed to the spot the farmer best remembered having buried the parts. The restoration volunteers are in the process of getting premission to have a look around the farm with a metal detector to locate the gunners armour that was missed, but there's no guarantee the farmer either had it to begin with or hadn't use it to fix something on the farm. The gunner's armour has been "roughed-in" with plywood until we have sourced replacement parts. It looks like an AOP now, but our plan is to complete it with the standard front armour.

I wasn't aware of the book you're referring to until a few weeks ago. We've been going by reprinted manuals that Richard ordered and the Osprey Carrier book. I'd love to have the Watson book, but it's not readily available to us here. From what you're describing the data therein is exhaustive.

We'll post a picture of the gunner's interior soon.

Thanks for your interest and the support of all the MLU forum members.

Regards,
Matt Allen
Huntsville, ON

[Piper]

Man Richard, don't those fuel cans look good!!

Nice that the straps now are functional

This weekend is just going to be stellar!

Cam

[Marc van Aalderen]

Originally Posted by HUntsville Matt

I wasn't aware of the book you're referring to until a few weeks ago. We've been going by reprinted manuals that Richard ordered and the Osprey Carrier book. I'd love to have the Watson book, but it's not readily available to us here. From what you're describing the data therein is exhaustive.

Hi Matt,

The excellent series of books on the Carriers is availible directly from the writer. His website can be found here: http://www.universalcarrierbook.co.uk/

I can highly recommend to buy all three volumes while they last.

Good luck with the first outing and the rest of the restauration.

Cheers,

[RichCam]

Guys,

The Huntsville Legion 80th Anniversary celebrations and rededication of it's Universal Carrier were a success! The weather cooperated and the parade was short and sweet! This project has now come full circle. The widow of Robert Boothby, (Black Watch/Royal Highland Regiment - original donator of the carrier) was at the event along with her son and granddaughter. They were impressed along with the general public. It is now stored at the Royal Canadian Legion in Huntsville in it's own enclosure. It is operational and will be run monthly and in seasonal parades.

Now, it is time to restore some CMP's.

Thanks again for all of your wise words, encouragement and advice. Don't lose faith in your projects, they are worth the effort!

[Marc van Aalderen]

Hi Richard,

Congratulations on completing your project. Well done! Looking forward to the next restos, don't forget to post regularly.

Cheers,