Derk’s new Universal carrier Mk 1*

[derk derin]

Thought I would share some photo’s of my new purchase. It’s a Universal carrier that belonged to a Prairie Command member who has had it in storage and has had it up for sale now for many years with no buyers so it’s been in a sea container for close to 5 years until a few weeks ago when I went out to see Dave for a visit and have a look at it.
This summer I was looking my carrier over and taking note of all the items I was still looking for to complete it and soon became obvious that I would probably never find it all. My engine wasn’t a carrier engine, I made the engine panels and always wanted to find originals, wanted all the engine top cover items like Bren spare barrel box, Bren brass mount, firing rest etc. and although my carrier has a great story to it being dug out of the ground, the metal was pitted and top armour serial number was gone due to pitting.
Then sitting in Gord Falk’s garage Dave’s carrier was the subject of conversation which led to my interest in going to have a look at it. Once I saw it I was impressed at how original it was and only minor items were missing that I will have to eventually find. Needless to say Dave & I agreed on a purchase price and it found its way into my shop!

[derk derin]

Dave’s dad bought the carrier surplus back in the 1950’s so everything that was on it was original to the carrier when it was in service like the Stacey towing attachment that was added on by the military.
Dave’s dad broke the lower angle iron rivets and removed the entire upper armour and leaned it up against a tree so he could use the carrier on the farm. The armour sat for years until Dave decided to restore the carrier back to original where he reattached it all to the lower hull.
Most of the carrier is fairly complete and one feature I liked was an original carrier engine with proper carburetor, air breather, engine panels etc.

[derk derin]

The engine area is going to need a good cleanup. The radiator rubber hoses have hardened and leaking coolant so will have to be replaced. The carburetor is leaking gas so a rebuild kit should fix that. But I like the fact it’s all original equipment!

[derk derin]

The front driver area has most of its mounts & bins. The dash panel is all complete and linkage covers are there on the floor.
It’s missing a grenade bin in the front drivers bin and the left rear grenade bin is missing. I have to find a junction box for the commanders side and will eventually make all new seat covers for the entire carrier with the proper material.

[derk derin]

The Stacey towing attachment sure does fill out the back of the carrier and is a nice accessory. Here are some pictures of the mounting.
I will have to make up a bracket to hold the pick axe helve as it was removed. I may have to shorten a helve handle to get one stored back in there.

[derk derin]

The wireless operators side 19 set radio equipment is missing most of its items but I’ve been busy collecting most of the items for a proper radio setup including having to make up the adaptor tray that bolts to the fender. Right now Dave just added some angle iron to the original 11 set tray. I have a proper 19 set tray I will use and just purchased the mounting straps, cables and other items for a proper radio set display. I will have to make a mount for the variometer, plate for the mounting of the junction box, proper antenna mount etc.