Carrier World Record Attempt

[The Bedford Boys]

The Carrier World Record has stood for nigh on a decade now since 2005 in Corowa, Australia.

We Kiwis think it's time to take the trophy from you Aussies and place it on our mantelpiece next to the Webb Ellis Cup and Bledisloe Cup.

On January 16-18, 2015, the New Zealand Military Vehicle Collectors Club are hosting an attempt to break the record at the Wings Over Wairarapa Airshow.

The record attempt will be part of a Warhorses display at the show, which will also feature rides, section of WW1 trench, and themed displays of soft-skin and other armoured vehicles.

We aim to not only beat the record with numbers of carriers, but also with variety of models. Attending so far are 2 original Bren Carriers, Loyds, English and Canadian Universals and variants, and an example of each LP model and their post war military modifications (3" mortar, Flame thrower, MMG, 6pdr tractor) and others.

We hope to see a few MLU members hop over the ditch, or head down under, for a look!

We will post more updates later.

Keep Calm and Carrier On!

[Rob Beale]

Here is a poster you guys might like to print and display.

I met a few of the MLU family at War and Peace this year, and distributed the Mk 1 version of the flyer. As you will see the number of carriers has grown as more kiwis hear of the event. It started out as a central NZ gathering aiming for 24, but now has carriers coming from the top of the North Island and the South Island.


Wings over Wairarapa is an airshow held every 2 years in January, followed by another in Omaka Airfield, Blenheim at the top of the South Island at Easter.

Both these airfields are home to parts of the Peter Jackson collection of vintage and replica warbirds from WW1. They are a pleasure to see flying, and the dog fights stay overhead! (Not like the WW2 warbirds that spend as much time over the boundaries turning around, as overhead).

On the intervening year the Warbirds over Wanaka airshow is held in the deep south of the South Island. It also has a massive display of warbirds from NZ, as well as Australia and Northern Hemisphere.

And as a taster, here is a pic of last years star attraction!

Rob

[Euan McDonald]

That sounds like a challenge, bring it on!
(looking for a sponsor to ship a carrier from Aust)

[Rob Beale]

No worries Euan, you are more than welcome.

This is a great opportunity for carrier owners to get together.

And I look forward to a trip to Corowa for a future attempt!

Rob

2013 airshow pics: see the load in the carrier: no room on the deck.
A 9 hour drive from Gisborne each way too!

[Lynn Eades]

Alex, I guess there's no pressure?

[The Bedford Boys]

Of course not Lynn plenty of time to slap those carriers of yours together

[Tony Smith]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3EaeBZxWXs#t=80

[The Bedford Boys]

Originally Posted by Tony Smith

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3EaeBZxWXs#t=80

That's me.. The trouble with interviews is you always look back and go "ah crap, I got some info wrong!"

[Mike Cecil]

We all do, Alex, we all do, so don't fret about it.

There's always someone who wants to tell you 'that's wrong!', these days on Face-boook or somewhere else nice and public!!

Whether you are or not is a different question.....

Mike C

[Rob Beale]

Our second LP2 got its first run last week, and again this weekend.
Still a bit of detail work to do, but it runs and steers well!
pic shows it getting track fitted before the first run.

Next project is shown sitting on the trailer, 2 months to go!

Rob

[The Bedford Boys]

With January fast approaching, it's all hands on deck here in New Zealand to get Carriers ready in time for the big event.

The list of carriers set to attend has grown in the past few months and we have confirmed that we will be making a DVD of the event.

We welcome all MLU forum members to attend, especially our Aussie mates, it's only a short jump across the ditch for you!

[Rob Beale]

Carrier no 3 is coming along. It is a rush to get it there, (with much detail work to be completed later on), but it will be present and running.
Photo below was taken on 1st December: trial fit of borrowed front armour.
Since then division plate repaired and refitted, and angle irons fitted. Motor assembly is underway, and suspension units ready to fit. pedals and levers and stuff primed and initial paint of the lower hull done.
Brief break for Xmas Day then back into it! Hopefully side and back armour will be ready after New Year break?

Final detailed planning is underway to confirm transport, and numbers are looking very good! Four carriers are coming from the South Island too!

We will have some WW1 artillery and vehicles on site too, plus the replica Mk IV.

Rob

[RichardT10829]

Make sure you complete all rivets on the centre bulkhead before you put the sides on.... Or you will struggle to get the gun in ��

[Rob Beale]

Progress report:

It's now less than two weeks till we leave for the airshow to get set up for the ground displays.

The cross shaft, cam and rollers are back in the hull, as are the suspension units.

Carrier engine is now running and just needs final accessories fitted before installation with the gearbox.

The rear axle was split, cleaned, checked and reassembled yesterday and is now back on the hull.

Fitting of the controls continues, while I wait for the side and rear plates.
Work to do in the next week is to overhaul the brakes and steering box, do some wiring, make the control rods and sort out some track from the smelly molasses.

I hope we see some overseas visitors. Are you coming Tony? It's a while since Omaka in 2007.

Rob

[Rob Beale]

Progress report:

It's now less than two weeks till we leave for the airshow to get set up for the ground displays.

The cross shaft, cam and rollers are back in the hull, as are the suspension units.

Carrier engine is now running and just needs final accessories fitted before installation with the gearbox.

The rear axle was split, cleaned, checked and reassembled yesterday and is now back on the hull.

Fitting of the controls continues, while I wait for the side and rear plates.
Work to do in the next week is to overhaul the brakes and steering box, do some wiring, make the control rods and sort out some track from the smelly molasses.

I hope we see some overseas visitors. Are you coming Tony? It's a while since Omaka in 2007.

pics show progress: there are old bits and new bits and borrowed bits, so just need some blue bits!

Colour is brighter than expected, as it was meant to be BS381c no 223 Middle Bronze Green. Will chase up the paint supplier to add some brown.

Rob

[Arthur Morel]

Would any one have a diff and parts for a LP2A please i dnt have motor or track and a lot of little bits

[Lynn Eades]

Looking great Robin! Keep going

[Lynn Eades]

World Record Achieved!
Yesterday at the Wings over Wairarapa Air show, 30 carriers congregated, of which 29 were runners, and 27 completed the required distance travelled un assisted. (my A.O.P. was the non runner)
Much work has been done by many people to make this happen. In particular, credit to Alex Denby (of the Bedford Boys) along with Rob Beale for their efforts in putting this challenge together.
As I recall the number at Corowa was 17 carriers completing the distance.
This new record might hold for a while?
More to come.

[Keith Webb]

What an amazing effort. But where are the pictures and video?

Originally Posted by Lynn Eades

World Record Achieved!
Yesterday at the Wings over Wairarapa Air show, 30 carriers congregated, of which 29 were runners, and 27 completed the required distance travelled un assisted. (my A.O.P. was the non runner)
Much work has been done by many people to make this happen. In particular, credit to Alex Denby (of the Bedford Boys) along with Rob Beale for their efforts in putting this challenge together.
As I recall the number at Corowa was 17 carriers completing the distance.
This new record might hold for a while?
More to come.

[Lew Skelton]

Ill get onto it later today. Best day ever yesterday as en masse a ton of carriers charged down the grass

[Ben]

Well done. Looking forward to the pictures. Did both the Brens make it?

[Andrew H.]

Here are some pictures. It was a great gathering on a stinking hot (35 degree) day. To qualify for the record they all had to complete an off-road course over a nearby hillock and I understand all but two or three managed it. I think the successful number was 26.

[Lynn Eades]

As per previous post, 27 completed the distance (not the above suggested test track, but a trip down the road a bit, and then around the edge of the air field. Two had trouble and stopped, I believe one was (ignition?) overheating, and the other had a gear selector problem. On checking afterward one had well covered the 3.2 kilometres required, before stopping, and so the total was 27 carriers doing the distance.
Yes Ben I have photos of HMH 243 and HMH 244 lined up. The carriers ran roughly in model order from oldest to youngest, and so Bruce led the convoy out. I was in the gunners seat.
Keith, I will get photos up soon although there will be better ones than mine.

[Lew Skelton]

Hopefully this works, if not they are on you tube
"Bren gun carrier Airfield run en masse Masterton 2015"
"Bren gun carrier world record, Masterton 2015"

http://youtu.be/qdbKpumq_QQ
http://youtu.be/FMwhait6x9U

[Lew Skelton]

heres a photo from late in the afternoon after the crowd dispersed.

[Lew Skelton]

And then this guy appeares, camera in hand.....

[Andrew H.]

Originally Posted by Lynn Eades

As per previous post, 27 completed the distance (not the above suggested test track, but a trip down the road a bit, and then around the edge of the air field.

Sorry Lynn
that was second hand information

[The Bedford Boys]

Originally Posted by Lynn Eades

As per previous post, 27 completed the distance (not the above suggested test track, but a trip down the road a bit, and then around the edge of the air field. Two had trouble and stopped, I believe one was (ignition?) overheating, and the other had a gear selector problem. On checking afterward one had well covered the 2.3 kilometres required, before stopping, and so the total was 27 carriers doing the distance.
Yes Ben I have photos of HMH 243 and HMH 244 lined up. The carriers ran roughly in model order from oldest to youngest, and so Bruce led the convoy out. I was in the gunners seat.
Keith, I will get photos up soon although there will be better ones than mine.

3.2km Lynn

[Lynn Eades]

Alex and others, post corrected to 3.2km.

[Ben]

Originally Posted by Lew Skelton

And then this guy appeares, camera in hand.....

I've seen that guy before, he has previous form for camera waving looks like he got around a bit too, especially if he called shot gun to ride in Bruce's Bren (not that I'm jealous)

Very impressive turnout for all involved we struggled to hit double figures.

NZ must also be able to boast a very high number of carriers in various versions, with all the British, Canadian, LP (Aus) and LP (NZ), loyd carriers too! Do they count? I'm sure Robin will be along with a list of those that took part and the types a little later............