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  #1  
Old 25-01-10, 04:00
derk derin's Avatar
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Default Buried Mk 1 Bren carrier restoration

I am transfering more photos to my computer and thought I would post my Bren gun carrier recovery and restoration.The carriers (5 in total) were lined up on a beach to stop the waves from eroding the shoreline and threatening a log home back in the early 1960's.They were then covered with dirt and eventually trees were planted and large rock to assist in stabilizing the shoreline.The carriers became redundant and stayed underground until the Prairie Command president and vice president at the time followed up on the rumours of there being carriers there.They can add more to the whole story but this is #3 carrier which I was able to keep and restore.
There was a reporter there to do a story for the Winnipeg Free Press newspaper;

There are 5 carriers buried underneath the shovel in the ground;

After digging out all the dirt in and around the carrier to lift it out,this is the #3 carrier of the excavation;

The #4 carrier had to be removed first to get to my carrier;

The loader could not lift the carriers out of the hole so he dragged them out one at a time;

Once the #4 carrier was removed, the #3 carrier came out.Notice the sand beach in the bottom of the hole.That is how deep the fill was;

You can see the weight involved by looking at the loader tires;

After a bit of a struggle,the carrier was removed;

After a hard days work,Prairie Command members Rob Love,Gord Falk and myself are ready to haul away our treasure;
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1943 Ford 60 cwt long CMP ambulance
1943 Ford GPW 1/4 ton stretcher jeep
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  #2  
Old 25-01-10, 04:33
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Great pictures. I remember reading about this in the first Wheels and Tracks mag that I bought. I think too, that a few of the parts on my UC came from one of these carriers.
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  #3  
Old 25-01-10, 05:02
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Default The restoration begins

One year after the recovery,I used 2 weeks of my holidays to go to Rob's house to start the restoration as I had stored it there until I bought my house.Rob was set up for restoring vehicles with torches and more importantly a place to do sandblasting.This is the start of it;

After sitting a year,poison ivy somehow started to grow in the carrier;

Rob pulled the carrier onto his lawn and started the stripping;

Rob was a big help as he was used to restoring carriers by now and I learned alot from him that week on the workings of the carrier dissassembly procedures which would later help me when it came time to put it back together;


After alot of hard work of stripping the parts out.We washed out the hull and prepared it for sandblasting;




I spent 5 days sandblasting the hull and I never knew how sand could work it's way into the crevaces of the body.I thought I was sealed up tight but sand will find a way in!
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1942 Ford universal carrier Mk 1
1943 Ford 60 cwt long CMP ambulance
1943 Ford GPW 1/4 ton stretcher jeep
1943 Bantam T-3 1/4 ton trailer
BSA folding airborne bicycle ser#R5325 (early)
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  #4  
Old 25-01-10, 05:03
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With the hull sandblasted,Rob sprayed on a coat of primer for me so it would not rust on me until I got it home and into the barn where I could put a coat of paint on it;



I am all loaded up and ready for home;

With the carrier home and a coat of paint on the hull,Gord found me a parts carrier for the linkages and rear end to use for the restoration;

Now the fun begins.That pile of rusted parts may not look salvageable but most of them were restored and put back on the carrier;

One of the Prairie Command members gave me 2 gas tanks to use;

The tracks were a challenge because the carriers were placed on the sand and the bottom sections of the track seized solid.The top parts of the track were flexible and could be saved so I used the top section of my track and Gord gave me his track as he had a good set for his carrier and I used the top section of his tracks to make a working set.I broke the sections into 21 link pieces to sneak them into the sandblaster and cleaned them up.The stiff sections I threw into the wood stove in my livingroom and heated them up.It worked so well that when I removed it from the stove,I almost dropped it on the carpet.It sure brought back the flexibility but recommend it be done outside for anybody wanting to try it!

When it was too cold to work outside,the livingroom became the workshop;

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1943 Ford GPW 1/4 ton stretcher jeep
1943 Bantam T-3 1/4 ton trailer
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  #5  
Old 25-01-10, 05:04
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The kitchen worked great for working on the canvas seat cushions,etc;

I restored the linkages from the parts carrier and transfered them over;


The assembly of the running gear when it wasn't too cold out;


With all of the bogie wheels on,it became mobile again;




Once my tracks were reassembled,I jacked up the carrier on 2x6's and placed the tracks in front and started to roll the carrier back onto it's tracks;
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1942 Ford universal carrier Mk 1
1943 Ford 60 cwt long CMP ambulance
1943 Ford GPW 1/4 ton stretcher jeep
1943 Bantam T-3 1/4 ton trailer
BSA folding airborne bicycle ser#R5325 (early)
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  #6  
Old 25-01-10, 05:05
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I went to alot of trouble to find an engine for my carrier and without any luck to find a runner (there is a story for another time!) again one of the Prairie Command members gave me an engine from his WWII generator trailer to use until I find a replacement for him.I am still running his engine in my carrier;
I wanted to have my carrier at the Winnipeg air show so took a week of holidays and finished off my carrier enough to drive it and show it off.The first day of my holidays I went 32 hours straight working on getting the engine and transmission installed.The paint on the decals were still wet when I hauled it to the site on the Friday night.I realized the star doesn't belong there where the numbers should go but that was a sleepless week and being in a rush,made some mistakes that were corrected later;



I can't thank the Prairie Command members enough for all there help and parts to complete this restoration for me.Especially Rob Love for letting me use his house,yard and equipment!A great bunch of guys!
Derk.
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1942 Ford universal carrier Mk 1
1943 Ford 60 cwt long CMP ambulance
1943 Ford GPW 1/4 ton stretcher jeep
1943 Bantam T-3 1/4 ton trailer
BSA folding airborne bicycle ser#R5325 (early)
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  #7  
Old 25-01-10, 05:21
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Great pictures Derek

One question so far. Whats the part with the red arrow pointing to it?
Attached Thumbnails
01.jpg  
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  #8  
Old 25-01-10, 07:27
Lynn Eades Lynn Eades is offline
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Default Jordan

I am told that the capillary tube (surplus) for one of the gauges, gets wrapped around it.
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  #9  
Old 25-01-10, 08:26
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Hi Derk,
Well I'm impressed, but I have to say that I thought my wife was easy going. So that leaves two answers.
1/ You don't have a wife? OR!
2/ You don't have a wife.
Great job!
Colin.
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  #10  
Old 25-01-10, 13:06
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UNBELIEVABLE !!! great thread matey your carrier looks fantastic, now to go into my back garden with the shovel and spade hahahahahah.

Richie
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  #11  
Old 25-01-10, 14:44
rob love rob love is offline
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This thread sure brings back a lot of memories. I was real worried what my wife (now ex-wife) was going to say when we tore up the front lawn washing that hull out. She only laughed. She wasn't a big fan of mowing lawns either.

re that small circular bracket that Jordan was asking about: I have only seen that on early carriers, so Lynn's explanation would make sense that it was for the capillary tubes of the first type gauges. Notice another feature of the early carrier is the rubber on the back steps. These were later replaced with a bit of welded on deck tread.
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  #12  
Old 25-01-10, 18:22
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Default Front yard mess

Rob,
I am glad to hear that I wasn't responsible for the wife trouble that day as I thought for sure she wouldn't be happy with that lawn ornament in the front yard!

Colin,
Your guess is right,I never found a woman that would put up with me!It's not that I didn't try,just that awkward question would always come up "so what do you like to do for fun?'' and I am not into lying so I would be honest and tell them I like to go target shooting and restore military vehicles and I would never hear from them again? I don't know why but there must be a woman out there that would find that interesting,RIGHT? Oh well,i'll keep trying.
Thanks for the feedback,Derk.
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1942 Ford universal carrier Mk 1
1943 Ford 60 cwt long CMP ambulance
1943 Ford GPW 1/4 ton stretcher jeep
1943 Bantam T-3 1/4 ton trailer
BSA folding airborne bicycle ser#R5325 (early)
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  #13  
Old 25-01-10, 19:58
rob love rob love is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by derk derin View Post
Rob,
I am glad to hear that I wasn't responsible for the wife trouble that day as I thought for sure she wouldn't be happy with that lawn ornament in the front yard!

Colin,
Your guess is right,I never found a woman that would put up with me!It's not that I didn't try,just that awkward question would always come up "so what do you like to do for fun?'' and I am not into lying so I would be honest and tell them I like to go target shooting and restore military vehicles and I would never hear from them again? I don't know why but there must be a woman out there that would find that interesting,RIGHT? Oh well,i'll keep trying.
Thanks for the feedback,Derk.
Derk
Some truths should wait for the second or third date.
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  #14  
Old 26-01-10, 00:54
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Default Mk1 Engine

Derek

What is the strange extension thing to
the front of the generator I have not
seen one before?

Regards
Doug
www.owningtanks.com
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  #15  
Old 26-01-10, 01:03
Alex Blair (RIP) Alex Blair (RIP) is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Douglas Greville View Post
Derek

What is the strange extension thing to
the front of the generator I have not
seen one before?

Regards
Doug
www.owningtanks.com
Doug
I may be wrong but it looks like a compressor..The apparatus closest to us looks like a clutch,similar to a clutch on an air conditioning compressor..
I guess we will find out..
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  #16  
Old 26-01-10, 02:34
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Kirk Armitage Kirk Armitage is offline
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Default Carrier Restoration

Great pics of your carrier Derk, nice work, I just about melted my phone line to look at them but, it was worth it !
Kirk Armitage
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  #17  
Old 26-01-10, 02:48
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Alex Blair View Post
Doug
I may be wrong but it looks like a compressor..The apparatus closest to us looks like a clutch,similar to a clutch on an air conditioning compressor..
I guess we will find out..
Alex

Thanks for that. Being that it came off a gen set it could well have
"ad ons". I would have thought it rather small for a compressor back in
that era?

Regards
Doug
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  #18  
Old 26-01-10, 03:17
super dave super dave is offline
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Great thread Dirk, I remember when I first seen your carrier in 2005 coming back from the Duluth Convention to pick up a few spare parts for my M37. I did not think I would ever get a carrier at that time but I guess a person never knows what lies ahead. Now that I have finished my latest project I am putting all my effort into getting my carrier done this year (one of the buried carriers you guys dug up) as a local member picked up one last fall and together we hope to get ours going this year.
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  #19  
Old 26-01-10, 04:55
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The extension to the front of the generator is simply that, an extension. All carriers had them. It was supposed to take the wieght of the fan and help save the bushings/bearings in the generator.
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  #20  
Old 26-01-10, 07:16
Lynn Eades Lynn Eades is offline
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Default Fan extention

Just to add to Jordans comments;The fan extention fully carrys the fan. The extention has two bearings and its own axle like shaft. It is driven by dogs, and a fibre coupling much like an old injector pump.The pulley is part of the fan extention assembly, and therefore the generator bearings carry no side loading, other than the weight of the armature.
There are not many English or Canadian carriers in Australia,and Aust. carriers use a different set up.
Attached Thumbnails
Fan extention.jpg   Eng Can fan.jpg  
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  #21  
Old 26-01-10, 08:29
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lynn Eades View Post
Just to add to Jordans comments;The fan extention fully carrys the fan. The extention has two bearings and its own axle like shaft. It is driven by dogs, and a fibre coupling much like an old injector pump.The pulley is part of the fan extention assembly, and therefore the generator bearings carry no side loading, other than the weight of the armature.
There are not many English or Canadian carriers in Australia,and Aust. carriers use a different set up.
Lynn

Thanks for that, I have not had anything to do with British or Canadian carriers, so have not seen one of these.

Regards
Doug
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  #22  
Old 26-01-10, 12:55
Alex Blair (RIP) Alex Blair (RIP) is offline
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Default Bearings

Quote:
Originally Posted by Douglas Greville View Post
Lynn

Thanks for that, I have not had anything to do with British or Canadian carriers, so have not seen one of these.

Regards
Doug
Yes..I see it all clearly now..
The original one shows the bearing housing with what appears to be an oil cup for an oil bath style pillow block and bearing assembly..Lynns shows a grease fitting is in the same location to grease said bearings ..either is possible..
Good photos go a long way to identify..Thanks Jordan..Lynn and Doug..Interesting arrangement..
Easy to service..
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  #23  
Old 26-01-10, 13:42
rob love rob love is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by super dave View Post
Great thread Dirk, I remember when I first seen your carrier in 2005 coming back from the Duluth Convention to pick up a few spare parts for my M37. I did not think I would ever get a carrier at that time but I guess a person never knows what lies ahead. Now that I have finished my latest project I am putting all my effort into getting my carrier done this year (one of the buried carriers you guys dug up) as a local member picked up one last fall and together we hope to get ours going this year.
Dave
Your carrier is the other one shown in the photos above.
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  #24  
Old 26-01-10, 17:58
super dave super dave is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rob love View Post
Dave
Your carrier is the other one shown in the photos above.
Hey Rob in picture #4 with Dirk standing by the 2 carriers, which of the two is the one I own now. What year did this event take place?

Dave
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  #25  
Old 26-01-10, 18:13
super dave super dave is offline
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The picture of the engine, what is the item behind and under the right water pump as it looks like some type of brass valve and tube arrangement.
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  #26  
Old 26-01-10, 18:25
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My engine has something similar. Isn't it the block drain tap. Ron
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  #27  
Old 26-01-10, 18:46
George McKenzie George McKenzie is offline
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Hi Derk We traded headlights MK2 for MK1s .Are they in one of these pictures? I can witch with rods ,willow sticks and metal bars I could have helped you find these with them . The rumors here were, that the army buried them to get rid of them by an air port .They look skookum now I paid $100 for one of mine when evrybody thought Iwas crazy .Now I see prices that I think are crazy .I wonder what is driving this hobby is it the wars in the world or a new generation of collectors?
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M2A1Halftrack ,CMP #11 F15A1 #13 F15A1
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No.2MK11 CT267514 center CB24713 bottom hull25701 ,No.2 MK2 parts
MK1 10128 ,(2) MK1 ,Parts Hull9305 .Hull 10407
Hull plate # 7250 all have walk plate on back steps
1917 Patent modle amphibious army tank

Last edited by George McKenzie; 26-01-10 at 22:53.
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  #28  
Old 26-01-10, 19:58
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Default Headlight mounts

Hi George,
I haven't forgot about your request for measurements on the headlight mount rod dimensions,I just haven't made it out to Gords place yet to look at my junkpile I have there.I am sure I have an old rusted rod that was broken from the bottom of the plate I can send you for a copy.The headlights we traded for are the ones shown on my restored pictures of my carrier.Prices are what they are,and if we need them bad enough we pay the price.At least just buying them is easy,if we cant find the piece,it has to be made.Just look at the hard work and trouble (and cost involved) to reproduce a part when one can't be bought.The guys on this site have the talent to build a brand new carrier from scratch! I will let you know when I have the piece you are looking for.
Regards,Derk.
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1942 Ford universal carrier Mk 1
1943 Ford 60 cwt long CMP ambulance
1943 Ford GPW 1/4 ton stretcher jeep
1943 Bantam T-3 1/4 ton trailer
BSA folding airborne bicycle ser#R5325 (early)
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  #29  
Old 26-01-10, 20:52
Lynn Eades Lynn Eades is offline
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Default Alex

The one in the pic I put up should have the flat brass tecalamite fitting, for grease.
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Carrier Armoured O.P. No1 Mk3 W. T84991
Carrier Bren No2.Mk.I. NewZealand Railways. NZR.6.
Dodge WC55. 37mm Gun Motor Carriage M6
Jeep Mb #135668
So many questions....
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  #30  
Old 26-01-10, 23:01
George McKenzie George McKenzie is offline
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Thanks Derk I notice it looks like the plate that swings up where the brengun sticks out is bent and not welded .Mine, the center piece is welded to the two side pieces .Now I am talking about my MK2 was the MK1 different ?
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8 ton Fruehauf trailer
M2A1Halftrack ,CMP #11 F15A1 #13 F15A1
RAF Fordson Tractor, 42 WLC HD
No.2MK11 CT267514 center CB24713 bottom hull25701 ,No.2 MK2 parts
MK1 10128 ,(2) MK1 ,Parts Hull9305 .Hull 10407
Hull plate # 7250 all have walk plate on back steps
1917 Patent modle amphibious army tank
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