carrier mk1 instrument panel

kevin powles · #1 21-07-08, 00:28

Hi, I have had a MK1 2 pounder carrier shipped over from canada which is in great shape but missing alot of fittings, if anyone in the uk has any contacts for parts please please let me know. I want to manufacture an instrument panel for the Mk 1 as i cant seem to find a second hand or new one, has anyone got a drawing offering dimensions and profile, this would be of great help. I attached a few pics, comments and observations please. thanks kev.

Jordan Baker · #2 21-07-08, 00:37

Hi Kevin

Great looking start. I think Brian Asbury still has the cover/top for the insturment panel in NOS form. His email contact is around on the forum if you do a search.

Your engine is not original to the machine as it is the 1949 style. The water outlets on the heads should be at the centre and not at the front/top of the heads.

I think I may have an original airfilter for a 2pdr carrier with my stuff. It sure looks like the kind in the parts manual but I can't find any part #'s stamped on it. I will get a pic posted later this week.

kevin powles · #3 21-07-08, 00:49

hi, Thanks Jordan, that was a quick responce, only just finshed uploading the pics!!!!, I have a correct instrument panel top cover and all instruments, but need the dash light swing bracket, start button, fuse holder assembly and correct toggle switches, Thanks for the offer of the air filter, I have an original bren gun carrier engine which I need to rebuild a put in it, i also need and oil cooler if any ones got one lying around.

Ledsel · #4 24-07-08, 00:42

I don't think that is a two pounder. It has no gun mount. but it has a two pounder engine cover. The two pounder had a brace from the top of each side of the radiator to the floor and a large gun mounting base on top and ahead of the rad.

Alex Blair (RIP) · #5 24-07-08, 01:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ledsel

I don't think that is a two pounder. It has no gun mount. but it has a two pounder engine cover. The two pounder had a brace from the top of each side of the radiator to the floor and a large gun mounting base on top and ahead of the rad.

Ledsel..You are right of course..That is not a two pounder pictured..The engine in the two pounder is in the front located to the left hand side of the driver and the back compartment houses the two pounder mounts and turntable..
The two pounder is the only carrier with that engine configuration..

Mr. Manual(RETIRED)

Ledsel · #6 24-07-08, 03:13

No Alex, There was a canadian two pounder that was built but not used in battle. My father had one that he made into a front end loader.

kevin powles · #7 24-07-08, 11:55

Hi, Thanks for the comments. the firing support bracket mentioned has been removed, which I have, see attached photo. Someone has added a standard carrier radiater filling cover for cosmetic purposes, Thanks for the pictures of the 2 pounder carrier but what I do need is detailed shots of the gun support ring, shots of both front and rear. Many thanks Kev.

Ledsel · #8 24-07-08, 15:39

Sorry Kevin , Just thought someone might have led you astray.

Alex Blair (RIP) · #9 24-07-08, 16:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ledsel

No Alex, There was a canadian two pounder that was built but not used in battle. My father had one that he made into a front end loader.

Ledsel..
New one on me..must have given the driver a head ache..
Did they come from the factory that way or was it cobbled together in the field..
I don't have my manuals anymore so don't know..
Thanks

rob love · #10 24-07-08, 19:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex Blair

Ledsel..
New one on me..must have given the driver a head ache..
Did they come from the factory that way or was it cobbled together in the field..
I don't have my manuals anymore so don't know..
Thanks

They were a factory product. There were supposedly around 300 or so made. They are reasonably common to find here on the prairies. Seems as though the guns were removed for service and the carriers served domestically.

Bill Gregg's book "Blueprint for Victory lists them as being in production in 1941.

kevin powles · #11 24-07-08, 23:11

Hi Rob,
You say they are reasonable common and laying around on the prairies, if you out and spot one gas torch the gun mount of it and post it over to the uk, finders fee goes without saying.

Jordan Baker · #12 24-07-08, 23:41

That lst picture you posted, it looks like there is part of the gun mount in it minus the brass part.

super dave · #13 25-07-08, 17:03

Here is a picture of the gun mount from Brooks carrier in BC.

kevin powles · #14 25-07-08, 17:25

hi, Thanks for that picture, best reference one I have seen, have you got contact details for the owner, I would like further pictures if possible, a technical drawing of the mount assembly would be fantastic !!

Colin Macgregor Stevens · #15 26-07-08, 09:16

There is a complete Universal Carrier 2 Pounder Equipped in the Canadian War Museum but it was not on display when I last visited. Theirs has a spare engine cover framework. I did take a lot of photos of the CWM one which I provided to Brook Quam in Abbotsford. He and his friends have another one and have mounted a 37mm Gun from a Staghound Armoured Car in a home-made mount and shield.

Here is my web page on UCs which I just started and includes photos of the UC 2 Pr Equipped - Historic photos, CWM's UC 2 Pr Equipped, and Brook Quam's UC 2Pr Equipped.

http://bcoy1cpb.pacdat.net/uc.htm

Colin Macgregor Stevens · #16 26-07-08, 09:18

kevin powles · #17 23-06-10, 00:30

Hi, Have located some more tank hunter pictures on the net, was wondering what the blocks of wood were for bolted to the carrier hull, any ideas?. Also could this be the carrier sent to the uk for trials?.

any coments please or further pictures of tank hunters (canadian version) any one can add?.

thanks kevin.

Lynn Eades · #18 23-06-10, 08:52

Is that wood for sound deadening/ (to stop the hull acting like a big drum, when the gun is fired) Is it weight? to represent a loaded carrier? Are they trying to sort out the springs?....random thoughts.

kevin powles · #19 23-06-10, 10:13

Hi Lynn, I think you are right, the weights (if they are weights) are distributed evenly on the hull so yes I think now too they are setting the ride of the carrier, perhaps uprated springs would of been required, i have seen another picture in a canadian book on the 2 pdr gun featuring the carrier at speed over ruff terrain so i think they were putting it through it paces. Also like the idea of sound deaderning on an un equipped carrier, I think applied at the request of the driver!

thanks kevin.