Rocket propelled UC?

[sapper740]

I have found two sequential photos of what appears to be a test of using rockets to lift? move? whatever? a Universal carrier. To what end, I can only imagine. As you can see from the pics, the test was a failure, I presume, resulting in the UC flipping over. Evident in the pictures are what appears to be 6 rockets, three per side with blast deflectors below each of the rockets. To what end these tests were done is beyond my ken. Has anyone see such a thing before?

[sapper740]

next pic

[alleramilitaria]

sapper
i have seen lots of photos with rockets on the UC. most of the photos were for the self recovery system from what i have uncovered. there was a system to help get the carrier unstuck from mud or soft sand. the rockets would lift the carrier body and give the tracks a chance to move the carrier. dont know if any were ever used in the real world.

[Keith Webb]

Perhaps we should send these images to Mythbusters. Who's going to volunteer their carrier?

[sapper740]

Originally posted by Keith Webb
Perhaps we should send these images to Mythbusters. Who's going to volunteer their carrier?

Dave has 4 UCs, perhaps he'd spare one for the cause?...and offer to pilot it also? Here's a thought, an old family friend, Capt. T.D. Smyers is taking over command of the NAS/JRB in Fort Worth in April. I'll ask him if we can borrow several JATO bottles for the experiment. Let's see...a UC weighs about 4 tons and at 1000lbs thrust each that will require 8 JATO bottles, however they weigh 165lbs apiece so that adds up to an additional 1320lbs. so that makes 10 JATO bottles. 8000lbs plus 1650lbs equals 9650lbs. Dave probably weighs in around 250 for a total of 9900lbs leaving us with 100lbs of thrust to spare. Wadya say Dave...up for a 14 sec. ride?

[alleramilitaria]

you suck
i will tell you that im at a steady 225!!!!
and if we take the stripped down carrier that would be only about 1.5 tons so it would be about 4 bottles.

i think you need to get a JSF motor and put it on your CMP they get 40,000 LB of thrust and they are in FT worth so you could just go and have one loaded up.

you going to OK on the 26th?
dave

[20387774]

This sounds like something of a Wiley Coyote and Roadrunner episode! The rockets are probably made by ACME.

[sapper740]

Originally posted by alleramilitaria


you going to OK on the 26th?
dave

What's happening in Ok? Fort Washita?


And just so we don't get zinged for using this forum as a message board, here's a great picture of a UC towing a 6 pdr AT gun. Something you should be able to emulate soon.

[alleramilitaria]

yep wash at taaaa

i have the MK II and the 6lb.... but im like just about everyone els, missing the rear tow hook atachment. may have it fixed soon.

[Gunner]

Salut Sappeur!

Happy New year and all that social blather... do you have any details on that photo? Looks like the unit number is 46 which is the ATk Regt in an Inf Div.

Ubique! Mike

[Mark W. Tonner]

Originally posted by sapper740
I have found two sequential photos of what appears to be a test of using rockets to lift? move? whatever? a Universal carrier. To what end, I can only imagine. As you can see from the pics, the test was a failure, I presume, resulting in the UC flipping over. Evident in the pictures are what appears to be 6 rockets, three per side with blast deflectors below each of the rockets. To what end these tests were done is beyond my ken. Has anyone see such a thing before?

Hi Derek;

The two photos you have come across are the before and after photos of a test of a "gap-jumping tank", that was carried out by the British Specialized Armour Development Establishment (SADE). The concept was, the gap-jumping tank was designed to fly across impassable obstacles. The object was to lift the tank bodily into the air by means of rockets. This device was tested first on a carrier (your two photos) and subsequently on a turretless Valentine. The device itself consisted of a battery of rockets which were fired together to catapult the tank through the air. There was no problems encountered in lifting the vehicle off the ground, the difficulty was getting it to land right side up. It was never clear what happened to the vehicle in the air since it was invisible in a cloud of smoke, but despite a series of tests the stability issue was never resolved.

The Specialized Armour Development Establishment (later the Specialized Armour Establishment (SAE)), was an immediate post-war organization (1945) that with War Office approval, was established by General Sir P.C.S. Hobart. It was located at Woodbridge, Suffolk, with an amphibious wing at Gosport, Hampshire. SADE's (and later SAE's) task was to improve existing equipment and develop new ideas. This establishment was closed in 1951.

Cheers

[sapper740]

Originally posted by Gunner
Salut Sappeur!

Happy New year and all that social blather... do you have any details on that photo? Looks like the unit number is 46 which is the ATk Regt in an Inf Div.

Ubique! Mike

Sante et Bonne Annee Cannonier! Hope the New Year finds you well and out of harm's way! I was just fixin' to respond to your post when Mark answered all questions, which is a good thing as I had no further info on the pics. Thanks Mark for information on SADE, an organization perhaps that the Marquis would have been proud of?