M14 halftrack in CDN service

[John OReilly]

Can anyone answer the following questions about this AFV? I know it started it's life as an AA halftrack converted from M5/9s.When it was converted back to an APC was the rear door re-installed and was the partition between the driver's section and fighting section replaced?I know that the fold down plates were left in place on the sides,what about at the rear if the door wasn't replaced?Any help or direction would be appreciated.

[Steve Guthrie]

Hi there

Entirely without prejudice , I would suggest you purchase 'The Halftrack in Canadian Service' published by Service Publications. It contains a number of photos of M14's in use.

It's available here: http://www.servicepub.com/

In a nutshell, though, photos show most M14's were not fitted with a rear door and I would assume the partition was not a solid panel, but had an access hole. With the top up there was not other way into the rear but through the front doors.

However, here is a shot from the book, showing what looks like an M14 (see the side folding armour plates) but with a rear door!

Never say never!

Steve

[John OReilly]

Thanks Steve for the info and picture.A plus for me was finding out that there will soon be another book on Canadian Centurions.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

John,

Also see the thread "Halftrack Ambulances ?" for a picture of a converted M14 with rear door, in this case an ambulance.

Regards,
Hanno

[John OReilly]

Hanno,thanks for the heads up.I'm going to follow Steve's advice and purchase the book on the M14. John