Year of the Carrier video

[Keith Webb]

Production has already commenced on this video which will focus on the Year of the Carrier event in Corowa.

Last weekend I shot an interview with Mike Cecil of the Australian War Memorial who is arguably Australia's foremost authority on these vehicles, having authored a profile on them and conducted a lot of research into the differing models and how they were used.

In the interview he discusses the three basic Australian models - the LP 1, 2 and 2A as well as the Tank Attack and Mortar carriers.

In addition he covers the LP3 which was prototyped, 1 ton tracked truck, half track experiments and the various British versions.

The challenge is now to come up with some photographs and/or footage of these versions, to help tell the story.

Can I encourage you all to be a part of this video - your assistance will be greatfully acknowledged in the credits.

Also, if you have some home movies of your carriers - this applies to people in any part of the world I'm considering a segment on these as well - I already have a segment featuring Stew Loy's carrier which he kindly took for a freezing drive last February.

Why not shoot a segment - interview yourself or get someone else to do it!

Over to you!

[Stewart Loy]

Keith,

When do you anticipate the video release?

Will it be availible as a package deal with a Corowa Carrier cap and matching beer mug ( to cut down on shipping costs to the North American customers )?


Stewart

[Keith Webb]

Hi Stuart

It will probably be available around May or June - the delay is caused by the fact I need to do other work first (my livlihood) and work projects such as this around it.

So does anyone have some interesting pictures or footage to help make this work?

As for the caps 'n stuff - that might be a good idea - I'll have to see what Salesman Bob has to say about it!

[Keith Webb]

Doesn't ANYONE have ANYTHING?

C'mon!

Just found this interesting image of what it may look like at Corowa next month:



Source: State Library of Victoria

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

Gee, what are those funny hats?

[Tony Smith]

Originally posted by Geoff Winnington-Ball
Gee, what are those funny hats?

The big broad rim of a slouch hat offers year round protection from the harsh Aussie sun and Drop Bears. The Canadian Forage Cap has steeply sloping sides to readily shed accumulating snow.

[Tony Smith]

Originally posted by Keith Webb
Doesn't ANYONE have ANYTHING?

C'mon!

Just found this interesting image of what it may look like at Corowa next month:



Source: State Library of Victoria

What a neat pic, Keith. The Corporal closest to the camera wears a Motor Transport qualification badge, but I can't see it on any the others. The carrier closest to the camera has WA "U"section spoked bogie wheels but it's idler wheel is the more common "H" section. The second and following carriers have Tare weight markings above the hull numbers, usually only seen on cargo carrying vehicles. Could that have been the training of the MT driver showing?

[Keith Webb]

Originally posted by Tony Smith
What a neat pic, Keith. The Corporal closest to the camera wears a Motor Transport qualification badge, but I can't see it on any the others. The carrier closest to the camera has WA "U"section spoked bogie wheels but it's idler wheel is the more common "H" section. The second and following carriers have Tare weight markings above the hull numbers, usually only seen on cargo carrying vehicles. Could that have been the training of the MT driver showing?

Yes, it's a beauty... and is one of several pictures (the only carrier one) taken by the Argus Newspaper at Mt. Martha in Victoria. The other pics relate to training so it may be assumed this is too.
Can't wait to see 'em all lined up at Corowa airport just like this.

Also heard via Jan that John has managed to secure permission for them to be driven on the road for the parade.

[gjamo]

Try this 1 Keith

[Keith Webb]

Hi Graeme

Wow, what a nice one - looks like a barn find!

1499 wasn't even on the database - do you have any more details?

Where and when was the picture taken?

[Tony Smith]

Keith, it might have been here.

[Richard Farrant]

Originally posted by Keith Webb
1499 wasn't even on the database - do you have any more details?

Where and when was the picture taken?

Keith,

It was at the War & Peace show, Beltring in 2003, have a feeling it was a South Aus. Railway built one. Could probably find the owners name if I can find the programme.

Richard

[Bob Moseley (RIP)]

Richard
1499 is a South Australian Railways Carrier built in 1941. It's on my database as being in Beltring in 2003. As Keefy says, owner details and travel history would be nice.
Bob

[gjamo]

Yes it was in a Beltring 2003 picture site but I can no longer find the site from my link.

[Keith Webb]

Originally posted by gjamo
Yes it was in a Beltring 2003 picture site but I can no longer find the site from my link.

Hanno has some pictures on his site

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally posted by Keith Webb
Hanno has some pictures on his site

Correct, the pic comes from my T16 Universal Carrier site. If you want I can e-mail you the full-size scans?

H.

[Richard Farrant]

Originally posted by Keith Webb
1499 wasn't even on the database - do you have any more details?

Keith,

The owner is down in the Beltring programme as Rob Blackmore from Horseheath (near Cambridge). Sorry no other details.

Richard

[Rod Diery]

Originally posted by Keith Webb
In addition he covers the LP3 which was prototyped, 1 ton tracked truck, half track experiments and the various British versions.

Hi Keith, Of course you realise that the prototype Truck, Tracked 1 ton is still extant at the Army Tank Museum at Puckapunyal. I would love to do a bit of a video discourse on it but it's much closer to you than me.
Cheers
Rod

[Keith Webb]

Thanks, Rod
Yes, good idea - I'll see whether I can get someone to talk about it on camera.
I know there's also some good footage of it during tests, but this might be too expensive for the project.

[Keith Webb]

Max Hedges found this pic on the AWM database

Caption:
WESTERN DESERT, EGYPT. 1942-07-18. TWO CARRIERS, (TRACKED, STARTING AND CHARGING), BEING CARRIED TO A FORWARD AREA ON A TRUCK. THE PURPOSE OF THESE CARRIERS IS TO START TANK ENGINES AND CHARGE BATTERIES. THE DRAG-LINE EXCAVATOR IN THE BACKGROUND IS ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF A TANK TRAP ASTRIDE THE COAST ROAD, ABOUT 20 MILES WEST OF ALEXANDRIA.

So there's no excuse now for those with two carriers not to attend...

[Tony Smith]

Originally posted by Keith Webb
Doesn't ANYONE have ANYTHING?
C'mon!

Just found this interesting image of what it may look like at Corowa next month:

[Keith Webb]

Looks like 20 or so... yes, this shot would be possible...

[gjamo]

This looks like a trial to get the mud crabs back to camp.
There is quite a series of tracked truck trial pics on the AWM site.

[gjamo]

Wouldn't this put the cat amongst the pidgeons at Corowa.

http://www.big-boys.com/articles/homemadetank.html

[Keith Webb]

That was a funny link, Graeme

There is a modded carrier coming to Corowa with Stuart tracks - said to be capable of some speed on the open road...

[Mark Sierant]

Hey Keith Max just said I good drive his carrier down along the river track, do ya want to come along???


Mark

[Keith Webb]

Originally posted by Mark Sierant
Hey Keith Max just said I good drive his carrier down along the river track, do ya want to come along???


Mark

Do the gears need polishing?

We could consume bulk quantities of then take Carrier 3051 for a swim. They do float, don't they?

[Mark Sierant]

Keith I do not know if they float or how much mud they are able to negotiate.

BUT WE COULD FIND OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Keith Webb]

Bring your snorkel and flippers then.

[Max Hedges]

Originally posted by Mark Sierant
Hey Keith Max just said I good drive his carrier down along the river track, do ya want to come along???


Mark

Max said did he