Australian 6Pdr Anti-Tank Carrier

Tony Smith · #1 26-10-05, 12:14

These pics might arouse some interest in the Audience!
An Australian experimental attempt to mount a 6Pdr Anti-Tank gun to a LP2A Carrier. While the rear compartment is largely unchanged, there are some major modifications to the front gunner's compartment. Note the frontal armour is now straight across with a cut-out for the gunsheild of the 6Pdr in the lowered position.

Tony Smith · #2 26-10-05, 12:16

The gun is mounted on what appears to be a Hydraulic Ram to enable the gun to raise and lower what appears to be approx 12 inches.

Tony Smith · #3 26-10-05, 12:19

The Hydraulic Ram seems to be a substantial size. I wonder how the Hydraulics were driven? A PTO on the gearbox?
Interestingly, the GM/H made 6Pdr is the Tank version, not the trailed artillery version.

Tony Smith · #4 26-10-05, 12:21

Does anyone have any info on any written reports on this experiment, and why it was not followed into production?

centurion · #5 26-10-05, 15:34

Looking at 'Making Tracks - the Carrier Story' 1973 by Chamberlain and Ellis what you've got here is the 2 Pounder hydraulic hoist Carrier. See picture
The book does not say why the approach was abandoned however there were many attempts by various nations to put an AT gun of about 40mm on a carrier (including a number of captured carriers fitted with a 37mm gun by the Germans). They all had the same problem by 1941 fitting a tank hunter with this size gun was like shooting elephants with a .22 target rifle.

Lynn Eades · #6 26-10-05, 20:47

Tony, I ould say interested rather than aroused. Anywho, what is the beastie in rhr of first photo?

centurion · #7 26-10-05, 20:59

Quote:

Originally posted by Lynn Eades
Tony, I ould say interested rather than aroused. Anywho, what is the beastie in rhr of first photo?

The thing looks like the Carrier 2 Pdr Tank Attack - a lengthened carrier with modified rear area to allow a 2 pounder to be mounted with a 360 degree traverse.

The only 2 pounder carrier built in any numbers seems to have been a Canadian version with the gun up front and this was wisely reserved for training.

cliff · #8 26-10-05, 22:43

Tony among the photo's on the Australian War Memorial site are the following 4 showing a similar carrier.

Pic 1

cliff · #9 26-10-05, 22:44

Pic 2

cliff · #10 26-10-05, 22:44

Pic 3

cliff · #11 26-10-05, 22:45

Pic 4

cheers
Cliff

Keith Webb · #12 26-10-05, 22:59

Quote:

Originally posted by cliff
Tony among the photo's on the Australian War Memorial site are the following 4 showing a similar carrier.

Pic 1

They're all the same carrier - hull 3078.

I'll be putting high res pictures of this carrier and others on my soon to be released CD-ROM of carrier images.

Nigel Watson · #13 27-10-05, 23:57

Quote:

Originally posted by Lynn Eades
Tony, I ould say interested rather than aroused. Anywho, what is the beastie in rhr of first photo?

Lynn its the 2pdr Tank Attack carrier. Really nice machine!

Nigel

Lynn Eades · #14 28-10-05, 02:23

It does look to be an asthetically (spose I've spelled that wrong Bob) pleasing variant. Have any survived?

Tony Smith · #15 28-10-05, 03:16

You obviously haven't watched your "Year of the Carrier" DVD yet, Lynn!

There are still a few getting around, but probably the one in best condition was the one restored by Bandiana Museum and which was at Corowa this year. See this thread.

Bob Moseley (RIP) · #16 28-10-05, 12:00

Hi Tim Tam Tony
According to my database with an extract from Mike Cecil's book this was a 2 pdr mounted in hydraulic hoist and was the fore-runner of the AT carrier. Manufactured by Victorian Railways under Order Number 1228. I also happen to know the location of the remains of this Carrier.
Bob

#17 28-10-05, 18:44

is it my eyes or it seems thier is more space between the bogis on the restored carrier than to the original pics of the gun carrier more space between the front and 1 st bogi wheel. someone clarify please or is it just me. Cheers

BIG MIKE

Alex Blair (RIP) · #18 28-10-05, 19:55

Quote:

Originally posted by BIG MIKE
is it my eyes or it seems thier is more space between the bogis on the restored carrier than to the original pics of the gun carrier more space between the front and 1 st bogi wheel. someone clarify please or is it just me. Cheers

BIG MIKE

You are right.Stretched....Eating your carrots makes you tall and see good...
You can't see the engine on that baby but it sits where the co-driver or bren gunner sits..
A cobbled up rig..
Wierd..eh!!

centurion · #19 28-10-05, 21:22

Quote:

Originally posted by Alex Blair
You are right.Stretched....Eating your carrots makes you tall and see good...
You can't see the engine on that baby but it sits where the co-driver or bren gunner sits..
A cobbled up rig..
Wierd..eh!!

The decking was also reinforced to take the strain of the 2Pdr and the tracks had am extra 6 links put in.

cliff · #20 29-10-05, 00:21

the Australian Tank attack carrier is 8 inches longer then the normal carrier. As has already been said the engine is relocated to the left front by the driver. The Australian 3inch mortar carriers shared the same setup as well.

cheers
Cliff

#21 29-10-05, 01:25

I think more of you Guys need to eat more carrots or get better glasses LOL

BIG MIKE

Keith Webb · #22 08-11-05, 11:14

I have a page of pictures of survivors here.

Keith Webb · #23 08-11-05, 11:35

This was essentially the same hull as the production tank attack carrier. Have a look at the awkward gearshift.

Tony Smith · #24 08-11-05, 12:08

Looks so much roomier in it's bare bones mock up state.

Gunner · #25 15-11-05, 17:46

So thats where the design of the FV432 came from!

Cheers, Mike