3" Mortar Carrier

[Colin Foulkes]

Does anyone know the whereabouts of any 3" mortar carriers in Oz.

Col.

[Keith Webb]

The best information was they were all sold to a foreign power at the war's end and no genuine ones remain, but we're always ready to be surprised by something being revealed!

There is at least one project underway to recreate one using a 2-pdr carrier as a basis.

[Tony Smith]

Originally posted by Keith Webb
The best information was they were all sold to a foreign power at the war's end and no genuine ones remain,......

They were actually supplied DURING the war to the Eastern Group Supply Council, who in turn supplied them to the Nationalist Chinese forces under Chiang Kai Chek. As we know, after they had dealt with the Japanese, the Nationalists and Communists got stuck into each other, with the Nationalists fleeing WITHOUT their equipment to the island of Formosa to form the Chinese Republic of Taiwan. If any survived the fighting during the Civil war, they were abandoned to the Communists on the Mainland. None appear to be in any Chinese Museums, so it would seem they were scrapped.

[Colin Foulkes]

Don't hold your breath but I may have a lead.

Col.

[Keith Webb]

Originally posted by Colin Foulkes
Don't hold your breath but I may have a lead.

Col.

As I said...

we're always ready to be surprised by something being revealed!

[Bob Moseley (RIP)]

Hi all
The other urban myth/legend is that they were sold to the Chinese, all went on a ship that subsequently sank. A mate of mine picked up a genuine rear storage box for one a couple of years ago and I am chasing up a rumour that one was actually disembarked in the West off the ship I mentioned above. I believe there are two Mortar Carrier projects underway. The other thing I don't have, or don't think I have, is any record of the hull numbers and manufacturing plant.
Bob

[Colin Foulkes]

All

This is not a rumor, it is a positve statement by the owner who is restoring it,
and this was last night.
BUT, until I eyeball it and maybe take some pics ? ? ?
Any facts will be recorded.
First of all I have to get on site.
My comment to him was to get some tracks on it and we will get it to Corowa,
finished or not, even offered to watch him work on it.
At this stage I am fairly sure that names and location will not be allowed to be revealed
Will advise.

Col.

[Pedr]

My question would be....."Which model mortar carrier?" as there now appear to be FOUR models ( and yes ALL Australian ) and all manufactured by METGAS, under orders from the Army.

Pedr

[Tony Smith]

Ahh, good point Pedr!

I assumed that Colin was refering to the specialised "Carrier, Mortar, 3in" with the engine on the front left side, similar to a 2pdr Carrier. But you're right, there were also other modified variants built on the LP2A that were 3in Mortar Carriers. I expect one of those would'nt be impossible to find.

Bob, Mike Cecil's AMEP book lists 400 carriers built with hull Nos from 6500 (to 6899?), built by Metgas.

[Colin Foulkes]

Thanks Tony,
This is the sort of photo we need.
I like the oilcan on the rear storage box.

Col.

[Pedr]

Originally posted by Colin Foulkes
Thanks Tony,
This is the sort of photo we need.

What, don't you like the capture from the original technical drawing that I added?

Couldn't be any clearer as it was drawn in 1944, and I wasn't there to make sure that it was a good clear drawing.

Would be very interested if it is infact true that one of the Mk4. 3"Motar carriers survived in WA, However, I won't be holding my breath as this is definately the "crated jeep" of the carrier world.

I am aware of a couple of repro Mk4 motar carriers - One in Victoria by Bill O'Reilly and one in NSW by Alan Cobcroft, is it possible that you refer to one of these Col?

AS far as Mk2's Ray Carn has one in Adelaide and Jared Archibald in the NT.

I have only seen photos of Mks 1 and 3. Mk 1 from AWM and Mk 3 from Tony Smith. ( Then I discovered that I had tech drawings for that model. )

Pedr

[Tony Smith]

Originally posted by Colin Foulkes
Thanks Tony,
This is the sort of photo we need.
I like the oilcan on the rear storage box.

Col.

The oil cans were made by Rega. The Army ones were stamped with a Broad Arrow, or D^D. Quite common to find a commercial version, like this one on E-bay. See them often also in 2nd hand shops and swapmeets, keep looking, these turn up!

[Colin Foulkes]

Pedr,

Your drawing is a bit hard to read so I am not sure what it refers to.
You say it was drawn in 1944. I was drawn (out) in 1942 and Carol (The Boss) reckons I'm hard to read most of the time too.
Thank you for adding to the mystery though.

My problem is that I do not know much about Carriers at all & I have given me the job of trying to prove what it is that I have yet to see, for the benefit of all of us, if you get my drift.

My comment about photos should have said " I " need to see, the requirement being to help me & the owner find out what he really has.


Tony,

Probably what made me notice the oilcan is that I use a similar commercial one to oil the machinery in my workshop. For me it is an everyday tool.

Col.

[Lynn Eades]

I have a press like the one pictured.

[Tony Smith]

Is that the Signal Flare Pistol mounted behind the Driver's head? And the Flare Box mounted over his right shoulder? Note the Flare Box is mounted differently to the LP2 versions and has not got a tricolour lid (Yet).

And the pioneer tools mounted along the Left side of the hull, I see a Pick head, Pick handle, a Shovel and is that a Pigsfoot Crowbar? First time I've seen a Crowbar as a Carrier tool.

[Pedr]

For more information on early model mortar carriers, see

Aust LP2 bracket??

Pedr

[Bob Moseley (RIP)]

Thanks Tony
I actually had these numbers listed but had forgotten about them until I checked my database. Too much information, not enough memory.
Bob

[Keith Webb]

Originally posted by Bob Moseley
Thanks Tony
I actually had these numbers listed but had forgotten about them until I checked my database. Too much information, not enough memory.
Bob

Just stick another gig of RAM into the side of your noggin, that should fix it.