As requested here are a couple of post war carriers, are either of these the one, Owen? The Carrier, Tracked, CT20 (Carrier Oxford, Mk 1) 1945-6 to 1963-4 or the Carrier, Tracked, FV 401 (Carrier, Cambridge) 1950-?
Cheers Bod, the bottom one is the exact photo I saw. Thanks. That's the Cambridge then. Quite a rare beast that as far as can make out never made it into production. You can see a lot of the FV 430 series in her though.
I wondered if it was experimental. Running gear does look very FV432-ish doesn't it? edit. http://www.fv432.com/fv43xfamily.htm This was the original prototype armoured personnel carrier, designed by the FVRDE (Fighting Vehicles Research and Development Executive). This was an attempt to establish a fully tracked armoured personnel carrier to rival the now in service American M113 and M59 units. Britain had the Saracen wheeled versions but wanted a more capable tracked version. Experiments with the CT20 ‘Oxford’ Tracked Carrier and the FV401 Cambridge Carrier came to little, and development of the FV430 pushed ahead.
I wondered if it was experimental. Running gear does look very FV432-ish doesn't it? All I know is taken from 'Making tracks, British Carrier Story 1914 to 1972' by Chamberlain and Ellis The Cambridge Carrier This vehicle was designed by Rolls-Royce. It was projected in 1946 and the pilot model appeared in 1950. The Cambridge was of a box-like construction and was fitted with independent torsion bar suspension that was protected by armoured skirting. The engine, a Rolls-Royce B80, was located at the rear of the vehicle. The front crew compartment was fitted with four hinged armoured flaps that could be raised for extra protection; the driver was provided with episcope vision. The sides of the superstucture were fitted with stowage panniers. The vehicle was provided with a collapsible flotation screen. Pilot models only built, and these were troop tested. No Production followed. Too expensive I would guess, it does look very well made.
Too expensive I would guess, it does look very well made. Well it was made by Rolls Royce, rather a "battle-limo" than a "battle-taxi". Thanks for the info Bod, I knew I could rely on you.
I always imagine the LWB & forward control landrovers that emerged postwar made the small carriers redundant. Must cost substantially more for tracks, and nowhere near as 'general purpose'.
I always imagine the LWB & forward control landrovers that emerged postwar made the small carriers redundant. Must cost substantially more for tracks, and nowhere near as 'general purpose'. Not to mention the other highly expensive Rolls-Royce powered FV 1801 Austin Champ
I do tend to forget about the 'camp Jeep' . It's almost a shame the Champ got binned (or binned itself...) I'd love to have seen what that could have evolved into, though there's something so completely 50's about it maybe that's as far as it could have gone? Nice little potted history here; The Austin Champ Register, A Brief History of the Austin Champ, & you've just reminded me I've got Pat Ware's book on all those British 'quarter tons' to read, I'd completely forgotten I bought it. :mellow:
