Aussie Carrier markings.

Can anyone help me with markings for a 6th Australian Infantry Division Universal Carrier @ 1940 please.

 

Hi Owen.

No, not any particular unit, any of the 6th would do. it's for a model I have built, so anything verifiable by photo or known criteria.

 

Hello David,

It might be easier if you nominated a unit or a period, vehicle markings in 6 Aust Div underwent four separate changes between Feb-Nov 1940 and some units diverted to UK didn't use the markings at all.

Vehicles for units of 7 and 9 Aust Divs arriving in the Middle East from Australia at the end of 1940 were marked with a system that had already been superseded in Middle East.

For example vehicles of 6 Aust Div Cav Regt embarked for ME with 2/Black, changed to 26/Black at beginning of May 1940, back to 2/Black at the beginning of June 1940 and to 41/Black in November 1940.

Cheers, Keith

 

Keith.

If it helps, February 1941. Not 1940 as originally posted.

I thought that by NOT specifying a unit I had more chance of getting a hit.

As you have some info, let's say 6 Aus Div Cav.@ Feb '41.

"Caunter" (Done).

White 41 on black background? Or has it changed again by Feb '41? Owen's linked photo is not clear on that, but it doesn't look like a 41 to me.

As a tracked vehicle it would presumably also carry a "T" number, but within which range? Located centrally on hull side 1/3 way up?

Any thing else?

Many thanks,

David.

 

David -

Pic from AWM Film...bit later than your requirement but may help none-the-less...

Roddy

 

David -

And another fm the Imperial War Museum...again 1941 not 1940.

Roddy

 

David -

Apologies - last pic did not attach...this one is an Aussie carrier in Beirut, July 1941 via Imperial War Museum...

Roddy

 

As a matter of interest, have you read the book on Aussie Local Pattern (LP) Carriers produced by Mike Cecil (who was appointed as the curator of vehicles at the AWM shortly after putting out this book and another couple of similar titles)?

I don't have access to my copy at the moment, but it may be of help as I think it shows early vehicles - both LP & British made.

 

Oh, and did the Anzac Steel site (http://anzacsteel.hobbyvista.com/Armoured%20Vehicles/australianarmourinthemiddleeastph_1.htm) provide any info of use?

 

Roddy. The first pic is interesting as the carriers appear to have squadron markings. I have never seen that before.

The second pic shows the location of the "T" number very nicely.


DaveB. I've not read the book, but will try to get a copy.

I've not visited the site you linked, but will now!


Keith. Are you able to answer any of my questions? The one regarding the "T" number positioning and the location of div symbol have been done so already.

Thanks all, David.W

 

To all.

The Carrier build is now to be Feb1941!

 

Hi David,

Yes, 41 on Black for 6 Aust Div Cav in Feb 1941. Div RO's dated 4 Dec 40 state change to this serial number was to be complete by 17 Dec 40.

Doesn't mean action occurred immediately, but this is what they should have been using by then.

I can't help with the range of carrier numbers, there are wiser heads than mine on vehicle numbers. However I have Mike Cecil's Volume 2, Local Pattern Carriers 1939-1945 which shows that Australian Pattern LP1 carriers issued to AIF in ME had the number painted on the front mudguard like a number plate - small letters AIF in white, one above the other, followed by red T, then a five digit number in white.

If it was a British manufactured carrier then it probably would have conformed to War Office practices, see some of the previous posts.

Cheers, Keith

 

Thanks Keith.