Universal carrier (airborne version)

Any information/documentation would be most welcome, also any possible PRO/NA numbers regarding the modifications.

Thanks in advance:m7:

 

Just putting it up,as I start working on a booklet about the use of them at Arnhem

 

I remember a(n almost) fruitless search that I did some time ago. I was considering a model at the time. There does seem to be very little information out there.

I did find a model on a Dutch modellers site
De airborne scout carrier.
in which he references a Dutch model club magazine? The required information I have from an article from THE TANK No 145 of the Modeling Twenot club.
maybe he still has the article.

There is also the excellent 'Universal Carriers Vol.2' by one of our members, Nigel Watson, who appears here as The Auck. Although, in the two volumes of approx 600 pages, only 2 are devoted to the airborne variant. The modifications were, basically, to reduce weight. All stowage fittings that could be removed were removed, others were replaced with lighter ones. Some armour plate was replaced with duralumin. The main users of these lightened carriers seemed to be the RASC.

Edit: I just did a search over on the 'Maple leaf up' (MLU) forum, nothing there either.

 

A few pictures









and finally a Polish carrier, here with the Polish Airborne Division. Was it airportable? who knows?

 

I remember a(n almost) fruitless search that I did some time ago. I was considering a model at the time. There does seem to be very little information out there.

I did find a model on a Dutch modellers site
De airborne scout carrier.
in which he references a Dutch model club magazine? maybe he still has the article.

There is also the excellent 'Universal Carriers Vol.2' by one of our members, Nigel Watson, who appears here as The Auck. Although, in the two volumes of approx 600 pages, only 2 are devoted to the airborne variant. The modifications were, basically, to reduce weight. All stowage fittings that could be removed were removed, others were replaced with lighter ones. Some armour plate was replaced with duralumin. The main users of these lightened carriers seemed to be the RASC.

Edit: I just did a search over on the 'Maple leaf up' (MLU) forum, nothing there either.

Thanks for that info, I have contacted Nigel Watson trough his site and asked if he could help me out, the books looks nice, but as I only need some basic info about the airborne version, hope he can provide the info, will contact the guys at Twenot.

Nice photographs, are from a site or your own collection?

 

Bod,

Is there database available to check the Serial Numbers of the the two carriers that are identifiable?
T272692
T1290216

If so, that would establish if they were standard or not.
Just a thought, as like you mentioned, there is not a lot of information available on the lightweight version.

Regards
Tom

 

Bod,

Is there database available to check the Serial Numbers of the the two carriers that are identifiable?
T272692
T1290216

If so, that would establish if they were standard or not.
Just a thought, as like you mentioned, there is not a lot of information available on the lightweight version.

Regards
Tom

It doesn't help at all Tom. The modifications were reworked after assembly. No lightweight variants came direct from the factory.

The top two pictures show a Wolseley built 3" Mortar Carrier No.1 Mk.II
I have seen it captioned 'Preparing for Arnhem'

The 3rd picture is a Mk.II taken in England 18/3/45 six days before Op Varsity

T272692 is a Canadian Ford built No.1 Mk.III* again for Op Varsity

T1290216 is from a block of 5000 seven digit numbers allocated to the Polish forces. This original photograph is is my collection.
The others have been gleaned from various books and websites, mostly long forgotten I'm afraid.

 

Bod,
Thanks for that information, it saves a more fruitless searching!

The German Paratroops are using a vehicle similar (well a bit) to the Universal carrier, which is equipped with a recoilless rocket launcher.

They were dispayed this summer at the Airshow at Schönefeld (Berlin
International Airport).

Regards
Tom

 

Adam,
I like to think of it as something that the Universal Carrier could have evolved into!

Regards
Tom

 

A lot of help from Nigel, he is working on part III