Universal Carriers

Discussion in 'Weapons, Technology & Equipment' started by Peter Clare, Nov 26, 2006.

  1. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Last edited: May 13, 2023
  2. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

  3. Niccar

    Niccar WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    The so called universal carrier was a great vehicle and as someone that drove one for the best part of the Africa to Austria campaign to us no other vehicle could have been the same we carried 4.2 mortars and Vickers machine guns and 56 recce also had them and they were probing enemy lines all the time so needed a reliable vehicle
    If I was to find a fault it would have to be if you shed a track it was a hard job to get the track back around the sprocket to repair the track and push the pin through the two sides of the track and put a normal split pin once you had engaged both sides cobbled roads were a bugbear they had a mind of their own then and it was a toss up where you would end up the steering wheel was no use .they were easy to get out off and the engine was easily accessible so all in all a great little vehicle we even drove them over the Alps into Austria

    Cheers niccar
     
    sanchez, 4jonboy, Owen and 1 other person like this.
  4. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Did the Universal Carrier serve with any units of the Commonwealth Division in the Korean war?
    Can't think I've seen any pics?
    EDIT: Ah, why didn't I check IWM first?

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]Photographer: -

    Title: THE KOREAN WAR 1950 - 1953
    Collection No.: 5600-01

    Description: A British Universal Carrier moving along a road in Korea.
    Period: 1945 - 1975
     
  5. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Just bought History of 4th Indian Division.
    There is this amusing photo of a Universal Carrier in it.

    [​IMG]
     
    von Poop likes this.
  6. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

    Superb shot... I can feel a model coming on :D.
     
  7. Smudger Jnr

    Smudger Jnr Our Man in Berlin

    My Late father mentioned that his unit had Bren Universal carriers in the Recce early in the Italian campaign and they loved them. A real workhorse, but apparently they were replaced by American White scout cars. Dad said that they had four all named after the Musketeers! I seem to recall that they were fitted with a cannon. He also mentioned staghounds came later.

    Regards

    Tom
     
  8. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

  9. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Illustrated London News 10 May 1941
    Illustrated London News 10 May 1941.jpg
     

    Attached Files:

  10. Ron Goldstein

    Ron Goldstein WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    After hostilities ceased in Italy there was much re-equipping of the Forces in the Trieste area.
    As part of this process, we lost our beloved Honey (Stuart Mk III) tank and were given a Universal carrier in it's place.
    I can't say i was much impressed by the replacement but i did admire it's maneuverability and you could literally "turn on a sixpence"
    Pic 31c Page 66  October Opicina  Bren Gun Carrier.jpg

    Ron
     
    TTH, canuck and Dave55 like this.
  11. Ramiles

    Ramiles Researching 9th Lancers, 24th L and SRY

    Was recently at #2 (Starting at about 17mins in) on here:

     
    Last edited: Jun 27, 2017
  12. Dave55

    Dave55 Atlanta, USA

  13. canuck

    canuck Closed Account

    Dave55 likes this.
  14. GeoffMNZ

    GeoffMNZ Well-Known Member

  15. sanchez

    sanchez Patron Patron

    20190314_134508.jpg Hi all
    Attached is a photo of 56th recce bren carriers entering Centuripe Sicily .
     
    von Poop, 4jonboy, dbf and 2 others like this.
  16. 4jonboy

    4jonboy Daughter of a 56 Recce

    Gosh I love that photo Dave. It's a pity the men's faces aren't clearer.
    Where did you get that photo?

    Lesley
     
  17. Dave55

    Dave55 Atlanta, USA

    4jonboy likes this.
  18. 8RB

    8RB Well-Known Member

    Pretty sure I posted this before in another thread, but still... the ultimate Christmas present!

    Carrier unpacked.jpg
     
  19. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    TANKS AND AFVS OF THE BRITISH ARMY 1939-45
    Object description: Universal carrier Mk II
    Catalogue number: KID 854
    image.png

    TANKS AND AFVS OF THE BRITISH ARMY 1939-45
    Object description: Universal carrier Mk II
    Catalogue number: KID 855
    image.png

    TANKS AND AFVS OF THE BRITISH ARMY 1939-45
    Object description: Universal carrier Mk II
    Catalogue number: KID 856
    image.png

    TANKS AND AFVS OF THE BRITISH ARMY 1939-45
    Object description: Universal carrier Mk II
    Catalogue number: KID 857
    image.png

    TANKS AND AFVS OF THE BRITISH ARMY 1939-45
    Object description: Universal carrier Mk II
    Catalogue number: KID 858
    image.png

    TANKS AND AFVS OF THE BRITISH ARMY 1939-45
    Object description: Universal carrier Mk II
    Catalogue number: KID 1018
    image.png

    TANKS AND AFVS OF THE BRITISH ARMY 1939-45
    Object description: Universal carrier Mk II
    Catalogue number: KID 1033
    image.png

    TANKS AND AFVS OF THE BRITISH ARMY 1939-45
    Object description: Universal carrier Mk II
    Catalogue number: KID 1118
    image.png

    TANKS AND AFVS OF THE BRITISH ARMY 1939-45
    Object description: Universal carrier Mk II
    Catalogue number: KID 1119

    image.png




    TANKS AND AFVS OF THE BRITISH ARMY 1939-45
    Object description: Carrier Bren, No 2, Mk I
    Catalogue number: KID 573
    image.png
     
  20. 8RB

    8RB Well-Known Member

    Some photos of Sgt. Fruin's mortar carriers (all called "Rene") and one other. Sgt. Fruin was mortar sergeant in G Company of the 8th Rifle Brigade (11th Armoured Division). For more on Sgt. Fruin and other members of the battalion, please take a look at my website Home - 8th Rifle Brigade. I hope you will enjoy it!

    Fruin photo 015a.jpeg Fruin photo 035a.jpeg Fruin photo 042a.jpeg Fruin photo 084a.jpeg Fruin photo 068a.jpeg
     

Share This Page