Id. british vehicle

[Sturm78]

Hi all,

How is posible to differenciate between Bren Carrier and Universal Carrier vehicles?

Image from EBay
Sturm78

[Saxon Cross]

The main noticeable difference is that the side armour of the Universal was much improved, going higher and appearing more box like. The hanging coat is obscuring a clear view, but it looks like a Bren Gun Carrier, not a Universal.

Another clue is the date. I don't think Universals were produced until late 1940, perhaps even December.

cheers,
Saxon

[Sturm78]

Thanks, Saxon.

Regards Sturm78

[Saxon Cross]

Here's a graphic, that makes it a bit clearer.

The first and second carriers have the earlier design, with armour sloping towards the rear (most clear on the first carrier).

The second 1940 'Bren Gun Carrier' has the same armour, sloping towards the rear, but it's partially hidden by ammo boxes, tool boxes and other kit.

The third carrier is the 'universal' with improved 'box like' side armour.




Saxon

[John Hilly]

Thanks for the info from me too Saxon!
What is 'the Main Gun' in those two newer models?

With best,
J-P

[phylo_roadking]

It's the Boys Anti-tank Rifle...http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boys_anti-tank_rifle

[Saxon Cross]

The Boys was not the typical armament for a carrier. During WWII the most common armament for the carriers was a Bren Light MG in the front aperture, or perhaps in the rear on an AA mount.

But they were also used to carry:

Vickers HMG
Boys Anti-tank Rifle
PIAT
3 inch Mortar

Apparently, they even mounted an Anti-tank gun on top of the carrier.
But they were more often used as gun tractors to tow anti-tanks guns (2 Pdr, 6 Pdr, 17 Pdr), and as ammo carriers.

The Germans captured quite a lot in France 1940 (like the one in the OP) and they adapted them for all sorts of weapons.

Saxon

[Sturm78]

Thank you very much for your information, Saxon.

Regards Sturm78

[phylo_roadking]

Strum78, if you wish to follow this up more - sometimes the most humble of WWII transport and technology is among the most interesting! (as in...how DID they fight a war in those things???) - CMV magazine here in the UK has recently run a series of three very informative monthly articles on the history and development of the Carrier. There's an online version of the magazine which should carry them.

[Sturm78]

Hi all,

Can anyone identify this model ?? I think a Light Dragon, but I am not sure.
Any information about these vehicles will be wellcome

Image from Ebay
Thanks in advance. Sturm78

[phylo_roadking]

Hi Sturm78 - no; look at the front nose/glacis plate. THIS is a Dragon Carrier...




Your pic is of the Loyd Carrier;

[Sturm78]

Thank you very much for your help, phylo_roadking

There are not much information about these vehicles on the net....

Regards Sturm78

[phylo_roadking]

No, not as yet The main respositories for British "softskin" and other transport are still off the net, in specialist books and monthly magazines like Classic Military Vehicles. Last year they did a very detailed five-issue article on British and U.S. and Australian pattern carriers of all types.

It does have a website, but you still have to pay to see the actual monthly content online.

[Sturm78]

Hi all,

I found on Ebay these two rares images of a Clayton crawler tractor towing artilley with a strange limber. 1920s ???

Sturm78

[Paul_G_Baker]

Late '20s or - more probably - '30s, Sturm.

Googled the trading name and came up with this link:- http://archive.commercialmotor.com/arti ... k-for-army