Ford Universal Carrier Mk2
Date
of Manufacture : 1944
Designation : Carrier Universal no.2 Mk 11*
Model : C31UCW (Welsh Guards Stowage)
Engine
: Ford 85 H.P' V-8 L Head. Displacement (cu.in) 221
Manufacturer : Ford Motor Co of Canada Ltd. Hull - Canadian Bridge Company
Armour Thickness : Side 7mm, front 10mm (riveted BP Steel)
Armament : one Bren LMG, two L/E Rifles and two Sten Guns. Also
either one 2" Mortar or a Smoke Discharger. The former was fitted
to the section leader's carrier and could fire HE and illumination as
well as smoke
Unladen weight : 7800lbs
Gross weight : 9885lbs
Cost per unit : $3,000 (war-time prices)
Crew : 6
Power is transmitted through a standard clutch, four speed transmission
and a conventional truck type axle with sprockets fitted rather than
wheels.
Steering is accomplished by a lateral movement of the front bogie
assembly and breaking of either sprocket to stop the inside track for
the second stage of steering.
Both are accomplished by use of a steering wheel.
The Universal Carrier was developed from a series of infantry carriers
designed between the war for reconnaissance purposes. They became
synominous with the British Army serving on every battlefront and were
modified to undertake a multitude of tasks including Vickers Machine
Carrier, 3" Mortar Carrier, Anti-Tank Gun Tower and Flamethrower.
The demand for Universal Carriers far exceeded UK production so Canada
was invited to commence production producing by the end of the war
28,992 of all marks. This was approximately 20% of all Universal
Carrier production.
The Mk11* version was introduced in 1943 and incorporated lessons learnt in the North African Campaign.