Just how bad was driving a carrier?

Discussion in 'Weapons, Technology & Equipment' started by Chris C, Apr 14, 2017.

  1. Chris C

    Chris C Canadian

    Hi all,

    I was cycling in Ottawa this morning and went past Cartier Square Drill Hall. (Home of the Governor General's Foot Guards and the Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa) A Sherman, Forceful III, used to be parked out front but is now in the War Museum. However there was a carrier out front so I stopped to take some photos.

    I was kind of astonished by how little space the driver seemed to have. It looked like his knees would almost be up around his ears. Can anyone who has driven one comment on this?

    Truthfully, not knowing much, I don't know what model of carrier this is.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
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  2. Rich Payne

    Rich Payne Rivet Counter Patron 1940 Obsessive

    Send a personal message to Ben H on here...He has a 1939 Scout Carrier.

    To be honest, I've never met an owner of one who wasn't wildly enthusiastic but of course they haven't had to fight in them and most owners of old vehicles will never admit to a mis-purchase !
     
  3. Trackfrower

    Trackfrower Member

    Loads of fun...... even if you throw a track (a bit).
    The fan is behind your left ear so it sounds like you are thrashing it all the time.
    Bang your right elbow on the battery box when turning and reach between your knees for the hand brake.
    Like driving a skip at speed! Only it rocks (backward and forward).
    YOU MUST TRY IT!!!!!


    Lawrence
     
    Last edited: Aug 21, 2020
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  4. OpanaPointer

    OpanaPointer Pearl Harbor Myth Buster

    Can you repeat that to the folks at Disney World, please.
     
  5. Trackfrower

    Trackfrower Member

    Not the same as driving it on your game boy!
     
  6. Chris C

    Chris C Canadian

    Well I'm sure it's great fun, but what I was wondering is whether it's horribly uncomfortable fitting into that space?
     
  7. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Looks like they welded a metal plate into the one in post #1 to stop people climbing in.
    More space in these.
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]


    I do like this photo

    [​IMG]
     
  8. OpanaPointer

    OpanaPointer Pearl Harbor Myth Buster

    "Dad's Cart" instead of "Mario Cart"?
     
  9. Trackfrower

    Trackfrower Member

    Lots of things to bang against.

    Have another look at the museum carrier.
     
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  10. Chris C

    Chris C Canadian

    Thank you Owen, that makes a lot more sense now :)

    Going to watch Lawrence's video now
     
  11. Dave55

    Dave55 Atlanta, USA

    Here is a goofy video of the Ford flathead that was used in the carrier

     
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  12. Ron Goldstein

    Ron Goldstein WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    When I was posted to the 4th QOH in Feb '45 my vehicle turned out to be a turret-less Stuart tank known as a "Honey".
    Once the war was over, we swapped this for a Bren Carrier (see photo) and I was not at all happy.
    The one small advantage it proved to have however was it's ability to turn on the proverbial sixpence as I soon discovered when I got to drive it on the odd occasion
    Ron 059   Page 66  October Opicina  Bren Gun Carrier.jpg
     
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  13. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    For opinions, why not have a search through the Oral Histories available via IWM collections? There's bound to be some comments by veterans.
     
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  14. rick wedlock

    rick wedlock Member

    i love driving the carrier, the only downside is the steering wheel is very close to your chest, so it's a little cramped but it's about the most fun you can have with tracked armour
     
  15. canuck

    canuck Closed Account

    I am 6' 2" and 200 lbs.
    The one time I sat in the driver position of a carrier it occurred to me that the designer must have been a dwarf.
     
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  16. Chris C

    Chris C Canadian

    Canuck, I was just reading about one small tanker in the Calgary Reg who had been refused by the infantry because he was too short... just saying!
     
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  17. Ron Goldstein

    Ron Goldstein WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Chaps (and Lasses)

    Read the article I once posted to the Evening standard in 1984.

    I believe it is self explanatory :)

    Ron Evening Standard article on tank drivers.jpg
     
    Last edited: Apr 18, 2017
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  18. MrEd

    MrEd Chief Observer

    excellent thread this, had a relative that was a bren gun carrier driver in ww2, died at cassino unfortunately :(
     
  19. ceolredmonger

    ceolredmonger Member

    The old coaching entrance arch to a pub I used to drink in had reputedly been 'modified' by a Carrier during the war. Whether the driver was arriving or leaving may reflect on the carrier's driving qualities.
     
  20. chrisgrove

    chrisgrove Senior Member

    In order to be a fast jet pilot in today's RAF, you must not be too long in the leg (specifically from hip to knee). Otherwise, if you have to eject, you are likely to leave your leg (from knee downwards) in the aircraft. No argument about that limitation!
    Chris
     

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