Countries following our hero is always hidden. It may be an American, and British, and Canadian. A may or Australian general Kiwi. It can be different. Perform very different functions in the different armies of the world.
But at the same time it is the main armored personnel carrier of the British Commonwealth armies of the nations and the most massive BTR WWII. FROM 1937 by 1945 years such machines produced about 90 000 units!
so, our story today lightweight multipurpose APC Universal Carrier.
We will tell you about the car, which had so many modifications, that just takes your breath away. car, who fought in the British, Australian, Canadian, New Zealand and even the Indian army. car, which is on the eastern front fought on both sides. And RKKA, and the Wehrmacht.
To understand how this machine just need to know the application options. Otherwise, it seems, that on the same chassis made completely different conveyors. Here is a listing of modifications and start.
Bren Carrier Mk 1(11) - basic version armored infantry. combat weight 3,75 t, booking 10 mm, crew 4 man. weaponry: 7,7-mm machine gun Bren. FROM 1938 by 1940 year the company produced Thornycroft 1173 units.
It is this gizmo in many documents refer to as "conveyor belt for machine gun" Bren "or simply" Bren ".
Scout Carrier - reconnaissance version. Compared to the base it is additionally equipped with a radio station №11 and anti-tank rifle Boys. Armored was only starboard. Crew 3 man. manufactured 647 units.
Cavalry Carrier - modification, destined for mechanized cavalry regiments. The boards were unarmored, established radio station number 11 and a protective awning. Crew 6 human. manufactured 50 units.
АОР Carrier Mk 1(11) - machine advanced artillery observers. Constructive and komponovke similar Cavalry Carrier. manufactured 95 units.
Universal Carrier Mk 1(11, III) -The main serial English version. Open-topped welded housing a simple rectangular shape, chassis with three supporting rollers. Machines of different years of release were minor differences in the design of the power plant, housing and equipment.
Universal Carrier Mk I* (C01UC) - Canadian version of an armored personnel carrier, identical in design and appearance of the English version. combat weight 3,56 t, Engine Ford V-8 power 85 HP.
Apart from the main, issued options C21UCM (Self-propelled 3-inch mortar) and C21UCG (propelled 2-pounder anti-tank gun, fabricated 20 PC. at 1942 city). FROM 1941 by 1945 year firms Ford Motor Co and Dominion Bridge Co made 28 992 units.
MG Carrier (LP № 1, 2,2A) - option, Produced in Australia. Welded body and chassis are similar to Universal Carrier Mk I. combat weight 3,68 t, Engine Ford V-8 power 95 HP. manufactured 5500 units.
Loyd Carrier - variant with four support rollers, developed in the 1940 year British firm Vivian Loyd & with. combat weight 3,78 t, dimensions 4140x2070x1422 mm. Engine Ford V-8 power 85 HP.
Besides English, on the part of the machine is installed American Ford engines power 85, 90 and 95 HP. Manufactured by Loyd, Dennis, Ford (4213 units in 1943- 1944 years), Sentinel и Wolseley.
Windsor Carrier Mk I (C49WC) - Canadian armored vehicle chetyrehkatkovy. combat weight 4,67 t, dimensions 4370x2110x1450 mm (height with awning - 2030 mm). Engine Ford V-8 power 95 hp, speed 50 kmh. In 1944-1945 years the company Ford Motor Co and Canadian Bridge Over, fabricated 5000 units.
Universal Carrier T16 - an American version of an armored personnel carrier, developed by the British request. A housing similar Universal Carrier Mk I. Chassis with four support rollers. combat weight 4,76 t, dimensions 3860x2110x1550 mm. Engine Ford GAU-T16 power 100 HP. at 3600 rev / min, Max, speed 48,3 kmh. Crew 5 human. FROM 1943 by 1945 year manufactured 13 893 units.
The Soviet Union was delivered 2 208 units of the armored personnel carrier.
Naturally, these machines went to the intelligence units of armored and mechanized units and formations. such, as a motorcycle reconnaissance battalions, motorcycle Regiment, Tank Brigade mechanized corps. Soviet soldiers successfully used these kids up to the end of the war.
At this point, most often write, that machines of this class in the Red Army was not. With this it is possible to agree, if we consider this machine by name and by appointment. But… In the USSR, a whole range of similar conveyors has been developed by this time! But they called light tractors.
Remember «perevertыsha» «pioneer» 37 plant them. Ordzhonikidze, sample 1937 of the year. more precisely, two «pioneers». options B1, where troops sat kicking out, and B2, with landing feet inside. Yes, these cars were produced in all 50 units. They did not take root in the army because of the small capacity and instability on turns. And the draft force of the tractor left much to be desired.
And that's created in the same factory at the end of 1936 , the designer of the NA. Astrov full-speed armored tracked tractor "Komsomoletz" T-20 (factory index 020) It was really good.
Basically, if the Soviet Union would enable production capacity to produce the tractor and more (were terminated 1941 year due to the need for the production of light tanks), its transformation into a conveyor for the infantry was a logical.
Subjunctive for technical engineering and design solutions is risky. In hindsight you can always find the right way to resolve some long-standing technical and technological problems. Yes, and «make big eyes»-this is an obvious solution!
Therefore, let us return to our hero. Especially, that the process «birth» "Universal" and "Komsomolets" is practically the same. «Parents» these machines for a long time engaged in light tanks. And by the time the machine design are almost identical.
The first samples of armored vehicles family, created on the basis of a light tank (Tanketka) «Vikkers-Karden-Lloyd», They were released in 1937-1938 years. It was the low open-topped armored vehicles, adapted for the installation of guns «Vikkers» and «Bren».
Western experts generally believe Englishwoman prototype for most European tankettes. But the British army did not take the car. No improvements were not successful. It could be considered, this machine is initially unsuccessful.
multi-purpose armored personnel carrier - «Touring», He appeared in 1940 year. It was intended for use as a reconnaissance vehicle in the infantry and reconnaissance units, tractor for artillery systems, observation and command vehicles, belts for machine guns, mortars and flamethrowers.
Consider the car more closely. Chassis first modification was carried out with three support rollers on board, subsequent modifications have four road wheels on board. Suspension of the car was blocked on two rollers with coil springs. Caterpillar metal Melkozvenchataya.
Is driven by a V-shaped four-stroke gasoline engine «Ford» power 100 HP. The engine was installed in the power department, located at the rear of the machine, It also mounted a mechanical 5-speed gearbox and steering clutches.
management offices and a landing located at the front of the machine. Here, depending on the destination machine is mounted weapons, equipment or placed troops in the amount of 3-4 human.
Low ground pressure (order 0,45 kg / sq. cm.) and the presence of a powerful engine enabled the designers to combine the two in the car often exclude each other ü High quality throughput and speed.
When he was a child his father to each one of the authors of this material, razvedchyk-armed tankyst, He talked about the American, which fought. Then the story sounded like a legend. It was only after some time it became clear, that we are in this story was just about «wagon».
Belonged to the armored personnel carrier that Soviet intelligence ambiguous. One side, The machine is easy and enough speed. A soldier is always better to go bad, than good to go. On the other hand, a car «mocked» scouts over the full program.
The thing is, that intelligence recruited enough people strong physique. And the soldiers' uniforms were not made of modern materials. Especially in winter. quilted jacket, overcoat, cotton the pants. And in the construction of the "Universal" was one piece, that made the lives of troops (in summer), the group commander and driver (in winter) unbearable.
Engine location aft forced designers to position the engine hood in the troop compartment. sort of «table» in the center. And scouts sat with his back to the sides, resting his knees in this table! And, taking into account the dimensions of the soldiers and the machine dimensions, knees from the hood to push, too, was problematic. Now imagine the summer somewhere in the south of Russia. And hot engine hood, in which you rest against knees.
True commander and the driver in the driving compartment in this embodiment, only laughed. They do not come into contact with the hot metal. conversely, wind blew. riding is not, and resort.
But in winter the commander and driver at any stop got over «sit at the table» in the troop compartment. Winter breeze made the ride in torture management department. It was then already made fun scouts…
In the Red Army under the Lend-Lease supplied only machines "Universal" Mk1. Other modifications to the Soviet soldiers were not intended. That versatility and command of our army attracted to these machines.
For completeness, the story of this car is worth quoting the example of the use of armored combat. Story, that we do not publish memories today, a description of the feat in premium sheet Soviet soldier.
At the end 1943 the Soviet troops, defeat of the Nazis on the river. breast, reached the Perekop. Brigade of the 19th Panzer Corps dismembered Mountain Division Nazis. Enemy column rushing the steppe, We are hoping to break away from our troops and make their way to the Crimea.
To monitor one of these columns to approach our parts was charged reconnaissance Lieutenant Galyamova. The group had two armored personnel carriers «Touring» and a motorcycle with a sidecar.
«In the area of Novo-Natalevka one of our reconnaissance armored vehicles fired at the enemy and went for straw stack. Here the scouts captured «language» - sluggish soldier from column nazi.
The prisoner turned out to be a clerk Divisional Headquarters. He said, that the column command with a group of soldiers had left forward. The scouts rushed in the direction indicated. And indeed, at 10 km south of New Natalevka in corn, they found a group of fascists.
Coming under machine-gun fire from armored personnel carriers, Germans surrendered. In captivity, along with the protection of the soldiers were deputy commander Mountain Division, Chief of Staff and the Chief of the Medical Service«.
Basically, this story can and finish. But there is one question, which is quite often heard after the story about this car. steering wheel! «Touring» The Manager does not leverage, like a tank or tractor, a «road driving». In the first half 20 Century tracked vehicle with «road» management.
The subtext of the question is clear. And if the steering wheel was on a wheeled transporter variants? what, it would seem, easier to go down the same path, in which Americans were. «seat» on the chassis of the truck body and ready to receive wheeled armored vehicle or a wheeled armored vehicle.
Really, Such attempts were. First we decided to go this way Britons. They do not even have to look for a new chassis. In 1940, housing «wagon» We put on the armored car chassis «Grove». However, this resulted in only a symbiosis sewing performance.
The next attempt «okolesit» «Touring» Canadians have taken in 1944 year. Designers have tried to put the body in the Canadian truck chassis «Ford» 4X4. The result was about the same, like the British. Both variants of the wheel «wagon» and were experienced.
TTH Universal Armored Personnel Carrier Mk I:
Weight, t: 3,7
Crew, people: 4-5
dimensions, mm:
— length - 3657,
— width - 2057,
— height -1588,
— clearance -203.
weaponry: 1 Boys anti-tank rifle caliber 13,97 mm, 1 Bren-caliber machine gun 7,7 mm (could be mounted anti-aircraft machine gun Bren).
ammunition: 80 caliber 13,97 mm, 900 caliber 7,7 mm.
booking, mm:
— forehead -10,
— board and feed -7.
Engine: Ford 6АЕ, 8-cylinder, carburettor, four-cycle, V-Shaped, liquid cooling; power 60 HP. at 2840 rev / min; working volume 3600 cc.
Speed, kmh: 40
Power reserve, km: 180
obstacles:
— angle of elevation, city. — 28,
— wall height, m - 0,5,
— the width of the ditch, 1,6 m,
— depth ship, m - 0,6.
