The universal carrier, also known as the bren gun carrier and sometimes simply the bren. Bren light machine gun 2 action gasoperated, tilting bolt rate of fire 500520 roundsmin muzzle velocity 2440 fts 743. We are not affiliated with any arms or gun manufacturer. The bren gun is a series of light machine guns lmg made by britain in the 1930s and used in various roles until 1992.
Original piat live with one display dummy bomb in the cradle. Differences from the british vehicle included a simplified hull design, a different engine and steering system, and a redesigned suspension and track. The universal carrier had the role to ensure the transport and the protection of the infantry under a fire of portable weapons and in particular the transport of a light machine gun bren and its gunners from where the appelation bren carrier. Reproduction world war ii collectable military books for.
According to the manuals, i shouldnt have been shooting the bren without a doughboy helmet 1942 bren small arms training south africa english bren light machine gun description use and mechanism english. In the book surviving bataan and beyond colonel irvin alexander mention useing two brtish gun carriers to counterattack against the japanese landings at aglaloma point. According to the manuals, i shouldnt have been shooting the bren without a doughboy helmet 1942 bren small arms training south africa english. Manuals, handbooks, guidance and training material the bren light machine gun this is a page of uk. The universal carrier had the role to ensure the transport and the protection of the infantry under a fire of portable weapons and in particular the transport of a light machinegun bren and its gunners from where the appelation bren carrier. The bren gun carrier also was used in the philipinnes during the battle for bataan. Commonly known as the bren gun carrier, there were several models and manufacturers of carriers. The universal carrier is a common name describing a family of light armoured. Detailled description of the moving parts of the vehicle. The universal carrier, which was produced in the period 19401960, was based on the principles developed for the original bren gun carrier. Bren gun carrier universal carrier technical details. Though universally referred to as the bren gun carrier, the vehicle was actually designated as the cardenloyd universal carrier hence other the used designation of bren universal gun carrier. Truly, here is a weapon that was useless in its intended role. Bren gun carrier parts prices subject to change without notice.
Universal bren carrier model kit all the model kits at. Universal carriers were usually used for transporting personnel and equipment, mostly support weapons, or as machine gun platforms. It was a latewar unit produced in a single batch of 5,000 in 19441945. Get the best deal for reproduction world war ii collectable military books from the largest online selection at. The new infantry machinegun of the time, the bren gun, was chosen as the weapon for the carrier, and thus was born the true bren gun carrier. Bren manuals the bren light machine gun saw service throughout the british commonwealth. The universal carrier was a fast, lightly armed vehicle developed by the british army to carry infantry across ground defended by smallarms. Pull the breech block carrier into the rear position and make sure that the cartridge has been extracted out of the chamber and ejected out of the firearm. This manual is specifically for this rare variant and is a very rare manual you can find the parts list and other manuals for the standard carriers in my other listings original manual printed in. Through necessity, i have reproduced these parts and others for the restoration of my mk i carrier. Universal carrier 6th airborne armoured reconnaissance regiment.
You can create dioramas with a scale tank model, small scale soldiers, a canon and buildings. Britains universal war machine landcraft robert jackson on. The utility of the vehicle was appreciated, and another vehicle based on it was developed for reconnaissance, dubbed the cavalry carrier. Produced between 1934 and 1960, the vehicle was used widely by british commonwealth forces, polish armed forces in the west and red army by lendlease deliveries during the second world war. Photos of prinses irene brigade shared on the british army 193945 facebook group on 26 september 2019. I have enough toys to do various games with at this point. Tm 30410 handbook on the british army internet archive. Parachute battalions from 1944 had an extra bren in the at platoon. It came about because of the need to rationalise the number of vehicle variations, to use as much common material as possible and to improve the basic vehicle. Before handling the firearm read this manual carefully and. I am able to offer these parts to help you restore your carrier to its original configuration. The machine gun carrier and universal carrier the vickers. Oct 17, 2018 though universally referred to as the bren gun carrier, the vehicle was actually designated as the cardenloyd universal carrier hence other the used designation of bren universal gun carrier. Operation and crew maintenance of the vehicle, including unit adjustment.
Operating instructions and workshop manual for the carrier universal. Bren gun carrier walk around photographies english. Finding aid for military vehicles service manuals collection, 1940. Jun 23, 2018 so im nearing the end of this project. I believe this is the most produced fighting vehicle in history but in reality they are not that impressive on the table or in real life. Bren light machine gun 4 bren carried by a canadian soldier in 1945. The 66man assault troop of british commandos had a nominal establishment of four bren guns. The vehicle was originally designated as the cargo carrier t16, but was renamed as the universal carrier t16 to avoid discrepancy with british nomenclature. Ibg models 172 scale 72024 universal carrier ii mk. The intent of this page is to serve as a repository for useful information on the bren light machine gun, including frequently asked questions, accessories for the bren, and technical information.
This time its 9 bren gun or universal carriers for the army. It was a canadian development with a longer chassis extended 76cm it had lengthened body and an. The universal carrier, also known as the bren gun carrier from the light machine gun armament, is a common name describing a family of light armoured tracked vehicles built by vickersarmstrongs and other companies. Universal carrier bren gun carrier multirole tracked. The universal carrier, also known incorrectly as the bren gun carrier is a common name describing a family of light armoured tracked vehicles built by vickersarmstrong. An infantry battalion also had a carrier platoon, equipped with universal carriers, each of which carried a bren gun. Bren light machine gun reference page bren light machine. It was known as the queen of carriers and was built in windsor, ontario canada. Carrier 2pdr modified bren gun carrier aust illustrated. The universal carrier, also known as the bren gun carrier and sometimes simply the bren carrier from the light machine gun armament, is a common name describing a family of light armoured tracked vehicles built by vickersarmstrongs and other companies the first carriers the bren carrier and the scout carrier with specific roles entered service before the war, but a single improved. The universal carrier is a common name describing a family of light armoured tracked vehicles built by vickersarmstrong. Aug 26, 2011 as a followup to the bren video, i figure i should post the bren gun documents that we have right now. While best known for its role as the british and commonwealth forces primary infantry lmg in world war ii, it was also used in the korean war and saw service throughout the latter half of the 20th century, including the 1982 falklands war.
Gun mounts for piat rear transit and front action, bren guns rear transit and front action, two rifles and smoke discharger. An antiaircraft machine gun may be mounted on the turret, or it may be on. It was a canadian development with a longer chassis extended 76cm it had lengthened body and an additional wheel. Nov 27, 2015 universal carrier bren gun carrier 02 itzik merkado. Universal carrier in german service for the record. This manual is the australian version of the universal carrier instruction book and is more detailed and better illustrated than its other commonwealth equivalents.
Dug out of a farmers field where it had sat belliedin for 15 years, this vehicle was painstakingly restored and reequipped literally, from the ground up. A collection of manuals and instructions related to firearms, handheld weapons, and other related products. Ford v8 watercooled petrol engine developing 85 bhp. Other tow rope hook is not in picture but i do have it and its included. The universal carrier saw service in korea with the machine gun platoons of infantry battalions serving there. Note the bren gun on its aa mount, and the piat at. There was an unarmoured version called the lloyd carrier, and the armoured version which was the bren carrier. Three generations of the mackie family pose at the exmilitary rally at corowa in front of the recently completed brengun. In 1939, when british soldiers went to france, there were three types of carrier. The universal carrier bren gun carrier is amazing in that a sophisticated, wellfunded military would actually buy and field such a useless weapon and in quantity. The original role envisaged for the universal carrier was for a fast, lightly armed vehicle to carry infantry across ground denied by smallarms fire and specifically, the bren light machine gun and its team, hence the name bren gun carrier. First of all we get just two men to man the antitank gun one holding a shell and one presumably doing everything else. Photo gallery on a bren gun carrier, the cardenloyd universal carrier, often called brencarrier is a carrier of infantry designed in 1935 in the united kingdom and built by vickersarmstrong.
Many manuals for the bren were published to aid in maintenance and operation, including commercially available manuals for the british home guard. New reprint restored and digitally enhanced from a nice original. Service instruction but was published as a separate publication in 1943 and covers all repairs. Universal carrier bren gun carrier 02 itzik merkado. This manual is the illustrated parts list for the 2 pounder carrier variant of the machine gun carrier, known to many as the bren gun carrier. As the bren light machine gun was the standard squad support machine gun in service to the british army, it was no wonder that the bren gun carrier was. Carrier machine gun bren gun australian instruction. A more proper term is universal carrier, as these were the most common types of carrier, and even within this type of carrier, there are various makes and models. Feb 16, 2010 the intent of this page is to serve as a repository for useful information on the bren light machine gun, including frequently asked questions, accessories for the bren, and technical information. Pacific wrecks bren gun carrier technical information.
Universal carrier 6th airborne armoured reconnaissance. The bren gun was the standard light machine gun of the canadian army from 1939 to the late 1950s. Windsor carrier was a canadianbuilt variation of the universal carrier aka bren gun carrier. They included the bren gun carrier, scout carrier and cavalry carrier alongside the universal carrier. Nov 4, 2016 the universal carrier, also known as aka the bren gun carrier the unsung hero of the british army from the light machine gun armament,3 is a common name describing a family of light armored tracked vehicles built by vickersarmstrong and other companies. Varied between 25 depending on the role of the vehicle. It was too poorly protected to support infantry with direct fire and too small to carry any useful load. Ix gun designated 4cm pak 192e by the germans, mounted on the universal carrier. As a followup to the bren video, i figure i should post the bren gun documents that we have right now.
In 1930, when the british army set out to find a replacement for the lewis gun, and despite holding trials on several different weapons, the british military attache in prague sent in a report on a new weapon being built in czechoslovakia by brno. The first carriers the bren carrier and the scout carrier with specific roles entered service before the war, but a single. Carrier machine gun bren gun australian instruction book. Lloyd carriers where used as tugs for 2pdr or 6pdr guns.
Aug 12, 20 2nd shot is of ians 3 carden loyds now going via warlord as a troop carrier, mortar and mg carrier versions, the unknown utility tractor sold on e bay which works well as a universal tow, at the rear on of reiver minatures carrier types and a self propelled gun that started life as a eastern european type. Bren gun carriers where used as weapon carriers, theres a version with the 3 mortar and a version that mounted a vickers gun. On long marches in nonoperational areas it was often partially disassembled and its parts were carried by two soldiers. The carrier manual was very specific in cautioning officers that brenuniversal carriers were not tanks and should not be used as such. I believe this is the most produced fighting vehicle in history but in reality. Boort, northern country, vic wanted brengun carrier, hull, or parts tracks, equipment boxes, tools, manuals etc. An infantry battalion, ref ii2332, notified in army council instructions 19 may 1943, effective date 30 april. There were several models utilized, including both 6 and 8 bogie wheel versions. This manual supersedes fm 3040, 9 january 1943, including c 1, 19 august 1943.
Includes scanned manuals, flyers, walkthroughs, and advertising. In the british and commonwealth armies, the bren was generally issued on a scale of one per rifle section. These parts are accurate reproductions copied from original samples. It is one of those vehicles that doesnt neatly fit into a more widely accepted category, it was just a carrier, and now doubt bemused any army outside of the brcw nations as to what they were for, especially. Bruce parkers restored canadian ford universal carrier, mki. Universal carrier, bren gun carrier world war photos. Bren sic gun carriers of 53rd striking force, royal armoured corps, passing through a town in southern england, 9 august 1940. Jun 19, 2011 photo gallery on a bren gun carrier, the cardenloyd universal carrier, often called bren carrier is a carrier of infantry designed in 1935 in the united kingdom and built by vickersarmstrong. Wwii universal bren carrier mk2 1944 project market garden duration. Mar 29, 2009 wwii universal bren carrier mk2 1944 project market garden duration. Operating instructions and workshop manual for the carrier universal mark i canadian. All the vehicles listed below were sometimes colloquially referred to as bren gun carriers due to the main armament of the earliest versions used in the british. Press the front disassembly pin from aside the firearm and remove it. A small number was made with captured british early 2pdrs some of the 2pdrs also allegedly came from the belgian army.
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