Chuck,
If you're referring to the WW2-vintage T-16 universal-type carrier, the basic
facts are these: it was an American-manufactured light armoured vehicle built
according to a rough British/Canadian specification fopr a U.S. equivalent of
the famous 'Universal', or 'Bren Gun' Carrier.
U.S. engineers elected to make certain modifications to suit their manufacturing
processes, and the result was a robust, reliable carrier which was if anything
an improvement on the basic Commonwealth concept. The T-16 proved most adept at
carrying or towing heavier loads, and most served as heavy mortar carriers or
towing vehicles for the famous and effective six-pounder antitank gun then in
service with Commonwealth armies.
The entire production of the T-16 was earmarked for British and Commonwealth
service through lendlease, where it performed a unique and critical function as
described above.
As Jim Gilmore will happily cite, the American T-16 was also marginally
amphibious, unlike British and Canadian carriers. It was powered by a Ford
Mercury 239ci flahead V8 engine, developing 95hp. Steering was by a unique
layout of four tiller bars, two of which initiated a slight braking action for
minor changes in direction, and two of which acted upon a more conventional
tank-type differential brake, for more radical turns. This was in marked
contrast to the Commonwealth carriers, which utilized a combination of
progressive track-warp and braking through a steering wheel.
The T-16 also employed four roadwheels on each side, in contrast to the normal
three for Commonwealth Universals. This gave much-improved stability and
enhanced load-carrying, hence its practical mission. In 1944, the Canadians
developed and manufactured what is called the Windsor Carrier, which employed
the same four roadwheels on an extended 'wheelbase', but the T-16 continued in
Commonwealth service to the end of the war, and in European hands, well after.
As with any carrier, the 'weak link' has always been the track. Although
relative ground pressure is low, permitting any carrier to operate on normal
hard surfaces in normal ambient air temperatures with undue damage to the road,
carriers are notoriously uncontrolled on such surfaces, with a tendency to break
loose and slide every which way if the operator is not careful. There is no
practical method of 'coating their tracks with rubber', or any other substance,
either for traction or to limit damage to hot asphalt.
In addition, be advised that any carrier track is extremely susceptible to
breakage or throwing if it is too loose or if packed with mud, grass or other
natural debris. One must be concious all the time of one's driving surface or
environment.
In addition, you should be aware that there is little to no NOS track remaining,
so a carrier owner must be careful in his usage of same. Track salvaged from
other carriers can be used, but with caution - on carriers, track and sprockets
were mated over time (as chains and sprockets are with motorcycles to this day),
and a mismatch CAN lead to problems if overextended.
In terms of remaining, vintage T-16s, also be advised there were no radical
'tank-hunting' versions (at least in production), and many of the carriers found
today will have a portion of their front armour removed for improved visibility
for the civilians who purchased them after the war. T-16s had no fixed armaments
of their own, but were expected to be defended by the small arms carried by
their crews.
A few (bad) pics and more information on original T-16s can be found on my
website MAPLE LEAF UP, URL as in my signature block. Go
contents/vehicles/carriers/t16 to see more...
I would certainly like to hear the first-hand impressions of current T-16
owners, of which we have a few on this list!
Lastly, if the original post was not about the T-16 Universal-type carrier as
discussed, then I apologize in advance for the length of this missive...
-- Regards,Geoff Winnington-Ball MAPLE LEAF UP! ==> Zephyr, Ontario, Canada ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Maple Leaf Up - The Canadian Army Overseas in WW2 http://www.mapleleafup.org ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1st Canadian Armoured Carrier Regiment http://www.1cacr.org ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ TankNet Military Forums http://www.tanknet.org ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SETOYOTA@aol.com wrote:
> Can anyone tell me about this vehicle? Are tracks easy to find? Is it > possible to coat tracks with a rubber like material in order to drive on > payment? Is the vehicle light enough to be driven on the street as is?
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