Universal Carrier Number 1 Mark III

The Universal Carrier, also known as the Bren Gun Carrier, was a light armoured tracked vehicle built by Vickers-Armstrong from 1934 onwards.

Extensively used by British and Commonwealth forces during the Second World War, Universal Carriers could be used to transport personnel and equipment and provide fire support with their mounted BREN gun.

With some 113,000 built, it was the most produced armoured fighting vehicle in history. The Universal Carrier was adapted for airborne use, to allow Hamilcar glider to carry 2 Carriers, from 1943 onwards. Numerous changes were required after trials by the Airborne Forces Development Centre including:
Removal of the lower rear armour plate
Removal of tool rack, camouflage net and locker
Removal of mud shields and mud scraper
Removal of lamps
Removal of spare wheel
Removal of front loop hole cover
Removal of Petrol Cans
Addition of mounting for 3” mortar on rear structure

The Airborne Universal Carrier was deployed on Operations Market Garden and Varsity with some success. The Carriers, despite their thin armour, proved to be a useful vehicle to transport men and equipment.

Length12ft (3.65m)

Width6ft 9in (2.06m)

Height5ft 2in (1.57m)

Crew3

Armour7-10mm

Armament1 x Bren LMG

Speed30mph (48km/h)

Details

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Universal Carrier. Operation and Maintenance Manual.

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Universal Carrier. Table of lubricants.

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Photos_7

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Sea-borne Universal Carrier passes a crash landed glider, June 1944.

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Front view of the Airborne Universal Carrier, AFDC, June 1944.

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Rear view of the Airborne Universal Carrier, AFDC, June 1944.

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Near side view of the Airborne Universal Carrier, AFDC, June 1944.

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Off side view of the Airborne Universal Carrier, AFDC, June 1944.

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A Hamilcar glider, airborne motorcycle and Universal Carrier on the Rhine Crossing landing zone, March 1945.

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Troops of 1 Parachute Pl, 716 Light Comp Coy RASC aboard a Universal Carrier, Hamminkeln, March 1945.

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Official documents_12

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Document detailing the modifications required for the front of the Universal Carrier, AFDC, 1944.

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Document detailing the modifications required for the front of the Universal Carrier, AFDC, 1944.

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Document detailing the modifications required for the near side of the Universal Carrier, AFDC, 1944.

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Document detailing the modifications required for the near side of the Universal Carrier, AFDC, 1944.

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Document detailing the modifications required for the off side of the Universal Carrier, AFDC, 1944.

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Document detailing the modifications required for the off side of the Universal Carrier, AFDC, 1944.

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Document detailing the modifications required for the rear interior of the Universal Carrier, AFDC, 1944.

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Document detailing the modifications required for the rear interior of the Universal Carrier, AFDC, 1944.

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Document detailing the modifications required for the front interior of the Universal Carrier, AFDC, 1944.

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Document detailing the modifications required for the front interior of the Universal Carrier, AFDC, 1944.

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Document detailing the modifications required for the rear of the Universal Carrier, AFDC, 1944.

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Document detailing the modifications required for the rear of the Universal Carrier, AFDC, 1944.

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