Universal Carriers
Ford of Canada were contracted to produce tracked carriers to WD specification and were supplied with a sample vehicle from the UK registration number HMH241. A small production facility was set up costing $700,000 and ten hand built carriers were built. The first carrier was finished on Feb 18 1941, eight months after receiving the order. Series production of the 'Universal' Carrier commenced and the 1000th carrier was produced on July 12 1941 and the last of 28,988 on Jan 22 1945.
The US built Ford T16 carrier was supplied to Canadian Forces under the Lend-Lease agreement. The Windsor Carrier or C49WC ( Army Vehicle Code UC-5 ) ran to exactly 5,000 with the last built on April 26 1945.
The carrier was adapted for many roles including fitting artillery pieces such as the 2 pdr (C21UCG) and flamethrowing equipment, but the most common uses were Universal, Medium Machine Gun, Welsh Guards Stowage (C31UCW) and 3" Mortar (C21UCM). The Universal Mk1 and Mk2 was known as the CO1UC. The No 3 Mk2 Universal was coded the UC-4 and the 3" Mortar the UC-2.
| Universal Carrier | Windsor Carrier | |
| Engine cylinders | V8 | V8 |
| Engine rating | 85 bhp @ 3000 rpm | 95 bhp @ 3600 rpm |
| Gears | 4F 1R | 4F 1R X2 |
| Weight | 7910 lb | 9350 lb |
| Size | 148" x 83" x 63" | 172" x 83" x 57" |
| Crew | 3 | 2 to 5 |
| Bridge Classification | 4 | 5 |
| Fording depth | 20" | 36" |
| Trench crossing | 36" | 63" |
| Fuel consumption | 4 mpg | 4 mpg |
| Fuel tank | 20 gals | 22 gals |
| Max speed | 33 mph | 30 mph |
| Max laden weight | 9800 lb | 10,820 lb |
| Min turning circle | 15' | 17' |
| Ground clearance | 8" | 10" |
| Ground pressure | 6.4 psi | 7.2 psi |
| Electrical system | 6V | 12V |
| Track width | 9. 1/2" | 10" |
| Number of bogie wheels | 6 | 8 |
| Maintenance manual | UC-F2 | WC-OM1 |
Some pictures of carriers
