Greetings all,

Having decided that my M7 Priest was not a suitable passenger for my LCM, I've decided on a Bren Carrier with Deep Wading Gear. I've got the kits organised, the AM set from Resicast, but wanted to get more information before I start the build which won't be for some time yet, but as they say preparation and planning.

Also Accurate Armour have indicated that they will be doing repalcement tracks for the universal carrier so I'm also waiting on those to appear, or find a suitable replacement for ther Tamiya ones.

So can anyone help me with photos, drawings or things to what out for during the build and how did the driver see where he was going, did the commander stand up to give directions?

Any thoughts or help, as always would be much appreciated.

Cheers

Al


Oops should have mentioned it will be a Canadian vehicle.

Oh yes, and something else before I forget, does anyone know if any decals for 3rd Canadian Infantry Division exist, I don't remember coming across any anywhere yet.

A

Hello again Al,

Geoff Lacey's Plan Series covers the Universal Carrier with 3 inch Mortar No.1 Mk.1.

This featured in John Rulton's article that appeared in Army & Navy Modelworld June 1984 (with D-Day and Caen pictures) so you could try and ask Geoff for a copy at the same time.

From:- 315A South Lane, New Malden, Surrey, KT3 5RR, UK. NB: Please enclose SAE if in UK or 2-4 International Reply Coupons for US to cover postage.

Regards, John-B
MAFVA Information Officer

Alan, had a bit if a dig through my books tonight. Can't find that many pics of Bren Gun carriers with the deep wading kit....but... One book, Overlord Jour "J" en Normandie ISBN 2-84048-0190 has some decent pics (it's in English as well as French)which I bought it in Ste Mere Eglise.It shows BGC's with deep wading screens. The photos are taken inland and the panel in front of the driver is removed but the rest left where it is. From that I'd say that the gunner would have to stand up to give directions if the entire screen was used. I can't put the pics up as my scanner packed up a few months back. . I have to say though that this is without a doubt the best photo reference book on Normandy I've seen. I bought the follow up- Battaile De Normandie Normandy Invasion 11juin-29 aout 1944 ISBN 2- 84048- 026- 3 at the same time which is equally superb. Both are 500 plus pages which are mainly photos. They weren't cheap (well I didn't think so) as they equated to about 30 quid each (didn't fully understand Euros until I got my credit card statement...LOL) but they are a definite investment. Hope that's of some help.

Alan, good news! I've found two more pics of BGC's coming off landing craft in the Steven Zaloga book D-Day Tank warfare by Concord. The gunner is standing in both pics so it's evident the driver has no idea where he's going! :-)

Hi John and Karl,

Thanks for that information, it's as I thought then, someone had to direct the driver, I bet he felt pretty vunerable

Cheers for that, I'll follow it up again when I get back from my hols.

Cheers

Al

After all that hard work on the M7 you're not going to use it? What project are you going to do with the M7?

Hi Alan,

Don't worry I'm going to use the M7 but just not as the passenger for the LCM 3. It will go on the left of the dio, wading onto the shore line or just on the beach. This would also be more historically accurate as they unloaded from LCTs.

The problem was size and the given weather condidionns on 6th June, Just loading a normal sized M7 would have been difficult, but one with the extended armour probably impossible given the weather conditions on the day. I got some 'salty dog' opinons and even in calm fine weather it would have been a difficult job, not impossible but very tricky.

I have a photo that shows an M7 just to the left of the sea wall in an open sandy area so it will fit in there or just emerging from the sea very nicely - I hope LOL, LOL.

Cheers

Al

Model Kasten makes a nice set of tracks for the Universal Carrier, comes with white metal replacement drive wheels also. K-16 is the number.