 | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (January 2009) |
| Universal Carrier | |
|---|---|
_9-08-2008_14-53-48_(2).JPG) preserved Universal Carrier as mortar carrier, 2008 | |
| Type | Armoured personnel carrier / weapon carrier |
| Place of origin | United Kingdom |
| Service history | |
| Used by | United Kingdom British Commonwealth France |
| Wars | |
| Production history | |
| No. built | 113,000 |
| Specifications (Universal Carrier, Mk 1) | |
| Mass |
|
| Length | 12 ft (3.66 m)[1] |
| Width | 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)[1] |
| Height | 5 ft 2 in (1.57 m) |
| Crew | 3 |
| Armour | 7–10 mm |
Main armament | Bren light machine gun / Boys anti-tank rifle |
Secondary armament | one Vickers machine gun / M2 Browning machine gun / 2-inch mortar/3-inch mortar / Projector, Infantry, Anti-Tank |
| Engine | 3.9-litre (238 cu in) Ford V8 petrol[2] 85 hp (63 kW) at 3,500 rpm[2] |
| Suspension | Horstmann |
| Fuel capacity | 20 imp gal (91 L)[1] |
Operational range | 150 mi (240 km)[2] |
| Maximum speed | 30 mph (48 km/h)[2] |
The Universal Carrier, a development of the earlier Bren Gun Carrier from its light machine gun armament,[3] was one of a family of light armoured tracked vehicles built by Vickers-Armstrongs and other companies.
The first carriers – the Bren Gun Carrier and the Scout Carrier which had specific roles – entered service before the war, but a single improved design that could replace these, the Universal, was introduced in 1940.
The vehicle was used widely by British Commonwealth forces during the Second World War. Universal Carriers were usually used for transporting personnel and equipment, mostly support weapons, or as machine gun platforms.