UNIVERSAL CARRIER Mk. I, II & III

UNIVERSAL CARRIER Mk. I, II & III
Image: Universal Carrier (IWM)
Year1936 (Mk. I) 1942 (Mk. II) 1943 (Mk. III)
Vehicle TypeFully Tracked Armoured Carrier
Origin & DesignerBritain/Various
Numbers Produced118.000 (A
CrewMk. I: 3.
Mk. II: 4.
Mk. III: 4.
Mk. I 3in Mortar Carrier: 5.
Mk. I & II MMG Carrier: 4.
Main ArmamentVarious
Main Armament[@sponson_traverse]
Elevation[@elevation]
Turret Traverse[@turret_traverse]
Gun Traverse[@gun_traverse]
Gun Mount[@gun_mounts]
Maximum Range[@maximum_range]
Armour Penetration[@armour_penetration]
Gun Sight[@gun_sight]
Secondary Armament[@secondary_armament]
Smoke Discharger[@smoke_discharger]
Ammunition Carried[@ammunition_carried]
Height1.57m
Width2.06m
Length3.65m
Combat WeightMk. I: 4.074 kg.
Mk. II: 4.287 kg.
Mk. III: 4.287 kg.
Mk. I 3in Mortar Carrier: 4.308 kg.
Mk. I & II MMG Carrier: 4.175 kg.
Ground Clearance0.20m
Fording Depth0.91m
Trench Crossing0.06m
Obstacle Clearance0.71m
Climbing Ability30°
Radio[@radio]
ArmourHull Front: 12mm.
Hull Sides: 10mm.
Hull Rear: 10mm.
Hull Top: 10mm.
Hull Bottom: 7mm.
Fighting Compartment: Open.
EngineFord V8 (Petrol)
Transmission4 Forward & 1 Reverse
Maximum Road Range235 km
Maximum Cross Country Range137 km
Maximum Water Range[@maximum_water_range]
Maximum Road Speed47 kph
Maximum Cross Country Speed26 kph
Maximum Water Speed[@maximum_water_speed]
Variants[@variants]
NotesWhen the British army needed a vehicle to replace their Dragon artillery tractors, Vickers came up with the a fully tracked vehicle able to carry machine gun teams and tow light guns, and this was finally adopted as the Universal Carrier. The carrier was used carry such weapons as the Boys anti-tank rifle, PIAT, .303 Bren & Vickers machine guns, 2in & 3in mortars, and 2 pdr & 6 pdr anti-tank guns. During WW2 each British Infantry Battalion had a Carrier Platoon containing between ten and thirteen carriers.