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Post by batteryboy on Jun 24, 2009 22:02:51 GMT 8
Hi Guys, EXO and I visited my good friend Josec at the AFP Museum at Camp Aguinaldo and we were treated with our own version on interactive tour (i.e - being allowed to touch and cary the ordnance on display). So here it goes. Batteryboy in all smiles EXO telling Fots to eat his heart out with the Japanese Knee Mortar So here are the other goodies inside: Arisaka Type 38 Carbine (6.5mm) Here is close up of the stamp. Dan, need your expertise here. Model 11 6.5mm light MG From bottom up: Japanese Type 100 sub machinegun, Arisaka Type 38 (6.5mm), Type 99 7.7mm IJN 7.7mm Lewis Type MG used in Japanese Navy aircraft. A replica to Lt. General Masaharu Homma's uniform 20mm cannon from a Japanese Zero Japanese Model 94 37mm AT gun. Mock up for a Bren carrier that served with the USAFFE. There are lot of other stuff like modern weaponry. Maybe EXO can post some his pics as I only took photos of the WWII ones. Cheers,
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Post by victor on Jun 25, 2009 0:33:11 GMT 8
They changed the uniform of the last mannequin picture. It used to look like this. click for bigger He's still wearing a British helmet and black shoes. Too bad the gas mask bag is missing the strap. Maybe I can find a spare to donate. Thanks for posting the pics.
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Post by The Phantom on Jun 25, 2009 1:02:27 GMT 8
Lucky bast****s. HANDS ON HUH?
Saw the picture of a British Bren gun carrier.
So how did it end up in the fight for the Philippines?
From, "THE FALL OF THE PHILIPPINES"
20 DECEMBER 1941
'THE JAPANESE ATTACK HAD LEFT MAROONED IN MANILA HARBOR, THE DON JOSE, A VESSEL BELONGING TO THE CANADIAN GOVERNMENT AND CARRYING A CARGO OF MOTOR EQUIPMENT FOR 2 CANADIAN BATTALIONS IN HONG KONG.
MACARTHUR IMMEDIATELY REQUESTED THAT THIS MATERIAL BE RELEASED FOR USE IN THE PHILIPPINES AND THE WAR DEPT. SECURED THE CANADIAN GOVERNMENTS CONSENT.
THE CARGO INCLUDED 57 BREN GUN CARRIERS. UNFORTUNATELY GUNS WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE CARGO, AND THEY HAD TO BE ARMED AT THE MANILA ORDINANCE DEPOT. "
I BELIEVE THE BREN GUN CARRIERS WERE BUILT IN BRITAIN, CANADA AND AUSTRALIA.
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Post by mgk1951 on Jun 25, 2009 8:56:55 GMT 8
Hi
The "Bren Gun Carrier" was indeed built in Britain, Canada and Australia. The carriers on the Don Jose were probably Canadian made. Production of the Universal Carrier commenced in Canada in February 1941, so the time frame is correct.
Some information regarding carrier production:
The official name Bren Gun Carrier refers to the predecessors of the Universal Carrier. The predecessors include the models Machine Gun, Bren Gun, Scout and Cavalry Carriers. The Universal Carrier was a combination of these models.
Canadian manufactured vehicle closely followed the British Universal Design, however, a lot of modification and improvement changes were made during Canadian production. These changes were incorporated in British production. All were powered by the 221 cubic inch Ford V8.
The Australian connection is somewhat different. A Bren Gun Carrier was sent to Australia to form the basis of the Local Production of Carriers. A small number of Carriers MG LP1, resembling the Bren Gun Carrier and powered by the 221 cubic inch Ford V8 engine, were manufactured.
Next came the decision to produce the Universal Carrier in Australia. Australian manufacturing engineers must have taken one look at the design and said we can't make that. And set about redesigning the Universal Carrier to fit manufacturing techniques available in Australia.
The resultant Australian Carrier LP2 and LP2A are quite distinctive in that they were larger, heavier and powered by the 239 cubic inch Ford V8. The hulls were welded.
Back to the cargo of the Don Jose, the lack of armament would not have influenced the use of these carriers. The weaponry for the Carrier used the British .303 calibre cartridge, so the fitting of US weapons was necessary either way.
It is great that the Camp Aginaldo Museum has a replica of a carrier as part of its displays. It's very well done.
How did they perform? Spares may have been a problem.
It is an interesting thought that the cargo of the Don Jose may have included some Canadian Military Pattern trucks as well. There is the remains of a 1940 or 1941 model CMP truck cab at the YMCA building on Corregidor.
Regards
mgk
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Post by batteryboy on Jun 25, 2009 11:33:04 GMT 8
Hi mgk,
Believe it or not, the mock up Bren is made of wood and thin metal sheet frame. I know the person responsible for the mock up and he even made an M3 light tank for a documentary shoot made entirely of wood. Even the track links of the Bren were carved from wood. For the wheels they used hubs from a BMX bike.
The cargo of the SS Don Jose (a Canadian ship) was in the process of being requested to be transferred to the USAFFE. My ever trusty "Shelf Of Doom" coughed up a letter from the War Department, Supply Division addressed to a certain Colonel Mallon, dated December 19, 1941. Here are the contents of the letter:
Subject Canadian Boats in Manila
It was determined from Command McKinley, Canadian Royal Navy Reserve that there was one boat in Manila that had supplies on it for the Canadian Government. The manifest was in the hands of the Quarter Master's General's Office in Ottawa, Canada. Colonel Spearing, of this latter's office furnishes the following information:
- 446 tire assemblies - 90 tires - 6 carton tubes - 20 cases motor truck stores - 1600 pieces of auto parts - 45 Harley Davidson motorcycles - 25 boxes of Harley Davidson parts - 15 3-ton cahsis, cabs and special bodies - 48 3/4 ton trucks with van bodies - 2 3/4 ton trcuks with water tanks - 57 universal gun carriers - 153 cases of autoparts - 190 boxes of auto parts - 2 loose packages - 6 sedans - 48 trucks - 15 trucks with van bodies - 1 box auto parts.
All motor vehicles are boxed. Total ship tonnage 1836; total weight tonnage 693. this equipment is the complete equipment of two motorized infantry battalions and all vehicles are FORD and GMC. Any arrangement for transfer of this propertry should be handled through the Master General of the Ordnance. The boat is the SS DON JOSE, either in Manila or in Mindanao.
Singed
CP GROSS Colonel, General Staff Chief, Transportation Branch
Cheers, batteryboy
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Post by fots2 on Jun 25, 2009 11:49:48 GMT 8
Looks like you guys has a great day. Nice photos. Thanks for posting.
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Post by mgk1951 on Jun 25, 2009 17:24:54 GMT 8
Hi batteryboy I'm amazed by the craftsmanship that has gone into the full size model of the "Bren Carrier". Undertaking the construction of a full sized M3 Light Tank is beyond belief - I hope it survives. The cargo list of items on the Don Jose is very interesting and probably confirms that the remains of the Canadian Military Pattern truck cab at the Corregidor YMCA was part of the cargo of that ship. The lists includes 3/4 ton (15 cwt) and 3 ton trucks. The weight designations also applied to Commercial Pattern Trucks. However, the CMP cab remains would hint that some of the cargo was CMP Trucks with No.11 and/or No.12 Cabs (i.e. 1940 and/or 1941 Model Cabs). Both Chevrolet and Ford produced these trucks. The 2 x 3/4 ton Trucks with Water Tanks, if CMP they should have been 1941 Chevrolets. CMP No11 or No12 Cab remains at the YMCA on Corregidor. Photographed from what would have been the left hand side of the vehicle, looking towards the front right corner. CMP 15cwt 1940 Ford with No. 11 cab for comparison. The 1941 No. 12 cab is similar but has a hinged engine hood. Thanks and regards mgk
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Post by batteryboy on Jun 25, 2009 21:19:26 GMT 8
mgk,
Thanks for the explanation on the trucks. Now to dig in deeper into SOD as I know I a few wartime photos of vehciles (other than the standard GMC trucks) used by the USAFFE in 41-42 If I am able to find them, I will post it back here so that you can identify them.
Cheers,
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Post by The Phantom on Jun 26, 2009 4:18:12 GMT 8
You folks are really good at coming up with pictures and answers, very interesting and rewarding to follow.
Now, someone supposedly misplaced some Gold on Corregidor and other riches, any thoughts as to where.........Oh just forget it.....
Would love to see the truck etc. pictures Batteryboy.
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Post by one50 on Jun 26, 2009 9:12:07 GMT 8
Very nice stuff. It looks like some of it has been through a war though. Makes me appreciate some of the minty pieces I have in my collection. Here is close up of the stamp. Dan, need your expertise here. Just as you see it. From right to left, the royal Chrysanthemum (not defaced, very nice), 2 vent holes (all type 38's had 2 vent holes), the number 3, the number 8 and the word "type". Thus signifying "type 38" or more literally, "38 type". It is missing the cleaning rod and dust cover. All the real good info is on the left side of the receiver. Looks like you guys had a real good time. If anyone is going to be in Ohio August 1st this year, we will be shooting some of those fine weapons Dan
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