Loyd Carrier
Encyclopedia
The Loyd Carrier was one of a number of small tracked vehicles used by the British and Commonwealth
forces in the Second World War to transport equipment and men about the battlefield. Alongside the Bren, Scout and Machine Gun Carriers
, they also moved infantry support weapons.
4x2 Fordson 7V truck with mild steel bodywork to which armour plate (referred to as 'BP Plate' in Loyd manuals) was bolted (to the front and upper sides) depending on application. The engine was at the rear of the Carrier with the radiator behind rather than in front. The transmission then took the drive forward to the axle at the very front where it drove the tracks. Both the front drive sprockets and idlers (which were also sprocketed) at the rear of the tracks were fitted with brakes, actuated by a pair of levers by the driver. To turn the vehicle to the left, the brakes were applied on that side and the Carrier would slew round the stopped track.
The upper hull covered the front and sides but was open to the rear and above; as the Carrier was not expected to function as a fighting vehicle this was not an issue. To protect the occupants from the weather a canvas
tilt could be put up; this was standard fitment from the factory.
As part of the rapid development program and use of pre-designed parts the Loyd used parts from other vehicles. From the Universal Carrier the track, drive sprockets, and suspension units. From the Fordson 7V, the chassis, engine, gearbox, torque tube
, axle and brakes
The Army tested the Loyd Carrier in 1939 and placed an initial order for 200 as the Carrier, Tracked, Personnel Carrying i.e. a personnel carrier. Initial deliveries were from Vivian Loyd's own company but production moved to the larger firms including the Ford Motor Company
and Wolseley Motors
( 13,000 between them) and Dennis Brothers Ltd
, Aveling & Barford and Sentinel Waggon Works
. Total production of the Loyd Carrier was approximately 26,000.
from the Normandy landings of 1944 through to the end of the War. There are many wartime photographs of Loyds in action in Normandy, a number were photographed destroyed in the well-known battle of Villers-Bocage
in 1944.
The Loyd Carrier was paired with Caterpillar D8
tractors in service with Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
(REME) for tank recovery - the Carrier carrying spare equipment for the tractor.
and the Netherlands
brought Loyd TTs from the British Army; they were still in Belgium Army ownership up to at least 1963 as engine rebuild plates have been seen with this date in original Belgian vehicles.
Although some vehicles were sold on into private ownership for farming use (A 1941 No1Mk1 TPC with a ploughing conversion still exists in Nottinghamshire, UK), a number were placed as targets on Belgian Ranges.
The two marks were the Mark I with a Bendix
supplied brake system and the Mark II with Girling supplied System
Tracked Personnel Carrier (TPC)
Tracked Towing (TT)
Tracked Cable Layer Mechanical (TCLM)
Tracked Starting and Charging (TS&C)
Tractor Anti-tank, MkI
Commonwealth
Commonwealth is a traditional English term for a political community founded for the common good. Historically, it has sometimes been synonymous with "republic."More recently it has been used for fraternal associations of some sovereign nations...
forces in the Second World War to transport equipment and men about the battlefield. Alongside the Bren, Scout and Machine Gun Carriers
Universal Carrier
The Universal Carrier, also known as the Bren Gun Carrier is a common name describing a family of light armoured tracked vehicles built by Vickers-Armstrong. Produced between 1934 and 1960, the vehicle was used widely by British Commonwealth forces during the Second World War...
, they also moved infantry support weapons.
Design and development
The Loyd Carrier was built upon the mechanicals (engine, gearbox and transmission) of a 15 cwtCWT
CWT or cwt may refer to:* Continuous wavelet transform* Complex wavelet transform* Centum weight , or hundredweight, 100 pounds or 112 pounds * Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft, a prominent law firm...
4x2 Fordson 7V truck with mild steel bodywork to which armour plate (referred to as 'BP Plate' in Loyd manuals) was bolted (to the front and upper sides) depending on application. The engine was at the rear of the Carrier with the radiator behind rather than in front. The transmission then took the drive forward to the axle at the very front where it drove the tracks. Both the front drive sprockets and idlers (which were also sprocketed) at the rear of the tracks were fitted with brakes, actuated by a pair of levers by the driver. To turn the vehicle to the left, the brakes were applied on that side and the Carrier would slew round the stopped track.
The upper hull covered the front and sides but was open to the rear and above; as the Carrier was not expected to function as a fighting vehicle this was not an issue. To protect the occupants from the weather a canvas
Canvas
Canvas is an extremely heavy-duty plain-woven fabric used for making sails, tents, marquees, backpacks, and other items for which sturdiness is required. It is also popularly used by artists as a painting surface, typically stretched across a wooden frame...
tilt could be put up; this was standard fitment from the factory.
As part of the rapid development program and use of pre-designed parts the Loyd used parts from other vehicles. From the Universal Carrier the track, drive sprockets, and suspension units. From the Fordson 7V, the chassis, engine, gearbox, torque tube
Torque tube
A torque tube system is a driveshaft technology, often used in automobiles with a front engine and rear drive. It is not as widespread as the Hotchkiss drive, but is still occasionally used to this day...
, axle and brakes
The Army tested the Loyd Carrier in 1939 and placed an initial order for 200 as the Carrier, Tracked, Personnel Carrying i.e. a personnel carrier. Initial deliveries were from Vivian Loyd's own company but production moved to the larger firms including the Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is an American multinational automaker based in Dearborn, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. The automaker was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. In addition to the Ford and Lincoln brands, Ford also owns a small stake in Mazda in Japan and Aston Martin in the UK...
and Wolseley Motors
Wolseley Motor Company
The Wolseley Motor Company was a British automobile manufacturer founded in 1901. After 1935 it was incorporated into larger companies but the Wolseley name remained as an upmarket marque until 1975.-History:...
( 13,000 between them) and Dennis Brothers Ltd
Dennis Specialist Vehicles
Dennis Specialist Vehicles is a major British coachbuilder and manufacturer of specialised commercial vehicles based in Guildford, England...
, Aveling & Barford and Sentinel Waggon Works
Sentinel Waggon Works
Sentinel Waggon Works Ltd was a British company based in Shrewsbury, Shropshire that made steam-powered lorries, railway locomotives, and later, diesel engined lorries and locomotives.-Alley & MacLellan, Sentinel Works, Jessie Street Glasgow:...
. Total production of the Loyd Carrier was approximately 26,000.
Second World War
By far the most notable use of the Loyd was in the TT (Tracked Towing) configuration where it pulled the 6 Pdr anti-tank gunOrdnance QF 6 pounder
The Ordnance Quick-Firing 6-pounder 7 cwt, or just 6 pounder, was a British 57 mm gun, their primary anti-tank gun during the middle of World War II, as well as the main armament for a number of armoured fighting vehicles...
from the Normandy landings of 1944 through to the end of the War. There are many wartime photographs of Loyds in action in Normandy, a number were photographed destroyed in the well-known battle of Villers-Bocage
Battle of Villers-Bocage
The Battle of Villers-Bocage took place during the Second World War on 13 June 1944, one week after the Allies landed in Normandy to begin the liberation of German-occupied France. The battle was the result of a British attempt to improve their position by exploiting a temporary vulnerability in...
in 1944.
The Loyd Carrier was paired with Caterpillar D8
Caterpillar D8
The Caterpillar D8 is a large track-type tractor designed and manufactured by Caterpillar.Though it comes in many configurations it is usually sold as a bulldozer equipped with a detachable large blade and a rear ripper attachment.-History:...
tractors in service with Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
The Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers is a corps of the British Army that has responsibility for the maintenance, servicing and inspection of almost every electrical and mechanical piece of equipment within the British Army from Challenger II main battle tanks and WAH64 Apache...
(REME) for tank recovery - the Carrier carrying spare equipment for the tractor.
Post-war
Both BelgiumBelgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
and the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
brought Loyd TTs from the British Army; they were still in Belgium Army ownership up to at least 1963 as engine rebuild plates have been seen with this date in original Belgian vehicles.
Although some vehicles were sold on into private ownership for farming use (A 1941 No1Mk1 TPC with a ploughing conversion still exists in Nottinghamshire, UK), a number were placed as targets on Belgian Ranges.
Variants
Loyd carriers were available in three "numbers" which were available in two "marks"; all manufactured during wartime:- No. 1 - British FordFord of BritainFord of Britain is a British wholly owned subsidiary of Ford of Europe, a subsidiary of Ford Motor Company. Its business started in 1909 and has its registered office in Brentwood, Essex...
V8 engine (21 stud) and gearbox - No. 2 - US FordFord Motor CompanyFord Motor Company is an American multinational automaker based in Dearborn, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. The automaker was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. In addition to the Ford and Lincoln brands, Ford also owns a small stake in Mazda in Japan and Aston Martin in the UK...
V8 engine (24 stud) and gearbox - No. 3 - Ford CanadaFord Motor Company of CanadaFord Motor Company of Canada, Limited was founded in 1904 for the purpose of manufacturing and selling Ford automobiles in Canada and the British Empire. The Ford Motor Company in Detroit transferred the patent and selling rights to the Walkerville Wagon Company, in order to avoid the tariff rates...
V8 engine (24 stud) and gearbox
The two marks were the Mark I with a Bendix
Bendix Corporation
The Bendix Corporation was an American manufacturing and engineering company which during various times in its 60 year existence made brake systems, aeronautical hydraulics, avionics, aircraft and automobile fuel control systems, radios, televisions and computers, and which licensed its name for...
supplied brake system and the Mark II with Girling supplied System
Role
There were not many differences between variants, mainly seating and armour plate location:Tracked Personnel Carrier (TPC)
- Equipped with a front bench seat and seating for troops on the track guards. Frontal and full side armour fitted.
Tracked Towing (TT)
- Equipped with five single seats and ammunition stowage on the track guards. Used for towing the 4.2 inch mortarOrdnance ML 4.2 inch MortarThe Ordnance ML 4.2 inch Mortar was a heavy mortar used by the British and other armies.-History:The SB 4.2 inch mortar British entered service in 1942 to equip chemical warfare companies of the Royal Engineers. The Mark 3 became the standard model. The mortar was a Smooth Bore design...
and hauling the QF 2 pounderOrdnance QF 2 pounderThe Ordnance QF 2-pounder was a British anti-tank and vehicle-mounted gun, employed in the Second World War. It was actively used in the Battle of France, and during the North Africa campaign...
and QF 6 pounderOrdnance QF 6 pounderThe Ordnance Quick-Firing 6-pounder 7 cwt, or just 6 pounder, was a British 57 mm gun, their primary anti-tank gun during the middle of World War II, as well as the main armament for a number of armoured fighting vehicles...
anti-tank guns and carrying its crew. Frontal and front quarter armour fitted. The main variant by number manufactured.
Tracked Cable Layer Mechanical (TCLM)
- A vehicle for Royal Signals CorpsRoyal Corps of SignalsThe Royal Corps of Signals is one of the combat support arms of the British Army...
work. No armour fitted.
Tracked Starting and Charging (TS&C)
- Equipped with a front bench seat, 30 volt and 12 volt DC generators driven from the gearbox layshaft and battery sets to support armoured regiment tanks. No armour fitted.
Tractor Anti-tank, MkI
- Towed the QF 2-pdr anti tank gunOrdnance QF 2 pounderThe Ordnance QF 2-pounder was a British anti-tank and vehicle-mounted gun, employed in the Second World War. It was actively used in the Battle of France, and during the North Africa campaign...