Loyd Carrier

Infobox Weapon
name=Loyd Carrier


caption=
origin=UK
type=Armoured personnel carrier
is_vehicle=yes
is_UK=yes
manufacturer=see text
designer=Vivian Loyd
design date=
number=26,000
length=4.50 m
width=2.07 m
height=1.42 m
weight=4.5 t
suspension=twin wheel bogies
speed=48 km/h
vehicle_range=220 km
primary_armament=None
secondary_armament=
armour=up to 6 mm
engine=Ford V-8
engine_power=85 hp (63 kW)
pw_ratio=18.9 hp/tonne
crew=1+7-8 passengers

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 moved infantry support weapons.

Design and development

The Loyd Carrier was built upon the mechanicals (engine gearbox and transmission) of a 15 cwt 4x2 Fordson truck with lightly-armoured steel bodywork. 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 sprockets and idlers 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 armoured box of the superstructure covered the front and sides but was open to the rear and above but 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.

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.

ervice

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. [ [http://www.tankmuseum.co.uk/libraryphotoarchive_0304.html The Tank Museum - Bovington - Library ] ]

Variants

Not so much true variants, but the different roles that the Loyd was adapted for

;Tracked Personnel Carrier (TPC) ;Carrier Tracked Towing (CTT)For towing the 4.2 inch mortar and hauling the QF 2 pounder and QF 6 pounder anti-tank guns and carrying its crew.

;Carrier Tracked Cable Layer Mechanical (CTCLM)A vehicle for Royal Signals Corps work

;Carrier Tracked Starting and Charging (CTSC)Equipped with 30 volt and 12 volt generators driven from the engine and battery sets to support armoured regiment tanks.

References

External links

* [http://www.mapleleafup.org/vehicles/carriers/loyd.html Mapleafup.org]
* [http://www.armyvehicles.dk/loydcarrier.htm Armyvehicles.dk]