Morris C8/ GT used by UK Airborne

[Fire at Will]

My matchbox conversions looked like this (with stowage)

Along with my other para conversions

[wargameroz]

Yes the SHQ one is a lovely piece, well recommended

[Alanmccoubrey]

I think that there is actually some confusion here as just which vehicle we're talking about.

To me, Matchbox and Will, the Airborne 17 pounder towing vehicle is a modification of the Morris C8 2 pounder Portee or Light AA Predictor Carrier. These two vehicles looked very similar and are exactly like the Matchbox model.

Then we have the Morris C8 FAT, late type as done by S+S and RTR, which could be modified for glider use. This is the Airborne vehicle as modelled by SHQ and in Don's photograph.

I have only ever seen two photographs of a Morris C8 at Arnhem, one is a still from a film and the other is a post war pic of a wreck. My photo hosting site is down at the moment so I can't post the pics but if you can see photographs on Mapleleaf this thread has them both.
http://mapleleafup.net/forums/showthread.php?t=5655


If you look at the Documents listed on this site you'll see how the version in Don's photograph was created.
https://paradata.org.uk/content/morris- ... ry-tractor

[Don McHugh]

I Have the book and the film, but only got them after I made my versions.

I will not be changing them.

Don

[Alanmccoubrey]

Don, something I don't get is the oft repeated claim that the Morris were found to be unreliable at Arnhem, every other part of the army used thousands of the bloody things without notable complaint so what were the Airborne doing differently ?

[Alanmccoubrey]

Something else that I came across looking into the Morris. This blogger claims that the Horsa carrying a 6 pounder also carried a Jeep and two trailers. Was there room inside a Horsa for such a load ? I believed it was either a Jeep and 6 pounder or a Jeep and two Trailers.

http://arnhemjim.blogspot.co.uk/2016/12 ... at_10.html

[Don McHugh]

No not to my knowledge. I have heard of the following,

Jeep trailer and 75mm howitzer.
jeep trailer and 20mm polsten.
jeep and two trailers.
jeep and 6pdr.


even with the 6pdr trail folded I don't think there would be room for a trailer and a jeep.

Can't find the book i have on horsa gliders at the moment.

Don

[Alanmccoubrey]

Thanks Don, that is what I have too, there not being room for two trailers a Jeep and the 6 pounder.

[sandsmodels]

The matchbox kit is easily converted



Hope this helps.

Will be posting a picture of mine over the weekend.

Don

this morris is not the same as the 2 in the pics of the airbourne morris as it has round mudguards and is a cut down mk3 fat.
the airbourne one has flat mudguards like the matchbox model.

[sandsmodels]

this chaps site has interesting pics but sadly the pics are not always correct

http://arnhemjim.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06 ... arket.html

[Alanmccoubrey]

this chaps site has interesting pics but sadly the pics are not always correct

http://arnhemjim.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06 ... arket.html

I wish to goodness that I had already told Don what you've just told him in your last two posts...oh hold on I did on the 17th April

[sandsmodels]

speaking to don last night on the subject i have done a bit of reasearch today on the para morris i have decided to adapt our bofors morris front end to make the airborne one.
the matchbox model is actualy very close to the real ones but as they are getting harder to get and i have 1/2 of it done already it will not take me long to do and i feel it worth while.
since my last post i have found even more pics and info and there is a lot of confusion about FAT's and 2pdr portees, they are not the same vehicle, very similar but different enough, the side/above pic on this thread seems to be a prototype airborne tractor based on a FAT.
i hope this will satisfy the curious amongst you.

[lswgunner]

Hi,
I might hang on then as SHQ as I believe is metal and resin works better for me..

[sandsmodels]

sadly the shq one looks like the prototype anyway and only 1 made
cab is done just the chassis and body to do
thanks
shaun

[Don McHugh]

sadly the shq one looks like the prototype anyway and only 1 made
cab is done just the chassis and body to do
thanks
shaun

I seem to remember someone telling me it was based on plans found at the airborne museum, so that may explain why it is the prototype.

Don

[sandsmodels]

sadly the shq one looks like the prototype anyway and only 1 made
cab is done just the chassis and body to do
thanks
shaun

I seem to remember someone telling me it was based on plans found at the airborne museum, so that may explain why it is the prototype.

Don

they could well have the plans, but unless someone tells them it is a prototype then they are not going to know.
the shq model is based on a plans of a FAT morris chassis and not the 2pdr portee one.
i am surprised no one noticed before really.
there is plnety of pics pout there on the web now, hence building my own one.
even made progress today, working on a sunday

[Tunnel Rat]

I remember some time ago, while buying some other airborne kit from S&S, asking Sean about the possibility of getting the C8 cut-down being put on the 15+ list. At the time he didn't think it was viable but I am so glad that through this thread that has changed. I will definitely be in for a hand full of them.

[wargameroz]

So the SHQ one is wrong?

[sandsmodels]

So the SHQ one is wrong?

yes it is based on the plans for the prototype cut down FAT which they built 1 of.
ours is almost done, should mould it this week.

[wargameroz]

Any photos at this stage Shaun?