ColorPicUniversalCarrier

The Universal Carrier was fielded primarily by the British
Commonwealth armies, also commonly known in its various models as
the Bren Gun Carrier, and was developed by the British Army. This
particular Universal Carrier was built in Windsor, Canada and is one of
approximately 30,000 plus such vehicles produced by Ford of Canada
from 1941-44. The Universal Carrier was produced in Australia,
Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States.
With approximately 113,000 manufactured in total throughout the
World during the War the Universal Carrier was the Second World
War's most widely produced armored vehicle and remains the most
widely produced armored vehicle in history.

The Universal Carrier normally had a crew of 2-3 and was primarily
used as a light material transport, flamethrower or machine gun carrier
(note the Bren Gun projecting from the firing port on this example) or
mortar carrier, for towing light anti-tank guns, or for use as an
artillery observation vehicle. The Universal Carrier however was also
pressed into service for a number of other roles and was one of the
most versatile vehicles deployed during the War. The thin armor was
the vehicle's primary drawback as the armor could only stop rifle or
light machine gun fire. The vehicle was at risk from mortar or artillery
fire and given its light under armor was particularly vulnerable to
mines. Nevertheless, the Universal Carrier would be regularly used by
many of the world's armies even well into the 1960's.

Picture Courtesy of Steven Mercatante