Universal carrier with Radio

Add the Universal carrier with Radio to your WWII tabletop force, historical miniature collection, or diorama. This made-to-order model is available in a choice of scales; select your preferred scale from the dropdown.

The Universal Carrier—when configured as a dedicated Radio/Signals platform (often designated as an "OP" or Observation Post vehicle)—was the vital communications hub for British and Commonwealth mechanized infantry and artillery regiments during World War II. By replacing rear cargo bins with heavy-duty wireless setups and long-range antennae, these low-profile tracked vehicles allowed forward observers and command staff to coordinate artillery strikes and troop movements directly from the front lines under the safety of light armor.

Design and Bodywork

• Chassis & Manufacturer: Built on the standard, open-topped riveted steel armor hull manufactured by Ford, Wolseley, and Morris in the UK, alongside Ford of Canada.
• The Radio Configuration: The defining trait of this version was the modification of the rear compartments. The central Ford V8 engine housing remained exposed in the middle, but one or both of the rear personnel bins were permanently converted into weatherized equipment bays. These held large shock-mounted metal racking units to secure the delicate vacuum-tube radios against severe off-road vibration.
• Antenna Array: Easily distinguished on the battlefield by its long, flexible steel whip antennae (often a 12-foot rod or a heavy horizontal frame aerial) mounted to specialized ceramic base insulators bolted to the top hull plating.
• Superstructure Mod: Many radio carriers featured an extended or heightened canvas canopy system (tilt over metal hoops) to safeguard the electronic equipment and operators from torrential rain, dust, and mud while working out in the field.

Technical Specifications

• Engine: Powered by the standard mid-mounted 239-cubic-inch (3.9-liter) Ford side-valve V8 petrol engine delivering roughly 85 to 95 horsepower.
• Transmission & Electrical System: 4-speed manual gearbox. Crucially, the engine was retrofitted with an upgraded, heavy-duty generator (dynamo) system and an expanded bank of secondary 12-volt accumulators (batteries) to keep the radio running for hours when the engine was idling or turned off.
• Drive Configuration: Tracked run utilizing the unique Horstmann suspension system. It maintained the "track warping" steering system where turning the wheel gently warped the suspension profile before traditional track-braking took over for hard pivots.
• Top Speed: Kept its exceptionally nimble top speed of 30 mph (48 km/h) on hard surfaces, allowing it to quickly keep pace with fast-moving armored columns.
• Dimensions: Length ~12 ft (3.66 m), Width ~6 ft 9 in (2.06 m), Height ~5 ft 2 in (1.57 m) (though total height increased considerably when the whip antennae were deployed).

Capacity & Utility

• Wireless Equipment: Typically outfitted with the ubiquitous British Wireless Set No. 11, No. 19, or No. 22. The Wireless Set No. 19 was the most famous, containing an "A" set for long-distance regiment communication, a "B" set for short-range tactical communication between nearby vehicles, and an internal crew intercom system.
• Armament: Standard defense was handled by a .303 caliber Bren light machine gun fired from the forward passenger compartment gun slit. However, because space was at a premium due to radio gear and battery boxes, extra crew small arms (Lee-Enfield rifles or Sten submachine guns) were clamped to the interior walls.
• Crew: 3 to 4 personnel (Driver and Commander/Gunner in the front compartments; 1 or 2 dedicated Signals operators in the rear managing the wireless dials and logbooks).

Wartime Legacy

• Production: Integrated directly into the global production run of over 113,000 Universal Carriers. Nearly every mechanized infantry platoon and artillery battery was assigned a specific quota of these radio variants to maintain operational cohesion.
• Notable Service: Essential during the fast-paced warfare of the Western Desert, Normandy, and the push through Germany. Artillery Forward Observation Officers (FOOs) rode right at the front of tank formations in these carriers, using the heavy wireless sets to instantly call down devastating salvos from 25-pounder field guns miles behind the lines. Their low silhouette made them incredibly hard for enemy anti-tank gunners to spot compared to bulky command trucks.

Designer: M Bergman
Manufacturer: S&C Foundry
Associated Army: British
Era: WWII
Product features: Printed with high-quality ABS-like gray resin.

This is a 3D-printed product and may have minor imperfections. Some assembly and removal of print supports may be required.