The Bren Gun Carrier was truly a universal system at its core. Charged with moving troops through the harshest of conditions, the smallish armored vehicle found itself fighting on a myriad of fronts. Though not a perfect vehicle by any stretch (the system was fielded without any top cover), the Bren Gun Carrier was loved by all her crews and was produced to the tune of some 84,120 units in the United Kingdom, the United States, New Zealand, Australia and Canada. The system also saw service in the Red Army and the German Army (the latter via capture).
Though universally referred to as the Bren Gun Carrier, the vehicle was actually designated as the Carden-Loyd Universal Carrier (hence other the used designation of Bren Universal Gun Carrier). As the Bren light machine gun was the standard squad support machine gun in service to the British Army, it was no wonder that the Bren Gun Carrier was fitted with one such weapon for self-defense. In essence, the Bren carrier was nothing more than an armed tractor, capable of hauling 4 to 5 personnel (or more in crucial wartime situations), supplies or wounded. Armor was relatively light throughout and, as mentioned earlier, no top cover was afforded the crew. In some cases, this covering was improvised by the crew to protect them from the elements. Steering was accomplished through use of a wheel as oppose to the levers found in tanks. This, naturally, made training of driving personnel a tad easier.
The vehicle would definitely go on to prove its worth time and again. The Ford 8-cylinder water-cooled gasoline engine provided enough hauling power on the worst of roads and in the worst of conditions. Add to this the well-designed suspension system and it becomes no wonder how this little vehicle made it into so many hands.
The Bren Gun Carrier was served with a single 7.7mm Bren light machine gun on a pintle mounting. The light machine gun could be swapped out in favor of the Boy's .50 caliber anti-tank rifle for defense and one variant in particular - the "Wasp" - was fitted with a flamethrower. Captured Bren carriers in German Army service were refitted and put back into service mounting the 37mm PaK anti-tank gun.
Note: The above text is EXCLUSIVE to the site www.MilitaryFactory.com. It is the product of many hours of research and work made possible with the help of contributors, veterans, insiders, and topic specialists. If you happen upon this text anywhere else on the internet or in print, please let us know at MilitaryFactory AT gmail DOT com so that we may take appropriate action against the offender / offending site and continue to protect this original work.
Australia; Canada; New Zealand; Soviet Union (Lend-Lease); United Kingdom; United States
(OPERATORS list includes past, present, and future operators when applicable)
✓Utility
General utility-minded design to accomplish a variety of battlefield tasks, typically in a non-direct-combat fashion.
Length
12.3 ft 3.75 m
Width
6.9 ft 2.1 m
Height
5.2 ft 1.6 m
Weight
9,520 lb 4,318 kg
Tonnage
4.8 tons LIGHT
(Showcased structural values pertain to the base Universal Carrier (BREN Gun Carrier) production variant. Length typically includes main gun in forward position if applicable to the design)
Powerplant:
1 x Ford 8-cylinder water-cooled inline gasoline engine developing 85 horsepower at 3,500rpm.
1 x 7.7mm BREN machine gun OR 1 x 12.7mm Boys Anti-Tank Rifle. Also any personal weapons carried by the crew. Armament configurations also included Vickers/Browning M2 machine guns, infantry mortars (2-inch, 3-inch), or PIAT launcher.
Supported Types
(Not all weapon types may be represented in the showcase above)
Dependent on armament loadout.
Carden-Loyd Universal Carrier - Long-form designation
BREN Gun Carrier - Alternative Series Name
Mortar Carrier - Outfitted with 51mm or 76mm mortar; Anti-Tank weapons tow vehicle.
AOP Carrier ("Armored Observation Post") - Royal Artillery usage.
"Wasp" - Flamethrower Variant of 1944; designed by R.P. Fraser.
T16 - U.S. Army Designation
3.7-cm PaK auf Fahrgestell (BREN) - Captured British carriers in service with the German Army; fitted with a 37mm anti-tank weapon system.
Ribbon graphics not necessarily indicative of actual historical campaign ribbons. Ribbons are clickable to their respective campaigns / operations.
Images Gallery
1 / 5
Image copyright www.MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.
2 / 5
Image copyright www.MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.
3 / 5
Image copyright www.MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.
4 / 5
Image copyright www.MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.
5 / 5
Image copyright www.MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.
The "Military Factory" name and MilitaryFactory.com logo are registered ® U.S. trademarks protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws. All written content, illustrations, and photography are unique to this website (unless where indicated) and not for reuse/reproduction in any form. Material presented throughout this website is for historical and entertainment value only and should not to be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation. We do not sell any of the items showcased on this site. Please direct all other inquiries to militaryfactory AT gmail.com.
Australia; Canada; New Zealand; Soviet Union (Lend-Lease); United Kingdom; United States
