Carrier Mk.I Wasp Mk.II Flamethrower

The British, and in particular the Canadians, developed these Flamethrower carriers with 1000 Mk.I's being built in Canada from 1941 onwards using their Ronson system which had two internal fuel tanks (40 and 60 gallons) and large fixed flame gun mounted over the front Bren-gunner's barbette. The British produced the Wasp Mk.I on similar lines, also having a fixed flame gun, and although a number of each were sent to the Middle East, both types were only used for training purposes before being rebuilt for other uses. The first operational type was the Mk II, of which over 500 were available in late 1943, used the same internal fuel tanks but differed by having a traversable flame gun mounted in the front compartment. These saw action for first time in July 1944 in Normandy before being replaced by the the Mk.IIC from early 1945. The Mk.IIC (Canadian built) differed considerably from the earlier types by having a single, 75 gallon fuel tank fitted externally on the rear of the carrier but the same barbette-mounted flame gun. Although more vulnerable, as the tank was not under armour and often seen with stowage covering the tank in order to conceal it, the rear mounted configuration allowed for one or more men with weapons to be carried so giving a greater offensive and defensive capabilitiy. This type replaced the original Mk II in service in 1945, although some Mk.II's were converted to Mk.IIC standards by moving the 60 gallon fuel tank onto the rear hull and eliminating the 40 gallon tank altogether.