Grizzly I cruiser
Encyclopedia
The Grizzly I was a Canadian built M4A1 Sherman tank with some modifications, it had thicker, more sloping armour, had a longer range, and, most notably was fitted with Canadian Dry Pin (CDP) tracks.
, it was decided that Canada should manufacture its own tanks, rather than be supplied from the UK or with US-built tanks, for the amoured divisions that were being formed. For speed of introduction, the native design would be based on the US M3 tank. The limitations of the M3 design led to extensive reworking of the design to give the Ram cruiser tank
. This was produced at the new factory of Montreal Locomotive Works
. The Ram was suitable for training but the M4 Sherman which quickly followed the M3 design was superior and the Ram production line was switched over to Grizzly production in August 1943 Production of the Grizzly was halted as US tank production would be sufficient for all the Allies and the production line was switched instead to the Sexton self-propelled gun Mk II
. The Sexton was designed after the US M7 Priest
which used the M3 and then M4 chassis. The Sexton Mk II used the Grizzly chassis, the upper hull modified to carry the Commonwealth standard QF 25 pounder gun instead.
The Grizzly differed in the suspension from the M4, having a 13, instead of 17, tooth idler and CDP tracks.
Some were planned for conversion to the Skink anti-aircraft tank
with a turret mounting four 20 mm cannon.
Following the war, a number of Grizzly tanks, and Sexton self-propelled guns were sold to Portugal as part of the NATO military assistance program where they served until finally being retired in the 1980s.
History
After the fall of FranceBattle of France
In the Second World War, the Battle of France was the German invasion of France and the Low Countries, beginning on 10 May 1940, which ended the Phoney War. The battle consisted of two main operations. In the first, Fall Gelb , German armoured units pushed through the Ardennes, to cut off and...
, it was decided that Canada should manufacture its own tanks, rather than be supplied from the UK or with US-built tanks, for the amoured divisions that were being formed. For speed of introduction, the native design would be based on the US M3 tank. The limitations of the M3 design led to extensive reworking of the design to give the Ram cruiser tank
Ram tank
The Tank Cruiser, Ram was a cruiser tank designed and built by Canada in the Second World War, based on the U.S. M3 Medium tank. Due to the entrance of the United States into the war and the superior design of the American Sherman, it was used exclusively for training purposes and was never used in...
. This was produced at the new factory of Montreal Locomotive Works
Montreal Locomotive Works
Montreal Locomotive Works was a Canadian railway locomotive manufacturer which existed under several names from 1883–1985, producing both steam and diesel locomotives. For a number of years it was a subsidiary of the American Locomotive Company...
. The Ram was suitable for training but the M4 Sherman which quickly followed the M3 design was superior and the Ram production line was switched over to Grizzly production in August 1943 Production of the Grizzly was halted as US tank production would be sufficient for all the Allies and the production line was switched instead to the Sexton self-propelled gun Mk II
Sexton (artillery)
The 25pdr SP, tracked, Sexton was a self-propelled artillery vehicle of World War II, based on an American tank hull design, built by Canada for the British Army, and associated Commonwealth forces, and some of the other Allies....
. The Sexton was designed after the US M7 Priest
M7 Priest
The 105 mm Howitzer Motor Carriage M7 was an American self-propelled artillery vehicle produced during World War II. It was given the official service name 105 mm Self Propelled Gun, Priest by the British Army, due to the pulpit-like machine gun ring, and following on from the Bishop and...
which used the M3 and then M4 chassis. The Sexton Mk II used the Grizzly chassis, the upper hull modified to carry the Commonwealth standard QF 25 pounder gun instead.
The Grizzly differed in the suspension from the M4, having a 13, instead of 17, tooth idler and CDP tracks.
Some were planned for conversion to the Skink anti-aircraft tank
Skink anti-aircraft tank
The Tank AA, 20 mm Quad, Skink was a Canadian self-propelled anti-aircraft gun. It was also designated as "Project 47" by the Canadian Army....
with a turret mounting four 20 mm cannon.
Following the war, a number of Grizzly tanks, and Sexton self-propelled guns were sold to Portugal as part of the NATO military assistance program where they served until finally being retired in the 1980s.
External links
- http://mailer.fsu.edu/~akirk/tanks/can/Canada.htm
- http://www.wwiivehicles.com/canada/tank-medium/grizzly.asp
- http://www.militaryfactory.com/armor/detail.asp?armor_id=292
- http://www.junobeach.org/e/4/can-tac-arm-can-e.htm