Grizzly I cruiser
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (March 2009) |
| Grizzly I | |
|---|---|
 Grizzly | |
| Type | Medium tank |
| Place of origin |  Canada |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1943-45 (Canada) 1954-1980s (Portugal) |
| Used by | Canada Portugal |
| Wars | Second World War |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 1941 |
| Manufacturer | Montreal Locomotive Works |
| Produced | 1943-44 |
| No. built | 188 |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 29.91 t (30 tonnes) |
| Length | 19 ft (5.816 m) |
| Width | 2.626 m |
| Height | 2.997 m |
| Crew | 5 (Commander, gunner, loader, driver, co-driver/hull gunner) |
| Armour | 75 mm |
Main armament | High Velocity 75 mm M3 L/40 gun |
Secondary armament | 2 x .30-06 machine gun |
| Engine | Continental R-975 9-cyl radial gas 400/340 hp (298/254 kW) |
| Suspension | Vertical volute spring |
Operational range | 193 km |
| Maximum speed | 24 mph (38.6 km/h) |
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, which did not require rubber, a scarce wartime material.
History
After the fall of France, it was decided the nascent Canadian armoured divisions would be equipped by tanks produced in Canada. The result was the Ram cruiser tank, based on the chassis and running gear of the US M3 Lee; Rams were produced by the Montreal Locomotive Works (MLW) from 1941 to 1943. The M3 was succeeded by the superior M4 Sherman. The Allies agreed to standardize on the M4, and MLW began producing the Grizzly in August 1943.[1]
Grizzly production halted when it became apparent US production would be sufficient. Instead, MLW produced the Sexton self-propelled gun Mk II. The Sexton Mk II used the Grizzly chassis, with the upper hull modified to carry the Commonwealth standard QF 25 pounder gun. The Sexton was the Commonwealth counterpart to the US M7 Priest. A small batch of Grizzly medium tank was fitted with an Ordnance QF 17-pounder for training but none saw action.[2]
After the war, a number of Grizzly tanks and Sexton self-propelled guns were sold to Portugal as part of the NATO military assistance program. They were retired in the 1980s.[3]
Design
The Grizzly's suspension used 17-tooth drive sprockets and CDP tracks. In comparison, the M4 used 13 tooth drive sprockets. The CDP track was lighter and simpler than the standard US tracks and did not require rubber, which was scarce since the Japanese advance into Southeast Asia.
Some were converted into the Skink anti-aircraft tank with a turret mounting four 20 mm Polsten guns.
Other Commonwealth Tanks of the Second World War
- Bob Semple tank – New Zealand indigenous tank design
- Ram tank - Canadian indigenous tank design
- Schofield tank – New Zealand indigenous tank design
- Sentinel tank - Australian indigenous tank design
Notes and references
- ^ http://mailer.fsu.edu/~akirk/tanks/can/Canada.htm
- ^ Skaarup, Harold (2011). "Ironsides": Canadian Armoured Fighting Vehicle Museums and Monuments. iUniverse.com. p. 78. ISBN 978-1462034642.
- ^ Roy Thomas. "A forgotten armoured arsenal: The Montreal Locomotive Works". Vanguard Canada.
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