M5 stuart artillery gun tractor
 

Hi all,

I'm in need of some help. This has been racking my brain for ages now and I have been trying to find reference but to not really any avail.

So the question is, what photos are about of the M5 stuart artillery gun tractor about during ww2. The artillery gun tractor being the one that has no top deck or hatches etc.

Many thanks

Kyle

Surely it's a post-war modification for 17 pdr towing?

Further to Adrian's suggestion, turretless M5A1 Stuarts were used as Recce tanks but not as artillery tractors during WW2.

Here is a survivor: Stuart VI, PRESS ON, CT271427
http://www.mapleleafup.nl/cmpvehicle..._vi_recce.html

HTH,
Hanno

Stuart Gun Tractors
 

Back here in NZ in the 1950's, Stuart M3A1's were used as 17pdr gun tractors without turrets,cheers Andrew.

Hi all,

Thanks for the reply. Ok so I appreciate it. We are all referring to the kangaroo as such the turretless one that duxford have, we are saying is a post war mod?

But with just turret removed is how they were used in ww2 and never with top deck removed. I have seen some pics of Stuart's with top decks removed in the desert but nor sure if post war of not.

Kyle

Attachment 91969 Attachment 91970

The top photo is certainly post war as the army registration is in the post war numbering system. All the M5s in those photos have the front towing hook intended for positioning guns more easily. This was a properly engineered part of the gun tractor conversion, not a field bodge up. Of course it is possible that something similar could have been done during the war as a field mod but I have never seen it. The rear towing attachment was again specific to these British gun tractor conversions but rarely shows in photos. The removal of most of the fighting compartment roof including the front hatches was, as far as I know, never done on any conversion other than the Post war British Gun Tractors.

The term Kangaroo is correct only for WW2 conversions of Priests and Rams and arguably a few Shermans. This was at a time when there were no dedicated APCs and it had become clear that there was an urgent need for them. The conversions were done as quickly as possible - unbolt turret, gun and ammo stowage, relocate radio to the hull gunner's position on Rams/Shermans, and of course block up the gun aperture on Priests. Despite published statements to the contrary, extra troop seats were not provided as there was no room. Troops normaly stood up but ducked down when being shot at. Flame throwers, ARVs, Gun tractors, etc were all designated as such. Other and later APC conversions were also refered to as such - not as Kangaroos.

Hope this helps.

David

Don't believe the captions..... That first well known photo is captioned as being 1943 whereas, as David points out, it clearly has a post 1948 registration number.

I have a Central Inspectorate REME document for the "Stuart, Mk6, Gun Towing" as shown in the incorrectly dated photos in earlier posts. It is a provisional inspection and overhaul standards and dated March 1952. I can remember older work colleagues from REME Workshops saying how these were in use in the 1950's pulling 17pdr's. I feel certain these were post-war mods to make use of an obsolete tank.

Yes; lots of 17 pounder tractors, but I wish I could find a pic of a Stuart towing a BAT!
Chris

I would they bother when its so light up to a 17 Pounder.

M5 Towing Q.F. 17-Pdr
 

Here is another image from the immediate post-WWII era.

Attachment 92377