Canadian Built 3.7" Heavy Anti-Aircraft Gun
 

Hi there

I've been studying photos of this gun as a preamble to building a model. Doug Knight's fine profile of the gun published recently by Service Publications has a number of useful shots but I also recently got access to a number of photos taken here at Canadian General Electric who built the carriages and did final assembly. There appears to be a number of variations of the mobile carriage, in particular the wheel arrangement. On the original British version, the two back wheels were hoisted clear of the ground using wheel and chain arrangement. It was then changed to a simple block and tackle device. Finally, it appears that the system was changed again and the back wheels were detached and rolled out of the way, like the front ones. This version also had a gun crutch added. Any ideas if these were Canadian changes only or did the British (and Australian) built guns have the same features.

I was under the impression that the removal of the axle cradles and winch arms were when in Portuguese service.
My Genelco 3.7 also has these parts removed and it is ex portuguese (last user),it does have a handle bar fitted along the axle so it can be manhandled away from the gun.

It would be good if someone could confirm that this modification as being Wartime or later. :teach:



Rob..................rnixartillery.

Genelco 3.7
 

Hi there

When I get the Genelco photos scanned properly, I'll post 'em here.

They show two guns on display that both have detachable dollies/bogies.

Steve

This thread may be of interest
http://www.mapleleafup.net/forums/sh...ghlight=mobile

Can anyone direct me to the MLU thread that has a photo of a restored 3.7in mobile AA gun being towed by an gun crew truck?. I believe that it was posted by a Scotsman

Brian

The post I referred to was not on the MLU forum but on :-

http://www.anti-aircraft.co.uk/cgi-b...7325964/s-new/

I should have recalled that the towing vehicle for this fine restoration was a Matador. I served in a British HAA Regt RA (1950-1952) and we hauled our mobile 3.7's from Gravesend, Kent to Sennybridge nr Brecon in Wales to attend the annual practice firing camp, where the 3.7in AA guns were fired in a field artillery role. The rest of the year we trained and deployed to permanent gunsites as part of ADGB

Cheers Brian

The Matador and 3.7 belong to a guy called John Webbster,he bought the gun from a good friend of mine who did a nut and bolt restoration,it was absolutely perfect when he finished it.this gun came in with the same batch as my 3.7 from Portugal.

Rob.....................rnixartillery.