Question on Defrocked Priests (Colors)
 

Would a defrocked priest have been in US olive drab?

Or would they have been repainted in another color either before or during the conversion...

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

James

James,

Hello and welcome to this forum! Please search for Priest Kangaroo for more information about this subject here.

Given the short time and lack of resources available during the conversion, I am pretty sure the Priests were not repainted, and remained US Olive Drab. Ref. http://www.1cacr.org/hist.html

Also see http://web.inter.nl.net/users/spoels...4/apckang2.htm

Regards,
Hanno

Not repainted.
 

The few photographs that are available of the Priest Kangaroos, show them still painted in the markings of their former units (12, 13, 14th Field Regiments), and would remain so until replaced by converted Rams in October of 1944. The original conversion time for 72 vehicles was just a matter of days, painting them was just not a priority (probably not even considered). It was acknowledged at that time that the conversions were just a temporary measure.

Olive Drab? I dunno, all the evidence I have shows WW2 was just shades of grey?? :D

Thanks for the assist!
 

I appreciate the information guys!

Many thanks,

James

As Bill mentioned above they were still US property had (Lend Lease), once they were replaced by the RAM Kangaroo, they would have been re-gunned and put back into the system. So, they might have the gun trunions still in them were the 105mm guns were mounted on them. Ouch must have been a bumpy ride.........

Cheers

Anthony

No, the Priest Kangaroos would not likely have been regunned. During the conversions not only were the guns removed, but the carriages, hull support beams, ammo boxes and anything else that got in the way of 10 guys in full kit and then the gun rotor was removed and a flat plate welded back in its place. By Novemeber when the Priests were turned back in they were completely clapped out. Engines needed to be overhauled, trannies & suspensions beat up if not completely replaced due to mines & enemy fire. I'm pretty sure they all went to the depot for salvage & disposal. As lend lease equipment the beancounters would have stricken them off Commonwealth charge at the deopt, handed them formally over to the US beancounter who would have stricken them off the US rolls right there.

Paul

Paul

Do you have any confirmation of the above ?

This link has some interesting Canadian Priest pictures.

H.