Why Gun Tractor Shape

[Lang]

Chris

My two cents worth is the sloping back/chemical warfare theory does not hold water. The back only makes up about a third of the horizontal surface area and a flat roof would be just as easy to wash down.

Guns can only be inconspicuous until the first shot is fired then they are immediately the subject of counter battery fire. A relatively large percentage of all artillery resources are solely dedicated to this task. If the object is aerial surveillance camouflage before firing then the trucks will certainly be in the hiding plan.

The truck "wagon line" will always be very close (less than 100 metres usually from the guns) if they are not co-located. The driver is a gun-number and must run back from parking the truck when they come into action. If it is open country you may as well leave the trucks behind the guns. If there are a few trees it is wise to take advantage of them.

All the crew gear is also carried in the truck and they must have their living arrangements very close to the guns to come into action within a couple of minutes day or night.

None of this seems to have any bearing on the sloping back design. The 18 pounder ring theory still gets my vote from those offered so far.

Lang