Grant 'Pin Cushion'

Originally posted by Tommy K
Great photos Dennis. I didn't realise that the holes extend right through the armour.

Do you know what is to happen to this Grant. Is it to be fully restored including the patching of the holes or will it simply remain a 'curiosity'.

I know the owner of this Grant very well, it will remain as is while he owns it I think.

The tank was found on Pirbright ranges alongside the now immaculately restored Jagdpanther of Michael Gibb's SdKfz Made in Great Britain Foundation. http://www.sdkfz.com/site/collection...agdpanther.php

These two were side beside at Pirbright because the Grant (IIRC) was towing the Jagdpanther at the time and failed, the authorities decided to leave them where they were.

The holes and presentation of the Grant is historically important; the lack of paint was intentional since paint fires would have affected the tests it was used for and so it was formally de-painted before the trials.

As I have previously mentioned, all the holes are post war made by the copious stocks of captured German Panzerfaust and shreck munitions; these were specifically, statically placed to create a breach at the angle and place defined by each test. Hence there are few if any overlapping strikes that would be commonplace if used simply as a target.

The purpose was to develop safer and better ammunition stowage for later vehicles and as such the stowage design of the Challenger back through Chieftain and Centurion can be traced to this vehicle. The holes are therefore of some historic importance and it would be, in my opinion, incorrect to fill them.

I cannot attach multiple images so here's a few in separate postings, starting with the as found.

R.