Priest Kangaroos in Italy?

[Mark W. Tonner]

Originally Posted by K713

Hello Mark
On my photo the Sherman is a Kangaroo, and not ARV because the ARV is for the Towing...
the first photo of the thread represent a Sexton ... ?

Hello K713;

If your referring to image 1 (see below), the photo is of a “Priest Kangaroo”, which was based on the M7 ‘Priest’ 105mm self-propelled gun. This was the first version of the “Kangaroo” armoured personnel carrier used by the Canadian Army in Normandy, from approximately 7 August to 2 October 1944. The conversion of the M7 ‘Priest’ 105mm self-propelled gun, from that of a self-propelled gun, to that of a “Priest Kangaroo” armoured personnel carrier basically consisted of removing the 105mm gun with mount and mantlet, the welding of armour plate across the gap left by the removal of the gun/mount/mantlet, overhauling the radial engine (the 100 hour check), the M7 ‘Priest’ having a 450 horse power Wright Whirlwind radial aircooled 9 cylinder aircraft engine that required a thorough check after every 100 hours of operation (the overhaul itself would normally take seven days to complete), and the general serviceability check of the transmission, the controlled differential, brake linings and running gear.

The image you posted (see image 2 below), is in fact, that of a Sherman ARV I, which just so happens to have troops riding on the rear deck.

If you go to Service Publications, located here: http://www.servicepub.com/ and click on the menu “Weapons of War”, once the menu opens, scroll down the page and you will find “The Kangaroo in Canadian Service,” which you can purchase for $9.95 Canadian, which will answer all your questions in regard to both the “Priest Kangaroo” and “Ram Kangaroo”, as used by the Canadian Army Overseas. Also, although not published yet, there is also one entitled, “The ARV in Canadian Service” (at $9.95 Cdn), which will include the Sherman ARV I.

Cheers