M4 18-ton High Speed Tractor in British use

[phantom16]

Hi,

after the search for the British M5 HST, that didn't exist, I'm now looking for info on the M4 high speed tractor in British service during WW2.

Every info is welcome on this rare tractor.

regards,

Dennis

[phantom16]

I've found some info on the British M4 HST in 21 AG-organisation & markings by Malcolm A. Bellis.

M4 HSTs were used to tow 7,2in howitzers and 155mm guns in Heavy Regiments RA. Each Battery (four per regiment) had two sections, each with 2 M4 HSTs.

So I think they really existed.

Any more info/pics is welcome, there has to be a batch delivered to the British Army so if someone knows which censusnrs could have been used.

regards,

Dennis

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

The Tank Museum, Bovington must surely have some photos? David FLETCHER, their historian, would know! However there is no Census Number listing so far for the M4s but that is not to say that the Brits did not use them!

[phantom16]

Thanks again David, I've sent David an e-mail.
I hope something will come up.

regards,

Dennis

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

I have spent some considerable time resarching the possibilty that there were indeed some British M4 tractors. It is indeed possible that there were some but we do not have any firm evidence yet. If anyone has anything to add, please do so!

[Les Freathy]

Good evening Dennis
I have been searching for a photo of the high speed 18 tonner
i think the damn things hibernated in my files somewhere
i did come across this shot its not very satisfactory but shows one in US army ETO towing a 155mm howitzer
be back whei i find the photo
Les

[Lionelgee]

Hello All,

I am not sure whether the following South Australian link leads to the same M4 mentioned in this thread. Accessed 22nd March 2021 from, https://www.military-vehicle-museum....-speed-tractor

If so it might lead to more information about the machines?

In a different link there is an online version of a Technical Manual...Accessed 22nd March 2021 from, https://periscopefilm.com/high-speed-tractor-m-4/

More details of the power train accessed today, https://archive.org/details/TM9-1785B/page/n11/mode/2up

Another Technical Sheet https://www.dday-overlord.com/en/mat...les/m4-tractor

There is also a M4 High Speed Tractor Picture Walk Around - Tracked vehicles - HMVF - Historic Military Vehicles Forum
Saved by Gary Nado, Accessed from, https://nl.pinterest.com/pin/569142471666413958/

Another one accessed to day which details one that is for sale in Buenos Aires, Argentina, there are lots of photos in the link http://www.bronzecannons.net/m4allis...rstractor.html

Some being loaded onto a ship in preparation for Normandy shown at either side of the 2:28 minute mark on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6Gn8t5eQfg

An M4 in operation in 2011 that is stated in the description as being owned by the American Air Power Museum. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqJDrWm-MJw

This Youtube clip accessed 22nd March 2021 follows an M4 being restored https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxAHIdpJfNw

Kind regards
Lionel

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Note: several posts were moved to the M6 38-ton high speed tractor thread