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

[K713]

Ok Mark,
the M7 Priest is a Sexton without the gun ?
and what is the fonction of the ARV ?
thank you

Originally Posted by Mark W. Tonner

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

[Mark W. Tonner]

Originally Posted by K713

Ok Mark,
the M7 Priest is a Sexton without the gun ?
and what is the fonction of the ARV ?
thank you

K713;

The M7 Priest and the Sexton, although similar in concept, were two entirely different vehicles. The M7 Priest was of US origin and mounted a 105-mm gun howitzer on initially, an M3 Lee tank chassis, but was later standardized to that of an M4A3 Sherman chassis, while the Sexton mounted a British 25-pounder gun howitzer on a Canadian Ram tank chassis. Image 1 below is of the M7 Priest, while image 2 is of a Sexton.

In simple terms, the function of an ARV (armoured recovery vehicle) was to recover (tow) battle-damaged, mine-damaged or broken-down tanks during battle to a safe position where unit fitters (mechanics) could affect repairs, or to tow them out of the battle area to a point where they would be loaded onto a tank transporter of some type for delivery to a rear area workshop for more extensive repairs.

Cheers

[K713]

Originally Posted by Mark W. Tonner

K713;

The M7 Priest and the Sexton, although similar in concept, were two entirely different vehicles. The M7 Priest was of US origin and mounted a 105-mm gun howitzer on initially, an M3 Lee tank chassis, but was later standardized to that of an M4A3 Sherman chassis, while the Sexton mounted a British 25-pounder gun howitzer on a Canadian Ram tank chassis. Image 1 below is of the M7 Priest, while image 2 is of a Sexton.

In simple terms, the function of an ARV (armoured recovery vehicle) was to recover (tow) battle-damaged, mine-damaged or broken-down tanks during battle to a safe position where unit fitters (mechanics) could affect repairs, or to tow them out of the battle area to a point where they would be loaded onto a tank transporter of some type for delivery to a rear area workshop for more extensive repairs.

Cheers

Hey Mark,
Thank you for the information
i understand more the difference between the two tanks ..
sorry for derangement on the thread ...

[Mark W. Tonner]

Originally Posted by K713

Hey Mark,
Thank you for the information
i understand more the difference between the two tanks ..
sorry for derangement on the thread ...

K713;

No problem, it’s all part of Maple Leaf Up, someone has a question or is confused on some point, they ask, it gets answered.

Cheers