Staghound III who had them?

Sean Dunnage · #1 03-09-07, 04:59

Can anyone tell me which units, British or Commonwealth used the Staghound III in the field. I've done a search but have come up dry. I only know they were used by Heavy Armoured Car Regiments and that only around 35 cars of the ordered 100 were completed.

I'm finishing up a model and would like to dress it accordingly.

Thanks
Sean

PPS · #2 03-09-07, 10:42

sean,

These sites may be of use to you:-

http://www.staghounds.org.uk/index.aspx

http://www.btinternet.com/~ian.a.pat...mouredcars.htm

http://www.12mbdragoons.com/stag01.html

That is only a token few that I found when I "Googled" Staghound (if you ignore the canine entries).

Paul.

Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP) · #3 03-09-07, 12:58

Go with the 12th Manitobas, Sean... somewhere around here I have photos of one of their veh dumps in Holland at the end of the war showing the Stag III. When I find them, I'll post them.

Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP) · #4 03-09-07, 13:45

Here's one... there are more but damned if I can find them right now...

servicepub (RIP) · #5 03-09-07, 15:29

According to Roger Lucy's "The Staghound in Canadian Service", a title in the Weapons of War which will appear later this year;

"The first prototype Staghound III was initially demonstrated at the AFV School at Lulworth, in December 1943. Unfortunately, subsequent trials at the Fighting Vehicle Proving Establishment in Farnborough found it suffered from a number of weaknesses, mainly of an ergometric nature. The 75mm Crusader had been rushed into service without a proper evaluation. It had a two instead of three man turret, forcing the commander to act as loader. The Directorate of Tank design found the layout of his position to be very unsatisfactory, and it was almost impossible to spot the fall of shot. DTD was dismayed when the vehicle came back for further tests in May 1944, with most of its major concerns left addressed. Further delays occurred when the project was given to another contractor, and the Staghound III did not complete its firing trials until 19 January 1945. Due to waning RAC interest in the vehicle, the planned run of 100 vehicles was cut back to 50. The Staghound III was, in the end, issued only to the two Canadian regiments, XII Manitoba Dragoons and the Royal Canadian Dragoons, which finally received them on 20 April 1945."

Sean Dunnage · #6 03-09-07, 17:20

I appreciate all the help. I guess 12 Dragoons it is. I'm using a bit of artistic license on the model and it will appear like a fully stowed Staghound I with all kinds of additions and bits and bobs. Some are plainly off the ball, like my outside smoke bomb thrower. I know there was a 4" in the turret but I thought the turret needed some dressing up.

Jordan Baker · #7 03-09-07, 17:41

Hi Sean

That looks great. I can't wait to get my hands on a Staghound kit or two.

Will you be going to the London show in a few weeks?

marco · #8 03-09-07, 19:13

Hello All,

Fragment from the 12MD war diary, 20 April 45:

"We received three Hy Tp cars today - Stags with Crusader turrets, 75mm (6 pr bored out) guns, and Besa (7,92) co-axes.
We are to get twelve altogether.
Two are to go to each sqn and four to RHQ to form a central pool to be available for use where required.
The AA Stags are to be done away with"

Attached photo shows one from C-squadron.
There is another photo showing the other Stag III in C-squadron so it seems that the establishment was reached.

Best regards,

Marco

Sean Dunnage · #9 03-09-07, 19:17

The things that come out of the woodwork when asked about.
The 12 MD it is!

Jordan I hope to be at the London show if all goes well. I'll bring the Staghound even if it's not done.

Sean

marco · #10 03-09-07, 19:33

Many Dutch Staghounds ended their lives as pilboxes around military airports.
For this, the Staghounds were stripped to bare hulls and the hull interior was "emptied" completely with a cutting torch.
The turret gun aperture was modified by welding in a heavy casting to mount a .50 Cal. machinegun.
The hull was dug in with the top deck on ground level.
After that concrete was poured around the hull.
Entrance was arranged by a door constructed in the rear of the hull and a underground tunnel leading to this door.

The photo shows one of the surviving T17E3 hull/turret assemblies, the only one I know of.
(From T17E1 hull/turret assemblies there are more survivors).

Marco

Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP) · #11 03-09-07, 19:49

Quote:

Originally posted by Sean Dunnage
The things that come out of the woodwork when asked about.
The 12 MD it is!

Hehehehe..... and you expected anything less, Sean? Tsk-tsk!

You know, over the nine years I've been running this little operation, I've never seen any group, anywhere, which has the qualities of this 'MLU Mob'. Nowhere else. (even if we do have some very peculiar blokes here!)

Damn, that makes me feel good!