grizzly tank

[luc désormeaux]

I was wondering if the canadian version of the Sherman M4A1, the Grizzly, was ever use in Europe or England?? Any pictures in service ?? Is the tracks and drive sprokets are the only differences from the regular M4A1??

[Maurice Donckers]

The Turret is also different then on a M4A1 , one hatch less.

[servicepub (RIP)]

Originally posted by luc désormeaux
I was wondering if the canadian version of the Sherman M4A1, the Grizzly, was ever use in Europe or England?? Any pictures in service ??

The Grizzly chassis was the foundation for the Skink AA Tank. One went to Europe for 'operational' trials and saw extensive duty with 4th Cdn Armd Div. Very few photos exist of the Skink and none that were taken in Europe that I know of. Service Publications will be publishing a booklet on the Skink, written by Roger Lucy, in the near future as part of our "Weapons of War" series.

[Roger Lucy]

There is some late 1944 early 1945 correspondance on the Skink files, concerning the War Office's interest in taking the Grizzlies that had been earmarked to become Skinks off our hands, after the project was cancelled. The Brits were having diffiiculties getting as many replacement M4s from the USA as they wanted.
Unfortunately the Skink files do not show what the conclusion was, although there was serious interest in both sides in doing this.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally posted by Roger Lucy
The Brits were having diffiiculties getting as many replacement M4s from the USA as they wanted.

If I recall correctly, the Grizzly was (also) earmarked for conversion to 17-pounder guns, once the supply from the USA of 75-mm gun Shermans suitable for conversion dried up.

H.