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United Kingdom - Churchill Variants |
Gun Carrier, 3in, Mk I, Churchill (A22D)
Coming out of a General Staff request in 1941 to investigate fitting high velocity guns tanks. Neither the Churchill or Valentine could mount a turret with anything larger than the 6-pdr but it was proposed that a fixed superstructure could carry a larger gun with limited traverse. Vauxhall were provided with 100 guns and given the task of producing the vehicle. The pilot vehicles were ready for testing in early 1942 and found to be satisfactory but progress with the 17-pdr Challenger cruiser tank and refocussing on a general purpose role (and 75mm gun) for the Churchill led to a reduced order. A fixed 88 mm (3.5 in) thick superstructure with the gun in a ball mount. The gun was an otherwise obsolete QF 3-inch 20 cwtanti-aircraft gun. Fifty were built in 1942 but none are known to have been used in combat- the 17 pounder anti-tank gun gave the British the necessary firepower. Some were adapted for experimentation and training with the "Snake" mine-clearing line charge device.[20]
Coming out of a General Staff request in 1941 to investigate fitting high velocity guns tanks. Neither the Churchill or Valentine could mount a turret with anything larger than the 6-pdr but it was proposed that a fixed superstructure could carry a larger gun with limited traverse. Vauxhall were provided with 100 guns and given the task of producing the vehicle. The pilot vehicles were ready for testing in early 1942 and found to be satisfactory but progress with the 17-pdr Challenger cruiser tank and refocussing on a general purpose role (and 75mm gun) for the Churchill led to a reduced order. A fixed 88 mm (3.5 in) thick superstructure with the gun in a ball mount. The gun was an otherwise obsolete QF 3-inch 20 cwtanti-aircraft gun. Fifty were built in 1942 but none are known to have been used in combat- the 17 pounder anti-tank gun gave the British the necessary firepower. Some were adapted for experimentation and training with the "Snake" mine-clearing line charge device.[20]