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United Kingdom - WW I Gun Carrier and Variants |
Gun Carrier Mk II
A new design of gun carrier was proposed by Wilson and Gregg in June 1917. This was based on Mark V tank hull, engine and transmission although the hull was somewhat wider than the Mark V and it was intended to use 26.5inch wide tracks. Sponsons were not fitted and were replaced by large doors in the side of the hull. It was not intended to fire a gun from the Mark II Gun Carrier so the gun was carried at the rear of the tank which gave the driver a good view forwards as opposed to the Mk I.
The gun, either a 6inch howitzer or 5inch gun was placed on tow ramps at the rear of the carrier and winched up the ramps until it hit the curved ramp end plates. Further winching pulled the ramps clear of the ground. The winch was driven from the epicyclic gears of the Mark V and the winch cable passed through the roof to a pulley behind the driver's cab. A further pulley was suspended from a tripod frame and the winch cable was attached to the lunette (towing ring) of the gun.
There was space inside the hull for storage of 70 rounds of ammunition. Smaller calibre guns could be carried with a corresponding increase in ammunition storage. The project was never taken up and only proceeded as far as a wooden mockup of the design.
The gun, either a 6inch howitzer or 5inch gun was placed on tow ramps at the rear of the carrier and winched up the ramps until it hit the curved ramp end plates. Further winching pulled the ramps clear of the ground. The winch was driven from the epicyclic gears of the Mark V and the winch cable passed through the roof to a pulley behind the driver's cab. A further pulley was suspended from a tripod frame and the winch cable was attached to the lunette (towing ring) of the gun.
There was space inside the hull for storage of 70 rounds of ammunition. Smaller calibre guns could be carried with a corresponding increase in ammunition storage. The project was never taken up and only proceeded as far as a wooden mockup of the design.