Armortek

I've just been watching this tank recovery video on YouTube ( ) and noticed a few odd details on the Grant, such as debris chutes running along the tops of the bogies and extra fuel tank and stowage boxes on the engine deck and rear plate.


As far as I can tell, these were specific to Canadian Grants.

Adrian

Hi Adrian.

Thank you for the Post. I expect Chris Hall will make a comment, but I don't quite agree.

I have only two books on the Grant/Lee;Terry Gander's 'Tanks in Detail' and Osprey's M£ Lee/Grant Medium Tank 1941-45.

Both publications show Grants with 'Sand shields' fitted to British Operated tanks in the Western Desert. They 'imply' that the shields were fitted to stop sand being blown out by the tracks thus giving away the presence of tanks while on the move. It seems that they were a 'local modification or requirement for British operated tanks only.
American Lee Tanks in Tunisia after Operation Torch do not appear, or have ever, to have been fitted with them.

Later, the 'sand Shields' were removed when operations moved to the less dusty condition in Sicily Italy and Burma.

That is the impression I get when reading the books.

Hi Pete.

I think you missed my point

The chute I'm interested in is running along between the bogies, under the return rollers but above the road wheels.

Adrian.

I did indeed.
Looking closely at the image from the film you posted I can see the chutes you mean.
Doh!

Appointment booked at 'Specsavers', and doctor's for a brain transplant

Looking through the aforementioned books, there doesn't seem to be an image or mention of them. I wonder if they were to stop mud a large pieces of rubble falling onto the road wheels and jamming them?

Pete

The VVSS suspension system is certainly at risk from rocks jamming the wheels or suspension arm movement.

Milicast as the only people I've found with a kit showng these parts, and they list it as an "M3 Grant (Late)(Canadian)"

http://www.milicast.com/shop/product.ph ... t=0&page=1

Adrian.