Towing the 60Pdr

[David W]

The Commonwealth used the 60Pdr during the early war years, but what did they use to tow it?

Was the AEC Matador available?

[gambadier]

Yes, it was used to tow 3.7-in HAA, 4.5 and 5.5, and I assume the remaining WW1 guns (60-pr, 6-in) but not sure about 8-in & 7.2 Mks 1-5.

[Clive Mortimore]

Yes, it was used to tow 3.7-in HAA, 4.5 and 5.5, and I assume the remaining WW1 guns (60-pr, 6-in) but not sure about 8-in & 7.2 Mks 1-5.

Hi Gambadier and David,

The AEC Matador was used for towing the 60 pdr and 6 inch howitzer. There were a few FWD (AEC) R6T gun tractors in service in 1939 and these were used to tow the 60 pdr and 3 inch AA gun. Another pre-war gun tractor was the Thornycroft HATHI, were these still in service in 1939?

Later in the war the Matador was supplemented with the FWD SU-COE, mainly used by the Canadian forces. Another north American product used for towing medium guns was the Mack NM 6x6 tractor.

The 6 inch gun, the 8 inch howitzer and the 7.2 guns were towed by Scammel Pioneer Heavy Artillery Tractors.

The Albion CX22 HATs were used along with the Scammels for towing the 7.2 inch Mk6 and the 155mm guns.

Another heavy artillery tractor used later in the war was the Mack NO-2 6x6.

[David W]

Thanks both.

Clive, do you know if the Albion HAT or the Scammels were used in North Africa to tow the few 155mm guns there?

[Alanmccoubrey]

David, the Scammell Pioneer Artillery Tractor was used to tow the 60pdr before the Matador entered service.

[David W]

Alan, the Matador entered service when?

Thanks.

[Alanmccoubrey]

With the RAF 1940 but with the Army later, the first photograph that I can remember of them in the theatre is in Greece.

[David W]

Thanks.

[Clive Mortimore]

With the RAF 1940 but with the Army later, the first photograph that I can remember of them in the theatre is in Greece.

Hi Alan

The Matador was in service with the BEF. Most of the ones caputered by the Germans have the early "streamlined" cab roofs which dates them pre 1940 production ( I could be wrong about the date of the change of roof style).

edit, the Scammels were also used by medium regiments in the early war years.

[Clive Mortimore]

Thanks both.

Clive, do you know if the Albion HAT or the Scammels were used in North Africa to tow the few 155mm guns there?

The US 155mm Howitzers M1917 and M1918 that the British had were medium artillery and would have been towed by Matadors or even Mack NM (if they came as job lot, gun and tractor).

The Albion HAT was not in service until 1944.

[gambadier]

The service life of 155mm How was very short in UK, as were the 75mm field delivered at the same time (late 1940 - not to be confused with the 75mm mtn/abn gun).

Macks were used to tow 155mm M1 Gun and 7.2 Mk 6. Their use to tow British guns was very limited because US guns were fitted with air brakes which meant the towing vehicle had to be able to connect to the airlines. UK guns used different brakes and the towing vehicles fitted accordingly. Towing a few tons of gun without effective brakes is never a good idea, not even in war time. The Macks remained in service until about 1970 when the towed 8 inch were converted to M110 SPs.

[David W]

Thanks again.

[Alanmccoubrey]

With the RAF 1940 but with the Army later, the first photograph that I can remember of them in the theatre is in Greece.

Hi Alan

The Matador was in service with the BEF. Most of the ones caputered by the Germans have the early "streamlined" cab roofs which dates them pre 1940 production ( I could be wrong about the date of the change of roof style).

edit, the Scammels were also used by medium regiments in the early war years.

Clive, do you have any actual evidence as to which units used the Matador with BEF ?

[Alanmccoubrey]

Clive, I found one myself, 1 Medium Regt was issued its first Matadors in May 1940, while 2 Med regt had Scammells for their 60 pounders.

http://www.ra39-45.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk ... index.html

[Clive Mortimore]

Clive, I found one myself, 1 Medium Regt was issued its first Matadors in May 1940, while 2 Med regt had Scammells for their 60 pounders.

http://www.ra39-45.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk ... index.html

Hi Alan

Are you a member of WW2 Talk? Not sure of the unit but there are two in this photo http://ww2talk.com/forums/topic/25285-b ... /?p=603121