Canadian Ram

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whelm
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Posts: 38
Joined: 07 Feb 2014, 20:30

Canadian Ram

#1

Post by whelm » 13 Nov 2016, 23:46

Spec sheet and a interesting look at a firing test.

The test while not exactly detailed as while they list the locations and velocities as well as round types that were used, they only list the depth they managed to achieve into the front plate and don't bother to list off a more detailed description stating exactly how thick for example the areas struck actually are. (Other then the horseshoe, they state a 6 pdr round struck the horseshoe where it was not backed up by the front adapter plate (outside edge) which was 44.45 mm thick and penetrated, it then hit the inner adapter plate around the gun tube at the very top which was only 25.4 mm and penetrated that, it then struck the mantlet proper and was stopped leaving behind a 41.275 mm indentation.

I have never seen a source state what the inner mantlet was in terms of thickness, most sources will just say the front of the turret was 76.2 mm and leave it at that. At least with these photos we can see it does actually have quite a bit of mass behind it, and with the depth numbers we can make some educated guesses on total thickness.

Not shown are the splash plates for whatever reason (may not have been installed) at later dates they really increased the number of these basically covering the entire inner side of the mantlet with only openings for optics/coax/gun.

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Blow out showing assembly
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Firing trial report on Ram II cast turret and front adapter plate at Valcartier proof range P.Q. 3rd August 1942

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Inner mantlet
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The other side
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Adapter plate that cover keyhole opening (later versions deleted this and the keyhole, just having a small opening for the gun)
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Horseshoe
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Front cover plate
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Inside view
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Depth all of the rounds managed to go
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Cupola hit was the only full penetration, the 2 pdr round went in, came out the other side with most of it's velocity gone, left a knick on the back wall and then fell to the floor.

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changes to the mantlet (Oct 1942)

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May 1943
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some sizes, interesting as it confirms the possible use of one piece transmission covers.

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whelm
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Re: Canadian Ram

#2

Post by whelm » 19 Nov 2016, 22:26

Some data points from the manual.

Maximum sustained hard road speed:.......... 25 mph
expected cross country for various terrain.... 4 to 20 mph

Turret
Gun elevation -7.5 to + 20
Traverse 18 seconds/360 degrees (maximum of 22 seconds allowed)

Cupola
Gun elevation -8.5 to +60
Traverse 120 degrees to the left and 50 degrees to the right


Short periods of at least 28 mph I believe the Ram could achieve. They had tested various vehicles to be towers for the 17 pdr and they tested two versions of the Ram, one still retaining the turret, the other without. Both had a top speed in those tests of 28 mph.


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peeved
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Re: Canadian Ram

#3

Post by peeved » 19 Nov 2016, 23:47

Happen to know of Ram use in warmer countries? Pic from http://www.ebay.de/itm/Error?item=390920804914&errid=2

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whelm
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Re: Canadian Ram

#4

Post by whelm » 20 Nov 2016, 00:15

Nope, but people wearing shorts in the summer and operating on a beach or sandy area in the UK or Canada is more likely.
They were doing wading and firing exercises on the beaches with the Rams back when they thought they were going to be using them.

https://youtu.be/8EL_zVvpWUY?t=457
at 7 mins 35 seconds in.


A large number were to be modernized and brought up to operational/ready standards in 1943, part of this was wanting as many as could be converted to use the bored out 6 pdr/75mm along with things like improved splash protection, armoured ammo bins, improved firing gear/traverse/elevation, improved air inlet protection and improved driver's vision door.

Only so many were brought up to those standards before they ended up with enough M4's and they basically stopped before finishing the original number requested I think.

The Data Book, Tank type vehicles of Canadian manufacture 1944
Army engineering design branch, Department of munitions and supply Canada

Imply the Ram could use the one piece transmission front as well. The kangaroos and I Imagine the OP tanks were often using extended end connectors as well. So we could have seen a Ram with the one piece nose, and extended end connectors used. (probably not while in training use, but if they had seen combat) would make an interesting kit bash model.

There's a photo of a Ram OP tank that shows it just absolutely loaded down with tracks for extra protection all over it, much like they did on the Sherman's.

"Brig NA Gianelli and Brig Bingham were discussing the policy of track link protection on shermans as extra deflecting armour, they were advised that two tons of track links would not have a serious detrimental effect on the reliability of the standard sherman and that on the 17 pdr sherman there might be a noticeable effect but there was no prescendent to prove it. Brig Bingham? said he was prepared to risk the drop in reliability for the protection gained."

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