Gun Carrier Mark I
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| Image:British Gun Carrier Mark I - 60 pdr.jpg British Gun Carrier Mark I fitted with a 60 pdr gun | |
| General characteristics | |
|---|---|
| Crew | 4 excluding gun crew |
| Length | m |
| Width | m |
| Height | m |
| Weight | tonnes |
| Armour and armament | |
| Armour | mm |
| Main armament | see text |
| Secondary armament | none |
| Mobility | |
| Power plant | Daimler 105 hp ( kW) |
| Suspension | |
| Road speed | km/h |
| Power/weight | hp/tonne |
| Range | km |
The Gun Carrier Mark I was the first piece of self-propelled artillery ever to be produced, a British development during the First World War based on the first tanks.
Contents |
[edit] Development
During 1916 it became clear that in case of a breakthrough, artillery would have great trouble following the advancing troops. To solve this problem a Major Gregg of the Metropolitan Carriage, Wagon and Finance company proposed to build a gun-carrying tank, using parts from the Mk. I. The production of a prototype was approved on 5 June 1916; the actual design began in July. The first prototype was ready to participate in the Tank Trials Day at Oldbury on 3 March 1917. An order of fifty vehicles was given to Kitson & Co. in Leeds. Deliveries to the British Army started in June and ended in July.
[edit] Description
The vehicle bore little resemblance to the Mark I. The tracks were lowered, and flattened. At the back a rectangular superstructure covered the Daimler 105 hp engine together with the transmission of the Mark I, the latter now in a reversed position. Sharing it were the vehicle commander, a mechanic and two gearsmen. The original double tail wheel of the Mark I intended to aid steering and attached to the rear of the vehicle was retained. The front was an open area with either a 60-pounder (5-inch) field gun or a 6-inch howitzer. For transporting the gun only the wheels had to be removed from the gun carriage - these were attached to the side of the carrier until needed again. In theory either gun could be fired from the vehicle while mounted; in reality only the howitzer could be used. Alternatively the guns could be unloaded through a pivoting cradle assisted by two winding drums driven by the engine. Above the front of the track frame at each side was an armoured cab for the driver on the left and the brakesman on the right. In the prototype these driving positions were directly in front of the superstructure; moving them forward improved visibility, but made communication very difficult - a problem as, in the Mark I, four men (including the gearsmen) had to cooperate to steer the tank.
[edit] Operational History
In July 1917 two Gun Carrier Companies were formed of 24 vehicles each. The gun carriers fired their weapons at night on a few occasions with moderate success, but eventually the gun carrier companies were converted into supply companies.
[edit] Variants
Two vehicles out of the order of fifty were finished as "Gun Carrier Cranes", salvage tanks with a hand-operated crane in the front. The forward cabs were absent.
There was a project for a Gun Carrier Mark II. Early in 1917 a wooden mock-up was made of an improved type, carrying the gun at the back. A real prototype was partly built, but never finished, the sole result of the project being that the original type is now known as the Gun Carrier Mark I.nl:Gun Carrier Mark I pl:Gun Carrier Mark I
