Was the Quad Gun Tractor used only as an artillery tractor or was it also used as a personel carrier.
no such thing as “only” in war…I’m sure at some time it was used as a tow vehicle, as a personnel carrier, as an ambulance, heck, if they could mount wings on it I bet they would try to make it fly!
Is this the same as what Tamiya has in 1/35 kit? I believe this vehicle’s official name is Morris C8 FAT (Field Artillery Tractor) and used to tow 25 pounder howitzers and 17 pound anti-tank guns. This vehicle also carried 6 troops (1 driver + 5 passengers). Officially, this vehicle was supposed to be an artillery vehicle, so I will say that it was used for that purpose. However, I can’t say that it wasn’t used for transporting troops either.
One can never say never but it would be hard to imagine an towed artillery unit giving up its vehicles for “straight leg” soldiers – who mostly were expected to march and occasionally had lorries. Don’t do it TL.
There are pictures of Quads being used, post-war, as police riot vans, especially in Malaya.
Cheers,
Chris.
Case and point…a Sherman was not desgined to hual infantry, but you see a lot of pictures of piles of infantry cruising to the front on em! I think your on the right track TL, Go for it!
IYAASS: Of course the Sherman was designed as a breakthrough tank – point taken. But tactics evolved where armored doughs were seen as invaluable. Therefore, they rode because the situation dictated it.
Can there ever be a situation where an arty unit’s motored vehicles are called to haul some infantry around? I’m sure. I can imagine there might even be a situation where a GMC water truck (also available from Italeri) or a Ward LaFrance M1 Wrecker might be called to haul a few guys around.
An arty unit’s tractors moved their crew and guns and ammo. They would jealously safeguard their vehicles – especially when lorries were better suited to move infantry.
Tankluver: yes you can model whatever scenario you choose but I think that both the Tamiya and Italeri/Peerless kits, as is, are configured for hauling artillery and their crews: a very specialized function. If you can imagine bureaucratic rigidities, this would fit this scenario.
But like I said: “never say never”. Just enjoy your building: that’s the most important point. My opinion and a dollar will buy you a cup of coffee.
HTH
Not sure how helpful this is, but there was an apc built on the Chevrolet C8 which could be built from the Italeri C15 kit. It is similar in appearance to some of the quad tractors. I believe it was used by the Australians. I’m pretty sure there was a resin version available but I thought it was from Accurate Armor and I don’t see it listed.
The prime mover for towed artillery is considered part of the weapon system. Without the prime mover you can’t move (except air assualt). The care of the prime mover is the same as the weapon. If the prime mover goes down the weapon is down.
There were many vehicles used to move the big guns (8 inch and 155 gun). Normally assigned were M4 & M5 tractors. But many others were used, both track and wheel. In a pinch, anything that had the towing capacity would have been used.
Rounds Complete!!
I know this is dragging up an old thread, sorry.
I would think the the Morris Quad would not have been used for personel movement. As mentioned above it had a driver and 5 crew, at the rear was stowage for toold/equipment and a small amount of ammo cases (most ammo being in the limber towed between tractor and gun).
I spent a lot of weekends last year involved with Brit WW2 artillery displays, we used the Morris Quad to pull the limber and gun around, believe me when i say things are not comfortable for 6 men in there. You wouldnt want many more with you!