Alecto (SPG)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Alecto
General characteristics
Crew 3/4
Length 14 ft
Width 8 ft 10.5 in
Height 6 ft 11 in
Weight 19,040 lb, tonnes
Armour and armament
Armour 6 - 38 mm
Main armament see text
Secondary armament see text
Mobility
Power plant Meadows 12 cylinder
148 hp ( kW)
Suspension
Road speed 30 mph
Power/weight hp/tonne
Range 125 miles

The Alecto was an experimental self propelled gun developed by the British in World War II but terminated with the end of the war in Europe.

Contents

[edit] Development

A project for a 3.75 inch (95 mm) howitzer was started in 1942. Two guns were made, and one of these was chosen for test mounting on a Harry Hopkins tank chassis. Like the Harry Hopkins, the Alecto had skid steering, which operated by bowing the tracks through lateral movements of the central road wheels. The gun was mounted in an open topped structure facing to the rear. The first trials were not started until late in 1944. The trials uncovered various problems but by the time these were solved the war in Europe was over. With no prospect for use in the Far East, the project was ended.

[edit] Variants

  • Mk I
3.75 inch (95 mm), 20 cal howitzer
  • Mk II
QF 6 pdr gun
  • Mk III
QF 25 pounder gun-howitzer. Prototype partially completed
  • Mk IV
32pdr howitzer.
  • Alecto Dozer
Alecto dozer.
Alecto dozer.

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:
Unarmoured vehicles
British armoured fighting vehicle production during World War II