Cruiser Tank Ram

Description

The Canadian Cruiser Tank Ram Mk II was an up-armed version of the Cruiser Tank Ram Mk I originating in USA (where it was given the designation Medium Tank, M4A5 for record purposes) in that it used a modified Medium Tank, M4 chassis (the prototype was furthermore manufactured in the US by American Locomotive Co.). It had a cast main turret which housed its main gun and one machine gun, and a small secondary turret in the front left side with another machine gun. It also had a smoke projector.

A turretless version of the Ram was used as as an armoured personnel carrier as the Ram Kangaroo.

Technical Details

  Mk I Mk II
Crew
Crew
  • Commander
  • Gunner
  • Loader
  • Hull machine gun operator
  • Driver
Physical characteristics
Weight 29.5 t
Length 5.79 m
Width 2.67 m
Height 2.9 m
Armour
Armour (max) 87 mm
Performance
Speed (max) 40 km/h
Engine
Engine Wright R975
Net h.p. 300
Armament
Main weapon QF 2 pdr (1) QF 6 pdr (1)
Secondary weapon .30 cal. Browning Machine Gun (2)

Images

Drawing of a Cruiser Tank Ram Mk I
Drawing of a Cruiser Tank Ram Mk I
Profile view of a Ram Mk I
Profile view of a Ram Mk I
This Ram Mk I photograph gives a good view of the shape of the cast hull
This Ram Mk I photograph gives a good view of the shape of the cast hull
The rivets on the mantlet is quite visible on this Cruiser Tank Ram Mk I
The rivets on the mantlet is quite visible on this Cruiser Tank Ram Mk I
The 57 mm (6 pdr) of the Cruiser Tank Ram Mk II made the tank considerably more potent
The 57 mm (6 pdr) of the Cruiser Tank Ram Mk II made the tank considerably more potent
Ram Mk II in a field workshop
Ram Mk II in a field workshop

Further Reading

Forum discussion of the Cruiser Tank Ram
Forum discussion at the Tanks in World War 2 Forum, about the Cruiser Tank Ram.

Sources

  1. Office of the Chief of Ordnance. Catalogue of Standard Ordnance Items : Volume I - Tank and Automotive. 1945.

Back to Tanks in World War 2.

This page was last updated 2010-11-07 17:37:16.