Alecto (SPG)

Alecto
Type Self propelled gun
Place of origin  United Kingdom
Production history
Manufacturer Vickers
Specifications
Weight 19,040 lb (8.64 t)
Length 14 ft (4.3 m)
Width 8 ft 10.5 in (2.705 m)
Height 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)
Crew 3 or 4
Armour 6 - 38 mm
Main
armament
 howitzer or AT gun
Secondary
armament
 Vickers machine gun
Engine Meadows 12-cylinder petrol engine
148 hp (110 kW)
Operational
range
 125 mi (201 km)
Speed 30 mph (48 km/h)

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

Development

In 1942 a project for a 3.75 inch (95 mm) howitzer was started. 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. 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.

Variants

3.75 inch (95 mm), 20 cal howitzer
QF 6 pdr gun
QF 25 pounder gun-howitzer. Prototype partially completed
32pdr howitzer.
Alecto dozer.

See also

References

External links

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