Gun Tractor for Polsten Quad

[Roger Lucy]

Originally Posted by RHClarke

http://www.anti-aircraft.co.uk/polstenquad.html provides some clues. .

Unfortunately this web-site is a bit confused. The Skink and Inglis Quad mountings were designed separately, and neither was initially intended to take the Polsten.
The first Skink prototype turrets were designed to mount Hispano-Suiza cannon, while Inglis' Quad and its single and double mountings were were intended for a 20mm cannon of Inglis design which used Hispano-Suiza ammunition. The choice was based on 1942 War Office assurances that it preferred the Hispano-Suiza to the Oerlikon. Unfortunately for Canadian efforts, the British Ministry of Supply preferred the Polsten (based on the Oerlikon) for obvious reasons of economy. In February 1944 21st Army Group decided it would no longer give space in the supply chain for Hispano-Suiza ammunition. The Skink turret therefore had to be redesigned to take the Polsten (fatally delaying the project), and the Inglis mounts were also adapted to accommodate this gun. Efforts were made to modify the Inglis 20mm gun to take Oerlikon ammunition, but the War had ended before the prototypes had completed their firing trials.

Attached are pictures of the Inglis Quad and the Skink with Hispano-Siza guns. For more information on the Inglis 20mm gun see Secret Weapons of the Canadian Army available from Service Publications.