17 pdr tractor

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

I went out and checked the IWM photo in WHEELS & TRACKS centrepages [the article on the Model 8440 30-cwt Portees]. Issue 33 has the photo of a rebuild crossing a river in Italy. The text confirms that, as with the MCC rebuilt Portees , Predictors and GTs, some of the Chevrolet Portees were converted to 17-pounder tractors. There is no evidence yet that the 6-pdr C60L portees were ever used in the same role...they were evidently rebuilt as G/S trucks solely.

In addition there was a proposal for an airportable F15A that could fit into a Hamilcar, that was supposed to tow an airportable gun...6-pounder I assume but did they also try out with a 17-pounder? The Parachute Museum files beckon.

I reminded myself that the 8440 C-GT model designation was applied to both the pucka Gun Tractor as well as the Portee, which itself was rated at 30-cwt. with, as Bart said, 3-ton components.