Why Gun Tractor Shape

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Lang

None of this seems to have any bearing on the sloping back design. The 18 pounder ring theory still gets my vote from those offered so far.

I think this subject is being beaten to death. The sloping back was designed to accommodate the gun's mounting base. Period.

Note: when the design and use of field guns evolved, the design and manufacture of Field Artillery Tractors apparently had to catch up later. Also, don't forget that it is often more effective to keep manufacturing a proven design, rather than disrupt mass production of an otherwise adequate vehicle. This is what helped to win the war: while the Germans were designing new tanks, the North American arsenal of democracy mass-produced an adequate medium tank.

HTH,
Hanno