Aussie Sentinel tanks

[zemsi]

Quote from Mike Cecil

Ahh, it was good to see an article on the Australian Cruiser tank by David Fletcher in the recent (no 131) issue of CMV. Readability was excellent in David's usual style, and he always seems to be able to encapsulate the history of a vehicle so well in just a few pages.

Of course, the majority of information about the AC series is resident in Australian archives, rather than the UK, so it is perhaps not surprising that there are a few statements that are a little astray of the mark.

The heading asks 'where did the name Sentinel come from?' and David spends a long paragraph debating this point, concluding ('in the absence of any firm evidence') that it was adopted AFTER the war as a collective name for the type. Well, there is solid, documentary evidence that the name was officially adopted in early 1942 for just the AC1 tank. David later comments that the AC3 tank at the AWM, 'now rejoicing in the name Thunderbolt', which seems to imply that this is also a later naming. Again, the AC3 powered by the Perrier-Cadillac triple V8 was officially named Thunderbolt in 1942, and there are documents that prove this, also.

David makes no mention of the AC3 that was to be built in Victoria powered by a Wasp radial, the configuration giving rise to the 'other' AC3 name, the AC3 Scorpion (also an officially promulgated name). Alas, no AC3 Scorpions were built prior to the shut-down of the project in mid-1943.

David also comments that the AC1 at Bovington arriving in 1949, and that it was sent to the UK for 'evaluation'. Documents show that the tank was gifted directly to the tank museum at Bovington via the Australian Army Staff in London as a 'technical example' for display at Bovington, and not for testing or evaluation. The offer was made and accepted before the war's end. The tank, complete with all accessories and documentation, left Australia aboard the SS Nestor in mid-1946, arriving in the UK after a voyage lasting about 8 weeks.

Although there were only 65 AC1, 1 AC3 and 3 'E' series Australian Cruiser tanks built during WW2, and none saw any operational service, the whole process, from concept to design to production, is fascinating. I know there has been a highly detailed manuscript completed about the history of the Aust Cruiser, but alas it seems to be stuck in publisher's limbo for some reason I am yet to fully understand. Such a pity, as the books author turned up some really interesting 'stuff' on the whole program (I was honoured to read and comment on the drafts, and write the Foreword). Hopefully, it will see the light of day sometime soon.

Mike C

[lynx42]

A very interesting account about the invention and development of the Sentinel AC 1 tank. It took only 22 months from planning to driving.

Enjoy.
Rick.



http://www.awm.gov.au/collection/rec...-vol5-ch14.pdf

[Mike Cecil]

Yes, Rick, the Official History account is interesting, but does not provide a complete picture by any means.

For example, the statement that the Cadillac was the 'only engine available with enough Horsepower' does not take into account the preference by Watson for the Guiberson Radial diesel engine above all others. Unfortunately, the high fees and royalties required by Guiberson were unacceptable to the Australian government, so the engine was dropped from contention. The Caddie engine in triplicate, running through a common crank-case, was the next-best available alternative.

DP Mellor's history of the AC tanks is a great starting point and a 'good read'. It's a pity that the unpublished manuscript I referred to remains just that: unpublished, as it provides a far more in-depth analysis of the whole saga.

Mike C

[Ryan]

I was recently at a farm and saw an AC hull cut off above the tracks. Hull no. BK23.

Sorry, BK AH23

[Ryan]

Seems the 1944 movie 'The rats of tobruk' which features Sentinels in action mocked up as Panzers has been remastered and released on DVD.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/191124492...49#ht_7wt_1137

hmm

[Ryan]

Bought myself a copy of the movie at jb hifi for $20. The Sentinels are in the movie for 5 minutes but it was great to see them driving around.
The only mods they had on them was a box structure over the mantlet surrounding the gun barrel and a enlarged cylindrical commanders copola. It didn't make them look more 'german' to modern eyes though and they also had a dodgy backwards facing swastika on the front of the tank.
The movie also featured period footage with Blitzs and the like and plenty of shiny new LP2 carriers featuring the actors.
Worth a look.

[Ryan]

Some pictures of Sentinel production from the AWM website.

[Ryan]

It seems the ex Belfield AC3 is now in a new Tank and Arty museum in QLD and is being refurbished and turned into a mock up AC4!

A link to the museum:
http://www.ausarmour.com/

[Tony Smith]

Employee enamel badge from the Sentinel Tank Assembly Section at Chullora railway workshops:

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/D123-RARE...item5b026c199f

[Ryan]

Just want to confirm this.

Does the Sentinel use standard type M3 lee/grant roadwheels, drive sprocket and idler?
And does it use standard m3 Lee/grant track?

[David Herbert]

The tracks, road wheel tyres and sprocket rings are the same as M3 / M4 medium tanks with VVSS. There are many variations of these parts but they are all interchangable. The sprocket hubs, road wheel centres and idler assembly are unique to Sentinel though the road wheels may be interchangeable with the American ones.

David

[Martin Kelly]

AC1 (with the 2 pounder) and AC4 prototype mock up(with the 17 pounder). The AC1 was purchased from a US collector and given to the Aussie Museum by a Ukrainian Games company (who make the World of Tanks game). The museum, based in Cairns fabricated the mantlet of the AC4 prototype, in their workshop. Their workshop had done a bit of reconditioning, but is presently putting together a Tiger replica, based on the Mockup Tiger they purchased from "Fury".

[Ryan]

Don't believe I've seen these pics before.

[Ryan]

Fantastic detailed plans/blueprints for the AC3 from the national archives.
103 pages worth!!

https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/Sear...82893&T=P&S=10

[Mike Cecil]

Nice find Ryan.

The barcode for those interested in going to the NAA file via Recordsearch is 382893, where you can choose to view either the on-line digital copy or download the 25.4 MB pdf file.

The file name is 'Plans, Armoured Fighting Vehicles.'

Mike

[ozm29c]

I just picked up the remains of a Studebaker Weasel in the Victorian high country this weekend. Next to the weasel were (according to the owner) some Sentinal tank suspension parts. Parts included a final drive hub, top carrier and roller assemblies, springs, bogey wheels, multiple suspension rockers, parts of a crown wheel with planetary gears and a few track pads. The owner does not want to see this stuff scrapped so if it is of interest to you, pm me for the contact details. Cheers John W

[Nicholas Perry]

Originally Posted by Ryan

Fantastic detailed plans/blueprints for the AC3 from the national archives.
103 pages worth!!

https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/Sear...82893&T=P&S=10

Thanks for the link Ryan. Just working up the details for a model project so very timely. Note the Canadian Dry Pin tracks fitted with a new drive sprocket.