Multiple SMOKE grenade projector: Sherman, Wasp carrier?

[Alex van de Wetering]

The subject is a 8 "barrel" Smoke projector that can be seen in some 1945 pictures of Canadian Shermans, and also Wasp carriers.
I don't even know what the proper name is for this piece of kit....but after speaking with Tim and Hanno, we thought at least it deserves a thread of it's own to gather info and learn more about it.

According to a quote from a war diary posted by Steve Guthrie on another forum, the projector was developed by the RCEME.

Attached are some period pictures of Wasps showing the projector, as well as a Sherman Firefly Ic with the projector fitted to the mantlet.

1st picture; Wasps in Beilen 1945, source: https://beeldbankwo2.nl
2nd and 3rd picture; Wasps in Zutphen 1945, source: https://erfgoedcentrumzutphen.nl
4th picture: Wasp in Zwolle 1945; source: https://historischcentrumoverijssel.nl/
5th picture; Sherman Ic; source: https://www.canadiansoldiers.com/veh...hermantank.htm

Beilen Wasps.jpg

Wasp Zutphen.jpg Wasp Zutphen2.jpg

WaspCarrier Zwolle.jpg Sherman2.jpg

[Alex van de Wetering]

The Dutch Army museum has a Wasp carrier in their collection. After spending years in depots away from view, it's currently on display for the general public in the NMM, the National Army myseum in Soesterberg. It seems it was repainted recently, but more important.....it is still fitted with the smoke projector.

pictures taken last saterday.

Smoke1.jpg Smoke2.jpg Smoke3.jpg Smoke4.jpg Smoke5.jpg

[Alex van de Wetering]

Attached is a picture of a row is Staghounds, waiting for the parade in Amsterdam, may 1945. A smoke projector can be seen in the distance; were they also fitted to some Staghounds (Marco??)....or could it be a different vehicle?

source: https://beeldbankwo2.nl

Amsterdam Staghound.jpg Screenshot 2021-09-14 at 22-03-17 Beeldbank.jpg

[Colin Alford]

Alex,

While the Multi-barrelled Smoke Discharger is not mentioned in the 2 March 1945, Handbook for the Flame Thrower Transportable, No. 2, Mark 2c, images of the mount can be found in the 11 May 1945 Addendum No. 1 to the above handbook (which is the fitting instructions for the supplementary armour).

The Multi-Barrelled Smoke Discharger is described in detail in the 1950 Canadian Army Flame Training Manual, for the Flame Thrower, Transportable, No. 2, Mark 2c (Wasp 2).

27A7EF6A-0E08-4E2D-8021-3BAF550C319C.jpeg 85EF9252-4DB0-4E87-BE19-4F5AC38720CF.jpeg AC145F0C-6D23-42DB-8FC1-776F8F8D4B93.jpg C5408319-340F-49CB-80D4-A37DCF9DF7B9.jpg AB2FBC96-6539-48AF-9BAF-44D2191685FF.jpeg

[Colin Alford]

The description:

9ACF5E28-2AAD-4F13-B7F2-A7C6A50D7C96.jpeg BF3B7F55-D15A-4081-B6C2-A687E194AA28.jpg

7076453F-BD7C-4B3D-AD82-963E8F569504.jpg 8D950752-6735-4C17-8D2E-6396D1C92845.jpg

14CCD980-4707-437D-B532-66E0559377C7.jpg

[Colin Alford]

Wiring diagram:

32A8B998-91E8-451A-94B2-6829A9B519BE.jpg

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Alex van de Wetering

According to a quote from a war diary posted by Steve Guthrie on another forum, the projector was developed by the RCEME.

For the sake of completeness of this very interesing and thorough topic, here's the war diary entry Steve Guthrie dug up:

241165326_4515149988552319_2371855620841949300_n.jpg

[Alex van de Wetering]

Colin, Jordan, thanks for the terrific additions!

Here is another Wasp during a liberation parade in Utrecht 1945.
source:https://hetutrechtsarchief.nl/

[Tim Bell]

All

I am going to get a reproduction of this smoke discharger made.

Anyone here interested in being considered for a repro also - subject to costs of course.

Please send me a PM if you are.

Cheers

Tim