Cruiser Tank Ram Kangaroo

History of the Cruiser Tank Ram Kangaroo

The "Kangaroo" designation in service with the Canadian Army includes a group of armoured personnel carriers (APCs) that were improvements to existing armoured chassis that served during World War II (1939-1945). One such development was the "Ram Kangaroo", a modified superstructure hull mounted on the chassis and landing gear of the "Cruiser Tank Ram".

The original Ram tank was developed by the Canadians for service in the war - a rare indigenous Canadian tank initiative - although production reached around 2,000 in 1941-43, the vehicle was never used In combat service, was relegated to a training role. This decision was largely motivated by the large inventory of American M4 Shermans available.

The chassis of the Ram tank formed the basis for several useful battlefield vehicles, including APC forms, as well as flame tanks and artillery observation posts.

The name "kangaroo" is thought to represent the wearer's ability to carry infantry in a protective "bag", much like Australian kangaroos carry their young.

The finished Ram Kangaroo is powered by a Continental R975 9-cylinder petrol engine at the rear. Road speeds reach 25 mph and range up to 143 miles. Local defense was paired with 0.50 caliber and 0.30 caliber machine guns. In later years, when infantry service proved more important than air defense, the Ram Kangaroo adopted a 2 x .30 caliber machine gun arrangement.

Operated by a crew of two, the Kangaroo Ram is capable of transporting up to eight combat troops (or more, depending on desperation). Dimensions include a length of 5.8 meters, a width of 3 meters and a height of 2.6 meters.

The crew cabin is fairly rudimentary, with no protection from the elements on top, making it a rather rough, unprotected ride for those on board.

Ram Kangaroos serve at all levels of the Canadian Army command structure, with one vehicle capable of carrying an entire infantry detachment and multiple Kangaroos capable of carrying an entire company. While the occupants of the vehicle were barely protected, it was a vehicle for carrying people when various mechanized vehicles were used.

Other Kangaroo vehicles include "Priest Kangaroo" - based on the chassis of the M7 "Priest" (SPA) self-propelled artillery vehicle, "Churchill Kangaroo" - based on the famous "Churchill" tank chassis and "Kangaroo Badger" - Kangaroo APC The flame canister modification. Vehicle modifications are handled by the Montreal Locomotive Works and the Canadian Tank Arsenal in Canada.

The first kangaroo appeared in 1943, and in total about 650 vehicles were completed.

Specification

Basic

Roles

Dimensions

Performance

Performance

Armor

Depends on weapon.

Changes