Bob Semple tank

Bob Semple tank
Type Armored fighting vehicle
Place of origin New Zealand
Production history
Manufacturer Ministry of Works, Temuka
Specifications
Weight 25.4 tonnes
Length 4.20 m (13 ft 9 in)
Width 3.30 m (10 ft 10 in)
Height 3.65 m (12 ft 0 in)
Crew

6-8

on
Armor 8-12.7 mm[1]
Main
armament
 6x Bren .303 machine guns
Engine 6-cylinder diesel
95 kW
Power/weight 5 hp/t
Operational
range
 160 km (99 mi)
Speed 24 km/h

The Bob Semple tank was an armored fighting vehicle designed by New Zealand Minister of Works Bob Semple during World War II. Originating out of the need to build military hardware from available materials, the 'tank' was built from corrugated iron on a tractor base. Designed and built during a period of uncertainty in which New Zealand feared having to defend itself from Japanese invasion without external assistance, these 'tanks' were a civilian effort to design and create a means to protect New Zealand.

Designed and built without formal plans or blueprints, it had numerous design flaws and practical difficulties, and was never put into mass production or used in combat.[2]

Design and construction

New Zealand, like its neighbour Australia, had no indigenous armoured fighting vehicle industry. It was expected that armoured fighting vehicles would be provided from Britain. Australia [3] and New Zealand did have some heavy industry that could be turned to the production of armour and armoured vehicles but little had been done. The idea of mechanising the New Zealand Army had been suggested before the war but without much progress. The use of the American Disston "Six Ton Tractor Tank" a 1937 vehicle constructed of an armoured box on a Caterpillar Model 35 chassis[4] which had been sold to Afghanistan and China was suggested.[5]

New Zealand had built some improvised armoured trucks and unable to get any tracked carriers from Australia were building their own with armour plate imported from Australia. After the Fall of France in mid-1940, and the loss of most British tanks there, there was no likelihood of production being spared for New Zealand. Rather than obtain the armoured superstructures from America, it was felt they could produce their own using local materials and resources.

It was decided that a 'tractor-tank' would be an adequate design; if the need for defense arose, a large tank superstructure could be bolted upon a tractor base within a few hours, allowing for quick transformation and deployment of the 'tanks'.

The first (mild steel) prototype was built on a Caterpillar D8 crawler tractor, a type which was readily available.[5] The Public Works Department had 81 D8s, and another 19 were available.[2] A lack of weapons meant that it was equipped with six Bren machine guns—two in the sides, two facing the front, one in the turret and one at the rear. The vehicle was very tall at 12 ft (3.5 m) and performance was poor. Due to the lack of armour plate, corrugated (manganese) plating was used in the expectation it would deflect bullets. The crew of eight included one gunner who had to lie on a mattress on top of the engine to fire his Bren gun.[6]

The tanks were constructed without the use of any formal plans or blueprints. Working from an American postcard depicting the conversion of a tractor to a 'tractor-tank', Bob Semple and TG Beck (Christchurch District Works Engineer), improvised the design of the 'tanks'. Using resources available to Bob Semple as Minister of Public Works, the first 'tank' was quickly produced in the PWD's Temuka workshops. The additional two were built at the NZR Addington Workshops.[7] The first cost £5,902; the second and third £4,323; total cost £10,225 (although the Army was only billed £3,414).[8]

The intention was to disperse the hulls at locations ready in case of a Japanese invasion at which point they would be mounted on tractors for use. The idea was discarded after the 'tanks' attracted public ridicule; however, Bob Semple stood by his design and even stated "I don’t see anyone else coming up with any better ideas."[6]

Handling and performance

Due to the limitations of requirements and resources, the 'tank' was a functional failure. By using a large tractor as a base, and bolting on a hastily designed and poorly constructed 'tank' superstructure, the resultant 'tanks' were inadequately armored, extremely heavy (20–25 ton), unstable, restricted by tractor gearing to slow speeds, and had to stop to change gears. Furthermore, due to the shape of the underlying tractor and undue vibrations, shooting from the 'tank' was both difficult and inevitably inaccurate.[8]

Final result

In the end, due to their impracticality, the 'tanks' were disposed of by the Army. They had been given Army serial numbers NZ6292 (held at Papakura) and NZ3494 & NZ 3495 (held at Burnham). One went to the Pacific in 1944, after being stripped of its armour.[8]

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ http://www.tanks-encyclopedia.com/ww2/NewZealand/Bob_Semple_Tank.php
  2. 1 2 Cooke 2000, p. 352.
  3. ↑ see Sentinel tank
  4. ↑ A Place to Live and Work: The Henry Disston Saw Works
  5. 1 2 Fletcher, Universal Tank, p. 103.
  6. 1 2 Fletcher, Universal Tank, p. 104.
  7. ↑ Cooke 2000, p. 354.
  8. 1 2 3 Cooke 2000, p. 356.

References

  • Cooke, Peter (2000). Defending New Zealand: Ramparts on the Sea 1840-1950s. Wellington: Defence of New Zealand Study Group. pp. 352–358. ISBN 0-473-06833-8.
  • Noonan, Rosslyn J. (1975). By Design: A brief history of the Public Works Department Ministry of Works 1870-1970. Wellington: Ministry of Works (Crown Copyright). pp. 172–173.
  • No8 Wire: the best of Kiwi Ingenuity by Bridges, Jon & Downs, David. Auckland, N.Z. : Hodder Moa Beckett, 2000
  • New Zealand Yesterdays : a look at our recent past by Keith, Haimish. Sydney, N.S.W.: Reader’s Digest Services, 1984.
  • Fletcher, David (1989). Universal Tank: British Armour in the Second World War - Part 2. HMSO. ISBN 0-11-290534-X.
  • Pratt, J, fl 1974 :Photograph of tank designed by Robert Semple
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