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Hello, I’m suggesting one of my favourite vehicles from any Canada proposal.
History:
During WW2 the Canadian automotive industry was focused on making military trucks namely the CMP ones however this was quickly undone after the conflict was over. That left Canada with nothing but its CMP trucks, well still large in number they were outdated due to things like being built to British specifications. So by 1950 when the Cold War was in full swing and the Korean War had started, it had left the Canadian Government fearing an imminent need for new military trucks, well also taking account of the problems that came about for re-tooling the civilian automotive industry.
Because Canada was looking to standardize its military vehicles based on US designs, this would lead to the M37 ¾ ton 4×4 truck being selected to replace the 15cwt CMP and Dodge APT trucks that were in service with the Canadian Army and Royal Canadian Air Force at the time. After negotiations an agreement would be made with the United States, the trucks would be allowed to be built in Canada by the Canadian industry using a mix of parts for both the US and Canada. In March of 1951, Chrysler Corporation of Canada would receive a pilot model M37 for the US to use as a reference sample. By October of 1951, the first M37 CDN had rolled off the production line in Windsor, Ontario.
Well, the Canadian trucks were mostly similar to the US-made ones they would have a few differences. The biggest of which would be the Canadian-produced 251 cubic inch engine and improved transmission, along with having an Arctic Cab, which is full metal instead of the canvas top of the US models.
After the Bobcat development was cancelled in November of 1963, it was deemed necessary for a missile mounting kit that could be used on the M37 CDN as an intermediate measure. So in June of 1964, the 202 Base Workshop, RCEME, would receive orders from the Director of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, which where to manufacture 30 mounting kits of the SS.11B antitank guided missile launcher, that would allow them to be installed on the M37 CDN trucks. Out of the 30 kits made 16 would join the 4 Canadian Infantry Brigade in Europe, well 4 would be installed on trucks part of the Royal Canadian Armoured Corps School at Camp Borden, Ontario. The last 10 let’s would be given to the 3rd Battalion, Royal 22e Regiment at Valcartier, Quebec. In order to use the SS.11B a C42 radio was required, it would be in a special mount that removed the rear window and replaced it with a box mount that held the radio and power supply. Despite all this the M37 CDN would have a short service life, being phased out as the M113A1 SS.11B was introduced.
More photos
Specs:
M37:
| Mass | 5,917 lb (2,684 kg) (empty) |
|---|---|
| Length | 15 ft 10 in (4.83 m) |
| Width | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
| Height | 7 ft 5 in (2.26 m) |
| Engine | Dodge T-245, 78 hp (58 kW) |
| Transmission | 4 speed X 2 range |
| Suspension | Live beam axles on leaf springs |
| Operational range | 225 mi (362 km) |
| Maximum speed | 55 mph (89 km/h) |
SS.11B:
| Mass | 30 kg (66 lb) |
|---|---|
| Length | 1,190 mm (3 ft 11 in) |
| Diameter | 165 mm (6.5 in) |
| Wingspan | 500 mm (1 ft 8 in) |
| Effective firing range | 500–3,000 m (1,600–9,800 ft) |
| Warhead | Type 140AC anti-armour |
| Warhead weight | 6.8 kg (15 lb) |
| Maximum speed | 190 m/s (620 ft/s) |
| Guidance system | Manual command to line of sight |
Sources
3/4 Ton SMP Dodge Trucks – Canadian Arms and Armour
SS-11 wire guided missile | A Military Photo & Video Website
Artillery in Canada: SS.11B1 Nord Aviation MCLOS wire-guided anti-tank missile
SS.11 - Wikipedia
Dodge M37 - Wikipedia
The 3/4-Ton SMP Truck in Canadian Service by Andrew Iarocci
