- Yes
- No
- 1.7
- 2.0
- 2.3
- 2.7
- I said no!
Hey folks,
Today I wanted to share the Staghound I armoured car in Canadian service. This vehicle is a four-wheeled heavy armoured car fitted with a 37mm M6. It was designed in 1942 by Chevrolet for a United States Ordnance Committee requirement and designated the T17E1 (later M6). However, the US Army found it far too heavy for reconnaissance. The United Kingdom, Canada, and other Commonwealth nations would find exceptional use for the Staghound in fighting reconnaissance, where information had to be learned by making contact with the enemy.
The Canadian Tank Museum’s restored T17E1 Staghound I of the Royal Canadian Dragoons.
Background
Background:
In 1941, the United States Ordnance Committee made a requirement for a 4-8 wheeled armoured car, based on British Army experience during the North Africa campaign. Designs from 7-25 tons were accepted from manufacturers. These included the Ford T17, the Chevrolet T17E1, and the Yellow Coach Company T18 armoured cars. US interest in this class of vehicles declined however, viewing the class as too heavy and unwieldy for reconnaissance in their doctrine. British interest remained and given the unsuitability of the Canadian Fox I or other British designs, 2000 ‘Staghounds’ would be ordered in February 1942.
In September 1943, Canada chose to equip its armoured car regiments with the Staghound. In October, this decision extended to the Frazer-Nash turreted, twin-.50 calibre armed T17E2 Staghound AA - only 10 of these would be acquired by the Canadian Army.
Staghounds crossing the Seine in August 1944.
While initially planned to use Daimler armoured cars, the Canadians were prolific users of the Staghound I. It would equip the Royal Canadian Dragoons, the 12th Manitoba Dragoons, HQ 1st Canadian Corps, HQ 2nd Canadian Corps, HQ 3rd Canadian Infantry Division, HQ 4th Canadian Armoured Division, 4th Canadian Armoured Brigade, 7th Canadian Recce Regiment, and others. The Canadian Army Overseas war establishment for armoured car regiments included 58 T17E1 Staghound Is, 2 3-inch armed Staghound IIs, and 5 T17E2 Staghound AAs (though this was seldom followed through). With the advent of the Staghound III, all 50 examples would be delivered to RCD and the 12th Manitoba Dragoons.
Staghound driving past a Tiger II, having been destroyed by its crew to prevent capture.
The Staghound I would serve the Canadian Army until 1962, when the last one was retired - the class having been declared limited-standard in July 1957.
Physical Characteristics:
Physical Characteristics:
The T17E1 was a heavy beast for a 4-wheeled armoured car, weighing 14 tons, and powered by two GM 270 engines, generating 97hp at 3000rpm. Its transmission featured 4 forward, and 1 reverse gear. The vehicle seated 5 crew; Driver, and Co-driver in the hull, plus the Gunner, Loader, and Commander in the turret. It had a fully enclosed, armoured turret on top of its 30mm of effective frontal armour.
It’s turret was very similar to that on the M3 Lee, and T7 light tank. It sported a 37mm M6 gun, with vision port mounted on the left-hand side. Like the M3 and M5 Stuart light tanks, the T17E1 was fitted with a single-plane gyroscopic vertical stabilizer. Additionally, a 2-inch smoke mortar was fitted to the turret, ejecting to the front-right.
Beyond the 37mm main gun, the Staghound fitted two 7.62mm M1919A4 machine guns. The first was usually pintle mounted at the back of the turret. The second was hull mounted, operated by the co-driver on the righthand side. In the Staghound III, this hull-mounted machine gun was deleted.
Technical datasheet for the Staghound from the Vehicle Data Book for the Canadian Army overseas.
Specifications:
Specifications:
General:
Operator Country: Canada
Crew: 5 - Commander, Gunner, Loader, Driver, Assistant Driver (with controls)
Dimensions:
Length: 5.38m
Width: 2.69m
Height: 2.36m
Weight: 14 tons
Performance:
Engine: 2 x 97hp at 3000rpm GM 270 V8 Engines
Transmission: 4-forward, 1-reverse hears
Speed: Max 90km/h
Protection:
- 30mm frontal effective
- 2-inch smoke grenades
Armament:
1 x 37mm M6 gun
- Vertical-stabilizer (identical to M5A1 Stuart)
- Ammunition Capacity: 103 rds
- Reload: 3.7 seconds
- Vertical Guidance: +40/-7 degrees
- Vertical Traverse: 3 degrees per second
- Horizontal Guidance: 360 degrees unimpeded
- Horizontal Traverse: 18.0 degrees per second
2 x 7.62mm M1919A4 machine gun - 1 on a pintle mount, and the other in the co-driver hull position.
Usage in Game:
I see the Staghound I as a wheeled Stuart. A decent, punchy gun for battles around 2.0, on a fast chassis with average protection. The stabilization and powered traverse make it a cut above the Daimler Mk II, as does the high-explosive filler of the 37mm M6. While the armour is substantial for a vehicle of its class - it’s not enough to protect it against anything above automatic cannons. The 2-inch smoke mortar could also bump it up closer to something like the 2.7 BR M5A1 Stuart as a “get out of jail free” card. Ultimately, I think a battle rating of 2.3 probably fits it best, but I’m curious to hear your thoughts.
Staghound crewman sits on top of his vehicle.
As for placement, I’m really doing this for a Canadian Ground Forces tech tree. I want to flesh out the meat of such a tree - aiming to hit a target of 120 vehicles. Comparables like Sweden and Italy sit around 100-110 total, meanwhile Canada has 61 ground vehicle suggestions approved. This would probably fit in an armoured car/light tank line, perhaps after the Daimler Mk. II (which also saw significant Canadian service), and before the Staghound III.
It would also pair nicely with the RP-3 or Land-Mattress armed Staghound Is covered by Thatz’s post here., which would be a premium version of the Staghound I.
Tell me your thoughts! The Staghound has been talked about a lot for War Thunder, and I hope we can see it someday.
Thanks!
Hydroxideblue
References:
Lucy, Roger. (December, 2007). The Staghound in Canadian service. Service Publications.
Canadian Army Overseas. (December, 1944). Vehicle Data Book. Branch of the Quartermaster General, Canadian Military Headquarters.
https://afvdatabase.com/usa/t17e1.html