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Type 76 - Kingdom of Siam’s first SPAAG
Hi and welcome to my 54th suggestion, which is about the Thai Type 76 SPAAG, hope you like it. 
First of all:
- Feel free to share more Information and / or correct me if something is wrong
- Discuss respectfully, any aggressive kind or verbal abuse will be reported, the Forum rules also apply here
- Disclaimer: Unfortunately reliable sources / information on this vehicle are very scarce, additional sources are welcome
Basic Background
After the 1932 revolution, the Siamese Ministry of Defense began looking for a new weapon to establish their first anti-aircraft regiment. They were interested in a new self-propelled anti-aircraft gun (SPAAG) developed by the British company Vickers Armstrong. This was based on the Dragon carrier, which in turn was a derivative of the successful Vickers light tank, particularly the Mark E.
The Dragon carrier was originally designed as an ammunition and artillery towing vehicle, but the design’s large ground area allowed for a new, open, taller superstructure. This work was carried out on the Mark IV Dragon, and a single QF 2-pounder Mark II ‘Pom-Pom’ automatic cannon was mounted. Although more than 50 of the Dragon Medium Mark IV tractors were produced and vehicles exported to India and China, only Siam used this armed variant with an open superstructure.
Siam ordered 26 SPAAGs, with the first 10 vehicles (1st batch) delivered in August 1933. The Royal Siamese Army named it “Type 76 SPAAG” ((ปตอ.อจ แบบ 76 / ปืนใหญ่ต่อสูกาศยา) after the Buddhist year 2476 นแบบ 76). The Type 76 SPAAG was probably the first mass-produced, track-operated anti-aircraft gun.
Today, about seven Type 76 SPAAGs survived in Thailand, in museums and monuments. There are currently discussions about the possibility of returning one of these vehicles to the Bovington Tank Museum in the UK, which does not own an example of this unique British export.
The Type 76 SPAAG Overall
The layout of the Type 76 SPAAG was simple; the driver sat centrally and had a small visor to see the direction of travel. Behind the driver was a spacious, open area where the crew was arranged around the gun. Ammunition was stored in two large lockers at the stern and there was no other armament than the 40mm QF 2-pounder Mark II ‘Pom-Pom’ and the crew’s personal weapons.
The armor was light, up to 10 mm thick, and provided protection from small arms and machine guns.
Equipped with an 80-98 hp petrol engine, the Type 76 achieved a maximum speed of 35 km/h. Despite its light armor and simple construction, the Type 76 SPAAG was a flexible and effective anti-aircraft vehicle and played an important role in the Siamese army during multiple conflicts.
Thanks for your time, hope you liked it 
[Will add more if there are some (more) important / declassified things]
[PM or comment if a Link or Picture isn´t working]
Sources:
Links
https://tanks-encyclopedia.com/ww2/thailand/type_76_spaag
Self-propelled anti-aircraft weapon - Wikipedia
Book / Other:
Flugabwehr - Fouad Sabry (2024)
Thailand Royal Army Weapon Systems Handbook Volume 1 - IPB USA (2009)
List of Suggestions of ASEAN region
