M7 Priest in Canadian service

gunner_chris

Member since
February 2011
From: Ontario, Canada

M7 Priest in Canadian service

Posted by gunner_chris on Tuesday, October 22, 2013 6:34 PM

I have a couple questions in regards to the 105mm M7 Priests.

From my understanding, under 100 were issued/loaned to the Canadians by the US Army as part of the d-day assault.

Most were returned around August 1944, other converted to Kangeroos (whole other subject).

So those loaned - would they have maintained their US Army markings or would the Canadians marked them according to their assigned regiments?

My other question is in regards to ammo. My knowledge of 105 ammo is semi fixed rounds. Projectile and a casing with the charge bags, did the M7 use the same ammo? How was it stored in the open ammo storage was in the black transport cases or were the rounds opened and left out? If they were left opened and out would the projectile and casing mated?

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Spamicus

Member since
April 2003
From: Central Wisconsin

Posted by Spamicus on Wednesday, October 23, 2013 2:43 PM

I can't speak to the marking question, but the few photos I found showing the ammo stowage in action showed that if the vehicle was moving the rounds were still in the cardboard tubes. I found a couple in which the vehicle was set up and firing; the ammo was laid out on a tarp or crates next to the vehicle, already assembled.

Steve

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stikpusher

Member since
July 2004
From: Sonora Desert

Posted by stikpusher on Wednesday, October 23, 2013 3:19 PM

I am pretty sure that they had their US Army markings replaced as needed with the appropriate Canadian markings. I cant answer about the rounds. Perhaps some image searching online can help you? Try various word combos.

F is for FIRE, That burns down the whole town!

U is for URANIUM... BOMBS!

N is for NO SURVIVORS...

- Plankton

LSM

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richs26

Member since
September 2005
From: North Pole, Alaska

Posted by richs26 on Wednesday, October 23, 2013 6:42 PM

Google is your friend:

www.usarmymodels.com/.../2%20105mmAmmunition.html

WIP: Monogram 1/72 B-26 (Snaptite) as 73rd BS B-26, 40-1408, torpedo bomber attempt on Ryujo

Monogram 1/72 B-26 (Snaptite) as 22nd BG B-26, 7-Mile Drome, New Guinea

Minicraft 1/72 B-24D as LB-30, AL-613, "Tough Boy", 28th Composite Group

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gunner_chris

Member since
February 2011
From: Ontario, Canada

Posted by gunner_chris on Thursday, October 24, 2013 1:45 PM

the ones that come with the kit are not tipped like a normal fuzed round, but they certainly come to a rounded point that could be shaped nicer to depict a round ready to fire.

I just can't imagine the gun in transport with rounds mated.

I think I;ll flip them and paint them as the cardboard transport tubes.

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jgeratic

Member since
April 2006
From: ON, Canada

Posted by jgeratic on Thursday, October 24, 2013 3:28 PM

gunner_chris

I just can't imagine the gun in transport with rounds mated.

Chris, I think you are right there. From what I've read, these Priests were issued as divisional artillery, and would be traveling behind front lines as opposed to being direct fire weapons. As mentioned the month of August, most crews would revert back to their 25 pounder field guns.

regards,

Jack