The Skink

Discussion in 'Canadian' started by Chris C, Sep 3, 2017.

  1. Chris C

    Chris C Canadian

    Hi all,

    I'm afraid this seems a little like advertising my blog here, so let me at least try to write an introductory and hopefully informative post.

    The Skink was a prototype AA vehicle created by the Canadians based on the Grizzly chassis, with a new, fully cast turret which housed four 20mm cannon. Due to the near-elimination of the Luftwaffe, the project was cancelled, but one Skink toured Canadian units in early 1945 and was used to good effect as an anti-personnel vehicle. Its cannons fired high explosive incendiary ammunition, which was able to set fire to wooden cover such as barns from which stubborn Germany infantry were fighting.

    On an earlier trip to the Canadian archives I came across some photos of the Skink, and on this visit I found two evaluation documents talking about the use of the 20mm cannon and the Skink. I know there is also a Service Publication pamphlet on the Skink vehicle, and I assume the author included these in his research.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    The Skink

    The Skink, part 2
     
    Ramiles, TTH, Tolbooth and 4 others like this.
  2. Ramiles

    Ramiles Researching 9th Lancers, 24th L and SRY

    Last edited: Mar 9, 2022
    TTH and Chris C like this.
  3. TTH

    TTH Senior Member

    I'm impressed, I'd take it.
     
    Chris C likes this.
  4. Chris C

    Chris C Canadian

    The Skink was based on the M4 with a new turret mounting four 20mm Polsten cannon.

    I have just uploaded some images of the vehicle and images of reports about the tank. One was sent to Northwest Europe for demonstration and some form of trial, during Operation Veritable. (One report says between Cleve and the Rhine, so it might only have been during Blockbuster, but the Canadians didn't do a whole pile before Cleve fell anyway.)

    Attention KevinT ! :)

    Tank images:


    Diagrams:

     
  5. Chris C

    Chris C Canadian

  6. Chris C

    Chris C Canadian

    Whoops, I had forgotten that I had created a thread before. Sorry, moderators! I tried to find it... in Weapons rather than in Canadian.

    Maybe this should be moved to Weapons & Equipment?
     

Share This Page