This is all that the Mantis retained from the Carrier, as the rest of the tank’s chassis was rather unusual. With this, the Mantis retained the Carrier’s Ford V8 85bhp petrol engine and running gear that used the ‘track-bending’ steering system. It also spawned a number of variants and derivatives such as the Canadian Wasp flamethrower or the Australian 2-Pounder armed LP2. The Universal Carrier was the workhorse vehicle of the British Army throughout the war and saw service with numerous countries in numerous theaters. The second and final prototype was commissioned in 1943 and was based on the engine and running gear of the venerable Universal Carrier. This prototype was displayed to the War Office shortly after the outbreak of World War II. The prototype was basic in its construction, intended just as a means of testing cross-country ability and the driver’s position. It had thin tracks, a rear mounted drive wheel and 4 road-wheels. The initial prototype of the Mantis was designed on a bespoke chassis. The vehicle was designed to shoot over walls and other obstacles while staying as concealed as possible. The design was patented in 1937, with the construction of prototypes beginning in 1943. The Praying Mantis was a private venture by one Mr. The vehicle would never become as deadly a hunter as it’s invertebrate namesake, however, as it never left the prototype stage. It could be said that it is ‘typically British’ in its eccentricity. It is in competition with the Kugelpanzer as one of the strangest armored vehicle designs ever produced. The Praying Mantis was an experimental machine gun carrier designed by a private developer for the British Army during the Second World War. Experimental Machine Gun Carrier – 2 Prototypes Built
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |