Straussler Monitor AT-gun [UK]

[copeab]

Straussler Monitor
Copyright 2005 by Brandon Cope

Today, many towed artillery pieces mount auxiliary propulsion systems, used to move the gun short distances. In 1943, the Straussler Company went a step further, turning an anti-tank gun into a minimal self-propelled mount.
A 17-pd anti-tank gun, complete with gun shield, was placed on an open four-wheeled platform, to the left, along with the engine and driving controls from lorry, located to the right. The vehicle used front-wheel drive for general movement. When placed in firing position, the rear wheels (mounted at the ends of rails) were swung out perpendicular to the vehicle and the right rear wheel was engaged. This allowed powered 360 degree rotation of the vehicle, centered on the front axle. Due to limited space on the vehicle, a small two-wheeled trailer was towed behind it.

The vehicle was rejected as it gave too little protection to the crew and took too long to properly dig in. It also had very poor off-road performance (6 mph with trailer).

The Monitor has a crew of four (driver, commander, gunner and loader), two of whom rode on the trailer. It used 0.8 gallons of fuel per hour at routine usage.

Subassemblies: Very Small Wheeled Chassis +2, four off-road wheels +1.
Powertrain: 18-kW gas engine with 18-kW all-wheel drive wheeled transmission and 15-gallon standard fuel tank, 2,000-kW batteries.
Occupancy: 2 XCS Cargo: 1.5 Body.

Armor
Body: 2/3 all
Gunshield: 4/25 F
Wheels: 3/5

Weaponry
75mm Very Long TG /17-pdr [Tur:F] (8).

Statistics
Size: 15’¥7’¥7’
Payload: 0.74 tons.
Lwt.: 2.59 tons
Volume: 18
Maint.: 82 hours.
Price: $6,050.

HT: 8.
HPs: 85 Body, 14 each Wheel.

gSpeed: 42
gAccel: 2
gDecel: 10
gMR: 0.75
gSR: 4
High Ground Pressure. 1/6 Off-Road Speed.

Design Notes
Although design speed is 42 mph, actual safe top speed was perhaps half that, especially when towing the trailer.

Straussler Trailer

Subassemblies: Motorcycle Chassis +0, Small Weapon Superstructure +0, two off-road wheels -1.
Powertrain: -
Occupancy: 2 XCS Cargo: 0.

Armor
Body/Sup: 2/3
Wheels: 3/5

Equipment
Body: 30 rounds 17-pdr ammo.

Statistics
Size: 10’¥6’¥4’
Payload: 0.68 tons.
Lwt.: 0.87 tons
Volume: 4.4
Maint.: 738 hours.
Price: $75.

HT: 6.
HPs: 20 Body, 23 Superstructure, 8 each Wheel.

gSpeed: *
gAccel: *
gDecel: *
gMR: 1.25
gSR: 2
High Ground Pressure. 1/6 Off-Road Speed.
* Use towing vehicles statistics after adding towed weight.

Design Notes
The space from the chassis and superstructure (bought at half cost, weight and HPs) were combined to form the ammo stowage.