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Crusader AA

Discussion in 'World War 2 Hobbies' started by merlin phpbb3, Sep 28, 2007.

  1. merlin phpbb3

    merlin phpbb3 New Member

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    Any one ever built one of these?
     
  2. Ricky

    Ricky Well-Known Member

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    No, but it is on my wish-list. Why?
     
  3. merlin phpbb3

    merlin phpbb3 New Member

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    Twin Gun AA

    Because it came up on another Forum about a Comet in 44 mounting twin 40mm guns and I questioned it, the Crusader pic came up in following posts and it does look a bit 'poncey' as illustrated, not doubting authenticity of AA Crusader but certain not on Comets.
     
  4. Ricky

    Ricky Well-Known Member

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    An AA version of the Comet in 1944? I say no. The First batch of production Comets were delivered in September 1944, and were not used in action until March 1945 (a few may have seen service in December 1944).

    Besides, British AA tanks were withdrawn from service shortly after D-Day when they realised that the Luftwaffe was not exactly a threat any more.

    There was an AA Centaur (a Cromwell with a Liberty engine) but that featured the same turret as the Crusader AA tank (although the Oerlikon cannon were replaced with Polsten cannon) and had 20mm guns.

    At best the AA Comet would be a test vehicle, but my books do not record it. There were lots of test Crusader AA tanks, with twin & triple 20mm mounts or single 40mm mounts, but never a double 40mm as far as I can see.
     
  5. merlin phpbb3

    merlin phpbb3 New Member

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    AA Comet

    Exactly! It was a rush to get 11th.Armoured changed to Comets, I know some Regiments had handed in their Shermans to change and when the Ardennes started they had to race back and recover them.... minus lots of spares, radios, co-ax etc.
    As you know I served in a Comet Regiment and they were all 'brannies!'
    I'm afraid it's a 'senior moment' of someones Gran-dad or a case of Chinese whispers.
    Sorry, did not want this to turn into unnecessary 'what-if?)
     
  6. Ricky

    Ricky Well-Known Member

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    No problem Merlin, I enjoyed the chance to look through my books :D

    Now go argue the case on the other forum ;)
     
  7. merlin phpbb3

    merlin phpbb3 New Member

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    AA tank

    No case to argue, who'd want to chop up a beautiful Comet and stick twin Bofors on/in/whatever it? It wasn't an argument, it was on a Sherman thread and someone asked me about Comets.........can't help being older than everyone else!
    Here's a piccy for your collection!
     
  8. JCalhoun

    JCalhoun New Member

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    Looks like a Duster. Sorta like this one.

    [​IMG]
     
  9. Ricky

    Ricky Well-Known Member

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    Looks like an M19 to me - an AA version of the M24 Chaffee designed in 1943 (originally designated T65E1). 285 were built by the end of WW2, and it remained in US Army service for many years after.
     
  10. JCalhoun

    JCalhoun New Member

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    Yep. The M-42 Duster was an improvement upon it.

    Is there any evidence that the AA tanks of various styles and builds actually worked well in their oringinal roles? I know the Dusters were used a lot as gun platforms for ground combat.
     

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