I found this interesting paragraph in the November 43 diary of 372 Tank Transporter Company suggesting that their Diamond T vehicles could be fitted with Ex German tank tracks. Are there likely to be any pictures in existence?
This was more common on RAOC/REME recovery Diamond Ts. Both Scammell and Diamond T were used as tank recovery transporters with the Scammell having a better cross country performance and the Diamond T being more flexible since the tractor could unhitch the trailer and tow the vehicle to be recovered to the trailer. The tracks were an attempt to give the Diamond T a better cross country performance. Any tank track with centre guides could be used, the guides fitting between the double rear tyres. In some cases the Diamond T body was raised by inserting steel girders under it. This gave greater clearance for the tracks and made their fitting easier. It was also possible to fit a crane jib in the Diamond T body to further improve recovery performance. The Scammell of course came with tracks for the rear wheels as standard. Recovery units in N Africa and Italy were very creative. I suppose they had to be. Mike. PS. I have seen a photo but not sure where. Wheels and Tracks magazine perhaps.
Very interesting. How were they actually fitted, can anyone explain? I can imagine a set specially made for a particular vehicle but the diary entry I found suggested they were using German tracks. I guess what I am saying is, were the (German) track links likely to have been sufficiently adjustable and able to be tensioned to fit the combined wheel diameters and spacing between them or did they perhaps deflate / inflate the tyres to achieve a suitable tight fit to ensure they stayed on?
I learned today that the thing on the track plates that engaged the drive sprockets are called Guide Horns. Looks like they would go in between the duel rear wheels.
In the model shown, the front wheel is similarly equipped so presumably the tire has sufficient purchase on the inside of the tread to prevent slippage. Your concept of adjusting tire pressure sounds logical. Perhaps not a Guide Horn, pointless with no sprocket, but some interior lugs to engage the tire tread configuration. Perhaps more rudimentary but similar to the principle depicted in this photo.
By late July 44 specific orders were sent out to units to send back complete tool boxes etc from captured German half-tracks to aid British '3/4 track development.'
I rooted through W&T when Hutt first raised the query, but drew a blank in any of the indexed articles on vehicle types mentioned. Of course the nature of the beast means a picture could lurk anywhere. Plenty of images etc. out there of heavy wheeled vehicles with 'wrap-around' track assistance, but extemporised use of German tank track is a rather different thing. The one HMSO book I never bought was Brian Baxter's 'Breakdown'. Wonder if there might be a reference in there.
Adam, I could not find it in W & T. I have given what few facts 'Breakdown' had to offer. John Church also mentions the use of tank tracks on Diamond T. Cannot find the photo though. Mike
Nothing yet on my own W&T sweep, but, issue 52 has some interesting stuff on experimental tank retrievers based on full and halftrack trailer chassis. Mostly seems to have been based on ideas of two brothers, also maintenance battalion sergeants with the US. Murty Brothers the name. Can find nothing web-based but there are some very nice drawings in the magazine. The British had a go with a complete 40 ton halftrack flatbed lorry & winch for fast recovery. Neither project seems to have made it into the metal.
