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{{Short description|British self propelled gun from WWII}}
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{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2023}}
{{Use British English|date=March 2018}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2023}}
{{Infobox weapon
{{Infobox weapon
| name=Alecto
| name=Alecto
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|is_vehicle=yes
|is_vehicle=yes
|is_UK=yes
|is_UK=yes
|designer=Vickers
|manufacturer=[[Vickers]]
|manufacturer=[[Vickers]]
|number=
|number=
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| armour= 6 - 38 mm
| armour= 6 - 38 mm
| primary_armament=howitzer or AT gun
| primary_armament=howitzer or AT gun
| secondary_armament=Vickers machine gun
| secondary_armament=[[Vickers machine gun]]
| engine=Meadows 12-cylinder petrol engine
| engine=[[Henry Meadows]] 12-cylinder petrol engine
| engine_power= {{convert|148|hp|kW|abbr=on}}
| engine_power= {{convert|148|hp|kW|abbr=on}}
| suspension=
| suspension=
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}}
}}


The '''Alecto''' was an experimental [[self propelled gun]] developed by the British during [[World War II]] but terminated with the end of the war in Europe.
The '''Alecto''', initially known as the '''Harry Hopkins Mk 1 CS''',{{sfn|Chamberlain|Ellis|1981|p=28}} was a [[self propelled gun]] developed by the British during [[World War II]].


==Development==
== Development ==

In 1942 a project for a 3.75 inch (95&nbsp;mm) howitzer was started. Two guns were made, and one of these was chosen for test mounting on a [[Light Tank Mk VIII|Harry Hopkins tank]] chassis. Like the Harry Hopkins, the Alecto had [[skid steering]], which operated by bowing the tracks through lateral movements of the central road wheels. The gun was mounted in an open-topped structure. The first trials were not started until late in 1944. The trials uncovered various problems but by the time these were solved the war in Europe was over. With no prospect for use in the Far East, the project was ended.
In 1942 a project for a 3.75 inch (95&nbsp;mm) howitzer was started. Two guns were made, and one of these was chosen for test mounting on a [[Light Tank Mk VIII]] "Harry Hopkins" chassis. Like the Harry Hopkins, the Alecto had [[skid steering]], which operated by bowing the tracks through lateral movements of the central road wheels. The gun was mounted in an open-topped structure. The first trials were not started until late in 1944. The trials uncovered various problems but by the time these were solved the war in Europe was over. With little perceived potential for use in the [[Pacific War|war against Japan]], the project was ended.

A small number of Alecto Is were completed, some served briefly with the British Army in Germany, arriving in the immediate post-war period <ref>[https://britainatwar.keypublishing.com/2016/09/21/from-the-archive-alecto-oddity-in-germany Alecto oddity in Germany]britainatwar.keypublishing.com 21 September 2016 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191222175050/https://britainatwar.keypublishing.com/2016/09/21/from-the-archive-alecto-oddity-in-germany/ |date=22 December 2019 }}</ref> and they equipped the heavy companies of at least the [[1st King's Dragoon Guards|Kings Dragoon Guards]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://overlord-wot.blogspot.com/2019/12/the-tiny-erinyes.html|work=Overlord's Blog |title=The Tiny Erinyes |first=David|last=Lister|date=29 December 2019}}</ref> operating in the Middle East just after the end of the war<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/weapons_alecto_self_propelled_gun.html|title=Alecto self-propelled gun|website=www.historyofwar.org}}</ref>


==Variants==
==Variants==
*'''Mk I'''
;Mk I
:3.75 inch (95 mm), 20 cal howitzer
:3.75 inch (95 mm), 20 cal howitzer
*'''Mk II'''
;Mk II
:[[Ordnance QF 6 pounder|QF 6 pdr]] gun
:[[Ordnance QF 6 pounder|QF 6 pdr]] gun. Also known as "Alecto Recce"{{sfn|Chamberlain|Ellis|1981|p=28}}
*'''Mk III'''
;Mk III
:[[Ordnance QF 25 pounder|QF 25 pounder]] gun-howitzer. Prototype partially completed
:[[Ordnance QF 25 pounder|QF 25 pounder gun-howitzer]]. Prototype partially completed
*'''Mk IV'''
;Mk IV
:[[Ordnance QF 32-pounder|QF 32-pounder]], not built{{sfn|Chamberlain|Ellis|1981|p=29}}
:32pdr howitzer.
*'''Alecto Dozer'''
;Alecto Dozer
:Some vehicles completed in 1945 with hydraulically operated bulldozer blades{{sfn|Chamberlain|Ellis|1981|p=28}}
[[File:IWM-MH-9861-Alecto-dozer.jpg|right|thumb|Alecto dozer.]]
[[File:IWM-MH-9861-Alecto-dozer.jpg|right|thumb|Alecto dozer.]]


==See also==
==See also==
* [[Tetrarch tank|Light Tank Mk VII Tetrarch]]
* [[Tetrarch tank|Light Tank Mk VII Tetrarch]]
* [[Light Tank Mk VIII|Light Tank Mk VIII Harry Hopkins]]
* [[Cruiser Mk VIII Challenger#Variants|SP 17pdr, A30 (Avenger)]]
* [[Cruiser Mk VIII Challenger#Variants|SP 17pdr, A30 (Avenger)]]
* [[Valentine Archer|SP 17pdr, Valentine (Archer)]]
* [[Valentine Archer|SP 17pdr, Valentine (Archer)]]

==Notes==
{{Reflist}}


==References==
==References==

* ''Wheels & Tracks Magazine'' No. 15
* ''Wheels & Tracks Magazine'' No. 15
*{{citation |last1=Chamberlain |last2=Ellis |first1=Peter |first2=Chris |title=British and American Tanks of World War II |publisher=Arco Publishing |origyear=1969 |year =1981 |edition=2nd US}}


==External links==
==External links==
{{Commons|Alecto self-propelled gun}}
{{Commons}}
*[http://henk.fox3000.com/Alecto.htm HenkOfHolland]
*[http://henk.fox3000.com/Alecto.htm HenkOfHolland] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201118041513/http://henk.fox3000.com/Alecto.htm |date=18 November 2020 }}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20130106082521/http://mailer.fsu.edu/~akirk/tanks/GreatBritain/BritishSelfPropelledGuns.html British Self-propelled guns]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20130106082521/http://mailer.fsu.edu/~akirk/tanks/GreatBritain/BritishSelfPropelledGuns.html British Self-propelled guns]
*[http://wheelsandtracks.blogspot.ch/2012/07/vickers-alecto.html Picture of a trialled Alecto by the Swiss Army in 1948 (found by www.wheelsandtracks.com)]
*[http://wheelsandtracks.blogspot.ch/2012/07/vickers-alecto.html Picture of a trialled Alecto by the Swiss Army in 1948 (found by www.wheelsandtracks.com)]

Latest revision as of 18:26, 12 August 2023

Alecto
TypeSelf propelled gun
Place of originUnited Kingdom
Production history
DesignerVickers
ManufacturerVickers
Specifications
Mass19,040 lb (8.64 t)
Length14 ft (4.3 m)
Width8 ft 10.5 in (2.705 m)
Height6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)
Crew3 or 4
Armour6 - 38 mm
Main
armament
howitzer or AT gun
Secondary
armament
Vickers machine gun
EngineHenry Meadows 12-cylinder petrol engine
148 hp (110 kW)
Operational
range
125 mi (201 km)
Maximum speed 30 mph (48 km/h)

The Alecto, initially known as the Harry Hopkins Mk 1 CS,[1] was a self propelled gun developed by the British during World War II.

Development

[edit]

In 1942 a project for a 3.75 inch (95 mm) howitzer was started. Two guns were made, and one of these was chosen for test mounting on a Light Tank Mk VIII "Harry Hopkins" chassis. Like the Harry Hopkins, the Alecto had skid steering, which operated by bowing the tracks through lateral movements of the central road wheels. The gun was mounted in an open-topped structure. The first trials were not started until late in 1944. The trials uncovered various problems but by the time these were solved the war in Europe was over. With little perceived potential for use in the war against Japan, the project was ended.

A small number of Alecto Is were completed, some served briefly with the British Army in Germany, arriving in the immediate post-war period [2] and they equipped the heavy companies of at least the Kings Dragoon Guards[3] operating in the Middle East just after the end of the war[4]

Variants

[edit]
Mk I
3.75 inch (95 mm), 20 cal howitzer
Mk II
QF 6 pdr gun. Also known as "Alecto Recce"[1]
Mk III
QF 25 pounder gun-howitzer. Prototype partially completed
Mk IV
QF 32-pounder, not built[5]
Alecto Dozer
Some vehicles completed in 1945 with hydraulically operated bulldozer blades[1]
Alecto dozer.

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c Chamberlain & Ellis 1981, p. 28.
  2. ^ Alecto oddity in Germanybritainatwar.keypublishing.com 21 September 2016 Archived 22 December 2019 at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ Lister, David (29 December 2019). "The Tiny Erinyes". Overlord's Blog.
  4. ^ "Alecto self-propelled gun". www.historyofwar.org.
  5. ^ Chamberlain & Ellis 1981, p. 29.

References

[edit]
  • Wheels & Tracks Magazine No. 15
  • Chamberlain, Peter; Ellis, Chris (1981) [1969], British and American Tanks of World War II (2nd US ed.), Arco Publishing
[edit]
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