Ground vehicles Early Churchill 1 (Hull Howitzer)

[swanseasean96@psn 382]

As many of you know the First variant of Churchill had a 2 pounder turret and a 3 inch howitzer mounted in the Hull.

 

"The first turrets were of cast construction and were rounded in shape, providing sufficient space to accommodate the relatively small 2 pounder gun. To fulfil its role as an infantry support vehicle the first models were equipped with a 3 inch howitzer in the hull in a layout very similar to the French Char B. This enabled the tank to deliver a useful high-explosive capability while retaining the antitank capabilities of the 2 pounder. However, like other multi-gun tanks, it was limited by a poor fire arc - the entire tank had to be turned to change the aim of the hull gun."

 

 The Mk I weighed 39,120 kg with a maximum speed of 26 KM/H (16 MP/H) you may notice that is faster than the mkVII variants as it was lighter despite the Howitzer.

 

 

Wikipedia:

 

"With number produced Churchill I (303)

 

Equipped with a 2 pounder gun in the turret (150 rounds), and a coaxial Besa machine gun. There was a 3 inch howitzer in the hull (58 rounds). It was a tank that was noted for poor mechanical reliability. It was the main tank issued to the Canadian forces at Dieppe. It was used in Tunisia and some were still in use late in the war in Italy on theGothic Line.^"

 

The GUN's:

 

Ordnance QF 3 inch howitzer

 

• Calibre: 3 inches (76 mm)
• Length of barrel: 75 inches (1,900 mm) (25 calibres)
• Overall length: 78.2 inches (1,990 mm)
• Weight: 256 pounds (116 kg)
• Muzzle velocity: 600 to 700 feet per second (180 to 210 m/s)
• Ammunition
  • Cartridge: 76.2x134R
  • Smoke: 13.4 pounds (6.1 kg)
  • HE: 13.9 pounds (6.3 kg)
• Range 2,000 to 2,500 yards (1,800 to 2,300 m)

 

Ordnance QF 2-pounder 

• Shell: 40×304 mm. R

• Calibre: 40 mm (1.575 in)

• Breech: semi-automatic vertical block

• Recoil: hydrospring

• Carriage: three-leg platform

• Elevation: -13° to +15°

• Traverse: 360°

• Rate of fire: 22 rounds per minute

• Muzzle velocity: 792 m/s (2,600 ft/s) with AP shot

• Effective firing range: 914 m (1,000 yd)

• Maximum firing range: 1000 m (1093.6 yd)[1]

• Feed system: Breech-loaded

• Sights: No.24b

 

Ammunition available to the 2pdr (note not all would have been issued)

 

[attachment=183118:2016-01-17 (1).png]

 

Images:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited January 17, 2016 by *swanseasean96

[CokeSpray 7,274]

Open for discussion. :Salute:

[Retry 7,363]

I'd like to see this as a premium, with the more conventional Churchill II placed before the Mk.III as a stepping stone.

[swanseasean96@psn 382]

I'd like to see this as a premium, with the more conventional Churchill II placed before the Mk.III as a stepping stone.

 

the Churchill mkII had a two pounder and a BESA I feel it would be a bit hard to balance all that armour and a 2pdr :(

[Retry 7,363]

the Churchill mkII had a two pounder and a BESA I feel it would be a bit hard to balance all that armour and a 2pdr :(

BR 3.3 done.

 

Hell, give it a Littlejohn Adaptor and it's now a BR 3.7 tank.

[swanseasean96@psn 382]

BR 3.3 done.

 

Hell, give it a Littlejohn Adaptor and it's now a BR 3.7 tank.

 

the matilda struggles penning when it gets up-tiered how will the Churchill mk II cope at a higher BR?

[Retry 7,363]

the matilda struggles penning when it gets up-tiered how will the Churchill mk II cope at a higher BR?

The Churchill is quite a tougher nut to crack to pen than the Matilda, it'll basically be the Churchill VII at low T2.

Edited January 18, 2016 by Retry

[swanseasean96@psn 382]

The Churchill is quite a tougher nut to crack to pen than the Matilda, it'll basically be the Churchill VII at low T2.

 

im not disputing that but the 2 pdr alone is not the best gun at 3.3

[Fallenkezef 5,183]

I'd like to see this as a premium, with the more conventional Churchill II placed before the Mk.III as a stepping stone.

 

Not sure why it should be prem, it was a service vehicle. MK1's where used in the Dieppe raid in 1942.

[Harbinger75 30]

Not sure why it should be prem, it was a service vehicle. MK1's where used in the Dieppe raid in 1942.

Agreed, being placed in the Standard tree woudnt be so bad.

[Fallenkezef 5,183]

Agreed, being placed in the Standard tree woudnt be so bad.

 

We have to remember we have a bare bones tree brought out to give Brits a viable list of tanks to get our teeth into.

 

So much room for future expansion with the cruisers, cromwell varints and the Churchill line.

 

Hell I think we could get a good 6, viable variants, just out of the centurion alone.

[mr905 1,342]

I think with 300+ produced it leaves no questions.

[swanseasean96@psn 382]

I agree with you guys 303 built why should it be premium it was used in full service and i think it would be a great addition

[igeticsu 3,400]

I support but it should be premium :D I know it was in full service but its still a special tank and would be a fun premium

[Fallenkezef 5,183]

I support but it should be premium :D I know it was in full service but its still a special tank and would be a fun premium

 

Not if they expand for a full Churchill line.

[Retry 7,363]

Not if they expand for a full Churchill line.

In which case it should start with the conventional Churchill Mk.II.

im not disputing that but the 2 pdr alone is not the best gun at 3.3

The Churchill at 3.3 would already have the best armor at its tier.  It most certainly shouldn't have the best gun at 3.3 too.

[swanseasean96@psn 382]

In which case it should start with the conventional Churchill Mk.II.

The Churchill at 3.3 would already have the best armor at its tier.  It most certainly shouldn't have the best gun at 3.3 too.

 

a 3 inch howitzer is hardly the best gun at 3.3 and it could hardly poke left and right iirc

[Retry 7,363]

a 3 inch howitzer is hardly the best gun at 3.3 and it could hardly poke left and right iirc

I'm talking about the 2 pdr.

[swanseasean96@psn 382]

I'm talking about the 2 pdr.

 

sorry my brains slightly frazzled because of an irate argument on the Centurion AVRE lol

[Z3r0_ 4,128]

I would say that this makes a good premium candidate, seeing as the Mk.I only saw one major deployment during the ill-fated Dieppe Raid, with the Mk.II (some being converted from Mk.Is) mostly phasing it out afterwards.

Edited January 21, 2016 by Z3r0_

[*AceArchangel 909]

This would be a nice way to fill out the early British line just before unlocking the other Churchill models, kind of like a heavier M3 Lee.

[HardeKern 482]

I'm in, vote +1 !

[ChrisXD62365 520]

Nice +1

[Lunatic242 3,073]

BR 3.3 done.

 

Hell, give it a Littlejohn Adaptor and it's now a BR 3.7 tank.

isnt' the little john only used on the tetrach?

[Josephs_Piano 7,044]

It was mainly used on armoured cars that had 2 pdrs - never heard of it on a Churchill, and the Tetrach was only ever used in small numbers.