British 95mm QF Self-propelled Gun Alecto

[Brunhilde__ 34]

Greetings friends, today I will suggest a tank to be added to War Thunder. Be warned because this thread contains many images.

Alecto Self-propelled Gun

Funny looking yet packing a big gun
 

The Alecto is a self-propelled gun built by the British in World War II. It uses the chassis of the Light Tank Harry Hopkins.

 

The origins of the tank
In April 1942 the General Staff issued a requirement for an air portable self-propelled gun based on the Harry Hopkins tank.
The Harry Hopkins was a light tank made by the British as an improvement to the Tetrach, but it was obsolete and the chassis were used to make the Alecto SPGs.

 2 guns were made of 95mm caliber and mounted in the Harry Hopkins light tank chassis. The 95mm howitzer-equipped vehicle was designated the Alecto Mk. I. The vehicle was of an open-topped construction. Plans were made for 2000 Alectos to be built but the plan was cancelled due to the Alecto being obsolete. Plans to change the 95mm howitzer equipped in the Alecto to the Ordnance QF 6 pounder gun was made, designated the Alecto Mk.2 and some prototypes were built. However, it never left the prototype stages and the 95mm howitzer was used and produced instead.
Vickers was given the task of developing the new vehicle, but work was delayed because the War Office couldn't decide how it would be used. The first trials were started in 1944. But by the time the trials were finished the war was over, and the Alectos were of no purpose anymore. Some Alectos were turned into Alecto Dozers. Small number of Alectos did serve in some units in the British Army in Berlin (11th Hussars) in 1945 and some Alectos even served with the Kings Dragoons unit up to 1947. 

 

Two Alectos in Berlin, 1945. The unit markings are from the 11th Hussars

 

Specifications

General Specifications
95mm OQF Howitzer (for the Alecto 

Armor penetration at distance 10/100/500m: with HEAT 127/127/127

Crew: 4 (driver, gunner, loader and commander)

Mass: 8 tons

Armor: 10/6/6mm

Speed: 31mph
Engine Power: 162hp

Hull Length: 14ft
Hull Width: 8ft 10.5in
Height: 4ft 10.5in

 

Armor layout, and dimensions of the Alecto

Hull Front: 6-10mm Glacis 
Gun Shield: 10mm 
Sides: 6-10mm
Rear: 6-10mm.

The Alecto is not heavily armored in any way. Autocannons, and 12.7++ caliber machineguns will perforate your armor very easily and it can get penetrated even by 7mm machneguns at close range! The vehicle seems pretty small though in dimensions. Can be used as an advantage.

 

 

Armament and ammunition values

Another picture of the Alecto with the 95mm howitzer.
 

The Alecto is equipped with the Ordnance QF 95mm Howitzer, a gun based on the QF 3.7 inch AA Gun. It was exclusively used in tanks. It was designed to lob HE or HEAT shells at German fortifications, supporting infantry. It was not designed as a high-velocity field gun hence its short barrel length. For anti-tank uses HEAT was available with a 127mm penetration at 0 degrees, which is adequate for taking out enemy tanks.

Armament statistics (This applies for the Mark I, which uses the 95mm howitzer. Data for the 6 pounder version is unknown.)

Gun: Ordnance QF 95mm Howitzer, Tank

Gun Traverse: 30 degrees both sides 

Ammunition capacity: 48 rounds

Ammunition table:

This is my table, I made it based on the documents i've found pertaining the 95mm Howitzer Ammunition. I still haven't found the values for the HE penetration. if someone knows please let me know. There is a smoke shell for the QF 95mm Howitzer too, but I can't seem to find the data about the smoke shell's characteristics.

Based on these tables:

 

 

 

Mobility, Engine and Transmission Specifications

An Alecto moving at relatively fast speeds. This is an Alecto Mk. 2 with a 6 pounder equipped.

The Alecto uses the Meadows H.O.P 12 cylinder engine.

Speed: 49km/h forwards
Number of Gears: 5 Forward - 1 Reverse

Weight: 8.0 tons

Engine Power: 162bhp 

Power-to-weight Ratio: 20.2hp/ton

Documents for the Alecto's Engine and Transmission.

 

My Sources:

- Great Britain's Self Propelled Guns (SPG). (archive.org)

-OVERLORD'S BLOG: The Tiny Erinyes (overlord-wot.blogspot.com)

-Rickard, J (1 June 2017), Alecto self-propelled gun, Alecto self-propelled gun (historyofwar.org)

-WarWheels.Net - "British Armoured Car Production Figures 1945" (archive.org)

-WWII AFV regimental ID | Army Rumour Service (arrse.co.uk)

 

Conclusion

I think that is enough for now. I think this will be a great addition to the low-mid tiers of the British Tech Tree, especially the Tank Destroyer tree. I think it would fit after Valentine I and the other Valentines will be moved in another line. A small, lightly armored tank destroyer with a big gun with loads of explosives is interesting in the British Tech Tree, where many vehicles are equipped with solid shots with small HE fillers. Or perhaps the Alecto Mk. 2, equipped with the average 6 pounder gun. I think that would be interesting too!  A refreshing tank too from the slow lumbering Valentines and a great transition to the Archer/Achilles line. Many thanks my friends!

 

Edited March 29, 2021 by PanzerSoldat_212
Adding some history about the 6 pounder type, and adding data about ammuntion capacity and gun traverse

[TerikG2014 1,389]

Open for discussion however of you. Could include more information on the vehicles history it would be good thank you 

Edited March 28, 2021 by TerikG2014

[TerikG2014 1,389]

Its also worth noting the 6 pounder Alecto was finished

2 hours ago, PanzerSoldat_212 said:

in fact i'm pretty sure this is one of the pictures of it

[Milocat 4,854]

+1 for sure, this would be great fun to drive.

[Brunhilde__ 34]

15 hours ago, TerikG2014 said:

Open for discussion however of you. Could include more information on the vehicles history it would be good thank you 

Yes i added the history of the vehicle. thank you

14 hours ago, TerikG2014 said:

in fact i'm pretty sure this is one of the pictures of it

Isn't it the 95mm?

Edit: Yes, that's definite 6 pounder. I am really sorry for the misinformation. Will edit it.

Edited March 29, 2021 by PanzerSoldat_212
Mistake

[stuka2689 314]

British derp ASU-57?

+1

[male_ass_pounder 59]

A 95mm HESH round was also made according to wikipedia, but unfortnately I cannot find any info on it

 

+1 for adding this thing, along with the 6 pounder and 25 pounder versions

[Jarms 1,558]

Should definitely be in-game. 

[Ghostmaxi 873]

Whats up with the He round? Its way heavyer than the Heat yet only has 347g of Amatol? In an 95mm gun? Even the 57mm gun has more filler.

Edited September 6, 2021 by Ghostmaxi

[TwitchyNGL 595]

On 06/09/2021 at 11:08, Ghostmaxi said:

Whats up with the He round? Its way heavyer than the Heat yet only has 347g of Amatol? In an 95mm gun? Even the 57mm gun has more filler.

I'm 80% sure it's meant to be 1410g not 347g. 

[hienapunk 1,064]

This thing was used by front line British units. +1

[Valcour 1,141]

+1 for both the 6pdr and 94mm versions.

 

[leroyonly 4,310]

As the Alecto Mk. I has been implemented during the Battle for Arachis event,

 

Moved to Implemented Suggestions.