Churchill ARK Mk I

Churchill ARK Mk I

El Churchill ARK (Armoured Ramp Carrier) Mk I surgió como respuesta a las necesidades mostradas durante el desembarco en Dieppe. En este caso fue la necesidad de contar con un medio para cruzar zanjas y escalar muros de contención presentes en las playas. A finales de 1943 los ingenieros de la 79º División Acorazada retiraron la torreta de un Churchill colocando sobre el casco unas rampas de madera. En la parte delantera y trasera de la rampa estaban apoyadas sobre pilotes con bisagras para que otros vehículos pudieran circular sobre él. Las pruebas fueron un éxito y se ordenó su montaje en febrero de 1944. Como base para este vehículo se utilizaron bastidores de Churchill Mk II y Mk IV.

Fuentes:

CHANT, C. “An Illustrated Data Guide to Battle Tanks of World War II”

PERRET, B. “Churchill Infantry Tank 1941-1945” Osprey, 1993

FLETCHER, D. “The Great Tank Scandal: British Armour in the Second World War” 1989

DELAFORCE, P. “Churchill's Secret Weapons: the story of Hobart's Funnies” Pen & Sword, 2006

English version

The Churchill ARK (Armoured Ramp Carrier) Mk I was a response to the needs exhibited during the landing at Dieppe. In this case was the need for a means to cross ditches and embankments scale present on beaches. In late 1943 the engineers of the 79th Armoured Division removed a turret on the hull Churchill placing wooden ramps. On the front and back of the ramp they were supported on stilts hinged to other vehicles could be driven over. The tests were successful and their assembly was ordered in February 1944. As a basis for this vehicle racks Churchill Mk II and Mk IV were used.

Sources:

CHANT, C. “An Illustrated Data Guide to Battle Tanks of World War II”

PERRET, B. “Churchill Infantry Tank 1941-1945” Osprey, 1993

FLETCHER, D. “The Great Tank Scandal: British Armour in the Second World War” 1989

DELAFORCE, P. “Churchill's Secret Weapons: the story of Hobart's Funnies” Pen & Sword, 2006