47 RN 40 - Historic Military ST4 Photos

For Mtmogs we have looked up the registration of his snowtrac which is 47 RN 40, chassis no. 1800, and the nearest photograph that Phil has is of 47 RN 37m chassis no. 1797 from the same unit batch, 45 Commando RM. These attached pictures show the vehicle on exercise in Norway in 1975, note the heliportability tubes fitted under the front bumper, through which lifting chains were threaded. Also mounted on the front are a pair of tracklets used to repair tracks if split across. Vehicles were supplied with tracklets as a direct result of the incident which took place in the earlier snowtrac trials undertaken by Major John Chatfield RM and witnessed by Lars Larson himself (see the post "Bow down to the Master" post.) As far as is known the situation of complete track split never happened again operational use.

For those who might not be aware, member Mtmogs bought a military snow trac, serial number 1800. Here is his thread http://www.forumsforums.com/3_9/showthread.php?t=7880

Also, here is a link to the thread that contains the photo Anita referred to where Maj John Chatfield, Lars Larson, and others inspect a track split all the way across: http://www.forumsforums.com/3_9/showthread.php?t=7903

And another thread that shows 6 military Snow Tracs in a Norwegian port http://www.forumsforums.com/3_9/showthread.php?t=7911

And another thread showing Maj Chatfield, the man who helped develop the Snow Trac's use with the Royal Marines: http://www.forumsforums.com/3_9/showthread.php?t=7912

Anita, can you please ask Phil if 47 RN 40 has a dual fuel tank set up on the drivers side exterior? At least that is what it looks like is mounted over the track on the drivers side in the top photo.

Bob if you mean 47 RN 37 (top photo) the fuel tank is the forward one and the rear is the tool box, the fuel tank filler cap is to the rear of the tank. Fuel tanks were usually fitted in the forward section of the wing on snowtracs converted to carry the anti tank gun, the Wombat. This was to reduce the risk of conflagration(!) from the back blast of the Wombat round when fired!! And it must be remembered that the weapon was never fired in the fore and aft position, but at right angles to the snowtrac.

Ice Queen said:

Fuel tanks were usually fitted in the forward section of the wing on snowtracs converted to carry the anti tank gun, the Wombat. This was to reduce the risk of conflagration(!) from the back blast of the Wombat round when fired!! And it must be remembered that the weapon was never fired in the fore and aft position, but at right angles to the snowtrac.

Click to expand...

Any photos of the wombat equipped Snow Tracs?

Okay Bob, I've twisted Phil's arm, and he felt so sorry for you pining for piccys of snowtracs that he has sent some more. By the way have you got any mugs (original) left as we drank our coffee out of the thermal ones and burnt our tongues, glad you sent two, incidentally as I was able to give one to Phil, as I think he earned it with all the photos!!
Photo 1 is a better photograph and a better angle of the same picture used in the book illustration, used in Paul Ramsdens thread (the model maker).
Photo 2 is taken from a colour slide of Major John Chatfield's showing the prototype Wombat carrying snowtrac FFG 22 RN 37 which Phil is restoring at the moment to its original condition as seen here in February 1970. Phil actually worked on this vehicle back then!
Photo 3 was used to illustrate military snowtracs in the Salvage Squad film. Note forward fuel tank on right, fold down windscreen, locking collar for stowing the gun in transit and toolbox on left. Heliportable lifting chains forward and the indicator lights mounted outside the headlamp guards. The gun has a .5 cal. Browning spotting rifle mounted on the top of the barrel.