Post by Dave Homewood on Oct 17, 2011 21:26:09 GMT 12
Here's an interesting article introducing the Semple Tank, developed by the Minister of Public Works Bob Semple, to the NZ public back in 1941, from Papers past.
Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 76, 31 March 1941, Page 8
MADE IN NEW ZEALAND
CONVERTED TRACTORS
P.W.D. ACHIEVEMENT
(By Telegraph—Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, This Day,
When New Zealand's own tanks show their paces before the public for the first time, in a few weeks, there will be presented the fulfilment of a dramatic chapter in the history of the Public Works Department.
The genesis of these 25-ton tanks was a photograph taken in the United States and given to Mr. Semple. That photograph showed a converted caterpillar tractor, and so impressed was Mr. Semple that when Belgium and France fell last year he became convinced something "hot" for any potential invader of New Zealand could be prepared on the lines of that valuable photograph. He showed the photograph to Mr. T. G. Beck, now district Public Works engineer in Christchurch, but at that time engineer in charge of the huge irrigation schemes in South and Mid-Canterbury, with his headquarters at Temuka. Mr. Beck was faced with the tough question of whether he could convert some of the big P.W.D. tractors into tanks without any blueprints, as it would take valuable time to secure prints from America. A prompt "yes" was Mr. Beck's reply, and expert workmen at the Public Works workshops at Temuka were organised by him for the job.
ARMOUR DEVISED
First a "tank" was made of three-ply to get the pattern, and the. next problem was to secure steel that would withstand anti-tank rifle fire. As the result of investigations and experiments Mr. Beck devised armour which passed severe firing tests, and it was then decided to go ahead and build the first tank. The whole of that important task was carried out at Temuka and completed. The tank was tested before Army representatives to their satisfaction. With the decision to construct further tanks, operations were shifted to larger workshops.
In addition, big trailers were made to transport the tanks at high speed to places where they might be needed. These trailers were designed by the Public Works Department in Wellington, and the first was built under Mr. Beck's supervision at Temuka. These New Zealand-made tanks look grimly efficient, and their performances bear out their looks.
POWERFUL MACHINES
The armoured bodies are placed on the big 98 horse-power caterpillar tractors, which were brought into New Zealand by Mr. Semple to do heavy Public Works construction jobs. These tractors are the most powerful in the world, and as tanks they have immense power. Not only can they climb a grade of 1 in. 2, but they will travel through water over four feet deep, traverse an embankment four and a half feet high, smash through gorse hedges, scrub, and saplings up to six inches in diameter, and move across country where roads do not exist. Their armament- consists of a number of quick-firing guns. Each tank has a crew of eight, and normally carries 25,000 rounds of ammunition. In addition there is room for the carriage of troops and ammunition in safety over country that might be under enemy fire. Furthermore, each tank is fitted with a drawbar with which an armoured trailer can be towed.'
These tanks, which, incidentally, are officially known as "mobile pill-boxes," burn crude oil, and accordingly cannot be vulnerable to incendiary bombs. The only thing that could put them out of action would be a big gun. The tanks are not fast, but they can be taken wherever they are wanted on trailers as fast as any tank ever built. Not only can they go virtually anywhere, but they can operate for 60 hours without refuelling.
TRACTORS PROVED A GODSEND,
"If this country is going to be invaded, we need to have equipment as good as that of the other fellow, if not better," said Mr. Semple. "We could not buy tanks from outside, but had to act on our own resources. Luckily we had big tractors here, and they were a godsend. They have proved one of the greatest boons the country has ever known, permitting us to build highways, aerodromes, camps, and fortifications in record time in the Dominion. They have proved invaluable for other urgent purposes outside New Zealand."
Mr. Semple added that it would not be necessary to withdrawn tractors from service to have them converted into tanks. Tlie tank bodies could be mass-produced and bolted on to the tractors when required.
Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 76, 31 March 1941, Page 8
MADE IN NEW ZEALAND
CONVERTED TRACTORS
P.W.D. ACHIEVEMENT
(By Telegraph—Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, This Day,
When New Zealand's own tanks show their paces before the public for the first time, in a few weeks, there will be presented the fulfilment of a dramatic chapter in the history of the Public Works Department.
The genesis of these 25-ton tanks was a photograph taken in the United States and given to Mr. Semple. That photograph showed a converted caterpillar tractor, and so impressed was Mr. Semple that when Belgium and France fell last year he became convinced something "hot" for any potential invader of New Zealand could be prepared on the lines of that valuable photograph. He showed the photograph to Mr. T. G. Beck, now district Public Works engineer in Christchurch, but at that time engineer in charge of the huge irrigation schemes in South and Mid-Canterbury, with his headquarters at Temuka. Mr. Beck was faced with the tough question of whether he could convert some of the big P.W.D. tractors into tanks without any blueprints, as it would take valuable time to secure prints from America. A prompt "yes" was Mr. Beck's reply, and expert workmen at the Public Works workshops at Temuka were organised by him for the job.
ARMOUR DEVISED
First a "tank" was made of three-ply to get the pattern, and the. next problem was to secure steel that would withstand anti-tank rifle fire. As the result of investigations and experiments Mr. Beck devised armour which passed severe firing tests, and it was then decided to go ahead and build the first tank. The whole of that important task was carried out at Temuka and completed. The tank was tested before Army representatives to their satisfaction. With the decision to construct further tanks, operations were shifted to larger workshops.
In addition, big trailers were made to transport the tanks at high speed to places where they might be needed. These trailers were designed by the Public Works Department in Wellington, and the first was built under Mr. Beck's supervision at Temuka. These New Zealand-made tanks look grimly efficient, and their performances bear out their looks.
POWERFUL MACHINES
The armoured bodies are placed on the big 98 horse-power caterpillar tractors, which were brought into New Zealand by Mr. Semple to do heavy Public Works construction jobs. These tractors are the most powerful in the world, and as tanks they have immense power. Not only can they climb a grade of 1 in. 2, but they will travel through water over four feet deep, traverse an embankment four and a half feet high, smash through gorse hedges, scrub, and saplings up to six inches in diameter, and move across country where roads do not exist. Their armament- consists of a number of quick-firing guns. Each tank has a crew of eight, and normally carries 25,000 rounds of ammunition. In addition there is room for the carriage of troops and ammunition in safety over country that might be under enemy fire. Furthermore, each tank is fitted with a drawbar with which an armoured trailer can be towed.'
These tanks, which, incidentally, are officially known as "mobile pill-boxes," burn crude oil, and accordingly cannot be vulnerable to incendiary bombs. The only thing that could put them out of action would be a big gun. The tanks are not fast, but they can be taken wherever they are wanted on trailers as fast as any tank ever built. Not only can they go virtually anywhere, but they can operate for 60 hours without refuelling.
TRACTORS PROVED A GODSEND,
"If this country is going to be invaded, we need to have equipment as good as that of the other fellow, if not better," said Mr. Semple. "We could not buy tanks from outside, but had to act on our own resources. Luckily we had big tractors here, and they were a godsend. They have proved one of the greatest boons the country has ever known, permitting us to build highways, aerodromes, camps, and fortifications in record time in the Dominion. They have proved invaluable for other urgent purposes outside New Zealand."
Mr. Semple added that it would not be necessary to withdrawn tractors from service to have them converted into tanks. Tlie tank bodies could be mass-produced and bolted on to the tractors when required.