Kangaroo Armoured Personel Carrier

[hawkeye3guns]

Hi all
This is a project I've contemplated for a while and whilst between things thought I'd give it a go.
The Kangaroo APC was made from old Priest's, Kangaroo Ram Tanks and also Sherman 111's at various stages during the war and was operated by the 1st Canadian Armoured Personel Division and also by the British 49th Armoured Personel Division, 79th Armour Division (Hoberts Funnies).
Once all the Turret Basket and internals was removed each vehicle could carry 10 men plus stores in relative safety provided they crouched down inside the vehicle.

Anyway I started with a old Mato top hull and Lower and cut off the sides and most of the front face, before rebuilding and filling in the hull to get as near as I could to the War time Photo's I'm using for reference.

I left the Mato front Tranny cover on to give me a reference for the top front rebuild, Next job was to manufacture the basic shape of the front Toolboxes / Mudgaurds. There is that many different layouts of the toolboxes (I think it was up to each unit what layout they wanted) So at the moment I'm sticking to the basic long box on each wing.

Now with the basic front shape done I decided to give the 3 piece Transmission cover a go. Took some advice from Frank and I have to admit it was easier than I thought it would be and Came out not to bad (Thanks Frank).

The rear of the Hull top just required a small cut out doing and some splash guards fitting also a few holes to fill in.

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Finally for the minute I have cut out the turret ring and drilled whats left to represent the bolt holes for installing a turret ring because in some photo's there is a radio aerial bolted to these holes and also one photo shows a .30 calibre mounted to the holes.

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Well that's where I'm at the moment as I get more done I'll update the post
Denzil

[AlwynTurner]

Hi Denzil, love the build! Great start and I'll be following on with much interest. Alwyn

[frankie]

Nice one Denzil, liking that a lot...

[mcevoyi]

This looks like its going to be a really grest build

[Ecam]

Unique and very cool.

[hawkeye3guns]

Hi all
Thanks for the comments. I've made a bit of more progress since , So here is some more piccy's.
I cleaned up the rear engine deck removing any unwanted bits and then rebuilt it to the photo's, which was basically fitting a large engine cooling intake and 2 off large plates over the air intakes so that stores could be easily carried without chocking the engine.

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And then making a Machine gun Turret ring for the front of the hull.

The machine gun turret although looking simple was a sod to make, and after the third attempt hit the garage door, I decided to take poetic licence and just simplify the damm thing into a basic structure which I'll tittify later,

I like to get the basic structure in place of all the components, to get a general overview of the vehicle and make sure it all works with nothing fouling anywhere to which end the vehicle is nearly there.
I have to hook up the electrics and also see if I can get the machine gun turret to move (although I have a total of 5mm clearance from the bottom of the turret to the top of the left hand motor/gearbox unit and all the electronics must fit into the rear of the unit under the engine deck , so I can fit in a few "Tommy's" into the carrying space.
Until Next update Denzil

[HERMAN BIX]

Lovn it

[hawkeye3guns]

Hi all
Well I have got a bit more done. I got the drivers hatch sorted and also the turret. Put some lids on the front tool boxes and also laid out the basic external tools, (for some reason there is 2 off shovels, maybe its because of the extra men )Rebuilt the airbox covers to include 2 spare bogey wheels after finding a photo showing there location. I have now enclosed the turret area internally for the troops to ride in and found out just how little room was left to place all the electrics in.
Any how here's some photo's of my progress so far.

I have still got the front headlights to make and the headlight guards also the Aerial and its attachment to the turret ring before going to paint.
I have a question for you
All my wartime photo's are black and white and the Kangaroo appears to be all one colour.
Does anyone know what colour was it light olive drab or Matt dark green, or just any Khaki colour the units had to hand.
Thank for your help and comments
Denzil

[AlwynTurner]

Great build Denzil - love it! Alwyn

[RobW]

Very nice. Looking through Google it looks like they were painted much the same colours as the tanks. Maybe would depend on what the attached armour was painted with?