Canon de 47 sur Vickers-Carden-Loyd T.13 B1/B2

Canon de 47 sur Vickers-Carden-Loyd T.13
Auto porté C 4,7 sur T.13
T-13


In 1935, a tank fighter project was approved by the Belgian Army using the chassis of the English Vickers-Armstrong Light Dragon artillery tractor, which had been ordered from the manufacturer in the first half of the 1930s, and which was to be used to tow 75mm field howitzers. The Belgian side drew up a design for the fighter, whose gun armament was to be the then superior 47mm infantry Model 1932 (Canon de 47 antichars SA-FRC) produced by the Belgian factory Fonderie Royale de Canons.
The machine was characterized by simple shapes, but was of an unusual concept. The cannon was mounted in an open turret at the rear. The latter had no circular metering and was faced backwards. The cannon was complemented by a Browning FN model 1930 machine gun of 7.65 mm calibre. The machine was lightly armoured(6-13mm) but was able to protect the crew against shrapnel and machine gun fire.
Licensed production of the Light Dragon Mk.IIB, later the Light Dragon Mk.IIC was negotiated and 300 of this support vehicle were ordered. The machines were supplied by Famillieureaux.
Three versions of this type were produced.


The T.13 B1 and the T.13 B2 differed only in details. There were probably differences in the interior of the vehicles. The chassis consisted of a driving and 4 running wheels, the latter serving as a tensioner. The machines did not have supporting pulleys. The turret was not in the vehicle centerline.


The T.13 B3 already used the more modern Light Dragon Mk.II C chassis. The turret was fully rotatable. The chassis consisted of a drive wheel, tension wheel and 4 running wheels. The tracks were supported by 2 supporting pulleys. The turret was larger and in the centreline of the vehicle. The machine had thicker armouring on some parts (max. 13 mm).


The machines were distributed to the following units on 10.5.1940:


1^e Division des Chasseurs Ardennais (1st Division of the Ardennes Rifles) - 48 pieces
Companie PFL de l´Unité de Fortresse (Fortress Defence Support Unit) - 12 pcs (this unit is mentioned by Ivo Pejčoch, S.Zaloga does not mention it)


Infantry divisions:
1^e Division d´Infantrie - 12 pcs
2^eDivison d´Infanterie - 12 pcs
3^e Division d´Infanterie - 12 pcs
4^e Division d´Infanterie - 12 pcs
7^e Division d´Infanterie - 12 pcs
8^e Division d´Infanterie - 12 pcs
9^e Division d´Infanterie - 12 pcs
10^e Division d´Infanterie - 12 pcs
11^e Division d´Infanterie - 12 pcs


Cavalry Divisions (Cavalry Regiments):
1^e Division de Cavalerie :
1^e Regiment de Guides - 6 pcs
2^e Regiment de Lanciers - 6 pcs
3^e Regiment de Lanciers - 6 pcs


[2^e Division de cavalerie :
1e Regiment de Lanciers - 6 pcs
2^e Regiment de Chasseurs - 6 pcs
3^e Regiment de Chasseurs - 6 pcs


Cycling units:
1^e Compagnie de l´Unité Cyclistes Frontiére - 12 pcs (this unit is mentioned by Ivo Pejčoch, S.Zaloga does not mention it)
8^e Compagnie de l´Unité Cyclistes Frontiére - 12 pcs


After the end of the fighting and the not too glorious service of these often malfunctioning machines, many were captured by the advancing German troops. The machines were incorporated into the German armament under the designation Panzerjäger Sfl CL801(b). Due to unsatisfactory parameters, some machines were stripped of armament, turrets and parts of the hull structure and served as tractors and training vehicles in training units. Some complete machines served to support units in anti-partisan actions.

Ivo Pejčoch - Self-propelled gun T-13,HPM 6/2006
Steven Zaloga - Blitzkrieg
Peter Taghon - Mei 1940 - De 18 daagse veldtocht in Belgie
W.J..Spielberger - Beute Kraftfahrzeuge und Panzer der deutschen Wehrmacht
http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?t=80707
www.ebay.com

T-13B1/B2

en.wikipedia.org