Modeller Build Logs

Ram OP

OK Here goes, my first BLOG. We'll all get to see how far I get and maybe it will encourage me to keep up my build pace.

As the title says, this will eventually be a Ram OP, which was the artillery observation post version of the Ram Cruiser tank. Over 80 of these were made in 1943 by Montreal Locomotive and they were built on the last version of the Ram Mk II chassis. This had all the mods introduced over the 2 year production run of the Ram tank.

While the gun tank versions of the Ram never saw combat service in that role, the OP was widely used by the self propelled artillery regiments attached to Canada's armoured divisions and army groups. With the removal of the main gun (a plain tube was welded on the outside to maintain appearances) and turret basket there was enough room inside for a crew of 6 which included the observers and operators for two No.19 radio sets. With the extra room and crew the OPs were highly prized by their regiments and further OPs were created on gun tank chassis at REME (RCEME?) depots in the UK. Like its cousin, the Sherman, the Ram was well suited to conversion to other uses and the OP was a perfect example of such a conversion.