M7B2 Priest Tank
During the early stages of World War II, US Army observers realized that they would need a self-propelled artillery vehicle with sufficient firepower to support armored operations.
The 105 mm Howitzer Motor Carriage M7 was an American self-propelled gun vehicle produced during World War II. It was given the official service name 105 mm Self Propelled Gun, Priest by the British Army, due to the pulpit-like machine gun ring, and following on from the Bishop and the contemporary deacon self-propelled guns.
During the Korean War, the limited elevation of the howitzer became noticeably problematic. 127 M7B1 were modified to permit an elevation of 65° to increase the effective range of the howitzer. The machine gun mount also had to be raised to give a 360° firing arc.
Ontario Regiment R.C.A.C. Museum acquired the very rare M7 Priest from BAIV of the Netherlands, where it had been expertly restored to running condition after being rescued from a German scrap yard.
The tank was put up for auction at Tracks & Trade in Holland where it was purchased for the museum with the support of The Dunkley Charitable Foundation.
The Ontario Regiment RCAC Museum
Aquino Tank Weekend
June 9, 2023
M7B2 Priest Tank
During the early stages of World War II, US Army observers realized that they would need a self-propelled artillery vehicle with sufficient firepower to support armored operations.
The 105 mm Howitzer Motor Carriage M7 was an American self-propelled gun vehicle produced during World War II. It was given the official service name 105 mm Self Propelled Gun, Priest by the British Army, due to the pulpit-like machine gun ring, and following on from the Bishop and the contemporary deacon self-propelled guns.
During the Korean War, the limited elevation of the howitzer became noticeably problematic. 127 M7B1 were modified to permit an elevation of 65° to increase the effective range of the howitzer. The machine gun mount also had to be raised to give a 360° firing arc.
Ontario Regiment R.C.A.C. Museum acquired the very rare M7 Priest from BAIV of the Netherlands, where it had been expertly restored to running condition after being rescued from a German scrap yard.
The tank was put up for auction at Tracks & Trade in Holland where it was purchased for the museum with the support of The Dunkley Charitable Foundation.
The Ontario Regiment RCAC Museum
Aquino Tank Weekend
June 9, 2023