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Britain's Bishop Self Propelled Gun Mk I
Carrier, Valentine, 25 pdr Mk I
Bishop |
Bishop |
Bishop |
Bishop Royal Armored Corps Tank Museum |
Design
In June 1941 the Birmingham Carriage and Wagon Company was given the job to develop a self propelled gun that could carry the 25 pdr howitzer.5
Chassis
The Valentine Mk II chassis was used.5 Its turret was replaced by a large box that mounted the 25 pdr gun.5
Main Armament
The Bishop's main armament couldn't be elevated to its maximum level so it was relegated to a close support role or ramps had to be built to drive the Bishop onto.5 There were two large doors that were typically left open when firing to allow the crew extra room.5
The 25 pdr's range was about 6,400 yards.
Prototype
In August 1941 a prototype was ready for testing.5
Production
In November 1941 100 were ordered.5
- November 1941 - July 1942: 805
- 1942-1943: 80
Usage
The Bishop often towed a 25 pdr limber that carried additional ammunition.5
The Bishop was used by the Royal Artillery.5
North Africa
The 8th Army received deliveries of the Bishop.5 In the dessert the Bishop's height was a disadvantage.5
Replaced After Sicily
The Bishop was replaced by the US M7 Priests after the campaign in Sicily was concluded.5 It was relegated to training.5
| Bishop | |
|---|---|
| Crew | Commander, driver, gunner, loader.2 41,2,3,5 |
| Physical Characteristics | |
| Weight | 17,440 lb3, 39,000 lb2 15.48 tons4, 17.4 tons1, 20 tons5 7,911 kg3, 17,690 kg1, 20,320 kg5 |
| Length w/gun | 18' 2"1,2, 18' 6"3,5 5.5 m4, 5.53 m1, 5.62 m5, 5.64 m3 |
| Length w/o gun | |
| Height | 9' 3.25"2, 9' 1"1, 10'3,5 2.75 m4, 2.825 m1, 3.05 m3,5 |
| Width | 8' 7"1, 8' 7.5"2, 9' 1"3,5 2.59 m4, 2.63 m1, 2.77 m3,5 |
| Ground clearance | |
| Ground contact length | |
| Ground pressure | |
| Turret ring diameter | |
| Armament | |
| Main | 25 pdr howitzer Mk I2 25 pdr4 25 pdr (87.6 mm)1 25 pdr (87.6 mm, 3.45")3 25 pdr gun howitzer5 |
| Secondary | |
| MG - antiaircraft | .303 cal Bren2 |
| Side arms | |
| Quantity | |
| Main | 322,4,5 |
| Secondary | |
| MG | |
| Side arms | |
| Armor Thickness (mm) | 82, 602,4,5 |
| Hull Front, Upper | |
| Hull Front, Lower | |
| Hull Sides, Upper | |
| Hull Sides, Lower | |
| Hull Rear | |
| Hull Top | |
| Hull Bottom | |
| Turret Front | |
| Turret Sides | |
| Turret Rear | |
| Turret Top | |
| Engine (Make / Model) | AEC A1901 AEC2,3,5 |
| Cylinders | 63,5 |
| Net HP | 1313,4,5 |
| Transmission | |
| Fuel type | Diesel3,5 |
| Octane | |
| Capacity | |
| Performance | |
| Traverse | 4° left, 4° right.2 |
| Max speed | 14.9 mph1, 15 mph2,3,5 24 kph1,3,5, 25 kph4 |
| Cross country speed | 7 mph2 |
| Road radius | 90 miles1,2, 110 miles3,5 145 km1, 177 km3,5 |
| Cross country range | |
| Turning radius | |
| Elevation limits | -5° to +15°2, +15°4 |
| Fording depth | 3'2,3 0.91 m3 |
| Trench crossing | 7' 6"2 |
| Vertical Obstacle | 2' 9"2 |
| Suspension (Type) | "Slow motion" with 3-wheel bogies.2 |
| Wheels each side | 6 |
| Return rollers each side | 3 |
| Track length | |
| Tires | |
| Track width | 14"2 |
| Track centers/tread | 7' 3"2 |
Sources:
- The Encyclopedia of Tanks and Armored Fighting Vehicles - The Comprehensive Guide to Over 900 Armored Fighting Vehicles From 1915 to the Present Day, General Editor: Christopher F. Foss, 2002
- British and American Tanks of World War Two, The Complete Illustrated History of British, American, and Commonwealth Tanks 1933-1945, Peter Chamberlain and Chris Ellis, 1969
- The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II, Chris Bishop, 1998
- Jane's World War II Tanks and Fighting Vehicles The Complete Guide, Leland Ness, 2002
- World Encyclopedia of Armored Fighting Vehicles, Jack Livesey, 2006
