[MOC] WW2 Smith Gun

[greg3]

The Smith Gun was a 3in (76mm) smooth bore anti-tank gun developed for by the British during WW2.

It was intended to fill the gap in ant-tank weaponry caused by the loss of equipment following the retreat from Dunkirk and was the brainchild of a retired army major William H Smith who ran his own engineering company. The gun was intended for Home Defence use on British soil and could be towed behind a civilian motorcar. Preparing the gun to fire involved tipping it onto its side so that one wheel formed a turntable base and the other provided some overhead protection. It could fire HE and anti-tank rounds able to penetrate around 60mm of armour.

Problems with production, meant it didn't go into service until 1942 and it was only ever issued to Home Guard and the RAF (for airfield defence).  Unfortunately, it wasn't a success; despite having a supposed range of 1500m, it was only really effective up to 300m. It was also vulnerable to damage while being towed by vehicles and worst of all, early versions tended to explode when fired! (this was probably due to errors in assembling the gun which came in kit form). Despite this, many Home Guard units saw the Smith Gun as one of the most effective weapons they were issued with (although it never saw any real action)

Ready for transport - the gun barrel doubled as a tow bar! The gun also came with a limber containing spare rounds (this was rarely used as most Home Guard units were only ever issued with a handful of anti-tank rounds!)

Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr

The gun itself... the barrel can be elevated (a bit!) and the gun can traverse through 360°.

Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr

Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr

The limber (quite pleased with the towing frame bit!)

Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr

Ready for action!! (figures from United Bricks, shell from Brickarms)

Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr

Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr

Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr

Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr

The gun and crew...

Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr

I've always been quite interested in the Home Guard (and how they weren't always the joke that the TV show Dad's Army makes then seem... although the Smith Gun does feature in an episode!!) This build came about after seeing articles about the Home Guard (which was formed 80 years ago this week) and specifically a video about a surviving Smith Gun in the local museum link

Thanks for looking... comments are always welcome.

Edited May 16, 2020 by greg3

[Pdaitabird]

Great build and a fascinating piece of history!

[deraven]

Educational, and a nice build as well.  Great solution on the limber.