M7 Sexton self-propelled artillery
History, technical sheet and photo
M7 Sexton self-propelled artillery history
Shortly after the outbreak of World War II, the Canadian Army wanted to build a self-propelled gun, like the Americans, that could support the infantry as closely as possible. But Canadians are sorely lacking in this kind of equipment, so they decide to launch a project to have their own self-propelled gun, like the American M7 Priest, which was already delivered to Great Britain and Canada since its creation.
In 1942, Canadian engineers were inspired by the work of their American counterparts, and in 1943 the M7 self-propelled gun was born. The American army nicknamed its model “Priest”, the British decide to name their own creation “Sexton”.
The British also use the M7 Sexton self-propelled gun, especially during the Battle of Normandy. This machine is used to support the infantry as closely as possible, especially during its assaults in the great discoveries of the region of Caen. The production of the M7 Sexton, begun in 1943, stops at the end of the Second World War: a total of 2,150 copies are produced.
M7 Sexton self-propelled artillery specification
Creator: Canada
Users: Canada, Britain
Denomination: 25pdr SP, tracked, Sexton
Length: 6,12 m
Width: 2,72 m
Height: 2,11 m
Weight: 25,860 kg
Maximum speed: 39 km/h
Operational range: 200 km
Main armament: Ordnance QF 25 pounder Mk II (87.6 mm)
Secondary armament: two 0.303 (7.7 mm) Bren light machine guns
Engine: Continental R-975 9 cylinder Radial gasoline, 400 hp (298 kW)
Crew: 6 (commander, driver, gunner, gun-layer, loader, wireless operator))
Armor: 25 mm
