Tank Chats #46 Ram Kangaroo | The Funnies | The Tank Museum

[@grahamguess4268]

Any grunt will tell you, a second class ride beats a first class walk any day.

[@Theggman83]

I was a forward observer, and was never happier to find myself attached to a CAV unit and not an infantry unit. ;-)

[@larrybarnes3920]

Yep. My knees and back remind me every day.

[@88porpoise]

Not to mention having up to three inches of steel between you and the Nazis is probably worth a few inconveniences.

[@girthbrooks39]

3rd class

[@Dr_V]

Thank you for doing this Mr. Fletcher. Many war documentaries tend to overlook auxiliary vehicles and the key role they played on the battlefield, your coverage of "the funnies" is most appreciated.

[@petethebastard]

Yep! Bravo!!

[@kellybreen5526]

Canada had a very finite manpower pool to draw from so technology and innovation was used more than in other armies to reduce casualties. The APC is commonplace now. Some credit has to be given to the Universal Carrier which got the ball rolling.

[@stephenmayer9228]

*Sir they blew the turret off, should we abandon the tank? *No, we're a troop carrier now!

[@nonamenolastname8600]

Lmoa

[@JeanLucCaptain]

kinda like the leman russ that had its Cannon blown off so they just replaced it with a Demolisher gun.

[@darkninjacorporation]

I just love they didn’t even shape out the (ex) turret ring, they just left a circular hole in the roof. It’s literally just a tank with the top off

[@offshoretomorrow3346]

They don't seem to have lifted a finger to modify it. Would footholds and benches inside have been difficult to fit? Or a canopy?

[@howardchambers9679]

​@@offshoretomorrow3346or a folding ladder!

[@crossbow1203]

Is it my imagination or is this man the prototype Englishman that we all see when we think about someone from the UK? clear, concise commentary with a bit of unintended humor thrown in! Good job Sir!

[@cgaccount3669]

You can tell the Germans were doomed. We had so much equipment we could leave turrets off some of our tanks

[@michaeldowson6988]

A captured German officer who watched the unloading at the beach in Normandy, noticed that we weren't still reliant on horses, and that his nation was doomed.

[@allangibson8494]

The US built more M3 Sherman’s that every tank the Germans ever built in history combined…

[@christophersilsby7829]

It was an Armoured Personal Carrier in every since of the word. It worked for what it was designed for but later on there were some better designs for an APC. most now have some sort of main weapon and doors to off load the soldiers in it.

[@greasedog]

@@christophersilsby7829 And places for the soldiers to sit. You’d think that would be more than an afterthought

[@sarjim4381]

I have a picture of my uncle in a Kangaroo. He said, for all it's drawbacks, it was a way for the guys not walk and have some protection from small arms fire. The real drawback to him was the lack of any kind of roof, and there was some terrible weather in the fall and winter of 1944-1945 in France an Germany. The soldiers pretty quickly rigged up canvas covers for the open compartment to keep the worst of the weather off them. You can see one of the Kangaroos with the cover folded back at 5:13.

[@watcherzero5256]

Another reason troops tended to improvise soft covers for open top troop vehicles was to try and deflect grenades, them being a very tempting target.

[@diator2]

nice story, thank you for sharing it

[@holdfast7657]

Soldiers being soldiers always want to make their living conditions as best as possible. I guess your uncle was happy to not trudge through the sleet and snow. They would have passed many not so fortunate.

[@jebise1126]

wont protect your from fire when jumping out...

[@dposcuro]

@@jebise1126 I like to believe they would try to find some semblance of cover/concealment before the soldiers would disembark, or use the .30 to suppress return fire. Either way, they we making due with what they had on hand.

[@Eriiaa]

Put two PIAT in it and you got a Tiger wrecking machine Oh wait, this ain't Company of heroes

[@rays5073]

CONSCRIPT RUSH THAT TANK!

[@MerlijnDingemanse]

*men of war 2

[@Hanfgurkenhasser]

Merliginary Meme of War 2

[@VRichardsn]

_Put two PIAT in it and you got a Tiger wrecking machine Oh wait, this ain't Company of heroes_ As someone who played quite good deal of Wehrmacht automatch, I can tell you that the sight of these things is frightening. Damn broken units :D That, and the Staghound *shudders in German*

[@PatrickLohKamp]

HAHA almost nothing except 17pndrs wrecks tigers in CoH for the Brits... *And airstrikes.

[@Theggman83]

"that jarring motion will catch up with you later in life" ... Yes, yes it will.

[@godlovespuppies-yb5kl]

A truer fact has never been said! I am now suffering for the indiscretions of being 19-28 years old in Tanks!

[@robgilbert3395]

@@godlovespuppies-yb5kl be sure to apply for a disability benefit!

[@commissar_3795]

My great-grandfather drove one of these in WW2. Awesome to see it here!

[@kyle857]

I'm so glad you are doing the funnies. This particular one seemed like a good idea to me. An APC ahead of it's time.

[@mohamed4579]

Yup.And the first apc made out of a tank chassis. The concept continued to live on specially with the idf ; The Israeli army did make apcs out of captured Arab t55 tanks. And later they made the namer apc which is based on the chassis of merkava 4.

[@AussieStandsWithRussia]

Except when it rains.....or hand grenades.....or in an ambush.... Or Molotov's

[@AgentTasmania]

nixymagoo A tarp roof would sort the first two, not exactly worse than walking for the latter two

[@AussieStandsWithRussia]

@@AgentTasmania a tarp? For hand grenades?

[@richardmeyeroff7397]

@@mohamed4579 Sorry but you are wrong. the first APC comes from WW1 ad was derived from the mark 4 & 5 's and was supposed to be used in the 1919 offensive that never happened.

[@davidfindlay878]

Great to see a focus on The Funnies.

[@kimberlymulhall2757]

Used To go into a junkyard on Weston rd in Toronto to play in one when I was a kid.

[@Speedlovar]

Thank you David, I really enjoy hearing you talk about tanks.

[@TuShan18]

Canada was pretty awesome during WWII. I don't know why our war documentaries don't talk about them more.

[@miskatonic6210]

Yeah, they shot quite some civilians during the last days of the war in northern germany.

[@mc-kq6yd]

Its the same reason they dont talk about Australia while we did contribute we werent really a massive part of the war

[@shnek5143]

@@miskatonic6210 Why are you trying so hard to troll?

[@JeanLucCaptain]

BECASUE we don't have Hollywood.

[@JeanLucCaptain]

@@mc-kq6yd Australia was completely screwed over by the US in WW2. They took all the glory and press because USA. Australia pulled some amazing rabbits out of its hat like the Sentinel tank. Diggers are truly tough SoBs.

[@rjohnson611]

A very interesting video. Interesting to see an early attempt at armored troop carriers. You're certainly right about the long-term consequences of leaping off an armored vehicle. My knees remind me each day of the negative effects of a career spent in tank units.

[@builder396]

Yup. Take a look at the Sdkfz. 250 and 251. Those were german made and used halftracks which overall had pretty similar carrying capabilities (250 was a bit smaller overall), had bulletproof armor (up to 30mm on the front iirc), were open topped and had either one or two machine guns. Definite improvement over the Kangaroo was that you had an exit door at the back, which made getting out a lot less dangerous. Also interesting part is that a lot of these Halftracks were also used in specialized roles like armored cars (20mm Hängelafette turret fitted), self propelled AA guns (usually 20mm Flak 38, either single or quad, with armored sides missing), self propelled AT guns (3.7cm or 7.5cm), infantry support (7.5cm KwK37), mortar carrier, command vehicles with extra radio equipment, bridge layers, ambulance vehicles, flamethrowers, rocket artillery, gun tractor etc. nevermind all the field modifications. These things truly pioneered the idea of an APC that could go anywhere a tank could go, was armored so that infantry could fight from within the vehicle, or outside with the Halftrack giving support from the MG or other guns it might have had.

[@Tuning3434]

+builder396 First one was 1917, and already cover by Mr. Fletcher MBE before, the Mark IX tank / APC. But dangit, just like with the Peterson device, armistice were declared before it was brought into action. (as another man with majestic facial hair, and a hat(!), has presented before)

[@chaz8758]

The first fully tracked armoured troop carriers were converted Mk IV tanks (and a lesser amount of Gun Carrier Mk I minus their guns), the first purpose built one was the Mk IX which was built to carry either 30 men or supplies for the attacking units (only one Mk IX reached France though before the Armistice). The Mk IX also holds the dubious honour of being the first amphibious "tank" in 1918.

[@oldgeek2042]

Actual 250 and 251 failed as battle taxis and after first attempts in 1941 rarely went past into fire with takes but dropped troops and sought cover early. The kangaroos would often advance onto the objective with German half tracks could not without high losses. The kangaroos were not the first but first effective battle taxi. They had many flaws but could and did drive through heavy fire to delivery infantry support near or on an objective.

[@KMac329]

There's always something new to learn about WWII arms and armament, and this "Tank Chats" series is a first-class place to learn it.

[@davidolie8392]

The 1st Canadian Armoured Carrier Regiment, as part of 79th Armoured Division, equipped with Kangaroos, remains to this day the only Canadian battalion of any type that was formed outside of Canada. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1st_Canadian_Armoured_Carrier_Regiment. One thing not mentioned in the video: The Ram tanks were used very extensively in training in the UK and this wore them down so much that they were no longer mechanically reliable by D-Day. Removing the turrets (which had only a 57mm main armament) reduced about 8 tons of weight, which greatly prolonged the lifetime of the chassis. The Kangaroo was a logical way to make use of a wasting asset.

[@bananabanana8831]

These little talks are the jewels we can find on youtube . thank you

[@friedchicken297]

This is the tank series we've been waiting for. Fletcher talking bout funnies, truly a sight that I will rewatch a lot.

[@matthayward7889]

Another fascinating video. Doesn’t look like a lot of room for eight soldiers and all their kit!

[@f1matt]

Very cool. Surprised they didn’t weld a few handles onto it.

[@erikbrown8241]

Well done sir.

[@stephenwarhurst6615]

Kangaroo Because it carry's G.I. Joeys in it's pouch

[@cryptotharg7400]

LoL! Good one!

[@gottithehun]

Brilliant!

[@teaeff8898]

Except their GI Canucks lol. Good point tho

[@pparker768]

No.

[@Moggster23]

And they can hop out once they've reached their destination.

[@krixig]

Seems like they could have bolted some grippy hand holds onto the side to help pile into it.

[@penguinsentinel8508]

I've always had a fondness for the Ram Kangaroo. Weird, but wonderful little machine!

[@TheFred10000]

Mister Fletcher is the kind of guy to have a redness contest with the stripe he's standing on. What a brilliant man!

[@russwoodward8251]

Thank you for this frank and original review David Fletcher. This is really great.

[@stormy9196]

YAY someone finally covered the kangaroo, always wanted to know more about this tank since seeing it in company of heroes (other than the obvious info from the game)

[@kent1672]

Great to see a video of this vehicle. One point though, regarding the MG turret mentioned at 2:46 . It appears that Canada did use at least one of these older versions. On page 19 of The Kangaroo In Canadian Service (by Mark W. Tonner, Service Publications) there is a picture of Bukshee, from B Sqn, 1st CACR and it is most certainly the older variant with the MG turret.

[@tankbuggeru]

So that turret looks tiny. Is the machinegunner supposed to have his face/head an inch from the gun?

[@pukalo]

I want to see a complete Ram in running condition. It's by far my favourite tank.

[@PatGilliland]

The Canadian War Museum had a Ram Kangaroo on display for a while and there has been more than one beat up Ram chassis parked out back last year. Before they moved to the new location they had a Ram with turret in the Annex so it is very likely they will be able to put together a runner. I haven't been in in a while but I don't recall the Ram being on display

[@TheGreatMoonFrog]

I don't believe it is. I walk past the main tank room most days going to work and usually take a look. Maybe they have one as part of a display but I don't remember seeing one when I went through it all.

[@subgum3403]

There is a ram 2 in vancouver bc

[@117thWing]

4:04 That Churchill is such a beauty.

[@ItsStevieBoy]

I love this guy, I could sit in a pub with him and listen to him talk for hours.

[@heavyduty9832]

Thank you David. Brilliant short video. Very informative, keep up the good work, I have enjoyed all of the tank chat video

[@millertime4993]

The best way to start your day is with a tank chat.

[@adamskinner5868]

love this new series, love learning about these great vehicles and the guys who used them. Big fan of the new stuff the Tank Museum is putting on line, loved the Matilda restoration, keep up the good work, it's appreciated. Oh no, I've become a fan boy

[@PavarottiAardvark]

This is a very 'British' tank in the sense that it's made from what was available, and it's good enough to do the job. That attitude helped win WW2!

[@SawedOffLaser]

Very interesting video, it's cool to see a series about more obscure vehicles like this.

[@RicardoSanchez-es5wl]

What a knowledgeable chap!

[@prehistoricplayer1132]

Another great video Mr.Fletcher! I enjoy having a nice cup of tea and watching your very informative videos!

[@stephengiles2873]

Fascinating piece of history please keep this series going

[@Pyro-et9vs]

I did not realize (or know) that this kind of “tank” even existed. Thanks!

[@treadheadpete4770]

Great video, and a very interesting series, thank you!

[@Twirlyhead]

Other than the open top and awkward/risky egress/ingress, it was a rather well protected armoured personnel carrier.

[@AtheistOrphan]

Very interesting and informative video. Thank you.

[@winstinwin7650]

I like this guy , feels like it could be your grandad telling old story’s 👍

[@inclusivemodeldesigns16]

Great video! These really help me with my tank builds! Thank you!

[@rvail136]

Mr Fletcher deserves a knighthood for his outstanding scholarship in documenting British and world tank history. I hope Mrs May, the prime minister will include him in the next honours list.

[@monroetoolman]

Cheers Mr. Fletcher!

[@jsma9999]

David Fletcher, thank you for this Great Film.I learn something New today

[@chazt8604]

In the Riechwald fighting the turretless Churchills were used for ammunition resupply for the Churchill units, as nothing else could cross the terrain.

[@peterbourne5926]

Thanks very much for your work. You’re great guy and I always enjoy your videos. Pete. 🇬🇧

[@WhataboutTRUTH]

Another GREAT chat, Thank You & Keep them coming

[@mattilatvala4164]

Welding any handholds etc for fast exit seems to have been too much. 😆

[@Sharnoy1]

Another informative and entertaining video. Thank you!

[@LongWarEnjoyer]

Canadian doctrine calls for two things: 1- "modify" all british and American equipment. 2- put a big machine gun on it.

[@pvccannon1966]

instant like, keep up the good work. And good health to you and your family. From USA

[@paulalexander2928]

At CFB Meaford Ontario there are number old tanks on the artillery and anti tank range. These tanks were used as range targets . Among them were some Grants and Shermans whether there still there I don't know as I've been out of the army for 20 years. We used up some of the last 3.5 inch bazooka rounds in Canadian stores.

[@kellybreen5526]

I was with 11th Field from Guelph and these tanks were in the impact zone. There was the bottom of a (I suspect) Sherman that had been hit by fragments so many times that it was like someone had sawed it off about 1/3rd of the way up the hull. Everything above that was gone. Even the top half of the wheels were shaved off.

[@foamer443]

I can second that. Also in the woods, and I assume it's still there, was a RAM that was in descent shape as least into the early 80's. The story I heard was the area decades ago was more open and it had some sort of break down and just never got recovered and the trees grew around it. We saw it from a chopper when getting dropped into a LZ.

[@rubbybobinson3543]

Thank you, sir.

[@mischapeters4172]

I enjoy watching these series.

[@peregrinemccauley7819]

Haven't heard of Ram Kangaroo before . What a tail .

[@MrAwol007]

this man is a pure legend

[@crossfirerambo]

Anyone not watching this:"oh a tank video" Anyone watching this video:"OMG DAVID FLETCHER!!"

[@Splodge542]

I've read a tank commander memoir where he remembers the supporting infantry being cut down left and right by MG fire. Literally being cut in half in one case. It seems to have taken a very long time before armoured troop carriers were developed and used.

[@delvescoa]

Very interesting, as usual. I can't wait to see more of these original pieces of armour described.

[@Max_Flashheart]

Perfect code name Kangaroo. Just think of the terror when the Nazis hear the command to release the Kangaroo.

[@lkchild]

Safe in it's pouch.

[@VRichardsn]

_Just think of the terror when the Nazis hear the command to release the Kangaroo_ It is the sound of doom. Kangaroos with PIAT Sappers and infantry sections to button up your King Tiger... Company of Heroes sure had some weird balance units...

[@genericdave8420]

They'll "roo" the day they heard that command ;-)

[@fatcoyote2]

Yay! Angry British Mario is back to talk about the metal-car-thingies!

[@zebradun7407]

An Idea ahead of it's time. Good vehicle for transporting Infantry for sure. I understand during WW1 there were tanks modified the same way for the same purpose.

[@MikeStubbsRace]

David Fletcher is a National Treasure

[@mazzalean077]

How can you dislike this?

[@GenericShirtNinja]

Just King Tiger things

[@Paciat]

Geyman fanboys...

[@AKUJIVALDO]

Actually that's leftists whom dislike this video, nobody else bothers...

[@a.morphous66]

AKUJIVALDO What does that have to do with anything? You can’t just go and blame liberals for everything.

[@AKUJIVALDO]

Bookhead714 facepalm... Did I blamed them for everything? Nope, so what is the point of your comment?

[@AmazingAce]

Another great presentation ^.^

[@nickdanger3802]

Rams were used for training only until Britain was Lend Leased enough M4's for training. Then Rams were used as APC's.

[@MeshFrequency]

The lack of consideration for the crew comfort on the Ram Kangaroo, would impress even the Soviet tank designers!

[@michaelmilburn911]

Fantastic video, this was really interesting. I wouldn't have known about this if not for this video

[@TheGiggityG]

Tank you!

[@loupiscanis9449]

Thank you .

[@maruad7577]

I laughed when I saw the Kangaroo at the 5:10 mark has the words Buck Shee written on the side. My dad used the term for all the things that managed to make their way from government stores into the homes of troops after the war but before they were demobbed.

[@anthonycuthbert2903]

So you can drop off some heavily armed, welled trained grunts behind the lines of the enemy to raise hell, in a carrier with the armour of a tank. Great job lads!

[@Hunter4042012]

Thanks for another great video.

[@meiketorkelson4437]

What a great use for a tank chasis which had become obsolete...

[@balalaika7088]

this is super interesting i hope you keep doing this type of stuff. i would really love to see more

[@IceWolfLoki]

In retaliation the Australians named one of their tanks a Wolverine ;)

[@barley12girl]

Wierd how that happened.

[@godlovespuppies-yb5kl]

If you are ever in Calgary Alberta Canada, the Museum of the Regiments has some great displays and some pretty amazing stories displayed. One of my favorites is about the Melfa River Crossing in Italy. The Canadians had to find a way to cross the river...so the story goes: "One of the lads , a farmer from Alberta said.. "Why don't we take the Turret off one tank, lay a bailey bridge across it and drive it into the river...and then use another tank to push the bridge across the river ... We all laughed .... and then said why not lets give it a shot". And they did ... and it worked, the next part of the story was from a German sergeant captured after the river crossing he was recorded as saying " We saw this thing come around the bend ... A large bridge about 20 meters long held up on a tank hull and pushed by another tank...our officer laughed and said that it would never work .... all of a sudden the lead tank was in the river and the bridge slid across and the damn Canadians were on top of us" A farmer fix works again!

[@ws2228]

Most apt name for ANY afv. Thats my opinion, that means it's the best opinion.

[@isaacsilva1515]

Always excited for a new tank chats

[@thomascampbell4730]

Like the LVT, one way in and one way out, the hard way.

[@thisisabsolutelystup]

This has so much potential! Why on earth didn't they just tidy up the inside a bit, add even some wooden hatches over the turret hole for weather/grenade/sniper cover, and weld some rungs on the side?!

[@SIG442]

Lots of photo's taken in the Netherlands with this vehicle, I guess it would have been in common use in the Netherlands by Canadian troops.

[@nielsklompen3108]

Most of the pictures taken in Holland where taken around 's Hertogenbosch and are from the British 53rd Welsh division, but they where used by the 1st Canadian Personal Carrier regiment - attached to the 79th too.

[@modelmagician3743]

Great to see the Kangaroo in one of your videos. This vehicle is excellent to build as a model due to Its interesting subject and interior. And in alot of ways this vehicle saved alot of soldiers lifes, By adding some valuable protection. With the use of a obsoleted chassis.

[@normplatt7549]

Well done ! thankyou!

[@Daniel-S1]

Thanks.

[@commissar_3795]

My great grandfather drove one of these in WW2

[@martentrudeau6948]

Very interesting history with the Canadians, Americans and the British. They have their ways of doing things.

[@trappenweisseguy27]

Can’t get over the height of this thing even without a turret.

[@BattleManiac7]

I love the Kangaroo. I mean yes, I'm Canadian so there's obvious bias, but I just love apcs in general. It's a simple job but an important one, and I feel they're always over shadowed by tanks and ifvs. I also love how simple the idea is. Take the turret off and bam, space for guys and no need to make a whole new factory.

[@henrylicious]

N00bManiac7 Definitely not a bad ad hoc battle taxi.

[@aewhatever]

Thanks for the tidbit I have heard of the kangaroo and its use,but I didn't know what exactly it was.

[@joelbeaudoin2761]

Yes finally a tank from the canucks!

[@foamer443]

After the war we had a purpose built APC called the Lynx, of which I know very little. I believe there is one on the grounds of what was Base Downsview that can be seen from Sheppard Ave

[@lordofdarkdudes]

When i saw this at first my first instic was " Want an utter waste of resourses! if you make 2/3'ds a tank why not just make the other third as well?!" but now i realise how briliant it is. You have a IFV ( lets face it its an ifv) that can resist all small arms fire and migth even be abel to survie small caliber anti tank guns (like the german 50mm pak) thats really impressive even for today! The only improvments i think they should have added was a Gun shield along the turret with a opening to the back with a deployabel ladder/ stairs for ease of deployment. Also mabye add a larger caliber MG on the turret ring and ofcourse raise the gun shield abit to add in a few foldaway seats for the infantry riding the seats that are basicly haing off the turret ring so you would not need to stand for long range travel

[@Rooster---ooo]

I just posted a near-identical comment. Ladders & some weapon mounts (even for the squads Bren & PIAT) would have given it more punch. The lack of benches seems very odd, though it's hard to tell how cramped it was in there. Perhaps they had to leave them out to manage to squeeze in a complete squad.

[@Rooster---ooo]

It's a bit late now but I have a couple of suggestions for improvements. - Metal 'ladders' on each side to help troops climb in, perhaps with a couple of larger rungs to allow them to clamber down with less of a jolt. - Mounting points for the squads Bren & or PIAT, in case of close encounters. - They could potentially have fitted a mount upfront for a 50 cal to give the Ram some AA & infantry support capability, above that of the 30 cal in the wee turret. - A light trailer (like the once for the Churchill Crocodile) for carrying supplies (supplies, extra ammo or a light mortar). With a few minor modifications, you could have transformed a decent armoured troop carrier into a potent infantry fighting vehicle which could have given the squad more firepower options to suit multiple situations. The Germans were pretty good at adapting vehicles (both domestically produced & captured) to increase their firepower or re-purpose them entirely. Perhaps us Brits were a little too conventional at times.