Grizzly I cruiser

Grizzly I
Grizzly
TypeMedium tank
Place of originCanada
Service history
In service1943–1945 (Canada)
1954–1980s (Portugal)
Used byCanada
Portugal
WarsWorld War II
Production history
Designed1941
ManufacturerMontreal Locomotive Works
Produced1943–1944
No. built188
Specifications
Mass29.91 t (30 tonnes)
Length19 ft (5.816 m)
Width2.626 m (8 ft 7.4 in)
Height2.997 m (9 ft 10.0 in)
Crew5 (Commander, gunner, loader, driver, co-driver/hull gunner)

Armour75 mm
Main
armament
75 mm M3 L/40 gun
Secondary
armament
2 × .30-06 M1919 Browning machine gun
EngineContinental R-975 9-cylinder radial gas
400/340 hp (298/254 kW)
SuspensionVertical volute spring
Operational
range
193 km (120 mi)
Maximum speed 24 mph (39 km/h)

The Grizzly I was a Canadian-built M4A1 Sherman tank with relatively minor modifications, primarily to stowage and pioneer tool location and adding accommodations for a Number 19 radio set. They used the same General Steel hull castings as late Pressed Steel-built M4A1(75)s, to include both the standard hull and the later ones with the armour thickened over the ammo bins. Grizzlies were originally built with US style tracks and sprockets. It was only later that they were refitted with Canadian Dry Pin (CDP) tracks, which did not require rubber.

The tank's production was stopped as it became apparent US production would be sufficient for the Allies' needs and the factory was turned over to other production. After the war, a number of Grizzly tanks were sold to Portugal as part of the NATO military assistance program; they were retired in the 1980s.