Grant CDL

The Canal Defence Light (CDL) was a British designed Heavy Searchlight in an armoured turret for battlefield illumination. Originally fitted to the Matilda Mk.II's in 1942 in North Africa, although never used, it was decided to adapt the better suited M3 tank series as the main 75mm armament could still be retained. Later vehicles also had a dummy gun on the CDL turret. With a beam of 13,000,000 candle intensity, it illuminated an area of 1000 x 340 yards and was very effective being seen a "war winner" and as such was given a very high security cover. This secrecy however meant that few Field Commanders, British and American, were aware of them or how they should be deployed and resultantly they were used on only a few operations, mainly for the crossings of the Rhine and the Elbe. Units were sent to the Far East but never saw combat. The Americans were supplied with six turrets for testing and following favourable trials decided to use an American built Arc Light and converted a total of 497 M3A1 cast hull Lee's, designating them as the T10 Shop Tractor with 355 being formed into two Armoured Groups. The American versions replaced the turret ball mounted Besa's with their .30cal. Browning. These too only saw limited action, mainly at the Rhine crossings, especially at Ramagan. Sent to Okinawa they arrived to late to see combat.   0% Details   Ref BB149 Price: £13.50 Options   Quantity 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Add to cart          Add to wish list

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