Cat D8 BARV

Quad,

You always find interesting things. I am wondering if Cat built these or were they built after-market by another company using the D8 as a base machine. Also, did the US Army or Navy also use these or just Australian forces? Never saw one before. I wonder how the angled edge at the top worked out. It seems that it would deflect rounds downward rather than a glancing blow if they were angled inward like tanks.

JanM

I would bet it was a dealer modification, or a company that wanted to sell them to the military. Most likely it was used as a test unit.

I saw this tractor a number of years ago and at the time it was located in the military museum at Bandiana (Wodonga). I would need to make some enquiries to see where it is currently located.

Please do Wombat Thanks.

I wonder if that is a armored tractor or if its for wading deep water in the Pacific the top of the steel ware would to my un trained eye be more suited for wading deep water and I know nothing about boats but it looks more boat shape than army tank shape to me

Paul

Hi, Folks.
More on the D8 BARV.

http://www.mapleleafup.net/forums/showthread.php?t=12987

Enjoy.

Just my 0.02.

Its a wading tractor as used at the D-day landings , I reckon the RN (Royal Navy) stencilled on the side is a bit of a give-away.

My guess would be with the steel angled down the way it is, Small Arms fire would be deflected away from the operators head which is sticking out in the one photo.
Just a guess?

These machines worked low in the water, I don't think the angles would be very effective in deflecting gunfire, perhaps they are there to deflect water away?