The M4A1 Grizzly

A Canadian M4A1 Grizzly with the pine tree badge of Camp Borden on the final drive. Note the .50 calibre Browning MG on the turret. (Courtesy Anthony Sewards)

In 1943 Canada manufactured 188 M4A1 Grizzly cruiser tanks at the Montreal Locomotive Works facility in Montreal, Quebec. These tanks were basically Canadian versions of the M4A1 Sherman but built with British/Canadian style stowage and radios. The tanks followed the Ram Mark 2 on the production line and were intended to bolster production numbers of the new M4 series of tanks at a time when there were concerns that US industry was not capable of producing sufficient numbers of the vehicles. Shortly after production of the vehicles began, it was decided that production at Montreal was better focused on the Sexton self-propelled gun that shared the chassis and driveline of the Grizzly, so after a limited production run the Grizzly line was shut down.

The Canadian Army accepted the Grizzly tank for training vehicles in Canada and a number were issued at the Armoured Corps training centres at Camp Borden and Camp Meaford to replace the obsolete Ram tanks then still in use. After the end of the Second World War, the Grizzly tanks were retained as training tanks and a number were distributed to reserve armoured regiments across the country. These tanks remained in use until they were gradually replaced by the M4A2(76)W Sherman’s that were acquired from the United States in 1945.

In Canadian service the Grizzly design saw few modifications. Noteworthy are the Grizzly Skink, an Anti-Aircraft tank of which three were built, the Grizzly Firefly, with 17 pounder main gun replacing the 75mm, (of which only one is known to have been assembled), and the Grizzly “Kangaroo” armoured personnel carrier (APC). The APC’s were postwar conversions of Grizzly Cruiser tanks to carry 11 infantry soldier by means of removing their turrets and ammunition storage. Of these conversions, only fifty-five are recorded as being in inventory in 1955.

It is believed there may be one more variant of the Grizzly but little is currently known about it.

In 1955, Canada also identified six M4A1 Observation Post (OP) tanks as being surplus to our needs and available to NATO partners. These OP tanks were described as having their main guns removed and extra radios and communications equipment added to facilitate forward observation duties by artillery units. Unfortunately, the document does not elaborate on if they are M4A1 Grizzly or Sherman OP’s but the date of the document and quantity listed suggests Grizzly. Further research is required into these vehicles.

In the same year, Canada had identified its inventory of M4A1 tanks as being surplus to requirements and had offered over 100 of them to NATO partners in the 1955-56 Mutual Aid program. Although there were initially no takers, Portugal eventually expressed an interest and accepted 55 Grizzly Armoured Personnel Carriers and 58 Grizzly Cruiser tanks. Interestingly Portugal only expressed interest in the APCs but appear to have been convinced to accept the cruiser tanks as well due to the ease in which they could be converted to APC’s. Canada also offered to perform the work prior to delivery. Also offered as part of the 1955-56 Mutual Aid, were six M4A1 OP tanks, which were requested by Italy, but additional details are scarce. Three Grizzly tanks were preserved in Canada as monuments, two 75mm gun tanks and one Firefly were preserved at Camp Borden. Lastly, one cutaway instructional turret with 75mm gun was discovered in a scrapyard in the 1980’s as well as four un-machined Skink turret castings, all recovered from firing ranges.

Once in Portugal, the Grizzly tanks and APC’s saw limited use and most were held in storage depots. By the 1980’s, the collectors market in military vehicles was active and slightly fewer than 40 gun tanks were exported to England where the majority were sold to collectors and museums. Ten of the tanks that did not find buyers sold to the Ministry of Defence for use as hard targets. At least six of these were either diverted from their intended use or subsequently recovered from firing ranges and have been preserved. In the 1990’s a few more tanks, including APC’s, were exported from Portugal for the collectors market. The remaining tanks and APC’s held in storage near Lisbon were believed to have been scrapped in 1995, with only a small number of gun tanks being preserved in Portuguese museums.

Today, the Grizzly is one of the more common M4 tank models in preservation, with examples held in museums and private collections around the world. They have been seen in numerous television and film productions, due to their similarity to the Sherman and they will continue to be one of Canada’s understated contributions to the Second World War.

Grizzly Serial Numbers

This list includes the 188 Grizzly tanks built by Montreal Locomotive Works (MLW) in 1943. Each tank had a “Shop Number” assigned to it by MLW, beginning with 1 through to 188 that was stamped into the hull on the bow plate . These vehicles were also assigned War Department numbers in two blocks. CT-160194 to CT-160297 and then CT-163911 to CT-164012. These numbers were sometimes painted on the outside of the hulls but were regularly stamped into the serial number location on the dataplate. The DND numbers for the vehicles are at times painted on the outside of the hulls but were also regularly stamped onto the dataplate. Unfortunately, the DND numbering rationale is not known for these tanks at this time, but analysis of known DND numbers does show a considerable trend towards a basically linear assignment with few voids. Further research into the assignment of DND numbers for the Grizzly is required.

Grizzly Image Gallery

Two Grizzlies of the Kings Own Calgary Regiment on parade in Calgary during the visit of the Governor General of Canada in 1946. Note the retrofitted direct vision style commanders cupolas. (Glenbow Museum)

“Pimp” A Canadian M4A1 Grizzly moving out onto the Meaford tank range in 1944. Grandma appears to be enjoying herself in the commander’s hatch. (Courtesy Grey Roots Museum and Archives)

A well and truly stuck Grizzly at Camp Borden. Note the Camp Borden “Pine tree” marking on the final drive. (Courtesy Darrell Zink)

Recovery training using a heavy wrecker at Barrifield, Ontario (now CFB Kingston) circa 1948. (Library and Archives Canada)

A Grizzly named “Casino” likely of the Governor General’s Horse Guards on parade in downtown Toronto just after the war. (Ramtank)

A Grizzly (Left) and a Sherman M4A2 (right) of the Regiment de Hull at the Salaberry Armouries in Hull, Quebec circa 1948. (Library and Archives Canada)

A Grizzly named “Sackville” of the 8th Princess Louise (New Brunswick) Hussars. (8CH Museum)

A pair of Grizzlies of the 8th Princess Louise (New Brunswick) Hussars refueling at Camp Utopia. The tank on the right is named “Saint John” (8CH Museum)

Combined Grizzly and Sexton production lines at Montreal Locomotive Works in 1943. (Library and Archives Canada)

Grizzly APC’s and a M10 tank destroyer at the entrance to one of the training areas at Camp Borden circa 1948. (Base Borden Museum)

General McNaughton, Maj.-General Worthington and other senior officers observe an exercise at Camp Meaford in the dead of winter 1945. (everyone looks thrilled to be there). Note the large “W” letter on the hull side. (Toronto Public library)

Grizzlies in Leaguer at the Clark Farm at Camp Meaford in 1944. (Grey Roots Museum and Archives)

A 1948 image of a Grizzly APC at Camp Meaford. The Honorable Brooke Claxton, Minister of National Defence watches tank advances with binoculars. (Barrie Examiner)

APC 62-725 Seen on the range with a M5A1 Stuart, Universal Carriers and what appears to be a Lynx scout car. (Courtesy Hanno Spoelstra)

Grizzly tanks in leaguer at Camp Meaford in 1944. (Grey Roots Museum and Archives)

On the firing line at Camp Meaford. (Courtesy Anthony Sewards)

A stunning image from the RCEME Quarterly showing a mix of Grizzly APC’s Staghounds, M4A2 Sherman’s M5A1 Stuarts, and Universal Carriers in he vehicle park at Camp Wainwright in 1949. (Courtesy Hanno Spoelstra)

A column of Grizzly tanks from the the Governor General’s Horse Guards on the move at Stoufville, Ontario in 1947. (GGHG Museum)

Former Canadian Grizzly tanks in use with the Portuguese Regimento Cavalaria 7. Note the retrofitted direct vision style commanders cupolas. (*Exército Português*)

Former Canadian Grizzly MG-51-34 in Lisbon during 1961 with with the Regimento Cavalaria 7.

Grizzly APC 62-699 while in Portugal. Note that the Portuguese often retained the Canadian DND registration numbers in addition to their own. Also of note are the grab handles on the hull sides for the use of infantry. (Wheels and Tracks Magazine)

A 1994 image showing Grizzly APC’s and a gun tank still in the Storage yard at the Beirolas Depot near Lisbon. (Courtesy Dennis Carney)

62-712 imaged at Bierolas near Lisbon in 1994 (Courtesy Dennis Carney)

Grizzlies after arriving in the UK from Portugal in 1982. (Wheels and Tracks via Hanno Spoelstra)

Former Portuguese Grizzly shop number 25 on the Sennybridge Range in the UK during the early 1990’s This tank was recovered from the ranges for The Tank Museum, Bovington (Courtesy Rick Wedlock)

The sad end for a small number of ex Portuguese Grizzlies. This one was one of at least two on the Warcop Range in the UK during the late 1980’s (Courtesy Bob Grundy)

Skink Conversions

There is some contradictory information relating to Skink numbering. It has been reported that skink numbers 1 and 2 are DND 62-727 and 62-728 but it appears that this information was based on the late discovery of the image showing Skink 62-728 in Canada in 1946. The deduction was that if Skink 1 “SKC 1001” was shipped to the UK in 1944, then the tank imaged in Canada two years later must be number 2, readied for shipment but not delivered. The issue with this conclusion arises when an analysis of the features on each tank is performed. Tanks 1 and 2, seen at Waterloo Manufacturing, are both early hulls with no applique (assembled previous to MLW shop number 25) and the hull seen on 62-728 is a mid production hull with welded on applique plates (seen on tanks between MLW 26 and about 110). The DND number of 62-728 is correct for this mid-period of production. Observing that the DND numbers for Grizzly tanks are linear and basically sequential, indicates that the tanks with no applique armour must have a DND number in the 75-99X or 62-6XX blocks. To conclude that Waterloo number 1 has to be one DND number lower than the tank seen in 1946, appears incorrect. It is hopeful that additional research will allow a proper identification of all three Skink conversions but until such a time exists I have recorded the available information into the table below.

Skink Image Gallery

1943 artists concept for the Skink. Note the welded turret and M3 style Suspension packs. (DND)

No.1 at Long Branch Ontario firing out onto Lake Ontario with its modified early turret with low bustle and Polstens fitted. (DND Image)

Waterloo manufacturing wood and sheet metal mockup of early welded Skink turret with basket. (DND Image)

Side view of the wood and steel mockup welded turret at Waterloo. ( DND Image)

No.1 “SKC 1001” seen at the Anti-Aircraft range, Lulworth, England in Late 1944. (DND Image)

Skink Turret Survivors

At the end of the Skink project in 1945, a number of the remaining unfinished turrets produced by Dominion Foundry were disposed of as hard targets on anti-tank ranges. To date, four of these turrets are known to have survived with only one being on public display. The remainder are held by DND or museums in storage facilities.

Skink Turret Gallery

One of the unmachined turrets on the Glenemma Range in 1953. (Courtesy Francois Arseneault)

Turrets no. 80 (left) and 81 (right) while at CFB Edmonton. (Courtesy Anthony Sewards)

Sources

Roger Lucy, The Skink in Canadian Service, Service Publications, 2005

Pierre-Olivier, Surviving Panzers, website. http://the.shadock.free.fr

Acknowledgments

A special tanks must go to Hanno Spolestra, Roger Lucy, Anthony Sewards, and Bob Grundy and Rick Wedlock for their assistance with information and images contained within this article.

Shop Number	WD Number	DND Number	Image/ Notes
1	160194	75-988	^{( DND Image)} ^{( DND Image)} 1956: Transferred to Portugal under NATO Mutual Aid. 1982: Brought to UK for sale to collectors market.
2	190195
3	190196
4	190197
5	190198
6	160199	75-993	^{Dataplate (Courtesy Pierre-Olivier)} 1956: Transferred to Portugal under NATO Mutual Aid 1982: Brought to UK for sale to collectors market.
7	160200
8	160201
9	160202
10	160203
11	160204
12	160205
13	160206		Preserved as monument vehicle Camp Borden.
14	160207
15	160208
16	160209
17	160210
18	160211		1956: Transferred to Portugal under NATO Mutual Aid 1982: Brought to UK for sale to collectors market. Circa 1984: Transferred to Ministry of Defence as a Hard Target.
19	160212
20	160213
21	160214
22	160215
23	160216
24	160217
25	160218		1956: Transferred to Portugal under NATO Mutual Aid 1982: Brought to UK for sale to collectors market. Circa 1984: Transferred to Ministry of Defence as a Hard Target. Circa 1991 : Recovered from the Sennybridge Range and preserved at the Tank Museum Bovington.
26	160219
27	160220
28	160221
29	160222
30	160223		1956: Transferred to Portugal under NATO Mutual Aid 1982: Brought to UK for sale to collectors market.
31	160224
32	160225
33	160226
34	160227
35	160228
36	160229
37	160230
38	160231
39	160232
40	160233		Circa 1947: Converted to Grizzly APC. 1956: Transferred to Portugal under NATO Mutual Aid. 1994: Recovered from Bierolas Depot near Lisbon and imported to Europe. Unknown Date: Restored to Cruiser tank configuration using the turret from an ex. French Army M4 with French language placards still in place on the inside. This vehicle retains the Infantry hand holds on the hull from its time as an APC.
41	160234
42	160235	62-646	^{( DND Image)} 1945: Camp Meaford.
43	160236		1956: Transferred to Portugal under NATO Mutual Aid. 1982: Brought to UK for sale to collectors market.
44	160237
45	160238
46	160239	62-650	^{( DND Image)} 1945: Camp Meaford.
47	160240
48	160241
49	160242
50	160243
51	160244		^{No. 51 being unloaded from the transporter at Dr, Gregg’s Workshop after arriving from the UK in 1983. (Waterloo County Museum And Archives)} 1956: Transferred to Portugal under NATO Mutual Aid. 1982: Brought to UK for sale to collectors market. 1983: Imported into Canada by Dr, Bill Gregg. 1985: Acquired by the Royal Canadian Artillery Museum, Shilo,
52	160245		1956: Transferred to Portugal under NATO Mutual Aid. 1982: Brought to UK for sale to collectors market. Circa 1984: Transferred to Ministry of Defence as a Hard Target on Otturburn Ranges.
53	160246
54	160247
55	160248
56	160249
57	160250	62-677	^{( DND Image)} ^{( DND Image)}
58	160251
59	160252		1956: Transferred to Portugal under NATO Mutual Aid. 1982: Brought to UK for sale to collectors market.
60	160253
61	160254
62	160255
63	160256
64	160257
65	160258		_{^{Early 1960’s while a monument at Camp Borden. The Cadets are examining the aiming unit for an ENTAC anti-tank missile. (Library and Archives Canada)}} 1945: Converted to Grizzly “Firefly” pilot model. Equipped with 17 Pdr. Preserved as monument vehicle Camp Borden.
66	160259
67	160260
68	160261		1956: Transferred to Portugal under NATO Mutual Aid. Preserved as a monument in Portugal.
69	160262		1956: Transferred to Portugal under NATO Mutual Aid. 1982: Brought to UK for sale to collectors market.
70	160263
71	160264
72	160265
73	160266
74	160267
75	160268
76	160269		1956: Transferred to Portugal under NATO Mutual Aid. 1982: Brought to UK for sale to collectors market. Circa 1984: Transferred to Ministry of Defence as a Hard Target on Otturburn Ranges.
77	160270
78	160271
79	160272
80	160273
81	160274
82	160275
83	160276
84	160277		1956: Transferred to Portugal under NATO Mutual Aid. 1982: Brought to UK for sale to collectors market.
85	160278
86	160279
87	163911
88	163912
89	163913
90	163914
91	163915		1956: Transferred to Portugal under NATO Mutual Aid. 1982: Brought to UK for sale to collectors market. Circa 1984: Transferred to Ministry of Defence as a Hard Target.
92	163916
93	163917		1956: Transferred to Portugal under NATO Mutual Aid. 1982: Brought to UK for sale to collectors market.
94	163918
95	163919
96	163920
97	163921
98	163922		Preserved as monument vehicle Camp Borden.
99	163923		1956: Transferred to Portugal under NATO Mutual Aid. 1982: Brought to UK for sale to collectors market.
100	163924
101	163925
102	163926
103	163927
104	163928		1956: Transferred to Portugal under NATO Mutual Aid. 1982: Brought to UK for sale to collectors market.
105	163929
106	163930
107	163931
108	163932	62-728	^{( DND Image)} Aug. 1944: Converted to Skink Anti-Aircraft tank. Sept. 1945: Vehicle Proving Establishment, Ottawa for testing of Polsten feed mechanisms. 1946: Imaged at University Ave. Armouries in Toronto as part of “Army Days” display. Circa 1947: Converted to Grizzly APC. 1956: Transferred to Portugal under NATO Mutual Aid.
109	163933
110	163934
111	163935
112	163936
113	163937
114	163938
115	163939
116	163940
117	163941
118	163942
119	163943		1956: Transferred to Portugal under NATO Mutual Aid. 1982: Brought to UK for sale to collectors market.
120	163944
121	163945
122	163946
123	163947
124	163948
125	163949		1956: Transferred to Portugal under NATO Mutual Aid. 1982: Brought to UK for sale to collectors market.
126	163950
127	163951
128	163952
129	163953
130	163954
131	163955
132	163956
133	163957
134	163958		1956: Transferred to Portugal under NATO Mutual Aid. 1982: Brought to UK for sale to collectors market. Circa 1984: Transferred to Ministry of Defence as a Hard Target.
135	163959
136	163960
137	160961
138	160962
139	160963
140	163964
141	163965
142	163966
143	163967
144	163968
145	163969
146	163970
147	163971
148	163972
149	163973	62-769	^{Dataplate (Courtesy Pierre-Olivier)} 1956: Transferred to Portugal under NATO Mutual Aid. 1982: Brought to UK for sale to collectors market.
150	163974
151	163975
152	163976
153	163977
154	163978
155	163979
156	163980
157	163981
158	163982
159	163983
160	163984
161	163985
162	163986
163	163987
164	163988
165	163989
166	163990		1956: Transferred to Portugal under NATO Mutual Aid. 1982: Brought to UK for sale to collectors market.
167	163991
168	163992
169	163993
170	163994
171	163995
172	163996
173	163997	62-793	^{Dataplate (Courtesy Pierre-Olivier)} 1956: Transferred to Portugal under NATO Mutual Aid. 1982: Brought to UK for sale to collectors market.
174	163998
175	163999
176	164000		1956: Transferred to Portugal under NATO Mutual Aid. 1982: Brought to UK for sale to collectors market. Circa 1984: Transferred to Ministry of Defence as a Hard Target.
177	164001
178	164002		1956: Transferred to Portugal under NATO Mutual Aid. 1982: Brought to UK for sale to collectors market. 2000: Acquired by the Canadian War Museum.
179	164003
180	164004
181	164005
182	164006
183	164007
184	164008
185	164009		1956: Transferred to Portugal under NATO Mutual Aid. 1982: Brought to UK for sale to collectors market.
186	164010
187	164011
188	164012

Waterloo Shop No.	MLW Shop No.	“WD” No.	“DND” No.	Notes/ Image
1 SKC1001				^{Number “1” seen at Waterloo in late January 1944 with an early cast turret that appears to be fabricated in a number of sections. Also note the Hispano Suiza Cannons. (DND Image)} ^{Detail of the exposed cannons and section lines in the turret of number “1” at Waterloo. (DND Image)} ^{Number “1” seen at on the beach at what appears to be Long Branch Ontario in May 1944 with a modified turret to accept Polsten guns. The dark paint on the turret and armoured recoil mechanism protectors for the guns is evident. (DND Image)} ^{Detail of number “1” at what is believed to be Long Branch. The guns are now armoured and the hull is also now fitted with splash deflectors on the bow plate. (DND Image)} ^{July 1944. Number “1” loaded on the rail car at Waterloo in its final configuration for shipment to Longue Point and then England. Note the CDP track with the mixture of roadwheels now fitted. (DND Image)} ^{Winter 1944.} ^{Number “1” now marked “SKC 1001” at Lulworth Ranges in England. Still with CDP track. (DND Image)} Early hull no applique. January 1944: Imaged at Waterloo in original configuration with Hispano Suiza cannons. May 1944: To Long Branch, Ontario for testing of Polstens cannons in modified early turret. Back at Waterloo Manufacturing for upgrade to late style turret, Polstens and CDP track. July 1944: Completed and readied for shipment to England. September 1944: Chobham, England for mechanical evaluation. October 1944: Lulworth Ranges in England for anti-aircraft testing. January 1945: Northwest Europe with No.1 Tank Demonstration Unit, First Canadian Army. Feb 6-11, 1945: Attached to the 1st Hussars for operational testing near Nijmegen. Feb. 11-19, 1945: Attached to the Fort Garry Horse for operational testing, Reichswald Forest, near Calcar and Cleve. Feb. 20-24, 1945 Attached to the Sherbrooke Fusiliers, East of Cleve Feb. 25-Mar.4, 1945: Attached to the Canadian Grenadier Guards, Hochwald area. Mar. 6-9, 1945: Attached to the Governor General’s Foot Guards, East of Uden to Winnethal. Mar. 10-11, 1945: Attached to the South Alberta Regiment, Sonsbeck. Aug. 1945: Transferred to British Army Inventory.
2				^{December 1943 at Waterloo Manufacturing Co. Note the early hull, welded turret with Hispano Suiza cannons, US track, and the shop number “2” in a circle on the hull side. (DND Image)} ^{Detail of the welded turret and exposed guns on number “2”. Note the lack of splash deflectors on the bow plate (DND Image)} Early hull no applique. December 1943: Imaged in Waterloo with US track and spoked road wheels. Welded turret and Hispano Suiza cannons. Spring 1945: Upgraded to a cast production model turret with Polsten Cannons. Summer 1945: Delivered to to Armoured Fighting Vehicle Establishment, Camp Borden.
	108	163932	62-728	^{Seen on display in 1946 in Toronto showing both DND and WD numbers on the hull. Note the Splash deflectors on the hull bow plate and welded on applique plate on the hull side.(DND Image)} ^{Seen (right) in 1994 in a Portuguese Army storage yard awaiting disposal. The distinctive splash deflectors and welded applique hull plates are evident. (Courtesy Luis Costa)} ^{Detail of the same hull showing the distinctive CDP track. (Courtesy Luis Costa)} Early hull with welded applique. August 1944: Approved for shipment to England but not shipped. August 1945: Vehicle Proving Establishment, Ottawa for testing of Polsten feed mechanisms. 1946: Imaged at University Ave. Armouries in Toronto as part of “Army Days” display. Fitted with solid road wheels and US track. Circa 1947: Converted to Grizzly APC. 1956: Transferred to Portugal under NATO Mutual Aid. 1994: Appears in storage in Portugal still as APC with CDP track.

Casting Number	Image/Notes
78	^{In Storage at CFB Shilo. The turret in the background is from a Ram tank. (Source Unknown)} ^{In Storage at CFB Shilo. Note Casting number at Anti-tank round penetrations. (Source Unknown)} Late bustle Style. Not machined. Former hard target. Obtained by Dr. Bill Gregg from Canadian Army. 1985: Acquired by Royal Canadian Artillery Museum, Shilo.
80	^{In storage at the CWM in 2010. (Source Unknown)} ^{Casting number and Dominion Foundry mark on rear of CWM turret.} ^{(Courtesy Paul Heise)} Late bustle style. Not machined. Former hard target and left arc marker at Glenemma Ranges, B.C. 2003: Recovered from the Vernon rifle range by Lord Strathcona’s Horse (RC) and transported to CFB Edmonton. 2009: Acquired by Canadian War Museum, Ottawa.
81	^{Seen while still at Camp Vernon. ( Courtesy Colin McGregor Stevens)} Late bustle style. Not machined. Former hard target and right arc marker at Glenemma Ranges, B.C. 2003: Recovered from the Vernon rifle range by Lord Strathcona’s Horse (RC) and transported to CFB Edmonton.
UNK.	^{A November 2016 dated image showing the turret as part of the War Memorial outside the Okanagan Indian Band, Band Office. (Courtesy the Senklip News and the Okanagan First Nation)} Late bustle style. Not machined. Former hard target at Glenemma Ranges, B.C. Circa 2014: Placed on display as part of the Okanagan Indian Band War Memorial. Vernon, BC.

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