Ram Kangaroo

[ExSarge]

I need some help, I'm looking for information on how the troop compartment of the Ram Kangaroo was configured. Photo's would be great!
This information is to satisfy my own curiosity more then anything else. The only reference I can find to the interior states that they may or may not have been outfitted with wooden benches after removal of the turrets and related gear.

 

[George Wallace]

Here are a couple of places to try:

MapleLeaf Up:  http://www.mapleleafup.org/intro.html

history of the 1st Armoured Carrier Regiment:  http://www.mapleleafup.org/histories/1cacr/index.html

Kangaroo Restoration Pages:  http://www.mapleleafup.org/vehicles/restorations/restore7.html

The site owner is Geoff Winnington-Ball and he is involved with the 'Kangaroo' regimental association for the 1st Armour Carrier Regiment.

Also a link to  Home Page for the 1st Canadian Armoured Carrier Regiment Association:  http://www.1cacr.org/

 

[Servicepub]

There is no evidence that benches were ever installed in the Ram Kangaroos. To date the best book on this is "The Kangaroo in Canadian Service" by Mark W. Tonner.
Also, visit http://www.ramtank.ca for info on all Rams

 

[ExSarge]

Thanks to both of you. I've tried all the sites mentioned and none show interior views of "operational" vehicles. Mr. Tonner's book is a great resource on the operational use of the Kangaroo variant of the Ram and has some outstanding photo's, but again no interior views except one that shows a portion of the drivers position.
I'm fortunate enough to work at Sunnybrook Hospital, which as you know is also a veterans residence. Speaking with our Vets has resulted in some contradictory information. Some of the fellows swear that they were equipped with benches others state that they just squatted on the floor either side of the drive shaft housing.
At this point I suspect if benches were installed they were local field modifications made by the vehicle crews.
I'm still interested in seeing a photo that clearly show the interior if there is one out there!

 

[Michael Dorosh]

Clive, wasn't Hanno Spoelstra involved in restoring a Kangaroo in the Netherlands? A search for "Sherman Register" will find his name and website listed.

 

[Thorvald]

I swear there is a picture in the RCAC book showing an angled top down of the turret "hole" and you can see two benches.

I'll check once I get a chance.

This pic shows troops "sitting" but on what we don't know:

 

[Michael Dorosh]

Heh, I did the screencap of that pic.  Funny what you find in unexpected places; that newsreel footage came from a VHS copy of the 1970 film "Patton"...