Staghound rocket launcher

In North-West Europe in November 1944, the 18th Armoured Car Regiment (12th Manitoba Dragoons) was seeking a means to deliver more high-explosive firepower, than could be provided by their Staghound armoured cars’ 37mm guns. The Dragoons were often too far out ahead to call in artillery support, but needed an “on-call” HE capability to soften up resistance. This was supposed to be supplied by the Staghound III, with a 75mm gun, but it had yet to enter production, Efforts to obtain some M7 Priest 105mm self-propelled guns were also unsuccessful. With the permission of HQ First Canadian Army, the Manitoba Dragoons borrowed four obsolete Rocket Launcher Rails Mk.I and a number of 60 lb. warhead aircraft rockets, used with the Hawker Typhoon from the RCAF.

The modifications were a carried out on 19 November, 1944, by 40 LAD. The rails were attached to the mantlet so the rockets could be elevated with the gun (no doubt with some difficulty, given the rig’s extra 200 or so extra kilos). Rotating the turret provided the traverse. The edges of the rails protruded about 3 inches (7.5 cm) beyond the sides of the armoured car.

The system was tested on 20 November and more formal trials were held at St. Phillip’s Island – under the supervision of First Canadian Army AFV staff – on 26 November and 2 December. Results were generally promising, although – due to limitations of the ground – the ranges achieved could not be accurately measured. It was estimated that rockets went anywhere from 100 to 3,000 yards (90 to 2,750 metres). Accuracy (particularly in terms of range) was wanting, and at short ranges the rocket warheads often failed to detonate. Neither the car nor its crew suffered as a result of the rockets’ back-blast and the trials were considered sufficiently successful for First Canadian Army to recommend to CMHQ that further development be undertaken.

In the meantime 12th Manitoba Dragoons continued to work their original design. In February 1945, 40 LAD was preparing to fit rocket rails to other Staghounds to support patrols across the Waal river, but this was cancelled when the regiment was ordered into a mobile offensive

role.

After the 12th Manitoba Dragoons CO, Lt-Colonel Roberts, was given command of 8 Canadian Infantry Brigade, he considered mounting rockets on the sides of a Universal Carrier, but nothing seems to have come of this. However, another formation, 4th Canadian Armoured Brigade conducted a similar experiment, fitting two pairs Typhoon launcher rails to the sides of one of their half-tracks. The rails were pivoted to allow range adjustment and a sheet metal guard was fitted over the top of the vehicle to protect the crew from the rockets’ back-blast. Ranges of up to 1,500 yards (1,350 metres) were attained, but accuracy was erratic. First Canadian Army’s Weapons Technical Staff Officer Major A.G. Sangster, concluded that, given the ballistic unsuitability of these rockets for a ground role, it had “worked as well as expected.” Sangster believed the idea seemed to have potential and he recommended the development of a prototype more suited to a ground role. In essence, this was same conclusion reached following the Staghound trials, but in this case there was no follow-up to Canada’s own “Stuka (or rather Typhoon) zu Fuß(21cm rockets mounted on the sides of the SdKfz.251 half-track).”

A new contract for cast aluminum tubes was awarded to High Duty Alloys Ltd. of Slough which was able to deliver. Getting range access delayed testing the redesigned launcher. It finally took place the British Chemical Warfare Establishment at Porton Down, in December 1945. The results were very successful; damage to the fins was avoided by champfering their edges. However – and not surprisingly, given Porton Down’s purpose – British interest in the system now concentrated on its potential for delivering chemical and smoke rounds. Work did continue of the project – to develop a suitable smoke round – at least into March 1946. Eventually the Staghound Rocket Launcher was returned to Canada.

Very interesting, thank you for posting.