The Canadian Grizzly I cruiser was a Canadian-built version of the American M4A1 Sherman tank, produced during the Second World War by Montreal Locomotive Works. Manufactured between 1943 and 1944, the Grizzly I cruiser was almost identical to the U.S. Sherman, featuring a cast hull, a 75 mm gun, and a crew of five. It was powered by a Continental radial engine, giving it good mobility and reliability.
Although designed for frontline service, the Grizzly saw limited combat use. By the time production was underway, Canada was already receiving large numbers of American-built Shermans through Lend-Lease, making widespread deployment unnecessary. Montreal Locomotive Works switched to producing the Sexton Mk II self-propelled gun based on a Grizzly chassis with a modiied upper hull to carry the Commonwealth standard QF 25-pounder gun as counterpart to the American M7 Priest, a 105 mm self-propelled howitzer. Some modified Grizzly were refitted with an Ordnance QF 17-pounder, which is the same gun as the Sherman Firefly but was only used for training in Canada. Some Grizzlies were used for training in Canada and Britain, while others were converted into specialized vehicles, including the Skink anti-aircraft tank (which had a turret mounting four 20 mm Polsten guns), only 188 Grizzlies were built.
Originally the Grizzlies used the standard US 13 tooth sprocket but the Canadian changed them after production to a 17 tooth sprocket. These were developed for the Sexton 25 pounder SP gun. The full metal Canadian Dry Pin (CDP) track was lighter and simpler than the standard US tracks and did not require rubber. Rubber was scarce after Japan expanded its boundaries to Southeast Asia and Malaya.
Specifications on the Grizzly I Cruiser
General Characteristics
Designation: M4A1 Sherman “Grizzly” (Canadian built)
Origin: Canada (Montreal Locomotive Works)
Role: Medium tank
Crew: 5 (commander, gunner, loader, driver, co-driver/hull gunner)
Number Built: 188 units (1943–1944)
Technical specifications
Length: 5.81 m (19 ft)
Width: 2.62 m
Height: 2.99 m
Weight: ~30 tonnes (battle ready)
Armament
Primary: 75 mm M3 L/40 gun
Secondary: 1 × .50 cal (12.7 mm) Browning M2 heavy MG and 2 × .30-06 Browning M1919A4 machine guns
Armor & Protection
Armor Thickness: Up to approx. 75–76 mm on hull and turret front
Mobility
Engine: Continental R-975 C1 9-cylinder radial petrol engine (~400 hp)
Top Speed: ~38 km/h (~24 mph)
Range: ~193 km (120 miles) on roads
Suspension: Vertical volute spring suspension (VVSS)
The Grizzly I Cruiser shared most mechanical and structural components with the U.S. M4A1 Sherman, but built to Canadian standards with some modifications such as specific track type and radio accommodations. The Grizzly never saw widespread frontline combat, as production was limited and U.S. Sherman deliveries met Allied needs, but it remains notable as the only Sherman variant manufactured entirely in Canada during WWII.
Visit
Over the years, the Grizzly has been moved to its current location in front of the Freedom Museum in Groesbeek and can be viewed when the museum is open.
