This concept is not at all original (sorry Ken!) but it was my first experiment with Photoshop 2025. The backstory ...
After the end of WW2, the Australian Army began to standardise its fleet of M3 Grant (aka M3 Medium) tanks. This led to a focus on selecting the GM 6-71 twin diesel-powered M3A3 and M3A5 hulls in the best condition. [1] The best of these were issued to the Citizen Military Force (Reserve)'s 2nd Armoured Brigade. The more plentiful M3A5 hulls also formed the basis for Medium specialist variants. [2]
'Medium Specials' included the Medium Recovery (ARV) and three weapons carrier variants - the 25pdr SP, tracked, Yeramba; the 4.2 in mortar carrier, tracked Tula; and the 17pdr SP, tracked, Miru. [3] The latter, aside from armament, was quite similar to the Yeramba conversion. However, the Miru tank destroyer had rather heavier frontal armour plating.
Image An unidentified Miru tank destroyer of the 24th Anti-Tank Regiment (SP) in support of the 2nd Armoured Brigade.
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[1] The key distinction between the two types were welded hulls for M3A3s and riveted hulls for the M3A5s.
[2] Project Gunyah ('shelter') planned for a range of Medium carrier types - including the Gunyah command post and Kangaroo personnel carrier - was not realised due to budgetary constraints. Likewise, the artillery's 4.5in SP, tracked, Boondi (throwing stick) was dropped for technical reasons.
[3] The armed specials were named for Aboriginal weapons. The yeramba and miru were both spear-thrower (akin to the better-known woomera). The tula is an adze forming part of a spear-thrower (and, somewhat gruesomely in this context, used for cutting up game). And the Boondi is a throwing stick.
