Tractor + Cannon + Welded Metal Sheet = Tank Destroyer

Here’s a link to a version with a different name;
https://www.simpleplanes.com/a/2L8r19/Type-25-Self-Propelled-Tank-Destroyer-Mod-1936-Boxo-the-Bombard-New-Name

Story

Defenders of the Western Isles History

While war loomed on the horizon for the Islands of the Southern Winds, the Western Isles, actually an archipelago located between the islands of Bolantol and Kepanglar, prepared for war. With the Kepa forces from Kepanglar ready to invade the lands of the Magaling, a young Field Officer stationed in the Western Isles found himself in charge of the defense of the three main islands in the Western Isles, Wright, Yager, and Ryuju.

The islands had little to offer in terms of ultra modern weaponry or equipment, but the island had a large wealth of older phased out or outdated vehicles, equipment, and weaponry. As well as older weaponry, Ryuju, the largest island, was used to house prototypes and experimental vehicles and had a large number of serviceable and usable military equipment.

Ryuju was home to old fortresses built during the Age of Imperialism, a handful of military bases and depots, the largest airfield of the three islands, and a small city with dozens of industrial buildings and factories. There was also a historical castle with an armory that was converted to a museum before the war. The islands of Wright and Yager were both home to airfields and smaller bases with a limited industrial capacity.

The bulk of ground engagement took place on Ryuju, while Wright and Yager saw the most intense naval and aerial combat in the region with sorties flying at all hours of the day repelling the endless waves of Kepa aircraft and ships.

History of the Vehicle

To create as much usable equipment as possible in preparation for battle in Ryuju, a young Field Officer ordered that all serviceable vehicles be upgraded or converted for frontline service. Wanting every adequate cannon to be mounted on a working vehicle if possible, many types of old tanks, trucks, and even tractors were turned into war capable vehicles.

In particular, handfuls of Type 25 tractors were procured from the Army and Navy in defense of the islands. The primary cannon to be used was the Type 18 75mm cannon, they were mounted to the tractors in various ways. In some cases, the gun carriage was bolted to a fitting that was then attached to the tractor’s frame, in others the cannon was welded to the tractor directly, and one cannon was even strapped haphazardly to the tractor, though this was a special case. All tractors were fitted with a platform on top of the front of the vehicle, and sheet metal or corrugated steel was welded to form a simple armored box. These armored cannon tractors or “tanks” were named ”Tamaraw” after a local species of Water Buffalo. The armored cannon tractors were officially named as The Type 25/36 Self-Propelled Tank Destroyer/Support Gun Tamaraw.

Service & Performance

The Tamaraws were found to be effective in the role of direct fire support, supporting infantry, the elimination of enemy gun positions and pillboxes, and surprisingly in an anti tank role thanks to the Type 18 and 25 75mm cannons mounted to the Tamaraws and the Kepa’s tanks having very thin armor.

Due to the Tamaraws having light armor, they were only impervious to small arms and infantry fire. Amy large cannon was able to incapacitate or destroy the Tamaraws. Despite this, the enemy infantry forces were known to run from Tamaraws due to the imposing stature of a box on top of a tractor with a cannon sticking out the front.

After the Battle on Ryuju ended and the war was over, some units kept their Tamaraws in service. Those that were not kept with military units were given to local farmers to boost the island’s agricultural sector. The Tamaraws given to the farmers usually had their armor and cannon removed, but in some cases, a tourist would walk around the island and be frightened to see a large box with a gun pulling a plow.

Information

Production

Base tractors were built by either the Addison Engine Company or Presto Heavy Industries.
The Tamaraws were converted in a previously closed down factory belonging to the Al I Ko Company.

A total of 17 Tamaraws were produced from the factory.
-10 based on the Addison tractor with a Type 18 cannon.

-3 Tamaraws based on the Presto tractor chassis with a Type 18 cannon and corrugated armor.

-3 based on the Addison tractor with Type 18 cannons with welded corrugated armor.

-1 Tamaraw based on the Presto tractor with a Type 25 cannon, this sole vehicle was nicknamed “Boxo the Bombard” by its crew.

1 Dummy Tamara, not counted in production.

It is rumored there was an 18th vehicle produced with an unknown cannon, but this is disputed.

A dummy Tamaraw was also made as an improvised explosive device. The dummy was meant to be captured and tested by the enemy, upon firing the cannon the vehicle would explode.

Operators

The Reorganized Military Defence Forces of the Western Isles
- First Independent Anti Tank Unit (2)
- Second Support Gun Unit (4)
-Fifth mobile Artillery Battery (5)
-Ryuju Independent Cavalry Regiment (4)
-1123th Tank Platoon (1)
-Seventh Heavy Armored Cavalry Platoon(1)

Post-war
The Magaling Army Forces after 1938
-First Battalion (5) until 1940
-26th Cavalry Regiment (2) Until 1945

The Magaling Naval Forces after 1938
The Amphibious Corps (3)

Controls

Yaw for hull traverse, Pitch for forward and reverse/gun elevation, Roll for gun traverse.

1- Activates the engines
2- Discards the gun cover and activates the cannon's traverse and elevation mechanism (You can lock the gun position by deactivating 2 again)
3- Opens Commander’s hatch and lowers step
4- Enlarges Gunner’s vision port
5- Opens the Driver’s hatch
6- Opens both the Gunner’s hatch and Loader’s hatch
7- Raises and unfurls the signal flag.
8- Activates or deactivates hull traverse

Armament

1x Type 25 75mm Cannon with 40 rounds of ammunition

25 rounds of Special 75mm Type 0 High Explosive
15 rounds of Type 15 7.5cm Armor Piercing

The AP round has enough power to penetrate up to around 500 HP using Wernster’s damage system. It takes around five shots to set fire to 600HP. Hopefully the HE round isn’t too powerful.

Features and Details

-Working hatches
-Working cannon with recoil mechanism
-Detailed traverse and elevation system
-Hull art
-Elevating Driver’s and Commander’s first person cameras (move VTOL slider up with corresponding -activation group)
-Working control levers with pitch and yaw
-Moving cannon breach
-Working speedometer and throttle gauges
-Detailed bottles and cans of ”liquid,” Imperial branded Non-Alcoholic Ginger Beer, and Emperor branded Flower Cola
-Included ammunition boxes

Note, crew figures not included

Ending Notes

This was a fun build to do. I originally wanted to build a more orthodox tank with a decent interior, but then I decided to do an oddball project. So box it was. Anyways I hope this counts, it is after all, an armored box on a tracked tractor with a cannon. That counts as a tank right?

Also, how to I change the size and color of the description text?
Never mind, I found out

This is also my first attempt at creating custom screenshots for a build, I tried to imitate the box of a model kit.

Welp, thanks for reading this far, sorry for the long description, I hope you enjoy the vehicle, and I hope you have a good day.