L6 Wombat
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The L6 Wombat, (Weapon Of Magnesium, Batallion, Anti-Tank) was a 120 mm calibre recoilless anti-tank rifle used by the British Army. They were used until anti tank guided weapons such as Vigilant and MILAN took their place..
The Wombat replaced the earlier BAT and MoBAT weapons, themselves developments of the wartime "Ordnance, RCL, 3.45 in" recoiless rifle, and was in turn replaced by anti-tank guided missiles. The Wombat was usually mounted on a small two wheeled trolley - when locked to the trolley the weapon was towed by a towing eye on the gun barrel itself. The Wombat was also mounted on the FV432 armoured personnel carrier.
The usual round for Wombat was a HESH which it could fire out to around 1,000 m.
Recoiless weapon development
- BAT, Battalion Anti Tank
- The original towed gun complete with a heavy armoured shield.
- L4 MOBAT
- A BAT with the shield removed to lighten it and a spotting weapon added. It could be towed by an Austin Champ or later the Land Rover
- A new build weapon with lightweight carriage which meant it was usable by mobile troops ie the Parachute Regiment or Royal Marine Commandos. It was also fitted to vehicles such as the FV432 or a Land Rover
- L7 CONBAT ("Converted BAT")
- A conversion of the MoBAT or BAT with the spotting rifle.
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