Canada played a significant and increasingly independent role in the Second World War, contributing forces to nearly every major theatre of conflict. From the Dieppe Raid to the Italian Campaign and the liberation of Northwest Europe, Canadian troops built a reputation for effectiveness and determination. Alongside their battlefield achievements, Canada developed a robust war industry that included several distinctive military vehicles.
Among the most notable were the Canadian Military Pattern (CMP) trucks. Produced in vast numbers—over 400,000—they formed the logistical backbone of British Commonwealth forces. The CMP design was adapted to a wide range of roles, from troop transport to field workshops, and its distinctive cab-over-engine configuration made it compact and versatile. Unlike many British trucks, CMPs were tailored for mass production and rugged terrain, reflecting Canada’s industrial strengths and climate.
In terms of armoured fighting vehicles, Canada sought to build its own line of tanks early in the war. This led to the development of the Ram tank, based on the chassis of the American M3 Medium. Manufactured in Montreal, the Ram was intended as Canada’s first domestic battle tank. Although it never saw combat in its intended role, the Ram proved vital for training purposes in the UK and was extensively adapted into the Kangaroo armoured personnel carrier and other support variants.
The Grizzly tank followed in 1943 as a Canadian-built version of the American M4A1 Sherman. While nearly identical to its American counterpart, the Grizzly featured Canadian-produced components and a unique track and bogie system designed for easier manufacture. Like the Ram, it wasn’t deployed in frontline combat, largely due to the plentiful supply of American-built Shermans by that stage in the war, but it again proved useful for training and as a foundation for self-propelled artillery and anti-aircraft variants.
These Canadian vehicles reflected not just wartime necessity, but a growing technical sophistication and industrial autonomy. Their production helped cement Canada’s position as a major Allied contributor, supplying not only its own troops but also those of other Commonwealth nations.
In total, 15 new vehicles including various CMP trucks, the Grizzly and Ram (multiple variants) have been added to the Canadian (under British) range and all are available in scales from 1/72 – 1/32
The next release is planned for the beginning of July, so stayed tuned!
