British improved copy The British company Bedford Motors (a subsidiary of Vauxhall Motors) built an improved copy of the Sd.Kfz.7. Designated the Bedford Tractor (BT) and codenamed Traclat (Tracked Light Artillery Tractor) this was to be a 'go anywhere' artillery tractor for 17 pounder, 25 pounder and Bofors 40 mm guns but, so far as possible, built using existing parts and production capacity. In 1943, the Ministry of Supply asked Vauxhall Motors to construct a three-quarter tracked vehicle using a similar track and rear suspension system to that of the Sd.Kfz.7 medium artillery tractors. To this end a number of captured half-tracks were shipped back to Britain from Libya. Morris put them through a trials and evaluation programme with a view to developing a similar machine for British use. Six prototypes were built for trials in 1944, but the war in Europe ended before mass production could be considered. Unlike the German original, the Traclat was powered by two off-the-shelf Bedford engines mounted side-by-side and geared to a common shaft; but like the original, when the steering wheel went beyond a gentle turn, power was diverted progressively to the outermost wheel and track. In some ways the Traclat was superior to its progenitor: the ammunition lockers were accessible from outside of the vehicle and it also had power-assisted steering. By early 1945 Vauxhall Motors had supplied prototypes to the Fighting Vehicle Proving Establishment (FVPE) for official trials in conditions ranging from arctic to tropical and the vehicles proved excellent, being able to climb a one-in-two gradient and wade in water six feet deep; however, the war ended before mass production could be contemplated. In July 1946, the test vehicle was required to tow a 25-pounder gun and limber, pitted against a Crusader artillery tractor and an Alecto self-propelled gun. While the Traclat gave the best performance, it bogged down in mud. A number of vehicles were shipped to Germany for more trials but this came to nothing, due to excessive cost, and because existing tractors were coping with combat conditions in Western Europe, there was no longer any requirement for series production. The paired standard Bedford engines produced a combined 136 bhp, with a combined fuel consumption of 3.5mpg(1.27 km/litre). The Traclat achieved a maximum road speed of 30 mph (48 km/h). Allied use of Sd Kfz 7 Some Sd.Kfz. 7 were taken into service by the Allies after the