Britain's Cruiser Mk VI Crusader I, II, III (A15) Tanks (original) (raw)
In 1940:
Nuffield designed at about same time of the Covenanter but had a Liberty engine.1 Prototype had small turrets in front of driver and gunner. These were removed after trials. Hull was lengthened and another road wheel was added. The turret hatch slid back to open. However, it would sometimes close on the commander unexpectedly. An initial order for 200, plus a pilot model, was placed in July 1939. The pilot was delivered in March 1940. In June 1940 the order was increased to 400, and then to 1,062.1
A total of 9 companies produced the tank.1
Fuel tanks were located on each side of the engine with radiators fitted vertically between the tanks and the engine. Two cooling fans were fitted in the rear bulkhead. The drive chains were exposed and this posed problems in the desert and were replaced by a form of a shaft. The exhaust pipes went on each side of the engine, over the transmission, and ended inside the rear hull louvres. The concertina type air cleaners were mounted on the rear track guards in early models and were replaced by an oil bath type.
A pump provided compressed air for the steering and braking, while hydraulics were used for the turret power traverse. The gun is manually elevated by the gunner.
In early models the crew communicated through one way Tannoy speakers. This was later replaced by No. 19 wireless set which had an intercom.
On early models the auxiliary machine gunner sat on a small saddle which went round with the turret. There was a traversing handle on the left. The Besa ammunition boxes were stored in front of him. When closed down he could only see through the sighting telescope. In the desert many went into action without the auxiliary gunner.
Early models of the Crusader's engines would overhead as the cooling fan broke its drive shaft quite often. Some vehicles in North Africa had their engine governors opened and the Crusader was able to achieve speeds up to 40 mph which was very hard on the engine.
Original production vehicle.
The commander sat at the rear with the wireless equipment. He also had to be careful as he could have his head knocked off by the unstable hatch. The gunner was on the left and usually stood as they could more accurately aim the gun and use their weight on the elevating arm. On the right was the loader and he sat on top of the ammunition bin and was also responsible for the smoke discharger.
Crusader I CS (Mk VI CS):
With 3" howitzer.
Crusader II (Cruiser Mk VIA):
Same as I but without machine gun turret. Extra armor on turret and hull.
Crusader II CS (Mk VIA CS):
With 3" howitzer.
Crusader III:
Final production vehicle with 6 pdr. Increased armor on hull and turret. The turret was longer and taller to handle the 6 pdr. The front plate was vertical, with a rectangular opening for the gun with an internal mantlet. A coaxial Besa MG on the left. There was a smoke discharger to fire through the roof.
The turret hatch was replaced by a pair that opened outwards. One flap had the periscope for the commander. Two additional periscopes were mounted forward as well as an extractor fan. To allow for more ammunition to be carried the auxiliary turret was removed as well as one of the turret crew. The commander acted as loader and the gunner acted as wireless operator too.
Production from May - July 1942 (144).
Crusader OP:
Dummy gun and extra communications. Used only after rest of class was withdrawn from front line service. Issued to Royal Artillery batteries and carried Forward Observation Officers. Two No. 19 and one No. 18 wireless sets were installed.
Crusader III, AA Mk I:
Turret replaced by Bofors 40mm AA.1 Open topped shield.
Crusader III, AA Mk II:
Turret replaced by twin 20mm Oerlikon AA.1 Turret replaced by new enclosed turret. First tests occurred in June 1943. Had a crew of 4, and carried 600 rounds of ammunition.
Crusader III, AA Mk III:
Same as AA Mk II but with radio equipment by driver instead of turret.
Crusader AA with Triple Oerlikon:
Used for training. Originally intending for every HQ squad in invasion of Europe, but not used because of air superiority. Disbanded in June 1944.
Crusader II, Gun Tractor Mk I:
Crusader II chassis with open topped superstructure. Used to tow 17 pdr AT.1 Used by AT regiments in NW Europe (1944-45).1 Side extensions used for wading. Used by assault divisions in Normandy.
Crusader with AMRA (Anti Mine Roller Attachment) Mk. 1D:
The Mark 1D weighed about 1.5 tons and had 4 heavy duty sprung rollers suspended from a frame. The tank could detach itself on the battlefield if necessary by setting off an electrically fired fuse. On sand it could detonate most anti-tank mines. On harder ground weight had to be added by removing a cap and filling the roller with anything that was available (sand, earth, rubble, water).
Not sure if used in combat.
Crusader ARV:
Inspired by the Germans ability to recover vehicles in the battlefield the British formed a Recovery Committee in the summer of 1942. Removed turret and added a 5-ton portable jib. Had a crew of 3. It is believed only 1 was made.
Crusader Dozer:
Turret removed, winch and jib fitted for working dozer blade.
Crusader Dozer and Crane (ROF):
Used by Royal Ordnance Factory in bomb disposal.1
Crusader Amphibious:
Two large pontoons were attached to each side of the hull. Special blades were attached to the tracks to propel the vehicle in the water.
Suffered from unreliability due to it was quickly put into production before trials were completed. Principal tank from Spring 1941 onwards.
In May 1941 was shipped to the 6th Royal Tank Regiment in the Middle East. First action was June 1941 (Capuzzo).1 They were used in an attempt to relieve Tobruk (Operation "Battleaxe") in June 1941. The next unit outfitted with them was the 22nd Armored Brigade and they went into action in November in Operation "Crusader." Was in North Africa until May 1943.
Then used as training vehicle.
| | Cruiser Mk VI (A15) Crusader | Cruiser Mk VI, Crusader A | Cruiser Mk VI, Crusader I | Cruiser Mk VI, Crusader I CS | Cruiser Mk VI, Crusader II | Cruiser Mk VI, Crusader II CS | Cruiser Mk VI , Crusader III | | | ------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------ | -------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Crew | 51 | 42 | Commander, gunner, driver, loader and hull gunner.4 54 | | Commander, gunner, driver, loader and hull gunner.4 43, 54 | | Commander, gunner, driver.4 | | Physical Characteristics | | | | | | | | | Weight | 17.1 tons6, 19 tons1 19,300 kg1 | 18.8 tons2 | 42,450 lb4 | | 42,450 lb4 18.8 tons3 | | 44,240 lb4 19,812 kg, 20,085 kg | | Length w/gun | 19' 8"4, 19' 6"1 5.96 m6, 5.994 m1 | 5.98 m2 | | | 5.98 m3 | | 6.31 m | | Length w/o gun | | | | | | | 5.98 m | | Height | 7' 4"1,4 2.22 m6, 2.235 m1 | 2.24 m2 | | | 2.24 m3 | | | | Width | 8' 8"1,4 2.61 m6, 2.64 m, 2.642 m1 | 2.77 m2 | | | 2.77 m3 | | 2.77 m | | Ground clearance | 1' 4" | 0.41 m2 | | | 0.41 m3 | | 0.41 m | | Ground contact length | | | | | | | | | Ground pressure | 15.5 psi | 1.09 (kg/cm2)2 | | | 1.09 (kg/cm2)3 | | 14.1 psi | | Turret ring diameter | | | | | | | | | Armament | | | | | | | | | Main | 2 pdr OQF L/52 6 pdr (57 mm)1 | 40 mm L/522 | 2 pdr OQF4 2 pdr5,6 | 3" Howitzer5 | 40 mm L/523 2 pdr OQF4 | 3" Howitzer5 | 57 mm OQF 6 pdr Mk III or V 6 pdr OQF4 6 pdr5,6 | | Secondary | | | | | | | | | MG | 1 or 2: 7.92 mm Besa MG1 | MG2 | Besa MG, hull turrent, coaxial6 | | MG3 | | Besa MG, coaxial6 | | Side arms | | | | | | | | | Quantity | | | | | | | | | Main | 1104 | 1302 | 130 | 65 | 1303 | 65 | 654, 73 | | Secondary | | | | | | | | | MG | 5,0004 | 4,9502 | | | 4,9503 | | 3,755, 5,000 | | Side arms | | | | | | | | | Armor Thickness (mm) | 7 - 491, 496 | | 74, 404 | | 74, 494,6 | | 74, 514 | | Hull Front, Upper | | 20-402 | 40 | | 49, 20-403 | | 51 | | Hull Front, Lower | | | | | | | | | Hull Sides, Upper | | 14+142 | | | 14+143 | | | | Hull Sides, Lower | | | | | | | | | Hull Rear | | 14-282 | | | 14-283 | | | | Hull Top | | 72 | | | 73 | | | | Hull Bottom | | 6.4-10.42 | | | 6.4-10.43 | | | | Turret Front | | 492 | | | 493 | | | | Turret Sides | | 23.52 | | | 23.53 | | | | Turret Rear | | 20 - 30.72 | | | 20-30.73 | | | | Turret Top | | 122 | | | 123 | | | | Engine (Make / Model) | Nuffield Liberty Mark III/IV1,4 | Nuffield2 Water cooled2 | | | Nuffield water cooled3 | | | | Cylinders | | 122 | | | 123 | | | | Net HP | 3406 | 3402 @ 1,500 rpm2 | | | 3403 @ 1,500 rpm3 | | | | Transmission | 4 forward, 1 reverse | 4 forward2, 1 reverse2 | | | 4 forward3, 1 reverse3 | | | | Fuel type | | | | | Gasoline3 | | | | Octane | | | | | | | | | Capacity | 120 gallons, 500 l + 136 l (auxiliary) | 455 liters2 | | | 455 liters3 | | | | Performance | | | | | | | | | Traverse | 360°4, hydaulic, 36°/sec | 360° | | | | | | | Max Speed | 27 mph4, 27.5 mph 43 kph1, 45 kph6 | 41.8 kph2 | | | 41.8 kph3 | | | | Cross Country | 15 mph4 | | | | | | | | Road radius | 124.2 miles1 200 km1 100 miles4, 127 miles with extra fuel tanks4, 177 km on main tank2 | 160 km2 | | | 160 km3 | | 204 km | | Turning Radius | 29' 7" | 9 m2 | | | 9 m3 | | | | Elevation Limits | -12.5° to +30° | | | | | | | | Fording depth | 3' 3"4 0.96 m | 1 m2 | | | 1 m3 | | 0.85 m | | Trench crossing | 8' 6"4 | | | | | | 2.5 m | | Vertical Obstacle | 2' 3"4 | | | | | | 0.8 m | | Suspension (Type) | Christie4 | Christie2 | | | Christie3 | | | | Wheels each side | | 52 | | | 53 | | | | Return rollers each side | | | | | | | | | Track length | | | | | | | | | Tires | | | | | Rubber3 | | | | Track width | 10.75"4 | 246 mm2 | | | 246 mm3 | | | | Track centers/tread | 7' 7"4 | | | | | | | | Production | 1940-1943: 5,3001, 5,700 | | | | | | |
Sources:
- The Encyclopedia of Tanks and Armored Fighting Vehicles - The Comprehensive Guide to Over 900 Armored Fighting Vehicles From 1915 to the Present Day, General Editor: Christopher F. Foss, 2002
- Panzer Truppen The Complete Guide to the Creation and Combat Employment of Germany's Tank Force 1933-1942, Thomas L. Jentz, 1996
- Panzer Truppen The Complete Guide to the Creation and Combat Employment of Germany's Tank Force 1943-1945, Thomas L. Jentz, 1996
- British and American Tanks of World War Two, The Complete Illustrated History of British, American, and Commonwealth Tanks 1933-1945, Peter Chamberlain and Chris Ellis, 1969
- Tanks of the World, 1915-1945, Peter Chamberlain, Chris Ellis, 1972
- Jane's World War II Tanks and Fighting Vehicles The Complete Guide, Leland Ness, 2002
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