Cruiser Tank Mk VI Crusader Cruiser Tank (1941)
The Crusader Cruiser Tank would prove crititcal to the early war effort of the British Army.
The Crusader appeared as a very fundamental tank design, featuring a crew of three personnel, a forward mounted turret housing an ever-changing array of main guns. The design was characterized by its five large road wheels and impressive silhouette with some designs sporting side skirts and external fuel tanks.
The initial production model became the Crusader I, sporting a smallish 2-pounder main gun and inadequate armor protection. With the overheating problems still apparent, the design pressed forward to produce the Crusader II, which only addressed the need for more armor. The Crusader III later appeared and sported an upgunned 57mm (6-pounder) main gun and would, in many ways, become the definitive Crusader mark. Additional variants would come on board later and included a 76.2mm howitzer carrier, ARV and anti-aircraft derivatives sporting a variety of gun combinations.
In the end, the Crusader remained a serviceable tank despite its shortcomings. Though the deficiencies in the powerplant remained up until the system was removed from frontline service, the chassis nevertheless came into good use in other supportive roles. The Crusader would go on to join the long list of classic tanks fighting for the British empire until their eventual replacement by the Sherman series types in World War 2. Some 5,300 Crusaders would be constructed by production's end. Text ©2003-2013 www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • No Reproduction Permitted
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Specifications for the
Cruiser Tank Mk VI Crusader
Cruiser Tank
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Manufacturer: Nuffield Mechanisation and Aero Ltd - UK
Initial Year of Service: 1941
Production: 5,300
Focus Model: Crusader III
Crew: 3
Overall Length: 19.65ft (5.99m)
Width: 8.66ft (2.64m)
Height: 7.32ft (2.23m)
Weight: 22.1 US Short Tons (20,067kg; 44,240lbs)
Powerplant: 1 x Nuffield Liberty Mk III petrol engine generating 340hp.
Maximum Speed: 27mph (43.4 km/h)
Maximum Range: 127 miles (204 km)
NBC Protection: None
Nightvision: None
Armament:
1 x 57mm (6-pdr) main gun
1 OR 2 x 7.92mm BESA machine gun
Ammunition:
65 x 57mm projectiles
4,950 x 7.92mm ammunition
Variants:
A15 - Prototype Model Designation
Crusader I - First Prototype Model; fitted with 40mm main gun.
Crusader II - Increased Armor Protection
Crusader III - Fitted with new 57mm main gun
Crusader IICS - Fitted with 76.2mm howitzer
Crusader ARV - Armored Recovery Vehicle; sans turret.
Crusader III AA I - Anti-aircraft variant fitted with a single 40mm BOFORS type cannon.
Crusader III AA II - Anti-aircraft variant fitted with twin or triple 20mm cannons.
Crusader Dozer - Engineering Vehicle fitted with dozer blade.
Crusader Gun Tractor - Open-top Artillery Tractor.
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