Cavalier tank
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Tank, Cruiser, Mk VII Cavalier (A24) |
|
| Tank, Cruiser, Mk VII Cavalier (A24) | |
|---|---|
| General characteristics | |
| Crew | 5 (Commander, gunner, loader, driver, co-driver) |
| Length | 6.35 |
| Width | 2.8 |
| Height | 2.4 |
| Weight | 27 |
| Armour and armament | |
| Armour | 76 |
| Main armament | QF 6 pdr
64 rounds |
| Secondary armament | 2 x 7.92 mm Besa MG
4,950 rounds |
| Mobility | |
| Power plant | Liberty petrol 410 |
| Suspension | Improved Christie |
| Road speed | 24 mph, |
| Power/weight | |
| Range | 165 miles |
The Tank, Cruiser, Mk VII Cavalier (A24) was an unsuccessful design of British cruiser tank during World War II. It suffered from an underpowered engine and problems were found as a result of the rush to design and build.
Contents |
[edit] History
The Cavalier was a Nuffield design to replace the Crusader tank, which was fast becoming obsolete. The General Staff had issued specifications in 1941 for a new tank, and designs were submitted in early 1941.
The Cavalier was ordered even before it had been through trials. A major problem was that the license-built US Liberty engine was underpowered. The Cromwell tank that followed it got a variant of the Rolls Royce Merlin with about twice the power.
Those that were built ended up in training or auxiliary armoured vehicle roles.
[edit] Variants
[edit] Cavalier OP
Produced in 1943. The gun was replaced with a dummy barrel freeing up room in the turret and hull for extra radios. It was then used as an artillery observation post.
[edit] Cavalier ARV
The turret was moved and an A-frame jib and associated equipment added for use as an armoured recovery vehicle.
