![]() ![]() ![]() Britain was not yet fully at war but measures were already being taken in preparation. Its crew numbered four - driver, commander, gunner and loader.ĭesign work on the vehicle began in 1939 and was handled by London, Midland and Scottish Railway (LMSR), a heavy industry group founded in 1923 (defunct in 1947). While the Mk IV weighed in at 16.5 tons (short), the newer Mk V vehicle proved a much heavier combat platform at 20 tons. Overall range was 100 miles with a road speed topping 30 miles per hour. Main armament was still a QF 2-pdr (40mm) main gun with a coaxial 7.92mm Besa machine gun. Armor protection was increased from 30mm seen in the Mk IV to 40mm in the Mk V at its thickest facing. The Christie suspension system was retained as were four large, steel road wheels within the "track-and-wheel" running gear. The engine was mated to a Meadows transmission gearbox with Wilson epicyclic steering system. Its radiators were mounted at the front of the hull with the engine at the rear (a rather detrimental design aspect). The Nuffield Liberty gasoline engine was given up for a Henry Meadows D.A.V. It did go on to raise its combat stock in the ensuing campaigns of the North African Theater but production was still limited as was its overall combat value as the World War 2 (1939-1945) evolved.Ī new direction was found when it came to the succeeding "Cruiser Tank Mk V Covenanter (A13 Mk III)" as a new hull and turret design were implemented. However, the Mk IV was nothing more than an up-armored Mk III and did little in the defense of France with the British Expeditionary Forces (BEF). With the Cruiser Tank Mk IV, the British Army found a replacement for its limited-value Mk III series. ![]()
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