Cavalier tank
Encyclopedia : C : CA : CAV : Cavalier tank
| Tank, Cruiser, Mk VII Cavalier (A24) General characteristics | |
|---|---|
| Length | m |
| Width | 2.8 m |
| Height | 2.4 m |
| Weight | t |
| Suspension | Improved Christie |
| Speed | 24 mph, km/h road 14 mph, km/h off-road |
| Range | 165 miles km |
| Primary armament | QF 6 pdr 64 rounds |
| Secondary armament | 2 x 7.92 mm Besa MG 4,950 rounds |
| Armour | 76 mm |
| Power plant | petrol 410 horsepower>hp ( kW) |
| Crew | 5 (Commander, gunner, loader, driver, co-driver) |
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.
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.
Variants
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.Cavalier ARV
The turret was moved and an A-frame jib and associated equipment added for use as an armoured recovery vehicle.External links
See also
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