SECTION I. BRITAIN
|
BRITISH TANK: (See figure 1.) |
|
|
MK IV (FEMALE). |
|
|
EMPLOYMENT: Battalions for infantry support. |
|
|
DATE OF INTRODUCTION: 1917 (first committed in combat August 7, 1917). |
|
|
MANUFACTURER: William Foster and Co., Ltd. (total production: 595). |
|
|
COMBAT WEIGHT: 30.2 tons. |
CREW: 8. |
|
LENGTH: 26.4 ft. |
PITCH OF TRACK: 7.5 in. |
|
WIDTH: 10.5 ft. |
NUMBER OF TRACK LINKS: 90. |
|
HEIGHT: 8.2 ft. |
TRENCH CROSSING ABILITY: 10 ft. |
|
GROUND CLEARANCE: 16. 5 in. |
OBSTACLE ABILITY: 54 in. |
|
TREAD CENTERS: 6. 6 ft. |
CLIMBING ABILITY: 22° (40%) slope. |
|
GROUND CONTACT: 115 in. |
GROUND PRESSURE: 12.8 lbs/sq. in. |
|
WIDTH OF TRACK: 20.5 in. |
|
|
TYPE OF TRACK: Dry pin. |
|
|
RADIUS OF ACTION: 15 mi. (British books state 35 mi) |
|
|
FUEL CONSUMPTION: .2 mi/gal (British source .5 mi/gal). |
|
|
FUEL CAPACITY: 75 gal. |
|
|
SPEED: 3.75 mph. |
|
|
ENGINE: Daimler, 6 cylinders, sleeve-valve, 125 HP, forced-water cooling. |
|
|
TRANSMISSION: Sliding gear, two speeds and reverse in primary gear box, two speedsecondary gears for each track, give a total of four speeds forward and two in reverse. Transmission differential could be locked for straightway driving. |
|
|
SUSPENSION: Rigid. Upper track rollers were added at points of change in incline. Idler adjustment is provided. |
|
|
TURRET: None. |
|
|
ARMOR: .2 to .47 in. |
|
|
ARMAMENT: Five .303 Lewis model 1914 machine guns. |
|
|
MUZZLE VELOCITY: 2450 ft/sec. |
AMMUNITION STOWAGE: 12,972 rds. |
|
CYCLIC RATE OF FIRE: 500-600 rds/min. |
|
|
REMARKS: The terms "male" and "female" denoted tanks armed with cannons and machine guns or with machine guns only. There also were "hermaphrodite" tanks with a cannon sponson on one side and a machine gun sponson on the other. |
|
[1]

|
BRITISH MEDIUM TANK: (See figure 2.) |
|
|
MEDIUM MK A (WHIPPET). |
|
|
EMPLOYMENT: In battalions for cavalry support. |
|
|
DATE OF INTRODUCTION: 1917 (first committed in action March 26, 1918). |
|
|
MANUFACTURER: William Foster and Co., Ltd. (total production: 200). |
|
|
COMBAT WEIGHT: 15.7 tons. |
CREW: 3. |
|
LENGTH: 20 ft. |
PITCH OF TRACK: 7.5 in. |
|
WIDTH: 8.6 ft. |
NUMBER OF TRACK LINKS: 67. |
|
HEIGHT: 9 ft. |
TRENCH CROSSING ABILITY: 7 ft. |
|
GROUND CLEARANCE: 22 in. |
FORDING DEPTH: 36 in. |
|
TREAD CENTERS: 6.7 ft. |
OBSTACLE ABILITY: 31.5 in. |
|
GROUND CONTACT: 79 in. |
CLIMBING ABILITY: 40° (84%) slope. |
|
WIDTH OF TRACK: 20.5 in. |
GROUND PRESSURE: 9-7 lbs/sq. in. |
|
TYPE OF TRACK: Dry pin. |
|
|
RADIUS OF ACTION: 40 mi. (British book states 80 mi.) |
|
|
FUEL CONSUMPTION: Approx. .5 mi/gal. |
|
|
FUEL CAPACITY: 84 gal. |
|
|
SPEED: 8.3 mph. |
|
|
ENGINE: Two, Taylor JB, four cylinders, 45 HP each, forced-water cooling (one engine for each track). |
|
|
TRANSMISSION: Sliding gear, a transmission for each engine, four speeds forward, one reverse. |
|
|
STEERING: By variations in engine speed for each track by means of steering wheel. (Drive shafts could be run independently or locked together.) |
|
|
SUSPENSION: Rigid. The six center rollers are on ball bearings. Upper portion of track is supported by rollers. |
|
|
TURRET: Fixed. |
|
|
ARMOR: .2 to .55 in. |
|
|
ARMAMENT: Four .303 Hotchkiss machine guns (in turret). |
|
|
MUZZLE VELOCITY: Approx. 2,400 ft/sec. |
AMMUNITION STOWAGE: 5,400 rds. |
|
CYCLIC RATE OF FIRE: 500 - 600. |
|
|
REMARKS: Turret cooled by fans. |
|
[3]

|
BRITISH MEDIUM TANK: (See figure 3.) |
|
|
MEDIUM, MK IIA. |
|
|
DATE OF INTRODUCTION: 19 30. |
|
|
MANUFACTURER: Vickers Armstrong. |
|
|
COMBAT WEIGHT: 16 tons. |
CREW: 5. |
|
LENGTH: 16.5 ft. |
PITCH OF TRACK: 6.75 in. |
|
WIDTH: 8.7 ft. |
NUMBER OF TRACK LINKS: 65. |
|
HEIGHT: 8.9 ft. |
FORDING DEPTH: 27.6 in. |
|
GROUND CLEARANCE: 19. 5 in. |
GROUND PRESSURE: 9.5 lbs/sq. in. |
|
TREAD CENTERS: 7.6 ft. |
|
|
GROUND CONTACT: 130 in. |
|
|
WIDTH OF TRACK: 13 in. |
|
|
TYPE OF TRACK: Dry pin. |
|
|
RADIUS OF ACTION: 118 mi. on roads, 80 mi. cross-country. |
|
|
FUEL CONSUMPTION: Approx. 1.4 mi/gal on roads; .9 mi/gal cross-country. |
|
|
FUEL CAPACITY: 87 gal. |
|
|
SPEED: 23 mph max. |
|
|
ENGINE: Gasoline, 6 cylinders, 150 HP at 2,400 rpm, liquid-cooled. |
|
|
TRANSMISSION: Five speeds forward, one reverse. |
|
|
STEERING: Clutch brake. |
|
|
SUSPENSION: Spring with three road wheels per spring, six road wheels per side, four return rollers. |
|
|
ARMOR: Front - .5 in.; side - .38 in.; turret front - .38 in.; turret side - .38 in. |
|
|
ARMAMENT: One 2 Pdr QF MkIV, caliber length 52. Three cal .303 tank machine guns. |
|
|
MUZZLE VELOCITY: 2,800 ft/sec. |
AMMUNITION STOWAGE: 2 Pdr - 111 rds. .303 - 2,250 rds. |
|
PROJ. WEIGHT (AP): 2.4 1b. |
|
|
REMARKS: Shipped to U. S. via scrap shipments, reverse lend-lease and obtained at Brooklyn, N. Y. |
|
[5]

|
BRITISH LIGHT TANK: (See figure 4.) |
|
|
LIGHT TANK, MK VIA. |
|
|
EMPLOYMENT: Reconnaissance (also used in armored battalions). |
|
|
DATE OF INTRODUCTION: 1938. |
|
|
MANUFACTURER: Vickers-Carden Lloyd, mfg. by Vickers Armstrong Ltd., Elswick Works. |
|
|
COMBAT WEIGHT: 5.8 tons. |
CREW: 3. |
|
LENGTH: 12. 2 ft. |
PITCH OF TRACK: 1.9 in. |
|
WIDTH: 6.7 ft. |
NUMBER OF TRACK LINKS: 158. |
|
HEIGHT: 7.3 ft. |
FORDING DEPTH: 23.6 in. |
|
GROUND CLEARANCE: 14.2 in. |
GROUND PRESSURE: 6.9 lbs/sq. in. |
|
TREAD CENTERS: 5.7 ft. |
|
|
GROUND CONTACT: 84 in. |
|
|
WIDTH OF TRACK: 10 in. |
|
|
TYPE OF TRACK: Dry pin. |
|
|
RADIUS OF ACTION: 155 miles on roads; 87 miles cross-country. |
|
|
FUEL CONSUMPTION: Approx. 5.4 mi/gal on roads; 3 mi/gal cross-country. |
|
|
FUEL CAPACITY: 29 gal. |
|
|
SPEED: 31 mph on roads. |
|
|
ENGINE: Meadows, six cylinders, gasoline, 88 HP at 2,800 rpm, liquid-cooled. |
|
|
STARTER: Electric. |
IGNITION: Magneto. |
|
TRANSMISSION: Five speeds forward, one reverse. |
|
|
STEERING: Clutch brake. |
|
|
SUSPENSION: Two sets of 2-wheel bogies with springs, one return roller. |
|
|
TURRET: Manual traverse. |
|
|
ARMOR: Front - .47 in.; side - .47 in.; turret front - .59 in.; turret side - .59 in. |
|
|
ARMAMENT: Two cal .303 Vickers machine guns. |
|
|
REMARKS: Although a reliable vehicle, its tracks were easily broken. It is essentially a reconnaissance vehicle, but provided a large proportion of equipment for tank units at the start of the war. Used in France 19 39-40 and in early western desert campaigns it was obtained from the Canadian War Office, 1944. |
|
[7]

|
BRITISH MEDIUM TANK: (See figure 5.) |
|
|
INFANTRY TANK, MK II, MATILDA. |
|
|
EMPLOYMENT: Infantry support. |
|
|
DATE OF INTRODUCTION: 19 39. |
|
|
MANUFACTURER: Vulcan Foundry. |
|
|
COMBAT WEIGHT: 29.7 tons. |
CREW: 4. |
|
LENGTH: 18. 25 ft. |
TRENCH CROSSING ABILITY: 7 ft. |
|
WIDTH: 8.25 ft. |
FORDING DEPTH: 39.4 in. |
|
HEIGHT: 7.8 ft. |
OBSTACLE ABILITY: 24 in. |
|
GROUND CLEARANCE: 14 in. |
GROUND PRESSURE: 15.8 lbs/sq. in. |
|
TREAD CENTERS: 6.8 ft. |
|
|
GROUND CONTACT: 136 in. |
|
|
WIDTH OF TRACK: 13.75 in. |
|
|
TYPE OF TRACK: Dry pin. |
|
|
RADIUS OF ACTION: 90 miles on roads; 56 miles cross-country. |
|
|
FUEL CONSUMPTION: Approx. 1.8 mi/gal on roads; 1.1 mi/gal cross-country. |
|
|
FUEL CAPACITY: 50 gal. |
|
|
SPEED: 15 mph on roads. |
|
|
ENGINE: Two A.E.C. Diesels, six cylinders each, 174 HP each at 2,000 rpm, liquid-cooled. |
|
|
STARTER: Electric. |
|
|
TRANSMISSION: Wilson, epicyclic preselective; six speeds forward, one reverse. |
|
|
STEERING: Clutch brake. | |
|
SUSPENSION: Ten pairs of bogies of the bell crank, coil spring type which were protected by heavy armor skirting. | |
|
TURRET: Hydraulic and hand traverse. | |
|
ARMOR: Front - 2.94 - 3.15 in.; side - 2.75 in.; turret front - 3.1 in.; turret side - 3 in. | |
|
ARMAMENT: One 2 pdr QF and SA Mk IX, caliber length 52, one cal .303 tank machine gun. | |
|
MUZZLE VELOCITY: 2,800 ft/sec. PROJ. WEIGHT (AP): 2.4 lb. |
AMMUNITION STOWAGE: 2 pdr - 67 rds. .303 MG - 4,000 rds |
|
REMARKS: This tank lost in the action of Sidi Rezeg - Halfaya Pass, November 1941. Obtained from reverse lend-lease scrap shipments (Africa to U. S., Summer 1943). Shipped to Aberdeen from Brooklyn, N. Y. | |
[9]
|
BRITISH MEDIUM TANK: (See figure 6.) | |
|
CRUSADER, MK III (6 PDR GUN). | |
|
EMPLOYMENT: Armored division. | |
|
DATE OF INTRODUCTION: 1938-1940 (first committed June 1941 in western desert). | |
|
COMBAT WEIGHT: 22.1 tons. |
CREW: 3. |
|
LENGTH: 19.8 ft. |
PITCH OF TRACK: 4. 25 in. |
|
WIDTH: 9.25 ft. |
TRENCH CROSSING ABILITY: 8. 2 ft. |
|
HEIGHT: 7.2 ft. |
FORDING DEPTH: 33. 5 in. |
|
GROUND CLEARANCE: 15.7 in. |
OBSTACLE ABILITY: 31.5 in. |
|
TREAD CENTERS: 7. 6 ft. |
CLIMBING ABILITY: 30° (58%) slope. |
|
GROUND CONTACT: 146 in. |
GROUND PRESSURE: 14. 1 lbs/sq. in. |
|
WIDTH OF TRACK: 10.75 in. | |
|
TYPE OF TRACK: Dry pin. | |
|
RADIUS OF ACTION: 112 miles on roads. | |
|
SPEED: 27.5 mph max. | |
|
ENGINE: Nuffield Liberty, 12 cylinders, V-12, 340 HP at 1,500 rpm, liquid-cooled. | |
|
TRANSMISSION: Four speeds forward, one reverse. | |
|
ARMOR: Front - .75 in.; side .63 in.; turret front -1.1 in., turret side - .63 in. | |
|
ARMAMENT: One 6 pdr QF, caliber length 45. One cal 7.9 3 mm Besa tank machine gun (coaxial). | |
|
MUZZLE VELOCITY: (6 pdr) 2,800 ft/sec. |
AMMUNITION STOWAGE: 6 pdr - 65 rds. 7.92 - 3,375 rds. |
|
PROJ. WEIGHT (AP): 6.28 1b. | |
|
REMARKS: Obtained from the British War Office for test at APG and retained in Museum, 1943-44. | |
[11]
|
BRITISH LIGHT TANK: (See figure 7.) | |
|
M3A1 - STUART MK IV (HONEY). | |
|
EMPLOYMENT: Armored division. | |
|
DATE OF INTRODUCTION: 1941. | |
|
MANUFACTURER: American Car and Foundry Co. | |
|
COMBAT WEIGHT: 14.3 tons. |
CREW: 4. |
|
LENGTH: 14.8 ft. |
PITCH OF TRACK: 5.5 in. |
|
WIDTH: 7.3 ft. |
NUMBER OF TRACK LINKS: 68. |
|
HEIGHT: 7.5 ft. |
FORDING DEPTH: 42 in. |
|
GROUND CLEARANCE: 15 in. |
CLIMBING ABILITY: 26° (50%) slope. |
|
TREAD CENTERS: 6. 1 ft. |
GROUND PRESSURE: 10.6 lbs/sq. in. |
|
GROUND CONTACT: 116 in. | |
|
WIDTH OF TRACK: 11.6 in. | |
|
TYPE OF TRACK: Dry pin, double pin per shoe, rubber cleat. | |
|
RADIUS OF ACTION: 100 miles (average); 124 miles on roads. | |
|
FUEL CONSUMPTION: 2.3 mi/gal. | |
|
FUEL CAPACITY: 54 gal. | |
|
SPEED: 34 mph on roads; 15-20 cross-country. | |
|
ENGINE: Continental, model W670-9a, radial, 7 cylinders, 250 HP at 2,400 rpm, air-cooled, compression ratio 6.1:1. | |
|
STARTER: Electric. |
IGNITION: Magneto. |
|
TRANSMISSION: Synchromesh, five speeds forward and one reverse. | |
|
STEERING: Controlled differential. | |
|
SUSPENSION: Vertical volute spring, 2 double wheel bogies and 2 return rollers each side. | |
|
TURRET: Hand traverse. | |
|
ARMOR: Front - 1.5 in.; side - 1 in.; turret front - 1. 5 in.; turret side 1.25 in.; mantlet - 1 in. | |
|
ARMAMENT: One 37-mm QF gun (M6), caliber length 53. Two cal .30 machine guns. | |
|
MUZZLE VELOCITY (37-MM)(AP): 2,600 ft/sec. | |
|
PROJ. WEIGHT: (37-MM)(AP): 1.9 lb. |
AMMUNITION STOWAGE: 37-mm - 113 rds. .30 cal - 5,150 rds. |
|
REMARKS: The first U. S. tank introduced to Germans in Autumn of 1941 and at Sidi Rezegh, Libya. So grand a tank and so superior to lighter British, German, and Italian tanks it was affectionately given the name "Honey" by the British tank crews. | |
[13]
|
BRITISH MEDIUM TANK: (See figure 8.) | |
|
M3 - GRANT MK 1 | |
|
EMPLOYMENT: Armored division. | |
|
DATE OF INTRODUCTION: 1941. | |
|
MANUFACTURER: Chrysler, Baldwin Locomotive Works (Pullman Standard original British contract). | |
|
COMBAT WEIGHT: 31.1 tons. |
CREW: 6. |
|
LENGTH: 18.6 ft. |
PITCH OF TRACK: 6 in. |
|
WIDTH: 8.9 ft. |
NUMBER OF TRACK LINKS: 79. |
|
HEIGHT: 10.3 ft. |
TRENCH CROSSING ABILITY: 7.5 ft. |
|
GROUND CLEARANCE: 17.1 in. |
FORDING DEPTH: 40 in. |
|
TREAD CENTERS: 7 ft. |
OBSTACLE ABILITY: 24 in. |
|
GROUND CONTACT: 147 in. |
CLIMBING ABILITY: 31° (60%) slope. |
|
WIDTH OF TRACK: 16 in. |
GROUND PRESSURE: 13.2 lbs/sq. in. |
|
TYPE OF TRACK: Dry pin, double pin per shoe, rubber cleat. | |
|
RADIUS OF ACTION: 120 miles (average conditions); 146 miles on roads. | |
|
FUEL CONSUMPTION: .837 mi/gal. | |
|
FUEL CAPACITY: 174 gal. | |
|
SPEED: 22 mph on roads; 4-20 mph cross-country. | |
|
ENGINE: Wright, model R-975-EC2, radial, 9 cylinders, gasoline, 400 HP at 2,400 rpm, air-cooled compression ratio 6. 3:1. | |
|
STARTER: Electric and hand. |
IGNITION: Magneto. |
|
TRANSMISSION: Synchromesh, five speeds forward and one reverse. |
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: 24 volts. |
|
STEERING: Controlled differential. | |
|
SUSPENSION: Vertical volute spring, three bogies of two wheels each and three return rollers each side. | |
|
TURRET: Manual and hydraulic traverse. | |
|
ARMOR: Front - 2 in.; side - 1.5 in.; turret - 2 in. | |
|
ARMAMENT: One 75-mm QF gun (M2), caliber length 31 (right front). One 37-mm QF gun (M5), caliber length 50 (turret). Two .30 cal machine guns (M1919A4) (coaxial and bow). | |
|
MUZZLE VELOCITY (75-MM) (AP): 1,850 ft/sec. | |
|
PROJ. WEIGHT (75-MM) (AP): 14.4 lb. | |
|
MUZZLE VELOCITY (37-MM) (AP): 2, 550 ft/sec. | |
|
PROJ. WEIGHT (37-MM) (AP): 1.9 lb. | |
|
AMMUNITION STOWAGE: 75-mm - 41 rds., 37-mm - 179 rds., .30 cal - 8,000 rds. (approx). | |
|
REMARKS: The first U. S. medium tank committed and introduced to Germans at Knightsbridge in Libya - June 1942. | |
[15]
|
BRITISH HEAVY TANK: (See figure 9.) | |
|
INFANTRY TANK MK IV, CHURCHILL MK III. | |
|
EMPLOYMENT: Infantry support. | |
|
DATE OF INTRODUCTION: 1941. | |
|
MANUFACTURER: Vauxhall Motors Ltd. | |
|
COMBAT WEIGHT: 43.1 tons. |
CREW: 5. |
|
LENGTH: 24 ft. |
PITCH OF TRACK: 8 in. |
|
WIDTH: 10 ft. |
TRENCH CROSSING ABILITY: 9.2 ft. |
|
HEIGHT: 8 ft. |
FORDING DEPTH: 31.5 in./94.5 in. |
|
GROUND CLEARANCE: 20 in. |
OBSTACLE ABILITY: 44. 5 in. |
|
TREAD CENTERS: 7.25 ft. |
CLIMBING ABILITY: 30° (58%) slope. |
|
GROUND CONTACT: 149.5 in. |
GROUND PRESSURE: 13.1 lbs/sq. in. |
|
WIDTH OF TRACK: 22 in. | |
|
TYPE OF TRACK: Dry pin. | |
|
RADIUS OF ACTION: 161 miles on roads; 96 miles cross-country. | |
|
FUEL CONSUMPTION: Approx. .85 mi/gal on roads; .5 mi/gal cross-country. | |
|
FUEL CAPACITY: 190 gal. | |
|
SPEED: 17 mph max. | |
|
ENGINE: Bedford, 12 cylinders, Flat Twin Six, 350 HP at 2,200 rpm, gasoline, liquid-cooled. | |
|
TRANSMISSION: Four speeds forward, one reverse, Merritt Brown. | |
|
STEERING: Controlled differential. | |
|
SUSPENSION: Eleven small bogie wheels on each side, each bogie being independently sprung on triple helical springs. | |
|
TURRET: Hydraulic and hand traverse. | |
|
ARMOR: Front - 3.46 in.; side - 1.5 to 2.5 in.; turret front - 3.46 in.; turret side - 3.46 in. | |
|
ARMAMENT: One 6 pdr of Mk IV and V, caliber length 52. Two 7.92 Besa machine guns (bow and coaxial). | |
|
MUZZLE VELOCITY 6 PDR (AP): 2,950 ft/sec. | |
|
PROJ. WEIGHT (AP): 6.28 1b. |
AMMUNITION STOWAGE: 6 pdr - 30 rds. MG - 9,350 rds. |
|
REMARKS: Shipped to U. S. for tests at Yuma, and then to APG for retention by Museum. Gift of British Ministry of Supply in Washington, 1944. | |
[17]
|
BRITISH MEDIUM TANK: (See figure 10.) | |
|
SHERMAN V C (M4A4) "FIRE FLY." | |
|
EMPLOYMENT: Armored division. | |
|
DATE OF INTRODUCTION: Early 1944. | |
|
MANUFACTURER: Chrysler; turret modified by British. | |
|
COMBAT WEIGHT: 34. 8 tons. |
CREW: 5. |
|
LENGTH: 19.9 ft. |
PITCH OF TRACK: 6 in. |
|
WIDTH: 8.6 ft. |
NUMBER OF TRACK LINKS: 83. |
|
HEIGHT: 9.3 ft. |
TRENCH CROSSING ABILITY: 8 ft. |
|
GROUND CLEARANCE: 17.1 in. |
FORDING DEPTH: 40 in. |
|
TREAD CENTERS: 6.9 ft. |
OBSTACLE ABILITY: 24 in. |
|
GROUND CONTACT: 160 in. |
CLIMBING ABILITY: 31° (60%) slope. |
|
WIDTH OF TRACK: 16.6 in. |
GROUND PRESSURE: 13. 1 lbs/sq. in. |
|
TYPE OF TRACK: Dry pin, double pin per shoe, rubber cleat. | |
|
RADIUS OF ACTION: 100 miles (average conditions); 120 miles max. | |
|
FUEL CONSUMPTION: .6 mi/gal (average conditions). | |
|
FUEL CAPACITY: 150 gal. | |
|
SPEED: 25 mph max. | |
|
ENGINE: Chrysler, type A-57, (5-engine installation) gasoline, 6 cylinders per engine, 430 HP at 2, 500 rpm, liquid-cooled. | |
|
STARTER: Electric. |
IGNITION: Magneto. |
|
TRANSMISSION: Synchromesh, five speeds forward, one reverse. |
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: 24-volt. |
|
STEERING: Controlled differential. | |
|
SUSPENSION: Vertical volute springs, three bogies of two wheels each and three return rollers each side. | |
|
TURRET: Power traverse. | |
|
ARMOR: Front - 2 inches at 46°; side - 1.5 in.; turret front - 3 in.; turret side - 2 in.; mantlet - 1 in. | |
|
ARMAMENT: One 17 pdr (3 inch) Mk IV, caliber length 60. One .30 cal machine gun (coaxial). One .50 cal machine gun (AA). | |
|
MUZZLE VELOCITY (17 PDR) (AP): 2,980 ft/sec. | |
|
PROJ. WEIGHT (17 PDR) (AP): 17 lb. |
AMMUNITION STOWAGE: 17 pdr - 78 rds. .30 cal - 5,000 rds. .50 cal - 500 rds. |
|
PENETRATION: 6 in. at 30° at 100 yd. | |
|
REMARKS: A 100% British attempt to give the Sherman a respectable gun. Turret modified to take their new 17 pdr and so for the first time a Sherman could be on a par with the German high velocity gun found in the Panther. So great a threat did it become, that German orders were to seek out and destroy them before the regular Shermans with 75-mm guns. | |
[19]

SECTION II. CZECHOSLOVAKIA
|
CZECH LIGHT TANK: (See figure 11.) | |
|
LIGHT TANK, MODEL 35, LT 35S2A. | |
|
EMPLOYMENT: Armored division. | |
|
DATE OF INTRODUCTION: 19 35. | |
|
MANUFACTURER: Skoda. | |
|
COMBAT WEIGHT: 11.6 tons. |
CREW: 4. |
|
LENGTH: 16. 5 ft. |
PITCH OF TRACK: 4 in. |
|
WIDTH: 6.75 ft. |
NUMBER OF TRACK LINKS: 105 (approx). |
|
HEIGHT: 7.4 ft. |
TRENCH CROSSING ABILITY: 6.6 ft. |
|
GROUND CLEARANCE: 13.8 in. |
FORDING DEPTH: 31.5 in. |
|
TREAD CENTERS: 5. 4 ft. |
OBSTACLE ABILITY: 31.5 in. |
|
GROUND CONTACT: 126 in. |
CLIMBING ABILITY: 28.6° (54%) slope. |
|
WIDTH OF TRACK: 13.25 in. |
GROUND PRESSURE: 7 lbs/sq. in. |
|
TYPE OF TRACK: Dry pin. | |
|
RADIUS OF ACTION: 118 miles on roads; 71 miles cross-country. | |
|
SPEED: 15 mph max. | |
|
ENGINE: Skoda T 11, 120 HP, 6 cylinders. | |
|
SUSPENSION: Two sets of double leaf springs on two bogies of two wheels each, four return rollers and one idler wheel in front. | |
|
ARMOR: Front - .99 in.; side - .63 in.; turret front - 1 in.; turret side - .63 in. | |
|
ARMAMENT: One 37mm gun. Two 7.9-mm machine guns. |
AMMUNITION STOWAGE: 37-mm - 72 rds. 7.9-mm - 1,800 rds. |
|
REMARKS: Used by Germans as PzKpfw 35 (t). Brought from Hillerslieben. | |
[21]

SECTION III. FRANCE
|
FRENCH LIGHT TANK: (See figure 12.) | |
|
CHAR FT 17. | |
|
EMPLOYMENT: Battalion as infantry support. | |
|
DATE OF INTRODUCTION: 1916. | |
|
MANUFACTURER: Renault & Co. (total production approximately 5,000). | |
|
COMBAT WEIGHT: 7.4 tons. |
CREW: 2. |
|
LENGTH: 16.4 ft. (13.3 ft. w/o tailpiece). |
PITCH OF TRACK: 10 in. |
|
WIDTH: 5.75 ft. |
NUMBER OF TRACK LINKS: 32. |
|
HEIGHT: 7.5 ft. |
TRENCH CROSSING ABILITY: 6.5 ft. |
|
GROUND CLEARANCE: 18 in. |
FORDING DEPTH: 27 in. |
|
TREAD CENTERS: 4. 65 ft. |
OBSTACLE ABILITY: 24 in. |
|
GROUND CONTACT: 82 in. |
CLIMBING ABILITY: 45° (100%) slope. |
|
WIDTH OF TRACK: 13 in. |
GROUND PRESSURE: 7 lbs/sq. in. |
|
TYPE OF TRACK: Dry pin. | |
|
RADIUS OF ACTION: 24 mi. | |
|
FUEL CONSUMPTION: 1 mi/gal. | |
|
FUEL CAPACITY: 24 gal. | |
|
SPEED: 6 mph max. | |
|
ENGINE: Renault, 4 cylinders, 39 HP, Thermo-syphon-cooled. | |
|
TRANSMISSION: Sliding gear, four speeds forward, one reverse. | |
|
STEERING: Clutch brake. | |
|
SUSPENSION: Coil and leaf springs and pivoted bogies. | |
|
TURRET: Hand traverse. | |
|
ARMOR: .3 to .6 in. | |
|
ARMAMENT: One 37-mm Puteaux or one 8-mm Hotchkiss model 1914 MG. | |
|
MUZZLE VELOCITY: 1,273 ft/sec (AP) 37-mm gun; 1,204 ft/sec (HE) 37-mm gun. | |
|
PROJ. WEIGHT: 1. 1 lb. (AP) 37-mm gun; 1.2 lb. (HE) 37-mm gun. | |
|
LENGTH OF 37-MM GUN: 21 calibers. | |
|
REMARKS: Idlers made of laminated wood. Turret 360° traverse. Several turret models. Original low smooth-sided FT 16. The above FT 17, like the similar FT 18, has rounded turret. The FT 17 formed the basis for the US. copy, the 6-ton special tractor. | |
[23]
|
FRENCH TANK (See figure 13.) | |
|
SCHNEIDER C. A. | |
|
EMPLOYMENT: Groupment (i.e., Bn) as infantry support. | |
|
DATE OF INTRODUCTION: 1916. | |
|
MANUFACTURER: Schneider & Co. (total production 400). | |
|
COMBAT WEIGHT: 14.9 tons. |
CREW: 6. |
|
LENGTH: 19.7 ft. |
PITCH OF TRACK: 10 in. |
|
WIDTH: 6.95 ft. |
NUMBER OF TRACK LINKS: 33. |
|
HEIGHT: 7.8 ft. |
TRENCH CROSSING ABILITY: 5.8 ft. |
|
GROUND CLEARANCE: Approximately 10 in. |
FORDING DEPTH: 31 in. |
|
TREAD CENTERS: 5.2 ft. |
OBSTACLE ABILITY: 31 in. |
|
GROUND CONTACT: 104 in. |
CLIMBING ABILITY: 30° (57%) slope. |
|
WIDTH OF TRACK: 14 in. |
GROUND PRESSURE: 11.3 lbs/sq. in. |
|
TYPE OF TRACK: Dry pin. | |
|
RADIUS OF ACTION: 25 mi. | |
|
FUEL CONSUMPTION: Approximately .5 mi/gal. | |
|
FUEL CAPACITY: 53 gal. | |
|
SPEED: 5 mph. | |
|
ENGINE: Schneider, 4 cylinders, 70 HP, forced-water cooling. | |
|
TRANSMISSION: Sliding gear, three speeds forward, one reverse. | |
|
STEERING: Clutch brake. | |
|
SUSPENSION: Vertical coil springs with jointed bogie frames. | |
|
TURRET: None. | |
|
ARMOR: .2 to .95 in. Double armor plates on front, sides, and top. These plates are separated, having about 1.5-inch space between them. | |
|
ARMAMENT: One 75-mm Pack howitzer. Two 8-mm Hotchkiss model 1914 machine guns. | |
|
REMARKS: Nosepiece is intended as wirecutter and to assist in crossing obstacles. Gun mounted in right sponson. (US. M3.) | |
[25]
|
FRENCH TANK: (See figure 14.) | |
|
ST CHAMOND. | |
|
EMPLOYMENT: Groupment (i.e., Bn) for infantry support. | |
|
DATE OF INTRODUCTION: 1916. | |
|
MANUFACTURER: St. Chamond Co. (total production 400). | |
|
COMBAT WEIGHT: 25.3 tons. |
CREW: 9. |
|
LENGTH: 25.8 ft. |
PITCH OF TRACK: 10 in. |
|
WIDTH: 8.75 ft. |
NUMBER OF TRACK LINKS: 36. |
|
HEIGHT: 7.7 ft. |
TRENCH CROSSING ABILITY: 8 ft. |
|
GROUND CLEARANCE: 13 in. |
FORDING DEPTH: 31 in. |
|
TREAD CENTERS: 6.9 ft. |
OBSTACLE ABILITY: 15 in. |
|
GROUND CONTACT: 114 in. |
CLIMBING ABILITY: 30° (57%) slope. |
|
WIDTH OF TRACK: 19.75 in. |
GROUND PRESSURE: 11.3 lbs/sq. in. |
|
TYPE OF TRACK: Dry pin. | |
|
RADIUS OF ACTION: 37 mi. | |
|
FUEL CONSUMPTION: Approximately .56 mi/gal. | |
|
FUEL CAPACITY: 66 gal. | |
|
SPEED: 5 mph max. | |
|
ENGINE: Panhard, 4 cylinders, 90 HP, liquid-cooled. | |
|
TRANSMISSION: Crochat - Colardeau electric. | |
|
STEERING: Clutch brake. | |
|
SUSPENSION: Coil springs, rollers, and bogies. | |
|
TURRET: None. | |
|
ARMOR: .2 to .67 in. | |
|
ARMAMENT: One 75-mm gun model 1897, caliber length 36. Four 8-mm Hotchkiss model 1914 machine gun. | |
|
MUZZLE VELOCITY: 1788 ft/sec. | |
|
PROJ. WEIGHT (HE): 12 lb. | |
|
REMARKS: The first tank to carry a field gun, 75-mm model 1896, and to have its frontal armor sloped to deflect bullets. The original vehicle had a flat top with two cylindrical cupolas for driver and commander. The next vehicle had four such cupolas on the four corners at the hull. Both used a St. Chamond commercial type 75-mm gun but later production introduced the standard 75-mm M1897. Later production had only one flat-sided cupola for the driver, and the forward end of the hull also was raised. | |
[27]
|
FRENCH LIGHT TANK: (See figure 15.) | |
|
RENAULT WITH RUBBER TRACKS. RENAULT KEGRESSE-HINSTIN. | |
|
EMPLOYMENT: Experimentally furnished one battalion for test during Riff war. | |
|
DATE OF INTRODUCTION: 1924. | |
|
MANUFACTURER: Citroen Auto Co. (total production 100). | |
|
COMBAT WEIGHT: 7.4 tons. |
CREW: 2. |
|
LENGTH: 18 ft. (incl. rollers). |
PITCH OF TRACK: None. |
|
WIDTH: 6.4 ft. |
TRENCH CROSSING ABILITY: 7. 3 ft. |
|
HEIGHT: 7.4 ft. |
FORDING DEPTH: 27 in. |
|
GROUND CLEARANCE: 15 in. |
OBSTACLE ABILITY: 33 in. |
|
TREAD CENTERS: 5.2 ft. |
CLIMBING ABILITY: 38° (62%) slope. |
|
GROUND CONTACT: 108 in. (approx). |
GROUND PRESSURE: Approximately 5.7 lbs/sq. in. |
|
WIDTH OF TRACK: 12 in. | |
|
TYPE OF TRACK: One-piece rubber band. | |
|
FUEL CAPACITY: 20 gal. | |
|
SPEED: 10 mph max. | |
|
ENGINE: Renault, 4 cylinders, 39 HP, thermo-syphon-cooling, gasoline. | |
|
TRANSMISSION: Sliding gear, four speeds forward, one reverse. | |
|
STEERING: Clutch brake. | |
|
SUSPENSION: Kegresse with rollers. | |
|
ARMOR: Front - .63 in.; side - .24 in.; turret front - .63 in.; turret side - .63 in. | |
|
ARMAMENT: One 37-mm gun, caliber length 21, or one 8-mm Hotchkiss machine gun. | |
|
MUZZLE VELOCITY: (37-mm) 1273 ft/sec. | |
|
PROJ. WEIGHT: 1.1 lb. (37-mm). | |
|
REMARKS: Rubber tracks increased speed and were very quiet. Tracks wear out quickly on rocky soil, but wear well on sandy soil. Two rollers are in front and two rollers in rear in lieu of tailpiece, as an aid in crossing obstacles. Tested by U. S. Ordnance Department in 1925. Two vehicles purchased. | |
[29]
|
FRENCH LIGHT TANK:(See figure 16.) | |
|
CHAR LEGER 1935 R (Renault 35). | |
|
RENAULT LIGHT TANK MODEL 19 35. | |
|
EMPLOYMENT: Infantry support. | |
|
DATE OF INTRODUCTION: 19 35. | |
|
MANUFACTURER: Renault et Cie. | |
|
COMBAT WEIGHT: 10.8 tons. |
CREW: 2. |
|
LENGTH: 13.1 ft. |
PITCH OF TRACK: 2. 76 in. |
|
WIDTH: 6.1 ft. |
NUMBER OF TRACK LINKS: 12 3. |
|
HEIGHT: 6.9 ft. |
FORDING DEPTH: 2 3. 6 in. |
|
GROUND CLEARANCE: 12.6 in. |
GROUND PRESSURE: 12 lbs/sq. in. |
|
TREAD CENTERS: 5. 1 ft. | |
|
GROUND CONTACT: 85. 8 in. | |
|
WIDTH OF TRACK: 10.5 in. | |
|
TYPE OF TRACK: Dry pin. | |
|
RADIUS OF ACTION: 86 miles on roads; 50 miles cross-country. | |
|
FUEL CONSUMPTION: 1.9 mi/gal on roads; 1.1 mi/gal cross-country. | |
|
FUEL CAPACITY: 45 gal. | |
|
SPEED: 12 mph max. | |
|
ENGINE: Renault, gasoline, 4 cylinders, 82 HP at 2,200 rpm, liquid-cooled. | |
|
TRANSMISSION: Four speeds forward, one reverse. | |
|
STEERING: Cleveland tractor type. (Running outer track at higher speed than inner track. Inner track is not stopped.) | |
|
SUSPENSION: Hotchkiss scissors suspension with concentric coil springs. Five road wheels and three return rollers. | |
|
TURRET: Hand traverse. | |
|
ARMOR: Front - 1.2 in.; side - 1.6 in.; turret front -1.8 in.; turret side - 1.6 in. | |
|
ARMAMENT: One 37-mm tank gun SA18, caliber length 21. One 7.5-mm model 31 Chatellerault MG. | |
|
MUZZLE VELOCITY: 1273 ft/sec. |
AMMUNITION STOWAGE: Gun - 58 rds. Machine Gun - 2,500 rds. |
|
PROJ. WEIGHT (AP): 1.1 lb. | |
|
REMARKS: Reflecting early French design in an all-cast tank hull and turret, but unfortunately with a dreadfully underpowered and WWI hold over 37-mm gun. Cast armor was, however, a valuable design contribution for the period. Hotchkiss H35 was a cavalry tank. French infantry was incensed because they had "12 gal" responsibility for tanks, so they had Renault make a similar "infantry" tank with thicker armor. But these vehicles are not the same. | |
[31]
|
FRENCH MEDIUM TANK: (See figure 17.) | |
|
CHAR 1935 S. Somua. | |
|
EMPLOYMENT: Armored division. | |
|
DATE OF INTRODUCTION: 19 35. | |
|
MANUFACTURER: Somua Firm (Societe'd'outtillage mechanique d'usinage d'artillerie). | |
|
COMBAT WEIGHT: 22. 1 tons. |
CREW: 3. |
|
LENGTH: 17.4 ft. |
PITCH OF TRACK: 4.1 in. |
|
WIDTH: 6.9 ft. |
NUMBER OF TRACK LINKS: 102. |
|
HEIGHT: 8.6 ft. |
FORDING DEPTH: 39.4 in. |
|
GROUND CLEARANCE: 16.5 in. |
GROUND PRESSURE: 12.1 lbs/sq. in. |
|
TREAD CENTERS: 5.6 ft. | |
|
GROUND CONTACT: 128 in. | |
|
WIDTH OF TRACK: 14.2 in. | |
|
TYPE OF TRACK: Dry pin. | |
|
RADIUS OF ACTION: 161 miles on roads; 80 miles cross-country. | |
|
FUEL CONSUMPTION: 1.5 mi/gal on roads; .7 mi/gal cross-country. | |
|
FUEL CAPACITY: 109 gal. | |
|
SPEED: 23 mph max. | |
|
ENGINE: Somua, gasoline, 8 cylinders, 190 HP at 2,000 rpm, liquid-cooled. | |
|
TRANSMISSION: Five speeds forward, one reverse. | |
|
STEERING: Overlapping differential type (mechanically operated). Radius of turn increases as transmission is shifted from low to high gear. | |
|
SUSPENSION: No road wheels. Leaf springs, covered with armor plate. | |
|
TURRET: Hand and electric traverse. | |
|
ARMOR: Front - 1.4 in.; side 1.6 in.; turret front -2.2 in.; turret side - 1.8 in. | |
|
ARMAMENT: One 47-mm tank gun SA 35, caliber length 34. One 7.5 model 31 Chatellerault M6. | |
|
MUZZLE VELOCITY: 2,805 ft/sec. |
AMMUNITION STOWAGE: Gun - 118 rds. MG - 1250 rds. |
|
PROJ. WEIGHT (AP): 3.8 lb. | |
|
REMARKS: First tank with all-cast hull and turrets. Only the German PzKpfw IV with its short 75-mm gun could defeat this tank in 1940 during the battle of France. | |
[33]
|
FRENCH SELF-PROPELLED GUN: (See figure 18.) | |
|
CANON DE 194 MLE GPF SUR CHENILLES. | |
|
194-MM GUN, GPF, ON CATERPILLAR MOUNT. | |
|
DATE OF INTRODUCTION: 19 38. | |
|
MANUFACTURER: St. Chamond. | |
|
COMBAT WEIGHT: 32.6 tons. |
PITCH OF TRACK: 9.5 in. |
|
LENGTH: 21 ft. (31 ft. incl. gun). |
NUMBER OF TRACK LINKS: 45. |
|
WIDTH: 8.5 ft. |
GROUND PRESSURE: 12.5 lbs/sq. in. |
|
HEIGHT: 8.7 ft. | |
|
GROUND CLEARANCE: 15 in. | |
|
TREAD CENTERS: 6. 25 ft. | |
|
GROUND CONTACT: 132 in. | |
|
WIDTH OF TRACK: 19.7 in. | |
|
TYPE OF TRACK: Dry pin. | |
|
SPEED: 5 mph on roads; 1.9 mph cross-country. | |
|
ENGINE: Electric (power from power vehicle which follows gun). | |
|
TURRET: None. | |
|
ARMOR: None. | |
|
ARMAMENT: One 194-mm gun, GPF, caliber length 33.7. | |
|
ELEVATION: 0° to +36°. |
MUZZLE VELOCITY: 2,379 ft/sec. |
|
TRAVERSE: 360° (by moving vehicle). |
MAX. RANGE: 22,747 yd. |
|
PROJ. WEIGHT: 174 lb. | |
|
REMARKS: World War I design produced in mid-1930's. | |
[35]
