Crusader: review of the famous "Briton"
In the first half of 1939, the British command decided to improve the A13 cruiser tank in production. The result is the sleek Covenanter, aka the A13 Mk.III. To increase the pace of production, the UK Department of Supply asked the head of Mechanizations & Aero to join the execution of production contracts. He refused, but offered to build a tank of his own design, which would be even better. The ministry had no choice - the proposal was accepted. So development began tank A15 or Cruiser Mk.VI, which was later named Crusader.
The head of Mechanizations & Aero, Lord Nuffield, decided to take the early version of the A13 as a basis for the new tank. This seriously shortened the development process, and the first Crusaders were ready for testing almost a month and a half before the Covenanter appeared.
The Crusader I carried 5 crew members and was equipped with a two-pound cannon. It was enough for that time, but it was obvious that such a weapon would very quickly become obsolete. The production of six-pounders began in 1941. In December of the same year, it was decided to develop a tank with the same gun, and six months later, production of the Crusader Mk. III.
The design of the Crusader tank is combined. Initially, the frame was planned to be made of mild steel, which did not crack at the weld seams. Armor plates were installed on top, and the choice between the types of connections was made in favor of rivets. The total mass of the vehicle should not exceed 18 tons, and the reduced armor should be about 40 mm. This means that the armor plates were no thicker than 20 mm.
To fit the Liberty engine inside the tank, the hull had to be lengthened, which also made it possible to install a fifth pair of rollers. The first rollers were made of aluminum, but the metal was in great demand in the aircraft industry, so the engineers switched to steel. By the way, the Crusader has a Christie suspension: the springs are clamped between the outer and inner armor plates, and this is very inconvenient.
In the aft part of the tank, you can see a towing hook for a trailer, an attachment for an additional fuel tank of 136 liters and an air purification system on both sides (a dubious decision, according to the expert). For storing things, side boxes are provided, as well as an additional compartment on the rear of the tower. There is a searchlight on the right side of the tower. Meanwhile, the stern of the tank is flat and comfortable. Under the central hatch is a 27-liter engine with a capacity of 340 hp. It accelerates the tank to 43 km / h, but is not reliable.
For even more details about the tank, as well as an unforgettable monologue by military historian David Fletcher about a special trailer for the Crusader, watch the video from Wargaming.
The head of Mechanizations & Aero, Lord Nuffield, decided to take the early version of the A13 as a basis for the new tank. This seriously shortened the development process, and the first Crusaders were ready for testing almost a month and a half before the Covenanter appeared.
The Crusader I carried 5 crew members and was equipped with a two-pound cannon. It was enough for that time, but it was obvious that such a weapon would very quickly become obsolete. The production of six-pounders began in 1941. In December of the same year, it was decided to develop a tank with the same gun, and six months later, production of the Crusader Mk. III.
The design of the Crusader tank is combined. Initially, the frame was planned to be made of mild steel, which did not crack at the weld seams. Armor plates were installed on top, and the choice between the types of connections was made in favor of rivets. The total mass of the vehicle should not exceed 18 tons, and the reduced armor should be about 40 mm. This means that the armor plates were no thicker than 20 mm.
To fit the Liberty engine inside the tank, the hull had to be lengthened, which also made it possible to install a fifth pair of rollers. The first rollers were made of aluminum, but the metal was in great demand in the aircraft industry, so the engineers switched to steel. By the way, the Crusader has a Christie suspension: the springs are clamped between the outer and inner armor plates, and this is very inconvenient.
In the aft part of the tank, you can see a towing hook for a trailer, an attachment for an additional fuel tank of 136 liters and an air purification system on both sides (a dubious decision, according to the expert). For storing things, side boxes are provided, as well as an additional compartment on the rear of the tower. There is a searchlight on the right side of the tower. Meanwhile, the stern of the tank is flat and comfortable. Under the central hatch is a 27-liter engine with a capacity of 340 hp. It accelerates the tank to 43 km / h, but is not reliable.
For even more details about the tank, as well as an unforgettable monologue by military historian David Fletcher about a special trailer for the Crusader, watch the video from Wargaming.
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