Cavalier tank

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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 t
Armour and armament
Armour	76 mm
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 hp
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 1 History 2 French Use 3 Variants 3.1 Cavalier OP 3.2 Cavalier ARV 4 External links 5 See also

[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] French Use

At least 12 Cavaliers were provided to France in 1945, and were operated by the 12th Dragoon Regiment of the French 14th Infantry Division.

[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.

[edit] External links

• WWII Vehicles
• Tankmuseum.co.uk

[edit] See also