Light Tank Mk VIII

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Tank, Light, Mk VIII, Harry Hopkins (A25)
General characteristics
Crew	3 (commander, driver, gunner)
Length	4.34 m
Width	2.65 m
Height	2.11 m
Weight	8.5 Long tons
Armour and armament
Armour	6 - 38 mm
Main armament	Ordnance QF 2 pounder 50 Rounds
Secondary armament	7.92 mm Besa machine gun 2,025 Rounds
Mobility
Power plant	Meadows 12 cyl. gasoline 148 hp (110 kW)
Suspension
Road speed	48 km/h
Power/weight	17.4 hp/tonne
Range	225 km

The Tank, Light, Mk VIII, Harry Hopkins (A25) was developed by Vickers for airborne forces of the British Army during World War II. It was known as the Harry Hopkins tank, after the US politician.

The design was a further development of the Tetrarch. It featured a new, redesigned turret and hull with thicker, sloping armour for improved shot deflection. Like the Tetrach, it had skid steering, which operated by bowing the tracks by lateral movements of the centre road wheels, but power assistance was added. The vehicle was armed with a QF 2 pounder gun, with 50 rounds of ammunition, and a coaxial 7.92mm Besa machine gun, with 2,025 rounds of ammunition. A taper bore Littlejohn adaptor could be fitted to the barrel of the 2 pdr to use APCR shot which had improved armour penetration.

Three prototypes were authorised in April 1941 and production was then switched to Metro-Cammell, manufacturers of the Tetrarch. About 100 vehicles were eventually delivered, between June 1943 and March 1945, but it was not used in combat.

A modified chassis was employed as the basis for the experimental Alecto self propelled gun.

[edit] See also

• Tetrarch tank
• Alecto (SPG)

[edit] References

• Leland Ness (2002) Jane's World War II Tanks and Fighting Vehicles: The Complete Guide, Harper Collins, London and New York, ISBN 0-00-711228-9
• WWII vehicles
• Czolgiem.com