Croiseur Mk III | |
|---|---|
| Pays | Royaume-uni |
| Type | Réservoir cruiser |
| En service | 1938-1941 |
| Description | Album de 23 photos d’un « Cruiser Mk III » |
Galerie de photos d’un Croiseur Mk III, Le Croiseur Mk III est un croiseur britannique de la Seconde Guerre mondiale.
Cruiser Mk III 01
Cruiser Mk III 02
Cruiser Mk III 03
Cruiser Mk III 04
Cruiser Mk III 05
Cruiser Mk III 06
Cruiser Mk III 07
Cruiser Mk III 08
Cruiser Mk III 09
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| Cruiser Mk.III (A13) Walk Around | |
|---|---|
| Photographe | Dean |
| Localisation | Inconnu |
| Photos | 39 |
Cruiser Mk.III 01
Cruiser Mk.III 02
Cruiser Mk.III 03
Cruiser Mk.III 04
Cruiser Mk.III 05
Cruiser Mk.III 06
Cruiser Mk.III 07
Cruiser Mk.III 08
Cruiser Mk.III 09
Voir aussi :
Lla « Racehorse » of the Interwar British Army
Lla Croiseur Mk III was a revolutionary departure for British tank design. After witnessing the incredible cross-country performance of J. Walter Christie’s experimental tanks in the US, the British purchased two chassis and used the suspension technology to create the A13. It was the first British tank to feature the iconic large-diameter road wheels and long-travel springs that allowed for high speeds over rough terrain. While fast and agile, it followed the « Croiseur » doctrine of the time: prioritize speed and firepower over armor protection.
| Attribute | Technical Specification (Cruiser Mk III) |
|---|---|
| Rôle | Cruiser Tank (Cavalry / Breakthrough) |
| Crew | 4 (Commander, Gunner, Loader, Driver) |
| moteur | Nuffield Liberty V12 petrol (340 hp) |
| Vitesse maximale | 48 km/h (30 mph) on road / 40 km/h (25 mph) off-road |
| Armement principal | QF 2-pounder (40 mm) gun |
| Armement secondaire | 1 × .303 Vickers machine gun (coaxial) |
| Armor | 6 mm to 14 mm (Extremely thin) |
| Weight | 14.2 tonnes |
Design Engineering: The Christie Revolution
- The Christie Suspension: Unlike the bogie-style suspension of the earlier Mk I and II Cruisers, the Mk III used four large road wheels on each side, mounted on long vertical coil springs. This allowed the wheels to travel much further over bumps, maintaining track contact at high speeds.
- The Liberty V12: To achieve high speeds, Nuffield used a modified version of the WWI Liberty aero engine. It provided a massive power-to-weight ratio for the 1930s, though it was notoriously unreliable and prone to overheating in the early years of service.
- Boxy Turret Construction: The turret was made of flat plates bolted to a frame. This was easier to manufacture than cast or welded turrets but created « shot traps » and was highly vulnerable to even light anti-tank rifles.
- The 2-Pounder Gun: At the time of its introduction, the 40mm 2-pounder was an excellent anti-tank gun, capable of penetrating any contemporary tank. However, it famously lacked an effective high-explosive (HE) shell, meaning the crew had to use the machine gun for soft targets.
Operational History: Trial by Fire
- The Battle of France (1940): The Cruiser Mk III saw its first major action with the 1st Armoured Division in France. While they were faster than the German Panzers, their thin armor (only 14mm at the thickest point) meant that even the German 20mm autocannons and 37mm « door-knocker » guns could easily destroy them.
- Western Desert Campaign: Many surviving Mk IIIs were sent to North Africa. Their speed was an asset in the vast open desert, but the fine sand played havoc with the Liberty engines and the unprotected Christie suspension.
- Evolutionary Foundation: The A13 (Mk III) was quickly upgraded with thicker, sloped armor to become the Cruiser Mk IV. The lessons learned from the Mk III’s suspension and engine failures led directly to the development of the Covenanter, Croisé, and eventually the highly successful Cromwell.
- Rarity: Because they were so lightly armored and mechanically temperamental, few Cruiser Mk IIIs survived the early years of WWII. Most were lost in the retreat to Dunkirk or scuttled in the desert.
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