Carden Loyd tankette | |
|---|---|
| Country | UK |
| Type | Tankette |
| Produced | 1927–1935 |
| Built | 450 |
The Carden Loyd tankettes were a series of British tankettes of the period between the World Wars, the most successful of which was the Mark VI, the only version built in significant numbers. It became a classic tankette design worldwide, was licence-built by several countries and became the basis of several designs produced in various countries.
| Carden Loyd Medium Machine Gun Carrier Walk Around | |
|---|---|
| Photographer | Alan McNeilly |
| Localisation | Unknow |
| Photos | 25 |
See also:
The Carden Loyd Carrier was a series of small, tracked vehicles, or tankettes, developed in the United Kingdom between the World Wars. The Mark VI was the most successful version and served as the direct basis for the famous Universal Carrier of World War II. Its primary function was to provide light, protected mobility for a machine gun team.
Design and Protection
The design favored speed and low cost over heavy defense.
- Crew: 2 (Driver and Gunner/Commander).
- Role: Mobile machine-gun post and light reconnaissance.
- Armour: Thin, face-hardened steel plates, offering protection mainly against small arms fire and shell fragments.
- Thickness (Mark VI): 6-9 mm (0.24-0.35 in).
- Layout: An open-topped compartment at the front for the crew, leaving them largely exposed above the shoulders.
Specifications (Carden Loyd Mark VI)
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Type | Tankette / Machine Gun Carrier |
| Mass (Battle Weight) | 1.5 long tonnes (about 1.5 metric tons) |
| Length | 2.46 m (8 ft 1 in) |
| Width | 1.99 m (6 ft 6.5 in) |
| Height | 1.22 m (4 ft 0 in) |
| Engine | Ford Model T 4-cylinder petrol engine |
| Engine Power | 22.5 bhp (16.8 kW) |
| Maximum Speed | 40-48 km/h (25-30 mph) on road |
| Operational Range | About 160 km (100 miles) |
Main Armament and Legacy
- Primary Weapon: One 0.303 inch Vickers machine gun with 1,000 rounds.
- Global Influence: The design was licensed or copied by many countries, influencing the development of tankettes and light tanks worldwide, including early Italian, Japanese, and German designs.
- Successor: It evolved into the widely-used Universal Carrier, one of the most produced armored fighting vehicles in history.
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