Cruiser Mk III (A13)

United Kingdom's Cruiser Mk III (A13)
Royal Armored Corps Tank Museum

Image: Curiser Mk III (6K)

Image: Cruiser Mk III (17K)

Lt. Col. G. le Q Martel saw Russian BT tanks in maneuvers and suggested the war office adopt the Christie suspension.1 Morris Commercial Ltd. built prototypes based on 2 Christie tanks purchased in 1936. Two prototypes were developed and they had many mechanical problems primarily resulting from their high speed.

By January 1938 a production order of 651 was placed. Production was done by Nuffield Mechanisation and Aero Ltd.

The first models were delivered in December 1938.6 A total of 665 were produced.6

The speed was governed down from 35 mph to 30 mph, alterations in the clutch and transmission, and using shorter pitched tracks. The engine could be started with compressed air or electronically.1

Used same turret as A9 with larger commander's cupola.

Used by the 1st Armored Division in France, and the 7th Armored Division in Libya from 1940-41.1,6,7

Half of the 7th Armored Brigade's tank strength was A13s in November 1941, during Operation Crusader.6

  Cruiser Mk III A13
Crew Commander, gunner, loader, driver.2
41,2,3,4,6,7
Physical Characteristics  
Weight 31,360 lb2, 44,240 lb4
14 tons1,3,5,6,7
14,220 kg1, 14,225 kg7, 20,067 kg4
Length w/gun 19' 8"4, 19' 9"1,2,3,6,7
5.994 m4, 6.02 m1,7
Length w/o gun  
Height 7' 4"4, 8' 4", 8' 6"1,2,3,6,7
2.235 m4, 2.59 m1,7
Width 8' 4"1,2,3,6,7, 8' 6.5", 8' 8"4
2.54 m1,7, 2.64 m4
Ground clearance  
Ground contact length  
Ground pressure  
Turret ring diameter  
Armament  
Main 2 pdr QFSA2,7
2 pdr (40 mm)1
2 pdr3,5,6
6 pdr4
Secondary  
MG Vickers .303 cal (7.7 mm), coaxial1,6,7
.303 cal Vickers MG2
MG3
Side arms  
Quantity  
Main 872
Secondary  
MG 3,7502
Side arms  
Armor Thickness (mm) 6 - 141,3
62, 142,5,6,7
Hull Front, Upper 14
Hull Front, Lower  
Hull Sides, Upper  
Hull Sides, Lower  
Hull Rear  
Hull Top  
Hull Bottom 6
Turret Front  
Turret Sides  
Turret Rear  
Turret Top  
Engine (Make / Model) Nuffield Liberty1,7
Liberty3,5,6
Nuffield Mk III4
Bore / stroke  
Cooling  
Cylinders V-126,7
Capacity  
Net HP 3404,5,6,7
Power to weight ratio  
Compression ratio  
Transmission (Type)  
Steering  
Steering ratio  
Starter Electrical or compressed air7
Electrical system  
Ignition  
Fuel (Type) Gasoline7
Octane  
Capacity  
Road consumption  
Cross country consumption  
Performance  
Traverse 360°2
Max speed 27 mph4, 30 mph1,2,3,5,6,7
43.4 kph4, 48 kph1,5,7
Cross country speed 15 mph4, 24 mph2
24 kph4
Road radius 90 miles1,2,7, 127 miles4
145 km1,7, 204 km4
Cross country radius  
Turning radius  
Elevation limits  
Fording depth 3'2, 3' 3"4
0.99 m4
Trench crossing 7' 6"2, 8' 6"4
2.59 m4
Vertical obstacle 2' 3"4
0.686 m4
Climbing ability  
Suspension (Type) Christie
Wheels each side  
Return rollers each side  
Tracks (Type)  
Length  
Width 10 1/8"2
Diameter  
Number of links  
Pitch  
Tire tread  
Track centers/tread 6' 11"2
Production 1/38-Summer 39: 65

Sources:

  1. The Encyclopedia of Tanks and Armored Fighting Vehicles - The Comprehensive Guide to Over 900 Armored Fighting Vehicles From 1915 to the Present Day, General Editor: Christopher F. Foss, 2002
  2. British and American Tanks of World War Two, The Complete Illustrated History of British, American, and Commonwealth Tanks 1933-1945, Peter Chamberlain and Chris Ellis, 1969
  3. Tanks of the World, 1915-1945, Peter Chamberlain, Chris Ellis, 1972
  4. The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II, Chris Bishop, 1998
  5. Allied Armour of World War Two, Ian V. Hogg, 2000
  6. Tanks of World War II, Duncan Crow, 1979
  7. The Illustrated Guide to Tanks of the World, George Forty, 2006
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