Cruiser Mk VI Crusader (A15)

Royal Armored Corps Tank Museum

In 1940:

Nuffield built the Crusader using many of the same parts from the A13 series.¹⁰ Used the Christie suspension and Liberty engine.¹⁰ The hull was riveted and turret welded with additional armor bolted on.¹⁰

Nuffield designed at about same time of the Covenanter but had a Liberty engine.¹ Prototype had small turrets in front of driver and gunner. These were removed after trials. Hull was lengthened and another road wheel was added. The turret hatch slid back to open. However, it would sometimes close on the commander unexpectedly. An initial order for 200, plus a pilot model, was placed in July 1939. The pilot was delivered in March 1940. In June 1940 the order was increased to 400, and then to 1,062.¹

A total of 9 companies produced the tank.¹

Fuel tanks were located on each side of the engine with radiators fitted vertically between the tanks and the engine. Two cooling fans were fitted in the rear bulkhead. The drive chains were exposed and this posed problems in the desert and were replaced by a form of a shaft. The exhaust pipes went on each side of the engine, over the transmission, and ended inside the rear hull louvres. The concertina type air cleaners were mounted on the rear track guards in early models and were replaced by an oil bath type.

A pump provided compressed air for the steering and braking, while hydraulics were used for the turret power traverse. The gun is manually elevated by the gunner.

In early models the crew communicated through one way Tannoy speakers. This was later replaced by No. 19 wireless set which had an intercom.

On early models the auxiliary machine gunner sat on a small saddle which went round with the turret. There was a traversing handle on the left. The Besa ammunition boxes were stored in front of him. When closed down he could only see through the sighting telescope. In the desert many went into action without the auxiliary gunner.

Early models of the Crusader's engines would overhead as the cooling fan broke its drive shaft quite often. Some vehicles in North Africa had their engine governors opened and the Crusader was able to achieve speeds up to 40 mph which was very hard on the engine.

Suffered from unreliability due to it was quickly put into production before trials were completed. Principal tank from Spring 1941 onwards.¹⁰ It was the standard tank in the armored brigades in North Africa until they were replaced by Grants and Shermans.^7,10

In May 1941 was shipped to the 6th Royal Tank Regiment in the Middle East. First action was June 1941 (Capuzzo).^1,10 They were used in an attempt to relieve Tobruk (Operation "Battleaxe") in June 1941. The next unit outfitted with them was the 22nd Armored Brigade and they went into action in November in Operation "Crusader." Was in North Africa until May 1943.

Then used as training vehicle.

Crusader I (Mk VI):

Original production vehicle.

The commander sat at the rear with the wireless equipment. He also had to be careful as he could have his head knocked off by the unstable hatch. The gunner was on the left and usually stood as they could more accurately aim the gun and use their weight on the elevating arm. On the right was the loader and he sat on top of the ammunition bin and was also responsible for the smoke discharger.

Crusader I CS (Mk VI CS):

With 3" howitzer.

Crusader II (Cruiser Mk VIA):

Same as I but without machine gun turret. Extra armor on turret and hull.

Crusader II CS (Mk VIA CS):

With 3" howitzer.

Crusader III:

Final production vehicle with 6 pdr. Increased armor on hull and turret. The turret was longer and taller to handle the 6 pdr. The front plate was vertical, with a rectangular opening for the gun with an internal mantlet. A coaxial Besa MG on the left. There was a smoke discharger to fire through the roof.

The turret hatch was replaced by a pair that opened outwards. One flap had the periscope for the commander. Two additional periscopes were mounted forward as well as an extractor fan. To allow for more ammunition to be carried the auxiliary turret was removed as well as one of the turret crew. The commander acted as loader and the gunner acted as wireless operator too.

Production from May - July 1942 (144).

Muzzle velocity for the 6 pdr was 2,800'/sec.⁹ AP round was 6.28 lb.⁹

Crusader OP:

Dummy gun and extra communications.¹⁰ Used only after rest of class was withdrawn from front line service. Issued to Royal Artillery batteries and carried Forward Observation Officers. Two No. 19 and one No. 18 wireless sets were installed.

Crusader III, AA Mk I,
Crusader AA Mk I:

Royal Armored Corps Tank Museum

Turret replaced by Bofors 40mm AA.^1,10 Open topped shield.

Crusader III, AA Mk II,
Crusader AA Mk II:

Royal Armored Corps Tank Museum

Turret replaced by twin 20mm Oerlikon AA.^1,10 Turret replaced by new enclosed turret. First tests occurred in June 1943. Had a crew of 4, and carried 600 rounds of ammunition.

Crusader III, AA Mk III:

Same as AA Mk II but with radio equipment by driver instead of turret.¹⁰

Crusader AA with Triple Oerlikon:

Used for training. Originally intending for every HQ squad in invasion of Europe, but not used because of air superiority. Disbanded in June 1944.

Crusader II, Gun Tractor Mk I:

Crusader II chassis with open topped superstructure.¹⁰ Used to tow 17 pdr AT.^1,10 Used by AT regiments in NW Europe (1944-45).¹ Side extensions used for wading. Used by assault divisions in Normandy.

Crusader with AMRA (Anti Mine Roller Attachment) Mk. 1D:

The Mark 1D weighed about 1.5 tons and had 4 heavy duty sprung rollers suspended from a frame. The tank could detach itself on the battlefield if necessary by setting off an electrically fired fuse. On sand it could detonate most anti-tank mines. On harder ground weight had to be added by removing a cap and filling the roller with anything that was available (sand, earth, rubble, water).

Not sure if used in combat.

Crusader ARV:

Inspired by the Germans ability to recover vehicles in the battlefield the British formed a Recovery Committee in the summer of 1942. Removed turret¹⁰ and added a 5-ton portable jib. Had a crew of 3. It is believed only 1 was made.

Crusader Dozer:

The turret was removed, and a winch and jib were fitted for working dozer blade.¹⁰

Crusader Dozer and Crane (ROF):

Used by Royal Ordnance Factory in bomb disposal.¹

Crusader Amphibious:

Two large pontoons were attached to each side of the hull. Special blades were attached to the tracks to propel the vehicle in the water.

	Cruiser Mk VI (A15) Crusader	Cruiser Mk VI, Crusader A	Cruiser Mk VI, Crusader I	Cruiser Mk VI, Crusader I CS
Crew	51,10	42	Commander, gunner, driver, loader and hull gunner.4,7 54,7
Physical Characteristics
Weight	17.1 tons6, 19 tons1 19,300 kg1	18.8 tons2	18.8 tons7, 19.95 tons10 42,450 lb4 19,255 kg10
Length w/gun	19' 6"1, 19' 8"4,7 5.96 m6, 5.994 m1	5.98 m2	19' 8"10 5.99 m10
Length w/o gun
Height	7' 4"1,4,7,10 2.22 m6, 2.235 m1, 2.24 m10	2.24 m2
Width	8' 8"1,4,7,10 2.61 m6, 2.64 m10, 2.642 m1	2.77 m2
Width over tracks
Ground clearance	1' 4"	0.41 m2
Ground contact length
Ground pressure	15.5 psi	1.09 (kg/cm2)2
Turret ring diameter
Armament
Main	2 pdr OQF L/52 6 pdr (57 mm)1	40 mm L/522	2 pdr OQF4 L/5210 2 pdr5,6,7	3" Howitzer5
Secondary
MG	1 or 2: 7.92 mm Besa MG1,10	MG2	Besa MG, hull turrent, coaxial6,7
Side arms
Quantity
Main	1104	1302	130	65
Secondary
MG	5,0004	4,9502
Side arms
Armor Thickness (mm)	7 - 491, 496, 5110		74, 404,7
Hull Front, Upper		20-402	40
Hull Front, Lower
Hull Sides, Upper		14+142
Hull Sides, Lower
Hull Rear		14-282
Hull Top		72
Hull Bottom		6.4-10.42
Turret Front		492
Turret Sides		23.52
Turret Rear		20 - 30.72
Turret Top		122
Engine (Make / Model)	Nuffield Liberty Mark III/IV1,4,10 Liberty7	Nuffield2
Bore / stroke
Cooling		Water2
Cylinders	V-1210	122
Capacity
Net HP	3406,10	340@1,500 rpm2
Power to weight ratio
Compression ratio
Transmission (Type)	4 forward,  1 reverse	4 forward2, 1 reverse2
Steering
Steering ratio
Starter
Electrical system
Ignition
Fuel (Type)	Gasoline10
Octane
Capacity	120 gallons, 500 l + 136 l (auxiliary)	455 liters2
Road consumption
Cross country consumption
Performance
Traverse	360°4, hydaulic, 36°/sec	360°
Max speed	27 mph4,10, 27.5 mph 43 kph1, 44 kph10, 45 kph6	41.8 kph2
Cross country speed	15 mph4
Road radius	100 miles10, 124.2 miles1 161 km10, 200 km1 Extra fuel tanks: 100 miles4, 127 miles4 Main tank: 177 km2	160 km2
Cross country radius
Turning radius	29' 7"	9 m2
Elevation limits	-12.5° to +30°
Fording depth	3' 3"4 0.96 m	1 m2
Trench crossing	8' 6"4
Vertical obstacle	2' 3"4
Climbing ability
Suspension (Type)	Christie4,7	Christie2
Wheels each side	57	52
Return rollers each side
Tracks (Type)
Length
Width	10.75"4	246 mm2
Diameter
Number of links
Pitch
Tire Tread
Track centers/tread	7' 7"4
Production	1940-1943: 5,3001, 5,700, 4,350 standard7 1,373 special roles7

	Cruiser Mk VI, Crusader II	Cruiser Mk VI, Crusader II CS	Cruiser Mk VI , Crusader III
Crew	Commander, gunner, driver, loader and hull gunner.4,7,8 43, 54,7,8		Commander, gunner, driver.4,7 37,9, 10
Physical Characteristics
Weight	42,450 lb4 18.8 tons3, 18.95 tons10, 19 tons8 19,255 kg10		19.75 tons7,10, 22.1 tons9 44,240 lb4 19,812 kg, 20,067 kg10, 20,085 kg
Length w/gun	19' 7.5"8, 19' 8"10 5.98 m3, 5.99 m10 With fuel tank: 20' 8.5"8		19.8'9 6.31 m
Length w/o gun			5.98 m
Height	7' 4"8 2.24 m3		7.2'9
Width	2.77 m3		9' 2"10, 9.25'9 2.77 m, 2.79 m10
Width over tracks
Ground clearance	0.41 m3		15.7"9 0.41 m
Ground contact length			146"9
Ground pressure	14.65 psi8 1.09 (kg/cm2)3		14.1 psi9
Turret ring diameter
Armament
Main	40 mm L/523 2 pdr OQF4 L/5210 OF 2 pdr Mk IX or X8	3" Howitzer5	57 mm OQF 6 pdr Mk III or V 6 pdr OQF4,10 6 pdr5,6,7 6 pdr QF, L/459
Secondary
MG	MG3 2: 7.92 mm Besa MG, coaxial, auxiliary turret8		Besa MG, coaxial6,7 7.93 mm Besa MG, coaxial9
Side arms	2" bomb thrower8 .303 Bren light MG8
Quantity
Main	1108, 1303	65	654,9, 73
Secondary
MG	4,5008, 4,9503		3,3759, 3,755, 5,000
Side arms	Bomb: 268 Bren: 6008
Armor Thickness (mm)	74, 494,6,7		74, 514,7 Front: 0.75"9
Hull Front, Upper	49, 20-403 30@30°8		51
Hull Front, Lower	20@60°8
Hull Sides, Upper	14+143 Inner: 148 Outer: 148		0.63"9
Hull Sides, Lower
Hull Rear	14-283 28@11°8
Hull Top	73,8
Hull Bottom	108, 6.4-10.43
Turret Front	493 49@7°8		1.1"9
Turret Sides	23.53 24@45°8		0.63"9
Turret Rear	20-30.73 30@32°8
Turret Top	123,8
Engine (Make / Model)	Nuffield3 Nuffield Liberty Mark III8		Nuffield Liberty9
Bore / stroke
Cooling	Water3,8		Water9
Cylinders	123, V-128		V-129
Net HP	340@1,500 rpm3,8		340@1,500 rpm9
Power to weight ratio	17.9 hp/ton8
Compression ratio
Transmission (Type)	Mechanisations and Aero Ltd constant mesh.8 4 forward, 1 reverse3,8		4 forward, 1 reverse9
Steering
Steering ratio
Starter
Electrical system
Ignition
Fuel (Type)	Gasoline3,8
Octane
Capacity	Main: 110 gallons8 Auxiliary: 30 gallons8 455 liters3
Road consumption
Cross country consumption
Performance
Traverse
Max speed	27.5 mph8 41.8 kph3		27.5 mph9
Cross country speed
Road radius	200 miles8 160 km3		112 miles9 204 km
Cross country radius	146 miles8
Turning radius	9 m3
Elevation limits
Fording depth	3' 3"8 1 m3		33.5"9 0.85 m
Trench crossing	7' 6"8		8.2'9 2.5 m
Vertical obstacle	2' 6"8		31.5"9 0.8 m
Climbing ability			30° slope9 58%9
Suspension (Type)	Christie3 Christie Type8
Wheels each side	53,8
Return rollers each side
Tracks (Type)			Dry pin9
Length	11' 4"8
Width	10.7"8 246 mm3		10.75"9
Diameter
Number of links
Pitch			4.25"9
Tire Tread	Rubber3
Track centers/tread	7' 6.75"8		7.6'9
Production

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. Panzer Truppen The Complete Guide to the Creation and Combat Employment of Germany's Tank Force 1933-1942, Thomas L. Jentz, 1996
3. Panzer Truppen The Complete Guide to the Creation and Combat Employment of Germany's Tank Force 1943-1945, Thomas L. Jentz, 1996
4. 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
5. Tanks of the World, 1915-1945, Peter Chamberlain, Chris Ellis, 1972
6. Jane's World War II Tanks and Fighting Vehicles The Complete Guide, Leland Ness, 2002
7. Tanks of World War II, Duncan Crow, 1979
8. AFV 8: Crusader-Cruiser Mark VI, Major James Bingham
9. Tank Data, Aberdeen Proving Grounds Series, 1968?
10. The Illustrated Guide to Tanks of the World, George Forty, 2006

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