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Britain's Vickers Medium Mk II³, Mk IIA³, Mk II*³, Mk II**³

Medium Mk II:	Medium Mk II: Royal Armored Corps Tank Museum	Medium Mk II:	Medium Mk IIA:
Medium Mk II Mark IA in 1926:	Medium Mk II Command tank in 1931:	Medium Mk II tank of the 5th Battalion, Royal Tank Corps, Hampshire	Medium Mark II** in 1931:

Design

Vickers Armstrongs designed and built this tank during the 1920s-30s. This was the first post-World War I tank to go into service with the Royal Tank Corps. Was considered the first "fast tank" in service.

First tank to have the main armament in a revolving turret.¹ The hatches were rather small and could be used for quick exits.¹ The crew entered through small hatches in the side of the hull. Since it used multi-rollers it couldn't be maneuvered at high speed.¹

The armor plates were primarily flat. The engine was located on the left in the front with the driver on the right. The driver had a large hatch he could open to see while on the road. There were 4 men in the turret, with the commander, one to fire the gun, one loaded the gun and handled the MG, and the last to operate the radio.

A fireless cooker with rations for 3 days could be carried in the tank.

Production

• Medium Mk II: 160⁶
• Medium Mk II*: 44⁴
  • Conversion: 1932⁴

Variants

• Medium Mk II*: Added commander's cupola.⁴ Hotchkiss MGs in turret were replaced by a single Vickers MG.⁶ A lead counter weight was added as the commander's cupola was positioned more to the rear.⁶
• Medium Mk II**: Twin mountings for the 3 pdr and Vickers MGs along with a comander's cupola.⁴ Containers added to back of turret to house radio equipment.^4,6
• Medium Mk IIA: Twenty were produced in 1930 by Vickers-Armstrong.⁴
• Medium Mk IIA*: Had containers added for radios on the back of the turret.⁴
• Medium Mk IIA CS: Had 3.7" howitzer installed for close support role.⁴
• Medium Mk II (Tropical): Five Mk IIs were modified by fitting a screen of asbestos onto the outer surfaces with a gap of 1.5" between the surface of the tank and the asbestos.⁴
• Medium Mk II (Bridgecarrier): Fitted with brackets on its side to carry girders for building an 18' bridge by the crew.⁴
• Medium Mk II Command Tank: Had dummy gun in turret and had 2 wireless sets.⁴

Usage

Entered service with the British Army in 1926 and was used until 1941.¹ Primarily used for training.¹ Some were used in North Africa and Greece.¹

Was designed for hot climates, but proved to have problems when sent to Africa. Some were fitted with panels of asbestos to help reduce the heat inside the tank but proved ineffectual. Some used in Western Desert Forces at Mersa Matruh and Tobruk (1940-41).

Australia

Australia purchased 4 in 1928.⁴ Had Vickers MG on left, and 3 pdr on right.⁴

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. World War Two Tanks, George Forty, 1995
4. Tanks of the World, 1915-1945, Peter Chamberlain, Chris Ellis, 1972
5. Tank Data, Aberdeen Proving Grounds Series, 1968?
6. The Illustrated Guide to Tanks of the World, George Forty, 2006