Cruiser Tank Comet (A34)

Designation: Cruiser Tank Comet (A34)
Classification Type: Main Battle Tank
Contractor: Not Available
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Initial Year of Service: 1944
Number Built: Not Available

The Comet was the most powerful British-based gun platform of World War Two.

The Comet Cruiser tank was arguably Britain's most powerful tank platform in the Second World War. Arriving in late (November) 1944, tank crews had to be retrained in the finer points of this exceptional weapons system, thus delaying it's exposure to combat all the more. The Comet Cruiser design emerged from a need of the British Army to devise a tank with enough armor to survive and enough firepower to effectively engage the more powerful German tanks. The first of these prototypes was the 'Challenger', fitted with a Cromwell chassis and a 17-pounder main gun. The gun was found to be unacceptable enough to go up against the German armor, thus more prototypes were submitted.

Eventually the high-velocity 75mm main gun was used in conjunction with the acceptable Cromwell chassis (prototype known as A34). In the end, the Comet was essentially a Cromwell with a reinforced suspension system, wider turret ring and extra armor. In the end, the Comet Cruiser would be on par with the German Panther series of tanks as a solid combination of armor, speed and most of all, firepower. The 11th Armor Division used the Comet Cruiser to great effect in their sweep of the Baltics after crossing the Rhine. In fact, the 11th Armor were the only unit to put the Comet Cruiser to effective use.

Overall, the weapon system was, above all, a reliable tank. Crews liked it for its protection and speed. Eventually, it would be replaced by the more modern Centurion Main Battle Tank as the primary tank of the Royal Army. Unfortunately, the weapon system arrived too late in the war to be much of a difference maker.