Cruiser Tank Mk VI Crusader

Designation: Cruiser Tank Mk VI Crusader
Classification Type: Infantry Tank
Contractor: Not Available
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Initial Year of Service: 1941
Number Built: Not Available

Though initially suffering through many design deficiencies, the Crusader would nevertheless see the war through to its end.

The Crusader series of British cruiser tanks was an important contributor to the early war years, particularly in North Africa where it would take part in El Alamein and Tunisia. Dogged by reliability problems, overheating and light armor throughout its battlefield career, the Crusader would nevertheless earn its keep thanks to the capability of her crews. In the end, the Crusader would go down as a classic British tank design that appeared at a time when Britains needed her most.

The Crusader appeared as a very fundamental tank design, featuring a crew of three personnel, a forward mounted turret housing an ever-changing array of main guns. The design was characterized by its five large road wheels and impressive silhouette with some designs sporting side skirts and external fuel tanks.

The initial production model became the Crusader I, sporting a smallish 2-pounder main gun and inadequate armor protection. With the overheating problems still apparent, the design pressed forward to produce the Crusader II, which only addressed the need for more armor. The Crusader III later appeared and sported an upgunned 57mm (6-pounder) main gun and would, in many ways, become the definitive Crusader mark. Additional variants would come on board later and included a 76.2mm howitzer carrier, ARV and anti-aircraft derivatives sporting a variety of gun combinations.

In the end, the Crusader remained a serviceable tank despite its shortcomings. Though the deficiencies in the powerplant remained up until the system was removed from frontline service, the chassis nevertheless came into good use in other supportive roles. The Crusader would go on to join the long list of classic tanks fighting for the British empire until their eventual replacement by the Sherman series types in World War 2. Some 5,300 Crusaders would be constructed by production's end.