This Cruiser Mk VI Crusader III was a fast tank with Christie suspension. This version of the British Cruiser tank received many improvements, fixing many of the reliability issues previously encountered. This featured the Mk. III Liberty engine with updated water pumps and a shaft drive replacing the chain drive for the cooling fans.
It also had an upgraded gun to 57mm, because the former 40mm was not efficient against the Panzer III and Panzer IV tanks. Its General Staff number is A15. The Rota trailer behind it is an ammunition and fuel trailer which gave the Crusader a bigger action radius. The trailer had a compartment for shells and a fuel pump, the fuel was stored in the cylindrical wheel drums. Together they have 300 litres extra fuel for the tank.
The British tank was photographed in The Tank Museum, Bovington – England in 2017.
Cruiser Mk IV aka the Crusader III (A15)
The Cruiser Mk IV, also known as the Crusader III (A15), was a British cruiser tank used during World War II, notably in the North African Campaign. Introduced in 1941, it was an upgraded version of the earlier Cruiser Mk II, with improvements in armor, armament, and mobility. The Crusader III played a significant role in the desert battles, providing fast and mobile support for British infantry and tanks.
The Crusader III was armed with a 6-pounder (57 mm) QF gun, which was a significant upgrade over the 2-pounder gun used in earlier models. This gave it improved firepower against German tanks, including the Panzer III and Panzer IV. It was also equipped with a 7.92 mm BESA machine gun for infantry suppression and close defense.
Powered by a 350-horsepower Nuffield Liberty engine, the Crusader III had a top speed of about 40 km/h (25 mph), with a range of approximately 250 km (155 miles) on roads. Its armor ranged from 14 mm to 50 mm, providing adequate protection against small-caliber fire, though it remained vulnerable to heavier anti-tank weapons.
Weighing around 22 tons, the Crusader III was relatively mobile and well-suited to the fast-moving desert warfare tactics. Over 5,000 units were produced, and it was used extensively until 1943, when it was gradually replaced by more advanced tanks like the Sherman.
