Cavalier tank
| Tank, Cruiser, Mk VII Cavalier (A24) | |
|---|---|
| Type | Cruiser tank |
| Place of origin | United Kingdom |
| Service history | |
| In service | - 1945 |
| Used by | British Army |
| Wars | Second World War |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 1941 |
| Manufacturer | Nuffield Organisation |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 27 t |
| Length | 6.35 m |
| Width | 2.8 m |
| Height | 2.4 m |
| Crew | 5 (Commander, gunner, loader, driver, co-driver) |
| Armour | 76 mm |
Main armament | QF 6 pdr 64 rounds |
Secondary armament | 2 x 7.92 mm Besa machine gun 4,950 rounds |
| Engine | Liberty petrol 410 hp |
| Suspension | Improved Christie |
Operational range | 165 miles |
| Maximum speed | 24 mph (off road 14 mph) |
The Tank, Cruiser, Mk VII Cavalier (A24) was an unsuccessful design of British cruiser tank during World War II. It suffered from an underpowered engine, and problems because of the rush to design and build it.
History
The Cavalier was a Nuffield design to replace the Crusader tank, which was odsolescent. The General Staff had issued specifications in 1941 for a new tank, and designs were submitted in early 1941.
The Cavalier was ordered even before it had been through trials. A major problem was that the Liberty engine licence-built by Nuffield was underpowered. The Cromwell tank that followed it got the Meteor engine, a variant of the Rolls Royce Merlin with 600 hp output or about 50% more power.
Those that were built were used in training or auxiliary armoured vehicle roles.
French Use
At least 12 Cavaliers were provided to France in 1945, and were operated by the 12th Dragoon Regiment of the French 14th Infantry Division.
Variants
Cavalier OP
Produced in 1943. The gun was replaced with a dummy barrel freeing up room in the turret and hull for extra radios. It was then used as an artillery observation post.
Cavalier ARV
The turret was moved and an A-frame jib and associated equipment added for use as an armoured recovery vehicle.