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| Tank, Light Mk VII, Tetrarch I |
|
| Type |
Light tank |
| Place of origin |
United Kingdom |
| Production history |
| Designed |
1938 |
| Manufacturer |
Vickers-Armstrong |
| Produced |
1940[1], 1941-1943 |
| Number built |
177 |
| Variants |
Tetrarch I CS, Tetrarch DD |
| Specifications |
| Weight |
7.5 long ton (7.5 t) |
| Length |
13 ft 3 in (4.04 m) |
| Width |
7 ft 7 in (2.31 m)[1] |
| Height |
6 ft 11 in (2.12 m)[1] |
| Crew |
3[1] (Commander, gunner, driver) |
|
| Armour |
16 mm |
Primary
armament |
2 pounder (40 mm)
50 rounds |
Secondary
armament |
7.92 mm Besa MG
2,025 rounds |
| Engine |
Meadows 12 cylinder petrol
165 hp |
| Suspension |
coil spring |
Operational
range |
140 miles (224 km)[1] |
| Speed |
40 mph[1], off-road 28 mph |
The Tank, Light Mk VII, Tetrarch I was a British light tank produced during the Second World War, initially for the reconnaissance role but later for use by airborne forces.
[edit] Design and Development
The first Tetrarch prototype (then called a PR Tank or Purdah), was produced by Vickers-Armstrong in 1938. The vehicle was approved by the Army and production started in 1940, only to cease soon after following the bad performance of light tanks during the prevailing stage of the war.
The production of Mk VIIs was restarted in 1941 following the adoption of the vehicle by airborne forces, since it was light enough to be deployed from the air, via Hamilcar gliders, to support paratroops. The name "Tetrarch" was given to the vehicle in 1943.
The most interesting feature of the Tetrarch was its unique skid steering system that accomplished turns by the lateral movement of road wheels, which bowed the tracks.[1] For sharp turns, the driver had to apply brakes to one track in the traditional fashion.[1]
The Tetrarch turret design was also used on the Daimler Armoured Car
[edit] Combat history
- A small number were deployed during Operation Ironclad, the invasion of Madagascar in 1942.
- Twenty Tetrachs were supplied to the USSR, where they were used as the subject of many propaganda photographs. They also carried out some patrols in the Caucasus.[1]
[edit] Variants
[edit] Tetrarch I CS
- Close support version with a 3-inch (76 mm) howitzer.
[edit] Tetrarch DD
[edit] Survivors
A Tetrarch Mark VII is preserved at the Bovington Tank Museum in England.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Bean, Tim; Fowler, Will (2002). Russian Tanks of World War II Stalin’s armoured might. Ian Allen publishing, pp148-150. ISBN 0711028982.
[edit] External links
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Scout Cars and Armoured cars |
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| Scout Cars |
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| Light Reconnaissance Cars |
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| Armoured Cars |
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| Armoured Trucks |
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| Armoured Command Vehicles |
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