Crusader Mk. I

GENERAL DATA
Formal Desig­nation Cruiser Tank Mk. I, Crusader Mk. I (A15)
Manufac­turer(s) Nuffields
Production Quantity 5300* Production Period 1940
Type Medium/Cruiser Tank Crew 5
Length /hull (m) 5.97 Barrel Overhang (m) n.a.
Width (m) 2.77 Height (m) 2.24
Combat Weight (kg) 19100 Radio Equipment n.a.
FIREPOWER
Primary Armament 40mm 2-pounder Mk. I Ammu­nition Carried 110
Traverse (degrees) Hydraulic (360°) Elevation (degrees) -20° to +25°
Traverse speed (360°) 10 sec. Sight n.a.
Secondary Armament 2 x 7.92mm Besa MG
(coaxial, auxiliary turret)
Ammu­nition Carried 4500
1 x 7.7mm .303 Bren MG (loose) 600
MOBILITY CHARACTERISTICS
Engine Make & Model Nuffield Liberty Mk. II Track Links n.a.
Type & Displace­ment V12, 27 liters Track Width n.a.
Horse­power (max.) 340hp @1500rpm Track Ground Contact n.a.
Power­/Weight Ratio 17.8 hp/t Ground Pressure n.a.
Gearbox 4 forward, 1 reverse Ground Clearance (m) n.a.
Fuel Gasoline (Petrol) Turning Radius (m) n.a.
Range on/off road (km) 322 Gradient (degrees) n.a.
Mileage (L/100km) 155 on road Vertical Obstacle (m) n.a.
Fuel Capacity (litres) 500 Fording (m) n.a.
Speed on/off road 43 km/h Trench Crossing (m) n.a.
ARMOR PROTECTION
Armor Detail Front Side Rear Top­/Bottom
Hull 26mm @52°(nose) 14+13mm @90° 27mm @90° 10mm @0°(front)
6mm @0°(rear)
Super­structure 14mm @10°(glacis) - 14mm @45° 7mm @0°
14+26mm @81°
Turret 20mm @90° 19mm @50° 24mm @65° 9mm @10°
Mantlet 39mm @81° - - -
TECHNICAL DRAWINGS AND OTHER IMAGES
Profile Drawing Available Cruiser Tank Mk. VI, Crusader I by George R. Bradford
NOTES
*Mk. I, II and III inclusive production from May 1940 to October 1943
REFERENCES
Cr, TWWII, George R. Bradford

Copyright © 2018 Ralph Zuljan