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Tanks of World War II

Crusader Mk. III

GENERAL DATA
Formal Desig­nation Cruiser Tank Mk. VI Crusader Mk. III (A15)
Manufac­turer(s) Nuffields
Production Quantity 5300* Production Period May 1942-Oct. 1943
Type Medium/Cruiser Crew 3
Length /hull (m) 6.31/5.98 Barrel Overhang (m) n.a.
Width (m) 2.77 Height (m) 2.24
Combat Weight (kg) 20100 Radio Equipment n.a.
FIREPOWER
Primary Armament 57mm ROQF 6-pounder Mk. 3 or 5 Ammu­nition Carried 65
Traverse (degrees) Hydraulic (360°) Elevation (degrees) -12° to +30°
Traverse speed (360°) 10 sec. Sight n.a.
Secondary Armament 1 x 7.92mm Besa MG (coaxial) Ammu­nition Carried 5000
MOBILITY CHARACTERISTICS
Engine Make & Model Nuffield Liberty Mk. IV 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 16.9 hp/tonne Ground Pressure 14.1 psi
Gearbox 4 forward, 1 reverse Ground Clearance (m) 0.41
Fuel Gasoline (Petrol) Turning Radius (m) n.a.
Range on/off road (km) 204 (with auxiliary tank) Gradient (degrees) 30°
Mileage (L/100km) 312 on road Vertical Obstacle (m) 0.67
Fuel Capacity (liters) 500+136 (auxiliary) Fording (m) 0.99
Speed on/off road 43/24 km/h Trench Crossing (m) 2.59
ARMOR PROTECTION
Armor Details Front Side Rear Top­/Bottom
Hull 32mm @60° 14+13mm @90° 27mm @90° 6&10mm @0°
20mm @30°(nose)
Super­structure 20mm @60° - 14mm @45° 7mm @0°
9mm @8°(glacis)
32mm @58°
Turret 32mm @90° 23mm @40° 29mm @60° 12mm @18°,0°,8°
Mantlet 51mm @90° - - -
TECHNICAL DRAWINGS AND OTHER IMAGES
Profile Drawing Available Cruiser Tank Mk. VI, Crusader Mk. III
NOTES
*Mk. I, II and III inclusive production from May 1940 to October 1943
REFERENCES
Cr, BT, TD1, BAT, TWWII, WWW2

Copyright © 2018 Ralph Zuljan