Cromwell Tank: Vehicle History and Specification
The Cromwell tank was one of the most important British armoured fighting vehicles from the latter years of the Second World War. Introduced to combat on D-Day plus 1, these high-speed cruisers were constantly snapping at the enemy’s heels.
Spearheading the British armoured divisions in the race across France and Holland and into Germany, the Cromwell was praised for its reliability and impressive road speeds of up to 38mph. Its low profile also made it a difficult target for enemy gunners to sight.
This book shows what made the Cromwell tick, featuring an edited facsimile reprint of the official Service Instruction Book for the Cromwell Mark I published in 1943. This is the crew’s ‘bible’, which describes every detail in straightforward terms: from driving instructions to the Rolls-Royce Meteor engine, Christie suspension and tracks, and from turret to armament and stowage.
Introduced by a concise historical survey, it provides a valuable and original reference work for historians, enthusiasts and modellers, for whom detailed component drawings and accurate scale plans are included.
First published in 1983 but out of print for many years, Cromwell Tank: Vehicle History and Specification is available again from The Tank Museum in this redesigned and re-illustrated new edition.
Book Data
Author: David Fletcher MBE
ISBN: 9781739902704
Language: English
Pages: 136
Photos: 110. Plus drawings & technical tables
Physical: Softcover, 245x173mm, portrait
Contents
- Series Introduction
- The Cruiser Tanks
- Wartime Progress
- The New Cruiser
- Later Developments
- The Manual
- Introduction
- Vehicle Specifications
- Driving Instructions
- The Engine, Leading Particulars
- The Engine, Introduction
- Carburettor and Induction
- Assembly
- Air Cleaners
- Fuel System
- Oil System
- Cooling System
- Ignition System
- Bevel Gearbox
- The Clutch
- The Gearbox
- The Final Drive
- Track and Tensioners
- Suspension
- Steering Brakes and Track
- Brakes
- The Hull
- The Turret
- The Q.F. 6 Pounder 7 cwt Gun
- Gun, Machine, Besa. 7.92 mm
- 2-inch Bombthrower
- Tools Carried in the A.F.V.
- Ammunition
- Sighting Telescopes
- Installing and Removing the Besa
- Machine Gun
- 6 Pounder and Besa Co-axial
- Mounting
- Machine Gun No.20 Mounting
- Plate Thickness Diagram
- Internal Stowage Diagrams
- External Stowage
- Scale Drawings
About the Author
David Fletcher MBE is a military historian specialising in the history of armoured warfare. He has held several posts at The Tank Museum at Bovington. From 1982 to 2012, he was Librarian and is now the museum’s Historian. In a long and distinguished writing career, his publication list is extensive, with regular contributions to military journals and more than 30 books to his credit.