Covenanter tank

Covenanter cruiser tank
Tank, Cruiser, Mk V, Covenanter (A13 Mk III)
TypeCruiser tank
Place of originUnited Kingdom
Service history
In service1940–1943
Production history
DesignerLMS/Nuffield (turret)
ManufacturerLMS, English Electric Leyland Motors
Produced1939–1943
No. built1,771
Specifications
Mass18 long tons (18 t)[1]
Length19 ft 0 in (5.79 m)[1]
Width8 ft 7 in (2.62 m)[1]
Height7 ft 4 in (2.24 m)[1]
Crew4 (commander, gunner, loader, driver)

Armour7–40 mm (0.28–1.57 in)
Main
armament
QF 2-pounder (40 mm)
Secondary
armament
7.92 mm Besa machine gun (coaxial)
0.303 Bren light machine gun carried for AA defence
EngineMeadows D.A.V flat-12
340 hp (250 kW)
Power/weight18.6 hp (13.9 kW) / tonne
TransmissionMeadows gearbox with Wilson epicyclic steering
SuspensionChristie
Fuel capacity92 imperial gallons (420 L)[2][3]
Operational
range
100 mi (160 km)[1]
Maximum speed 30 mph (48 km/h)

The Cruiser tank Mk V or A13 Mk III Covenanter was a British cruiser tank of the Second World War. The Covenanter was the first cruiser tank design to be given a name. Designed by the London, Midland and Scottish Railway as a better-armoured replacement for the Cruiser Mark IV, it was ordered into production in 1939 before pilot models were built. Problems with the design became apparent only after production was under way.

The tank equipped various British armoured divisions for home defence and training. It never left the UK as poor engine cooling caused the Mk I to Mk III to be declared unfit for overseas service, especially in hot climates. This was rectified in the Mk IV after many corrective actions were undertaken but, by February 1944, it was declared obsolete. More than 1,700 of the type were built. It was named after the Covenanters, a Scottish religious faction at the time of the Wars of the Three Kingdoms.[citation needed]

  1. ^ a b c d e White p. 47.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference Bovington was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Mark I and II. An auxiliary tank could be fitted with an additional 33 Imp gallon capacity