Great Britain's Cruiser Mk V Covenanter, A13 Mk III

Photos

Design

The Mechanization Board wanted a "heavy" cruiser tank to be constructed.

The Cruiser Mk V Covenanter was inspired by Russian T-28 and based on the A13 Mk II.

Steering

The Cruiser Mk V used an epicyclic steering system which was better than the clutch and brake system.

Engine

The driver's position was moved to the right side and the radiators for the engine were located in the front on the left side. A flatter engine was installed to lower it's height, but this caused it's cooling system to not work. These problems weren't discovered until it was already been in production.

Turret

The turret floor was smaller than the turret ring and this caused the gunner to sit in an uncomfortable position and the commander risked getting his legs trapped when the turret was rotated.

Production

The Cruiser Mk V was accepted into production without a prototype being constructed and tested.

The first Cruiser Mk Vs were delivered in the summer of 1940. Was declared obsolete in 1943 and orders were issued that all surviving tanks were to be scrapped.

• Cruiser Mk V, A13 Mk III: 1,300, 1,365, 1,771, over 1,700
  • Production: ? - January 1943, 1939 - January 1943
  • Manufacturer: London, Midland, Scottish Railway Company; L.M.S. Railway; English Electric; Leylands
    • Turret: Nuffields
    • Hull: L.M.S. Railway
    • Engine: Meadows

Variants

• Cruiser Mk V Covenanter Mk. I: Production model.
• Cruiser Mk V Covenanter Mk. II: Improved engine cooling.
• Cruiser Mk V Covenanter Mk. III: There was a change in the radiator cooling louvers.
• Cruiser Mk V Covenanter Mk. IV: Similar to the Mk. II but with the clutch modifications of the Mk. III.
• Covenanter CS: Close support with a 76.2 mm / 3" howitzer.
• Covenanter OP: Had extra radio and was used as an observation post. The main armament was replaced by a dummy gun.
• Covenanter Bridgelayer: Had a bridge 34' / 10.36m long and 9' 6" wide and could cover a gap 30' wide. Also given to New Zealand forces. Used by the Australians on Bougainville Island.
• Covenanter AMRA (Anti-Mine Roller Attachment): The anti-mine roller attachment used pressure to set of the mines while being pushed in front of the tank. A few trials were conducted.

Usage

Were issued to the regiments of the 1st Polish Armored Division. When the 1st was transferred to Egypt the tanks were transferred to the 9th Armored Division.

Never used operationally. Used for training until 1943 in England and the Middle East.

Probably the only Covenanter lost to enemy action was one that was attached to the Armored Train "H," based in Canterbury. It was destroyed in an air raid on May 31, 1942, by the Germans.