Details:
Although armoured cars had quickly been adopted to take
the Light Tank role, the earlier vehicles tended to
have only light armament. It became evident that a design
with a support weapon that could deal with enemy light
armour was required and amongst those who took up this
design challenge was the private venture by AEC. During
a demonstration for Winston Churchill on Horse Guards
Parade in 1941 they managed to introduce a mock-up of
their design which won support from the PM leading to
a production order.
This large
vehicle, which used the 2pdr Turret from the Valentine
Tank, was quite successful when used in combat in N.Africa
in 1942. A total of 122 were built. They were replaced
by the 6 Pdr. Mk.II (UK55)
& the 75mm Mk.III (UK18). |
