Crusader Tank - Bovington Tankfest 2008

The Cruiser, Mk VI or A15 Crusader was one of the primary British cruiser tanks of the early part Second World War. Perhaps the most important British tank of the North African Campaign. The Crusader's mobility made it a favourite of British tank crews and once upgraded with the Ordnance QF 6 pounder main gun made it more than a match for the early Panzer III and Panzer IV tanks it faced in combat. It was retained in service because of delays with its replacement & by late 1942 the lack of armament upgrade, the presence of Tiger I Tanks among the Afrika Korps, & reliability problems due to harsh desert conditions, led to the Crusader being replaced by US-supplied M3 Grant and Sherman medium tanks. The next British cruiser in combat - the Cromwell heavy cruiser.