Soviet tankers liked simple construction British tank Mk III «Valentine" sample 1940 of the year, but they are skeptical spoke of his arms, does not satisfy the requirements of the Eastern Front. Some tanks in the Soviet factory setting 76.2-mm cannon. Narrow tracks were not suitable for winter conditions, first snow clogging, which then froze and prevented the tank to move.
tank Valentine – video
"Valentine" has been developed as an initiative of the project company "Vickers-Armstrong" in 1938 year. The designers used the experience, gained while working on projects cruiser tanks A9 and A10. quite unusual, that the tank got its name, due to the fact, that his draft was submitted to the Ministry of Defense just before Valentine's Day in February. The Ministry took a year out, to make a decision, as were the observations to a double tower, which was considered too small for the installation of more powerful weapons. However, when the War Department approved tank project, it required the company to begin deliveries as quickly as possible.
"Valentine" was discontinued in 1944 year. By this time, three companies were issued 8275 tanks, representing a quarter of the total amount produced by British tanks. There were plans to cease production of "Valentine" in 1943 year due to, that it is outdated, but it was decided to make it for another year, so as requested by the USSR. "Valentine" was made in the UK companies' Metropolitan Kemmel "and" Birmingham Kerriedzh End Wagon "and" Vickers ", as well as in Canada, the company "Pacific Keneydien Of Montreal". In Canada, it was made 1420 Tank Mk VI models. Only 30 of them remained in the country for the training of personnel, the others were sent to Russia. Initially, the "Valentine" was armed with 40-mm cannon, which models VIII, IX and X was replaced with a 57 mm cannon. Model XI, Armed 75mm cannon, It was the last. The car has become much safer by replacing gasoline and diesel engines AEC on a two-stroke diesel engine GMC. Manufacture of the tank significantly accelerated, when riveted construction was replaced by welded.
The performance characteristics of Valentine tank
Crew, pers.: 3
developer: Vickers-Armstrongs
The layout: classical
years of production: 1940—1944
years of operation: 1940—1955
The number of issued, PC.: 8275
Weight tanks Valentine
– 15,75 tonnes
Dimensions Valentine tank
– body Length, mm: 5410
– housing width, mm: 2629
– Height, mm: 2273
– Clearance, mm: 420
Armor tanks Valentayn
– Type broni: rolled medium hardness
– housing forehead (top), mm / city.: 60 / 0°
– housing forehead (middle), mm / city.: 30 / 68°
– housing forehead (through), mm / city.: 60 / 21°
– body board (top), mm / city.: 30 / 45°
– body board (through), mm / city.: 60 / 0°
– housing feed (top), mm / city.: 17
– housing feed (through), mm / city.: 60 / 0°
– Bottom, mm: 7—20
– corps roof, mm: 10—20
– tower forehead, mm / city.: 65 / 0°
– gun mantlet, mm / city.: 65 / 0°
– board towers, mm / city.: 60 / 0°
– tower feed, mm / city.: 65 / 0°
– tower roof, mm: 10—20
Armament Valentine tank
– Caliber guns and stamp: 40-mm QF 2 pounder
– gun type: nareznaya
– barrel length, calibres: 52
– gun ammunition: 61
– Shotgun: 1 × 7.92-mm BESA
Tank Engine Valentine
– engine's type: line 6-cylinder liquid-cooled Carburetor
– Engine power, l. from.: 135
speed of the tank Valentine
– Road speed, kmh: 25
– Cruising on the highway, km: 150
– power density, l. p. / m: 8,57
– suspension type: interlocked three, on spiral springs
– Gradeability, city.: 40°
– to overcome the wall, m: 0,75
– trench, m: 2,2
– fording, m: 1,1
Photo tank Valentine
