Nuffield Mechanisation & Aero A15 Crusader Tank

The Crusader Tank was the most important of the early Christie Suspensioned Cruisers used by the British. Used extensively during the Desert Campaign from 1941-43 over 5300 were built. The Nuffield Organisation developed the Crusader in parallel with the A13 Covenanter Tank which shared the same main turret. But the Crusader was the 1st to see the light of day. It suffered from Light Armour, Mechanical Problems and no High Explosive Round for use against German Gun Emplacements when these were encountered making life difficult for the crews who used them. This issue not being resolved until the American M4 Sherman & British Cromwell Tanks were brought in to use in late 1942 & early 1943. The Crusader then dropped to a secondary role as an AA Gun Platform, Gun Tractor or Armoured Vehicle recovery Tractor where it remained throughout the rest of the war.






Left to Right - Crusader Mk I , Mk II & Mk III which all saw action in the Desert Campaign from 1941 -43

 

The Crusader's biggest weakness was it's main armament, a 2 pounder gun which was woefull against the Mk 3 Panzer. This was addressed with the fitting of a 6 pounder gun in the Mk III but gave less room in the turret.

 

Not sure if this is a Covenanter or a Crusader tank of the 42nd Armoured Division. Shown with Foreign secretary Anthony Eden and Gen Sir Bernard Paget, near Malton, Yorkshire, 1942.

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A Covenanter pictured on exercises, 1940.​

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