Just checked a War File DVD on Churchill tanks and this was mentioned. It seems they never made it to war. http://www.answers.com/topic/black-prince-tank The Black Prince was the name assigned to an experimental development of the Churchill infantry tank with a larger, wider hull and a QF 17-pounder (76mm) gun. It was named after a 14th century figure, Edward, Prince of Wales who fought at Crecy. The slow speed of the Black Prince and ready availability of M4 Shermans which could be upgraded as "Fireflies" with the 17 pounder gun limited this tank to experimental status. Six prototypes were completed. http://www.geocities.com/Pentagon/Quarters/7413/a43blackprince.html
The Black Prince was one of those "should have" been tanks that arrived too little too late. If delivered to the RTR in June 44 as intended, it could have made a differance but due to cancellations, lack of funds and low priority it was delayed until it was practically useless and surpassed by better designs (A41 Centurion). Please bear in mind that the slow speed of the Beford Flat 12 was to be used in the prototype only. From the Mk1 production model upwards the Black Prince was intended to be powered by the Rolls Royce Meteor.
The Cadman brothers in the UK have had a black prince hulk on their list of vehicles for some time. http://freespace.virgin.net/chris.shillito/a22new/register/uk.htm They're noted restorers so I look forward to seeing it at a show one day. Cheers, Adam.
Kai - Certainly in terms of firepower it had a chance but its main problem was with its engine and drive train. Even with the meteor it was too heavy and by all account would have been a bit bitch to operate. It was developed as an interim vehicle before the centurion came into service. However, the effectiveness of the comet and the end of the war, and problems in its development cut short the project. Ross
