Tetrarch tank

Infobox Weapon
name=Tank, Light Mk VII, Tetrarch I


caption=
origin= United Kingdom
type=Light tank
is_vehicle=yes
is_UK=yes
designer=
design_date=1938
manufacturer=Vickers-Armstrong
unit_cost=
production_date=1940, 1941-1943
number= 177
variants= Tetrarch I CS, Tetrarch DD
length=13 ft 3 in (4.04 m)
width=7 ft 7 in (2.31 m)
height=6 ft 11 in (2.12 m)
weight=7.5 long ton (7.5 t)
suspension=coil spring
speed=40 mph, off-road 28 mph
vehicle_range=140 miles (224 km)
primary_armament= 2 pounder (40 mm)
50 rounds
secondary_armament=7.92 mm Besa MG
2,025 rounds
armour=16 mm
engine=Meadows 12 cylinder petrol
engine_power=165 hp
pw_ratio=
crew=3 (Commander, gunner, driver)

The Tank, Light Mk VII, Tetrarch I was a British light tank produced during the Second World War, initially for the reconnaissance role but later for use by airborne forces.

Design and Development

The first Tetrarch prototype (then called a PR Tank or Purdah), was produced by Vickers-Armstrong in 1938. The vehicle was approved by the Army and production started in 1940, only to cease soon after following the bad performance of light tanks during the prevailing stage of the war.

The production of Mk VIIs was restarted in 1941 following the adoption of the vehicle by airborne forces, since it was light enough to be deployed from the air, via Hamilcar gliders, to support paratroops. The name "Tetrarch" was given to the vehicle in 1943.

The most interesting feature of the Tetrarch was its unique skid steering system that accomplished turns by the lateral movement of road wheels, which bowed the tracks. For sharp turns, the driver had to apply brakes to one track in the traditional fashion.

The Tetrarch turret design was also used on the Daimler Armoured Car

Combat history

* A small number were deployed during Operation Ironclad, the invasion of Madagascar in 1942.

*Airborne Armoured Reconnaissance Regiment, 6th Airborne Division- landed by Hamilcar glider as part of Operation Overlord on June 6, 1944 on the River Orne

* Rhine crossing March 24, 1945.

* Twenty Tetrachs were supplied to the USSR, where they were used as the subject of many propaganda photographs. They also carried out some patrols in the Caucasus.cite book |title= Russian Tanks of World War II Stalin’s armoured might |last=Bean |first=Tim |coauthors=Fowler, Will |year=2002 |publisher=Ian Allen publishing |isbn= 0711028982|pages=pp148-150 ]

Variants

Tetrarch I CS

* Close support version with a 3-inch (76 mm) howitzer.

Tetrarch DD

* One Tetrarch was experimentally fitted and tested with a propeller drive and canvas collapsible flotation screens in June 1941 at Brent Reservoir. The test was a success and Nicholas Straussler DD (Duplex Drive) was adopted for the Valentine and Sherman.

urvivors

A Tetrarch Mark VII is preserved at the Bovington Tank Museum in England.

ee also

*M22 Locust
*Light Tank Mk VIII

References

External links

* [http://www.wwiivehicles.com/unitedkingdom/tanks-light/tetrarch.asp WWII vehicles]