AUSSIE ARMOUR

[JeffroK]

Crusader I, shipped to Australia to aid in development of the AC1 AFV and later used for War Bond Drives

[JeffroK]

I think I'll work out how to resize these[&:]

[Nomad]

ORIGINAL: JeffK

I think I'll work out how to resize these[&:]

Isn't it difficult to resize a Crusader I? [:D]

[Yamato hugger]

ORIGINAL: Nomad

ORIGINAL: JeffK

I think I'll work out how to resize these[&:]

Isn't it difficult to resize a Crusader I? [:D]

Wash in hot water and toss it in the dryer.

[Sheytan]

28-32 MM armour? with a riveted turret? lordy, id hate to be in that puppy when AP rounds started hitting it. I bet people fought to crew Matildas...78mm armour. That crusader looks very well maintained however.

[tigercub]

not much to worry about if its a jap firing at it!

[tigercub]

i can resize for you if ya want?

[Reg]

Try: Irfanview (Freeware) [:)]

(though that size picture looks just fine).

[tigercub]

all ways loved the turret shape in those Crusader, shame about the riveted turret not welded.

[JeffroK]

Thanks Reg,

I'll put some more in at that size and try Irfanview later

[JeffroK]

ORIGINAL: Sheytan

28-32 MM armour? with a riveted turret? lordy, id hate to be in that puppy when AP rounds started hitting it. I bet people fought to crew Matildas...78mm armour. That crusader looks very well maintained however.

Matilda II's were very rare , the major prob with the Crusader was its engine. Probably as many lost for mechanical reasons as to enemy action.

In its prime, the enemy AT would be 37mm, 50mm in later days (totally excluding the 88 which would go through any Western Allied AFV). Late versions with the 6pdr made a decent enough AFV.

While the turret is nice, about 33% is sloped an and would create a "shell trap"

[Sheytan]

Australian Service History



The Matilda filled an urgent need for a tank to operate in New Guinea. Approximately 140 tanks were provided by Britain in early 1942, and these vehicles subsequently proved suitable for jungle operations.

In 1943, flamethrower and bulldozer versions were produced, they were used in Borneo by 2/1 Armoured Brigade Reconnaissance Squadron.

Many of the tanks were fitted with a variety of battle-field modifications, including wire mesh over the engine covers, spare track links on the hull and/or pierced steel planking (PSP) which was normally used in the construction of aircraft runways. It was also a common practice to festoon the exterior of vehicles with additional stores and personal items of equipment.

An example of the strength of the tank was shown in an action at Pabu Hill near Sattleberg (NB: There is a fine sculpture of a Matilda, titled "The Sattleberg Tank" in the Museum). On this occasion, a tank assisting the infantry was engaged and disabled at a range of less than 50 metres, by a Japanese 37 mm gun. Later a 75 mm gun, anti-tank mines and grenades were used against the tank. Although it was hit more than 50 times, the crew continued to fight the vehicle until its ammunition had been expended. They then managed to escape from the vehicle and return to it the following day. It was subsequently repaired and put back into action one day later.

During the South Western Pacific Campaign, the Matilda served with distinction as part of the 1st Army Tank Battalion (The Royal New South Wales Lancers) and 1st Armoured Regiment (The Royal New South Wales Lancers). With their war service completed, Matilda's were relegated to a training role and were in service with the 1st RNSWL until 1955, when they were finally retired.

[JeffroK]

Vickers Mk VI Light Tk

[&:][&:]Broken it[&:][&:]

[Reg]

ORIGINAL: JeffK

Matilda II's were very rare , the major prob with the Crusader was its engine. Probably as many lost for mechanical reasons as to enemy action.

Not really. Australia eventually received 409 examples of the Matilda II (300 in 1942) which formed the backbone of most of the Australian armoured units deployed overseas. Stuarts equipped the first Brigade deployed to New Guinea (the unit name escapes me without looking it up).

757 M3 Grant/Lees formed the backbone of the three Australian Armoured Divisions raised for home defence.

There is much more in depth discussion on this topic in the Admirals Edition Land Thread where Andy Mack was trying to come up with way of recreating the historical fact that almost all of the Australian armoured units had been disbanded by 1944. These units were disbanded and the manpower used elsewhere after the threat of invasion had passed.

[JeffroK]

Sorry, meant in the Western Desert when the Crusader was at its peak.
 
Yep, Im the Aussie Armour Fanboy who wants to see some ability for the Aussies to form at least Armd Bdes, if not Armd Divs.  AE's ability to disband units would be excellent here.
 
2/6 Armd Rgt fought at Gona/Buna, if we dont count the futile attempt to use Bren Carriers as Infantry tanks.

[John Lansford]

Crusaders were designed to engage enemy AFV's, and to be the exploitation group in a breakthrough offensive.  They were good tanks to be used in the African Desert, not so much in built up or jungle terrain.  Their armor wasn't really any worse than contemporary German tanks and was better than Italian or Japanese, and the 2 lb gun had good penetrating ability (but no HE capability).  Rommel thought well enough of them to re-equip abandoned Crusaders and put them to use in his own units.

[Reg]

I believe that reliability was the issue here... (or was that the Valentine [&:])

[Reg]

For your viewing pleasure, here is an Aussie Matilda II.

This example is a Frog (Flamethrower) conversion (note the aerating ring on the gun barrel). I believe it saw some active service in Borneo.

[size=-1]This picture was taken at the Dubbo Military Museum a few years ago. Does anyone know if it is still a going concern as it housed quite a collection of rare WWII Australian vehicles, particularly from the Western Desert. [/size]

[Reg]

The Frog flame thrower kit from the above vehicle.

This obviously sat on the base of the turret.

[JeffroK]

Sorry, I cant seem to load these pics, if someone is able, i could email them and they could use their highly superior skills to post them