Britain orders the 16 tonner Mk III tank into Serial production - how does this change British AFV development

[marathag]

The ring overlaps the tracks, even if the turret basket doesn't.

Panzer III vs Panzer IV hull and deck. Note Dimensions.
See on the Mk IV how the upper superstructure kicks out for more clearance?

The Mk IV turret basket floor was smaller than the turret ring, it tapers

The drive shaft was under the turret basket, with fuel tanks on either side of the shaft

 

[perfectgeneral]

Commander behind the gun looks a bit dicey. I'm getting more than 1520mm between the tracks though right?

 

[Peg Leg Pom]

I'm sure there was a recoil shield to protect the tank commanders family jewels, and it gives the gunner much more room.

 

[marathag]

Commander behind the gun looks a bit dicey.

2:30 for comments on that

 

[marathag]

I'm getting more than 1520mm between the tracks though right?

1.854m on the Mk IV, while the superstructure was 2.388m at widest

 

[perfectgeneral]

1.854m on the Mk IV, while the superstructure was 2.388m at widest

Plenty of room for a 5 foot 9 inch ring then. No worries. May as well opt for a six foot ring.

 

[AJE]

The ring overlaps the tracks, even if the turret basket doesn't.

British tanks didn't have turret baskets until the Chieftain, so turret basket diameter shouldn't be an issue.

 

[phx1138]

What imperial policing couldn’t be done with armoured cars? The armoured cars could then double as scouts in a continental commitment. There is still need for universal carriers. Use the Abyssinian crisis as a driver for tanks capable of desert conditions.

Given good roads in Europe, there's an argument to be made to favor heavily-armed armored cars over tanks to begin with.

 

[Cryhavoc101]

Given good roads in Europe, there's an argument to be made to favor heavily-armed armored cars over tanks to begin with.

Certainly replacing light tanks!

 

[Peg Leg Pom]

The Guy Light Tank (Wheeled)

Guy Light Tank (Wheeled) - Tank Encyclopedia

United Kingdom (1939) Armored Car – 101 Built In 1937, the British Army had just completed re-equipping its reconnaissance formations with a new armored car, the Morris CS9. However, the CS9 had one critical flaw: it only had two-wheel drive. The War Office was well aware of the superiority of a...

tanks-encyclopedia.com

 

[marathag]

The Guy Light Tank (Wheeled)

Guy Light Tank (Wheeled) - Tank Encyclopedia

United Kingdom (1939) Armored Car – 101 Built In 1937, the British Army had just completed re-equipping its reconnaissance formations with a new armored car, the Morris CS9. However, the CS9 had one critical flaw: it only had two-wheel drive. The War Office was well aware of the superiority of a...

tanks-encyclopedia.com

View attachment 528312

Soviet BA-20 armored car: less armor and RWD. still made over 4000 of them

It's useful for convoy support

 

[SwampTiger]

Does anyone have the turret ring diameters of the Medium Mark II and Medium Mark III? Why was the Mark III turret crew reduced to two crew? The loader in the Mark II also operated a MG turret. The webpagee https://www.jaegerplatoon.net/TANKS2.htm stated the inside of the turret of the Finnish 6 Ton tanks (not turret ring diameter) was 132 mm (52 inches) for a two man turret. This not far from the 54 and 57 inch turret rings of the next generation of British tanks. The 6 Ton had plenty of space on the top of the superstructure to fit a larger turret. It may be tight front to back though.

Why didn't the Royal Tank Corps list a three man turret as one of its requirements when requested in 1926? They requested a radio and armor piercing gun.

 

[Peg Leg Pom]

The Vickers Type E 6 Tonner was a private venture commercial product built for export. The British Army had no say in its design other than to foolishly turn it down when they were offered it. All medium, cruiser and all but 1 of the infantry tanks built to official specifications had three man turrets. Valentine like the 6 tonner was a private venture commercial design meant for export. (The British Army bought Valentine because it was available and they were desperate)

 

[marathag]

Vickers Model F, engins is on side of the Chassis, similar towhat the Soviets later did

 

[marathag]

If you need a bit more turret ring clearance

A38 Valiant Infantry Tank

 

[Peg Leg Pom]

I'm not sure the Valiant should be used as an example for anything, other than how not to build a tank.

 

[AJE]

If you need a bit more turret ring clearance
A38 Valiant Infantry Tank

I'm not sure the Valiant should be used as an example for anything, other than how not to build a tank.

It has also been used (much more successfully) on all Soviet medium tanks and MBTs since the T-44:

Source

Those wedges are also part of my hypothetical ideal WW2-1950's era tank. They give the same room as sponsons for a bigger turret ring, but they don't extend along the entire hull (or even half of it like the Chieftain), which would be an inefficient use of armor.

 

[tomo pauk]

It has also been used (much more successfully) on all Soviet medium tanks and MBTs since the T-44:
Those wedges are also part of my hypothetical ideal WW2-1950's era tank. They give the same room as sponsons for a bigger turret ring, but they don't extend along the entire hull (or even half of it like the Chieftain), which would be an inefficient use of armor.

A bit higher resolution: