Comet I tank file photo [10139]

Cruiser Comet I

CountryUnited Kingdom
ManufacturerLeyland Motors Limited
Primary RoleCruiser Tank

Contributor:

ww2dbaseThe prototype of the Comet I cruiser tank design (A34) was presented to the British military in Feb 1944, and was immediately accepted for production as the design addressed some of the shortcomings of other British cruiser tanks currently in use. Production began shortly after, and the first examples were delivered to the front lines to the British 11th Armored Division in Dec 1944. By they time they were delivered, however, the German Ardennes Offensive (known as the Battle of the Bulge to the Western Allies) had been defeated, thus Comet I cruiser tanks and their large-caliber guns did not see major combat engagements. When the European War ended, 1,186 were built. After the war, they were used in limited basis in the Korean War. They were phased out by the Centurion tanks in 1949 in the British Army, but many of them remained in service until 1958. Examples sold to Finland were in use until the 1970s, Ireland until 1973, and South Africa until the 1980s.

ww2dbaseSource: Wikipedia.

Last Major Revision: May 2010

SPECIFICATIONS

Comet I
MachineryOne Rolls-Royce Meteor V-12 gasoline engine rated at 600hp
SuspensionChristie
Armament1x77mm HV (61 rounds), 2x7.92mm Besa machine guns
Armor102mm
Crew5
Length6.55 m
Width3.04 m
Height2.67 m
Weight33.5 t
Speed32 km/h
Range250 km

Photographs

A Comet tank of British 11th Armored Division outside the gate of the Bergen-Belsen Concentration Camp as British troops were first arriving at the camp, 15 Apr 1945.British Comet I cruiser tank, circa 1940s




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Cruiser Comet I Cruiser Tank Photo Gallery
A Comet tank of British 11th Armored Division outside the gate of the Bergen-Belsen Concentration Camp as British troops were first arriving at the camp, 15 Apr 1945.
See all 2 photographs of Cruiser Comet I Cruiser Tank


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