World War II Database

Contributor: C. Peter Chen

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.

SPECIFICATIONS

Comet I

Machinery	One Rolls-Royce Meteor V-12 gasoline engine rated at 600hp
Suspension	Christie
Armament	1x77mm HV (61 rounds), 2x7.92mm Besa machine guns
Armor	102mm
Crew	5
Length	6.55 m
Width	3.04 m
Height	2.67 m
Weight	33.5 t
Speed	32 km/h
Range	250 km

Photographs