British Close Support Tanks - Discussion

[Raptor5255-psn]

A place to discuss the possible implementation of various Close Support (howitzer) tanks, their technical details, and their histories.

The A9 and A10 aren’t particularly viable due to a lack of any AT ammunition but I’ve included them anyway because suggestions have been made and they are still CS tanks.

The HEAT shell for the 3-inch Tank Howitzer Mk. I would be ahistorical and more info needs to be found on it but documents do show that it was made and tested.

A9 Cruiser Mk. I CS
3.7-inch Mortar
3x Vickers .303 MGs
Ammunition - HE, Smoke
Engine - AEC 179 (150hp)
Max speed - 25mph
Weight - 13 tons

Suggestion

A10 Cruiser Mk. IIA CS
3.7-inch Mortar
2x BESA MGs
Ammunition - HE, Smoke
Engine - AEC 179 (150hp)
Max speed - 16.1mph
Weight - 15 tons

Suggestion

Daimler AC Mk. I CS
3-inch Tank Howitzer Mk. I
1x BESA MG
Ammunition - HEAT, HE, Smoke
Engine - Daimler 27 4.1 litre 6-cylinder petrol (110hp)
Max speed - 49mph
Weight - 7.6 tons

Suggestion to be made

Tetrarch Mk. I CS
3-inch Tank Howitzer Mk. I
1x BESA MG
Ammunition - HEAT, HE, Smoke
Engine - Meadows MAT H12 petrol (167hp)
Max speed - 41mph
Weight - 7.7 tons

Suggestion to be made

Covenanter Mk. I / II / III / IV CS
3-inch Tank Howitzer Mk. I
1x BESA MG
Ammunition - HEAT, HE, Smoke
Engine - Meadows D.A.V. (340hp)
Max speed - 30mph
Weight - 18 tons

Suggestion to be made

Crusader Mk. I / II CS
3-inch Tank Howitzer Mk. I
1-2x BESA MGs
Ammunition - HEAT, HE, Smoke
Engine - Nuffield Liberty 27L V12 (340hp)
Max speed - 26mph
Weight - 19.1 tons

Suggestion to be made

Centaur Mk. IV
OQF 95mm Tank Howitzer Mk. I
1x BESA MG
Ammunition - HEAT, HE, Smoke
Engine - Nuffield Liberty 27L V12 (385hp)
Max speed - 26.7mph
Weight - 27.5 tons

Suggestion

Cromwell Mk. VI
OQF 95mm Tank Howitzer Mk. I
2x BESA MGs
Ammunition - HEAT, HE, Smoke
Engine - Rolls-Royce Meteor 27L V12 (600hp)
Max speed - 32mph to 40mph depending on hull Type
Weight - 28 tons

Suggestion

Sherman Mk. IB
105mm M4
2x .30cal MG
1x .50cal MG
Ammunition - HEAT, HE, Smoke
Engine - Continental R-975 Radial (400hp)
Max speed - 24mph
Weight - 28 tons

Suggestion

Matilda II Mk. III / IV CS
3-inch Tank Howitzer Mk. I
1x BESA MG
Ammunition - HEAT, HE, Smoke
Engine - 2x Leyland Diesel engines (190hp)
Max speed - 15mph
Weight - 25.4 tons

Suggestion to be made

Churchill Mk. V
OQF 95mm Tank Howitzer Mk. I
2x BESA MGs
Ammunition - HEAT, HE, Smoke
Engine - Bedford Twin-Six 12-cylinder (350hp)
Max speed - 17.4mph
Weight - 39 tons

Suggestion

FV3903 Churchill Mk. VII AVRE
165mm Ordnance BL 6.5″ Mk.I
1x BESA MG
Ammunition - HESH
Engine - Bedford Twin-Six 12-cylinder (350hp)
Max speed - 13.5mph
Weight - 41 tons

Suggestion

Churchill Mk. VIII
OQF 95mm Tank Howitzer Mk. I
2x BESA MGs
Ammunition - HEAT, HE, Smoke
Engine - Bedford Twin-Six 12-cylinder (350hp)
Max speed - 13.5mph
Weight - 41 tons

Suggestion

[Master_Teaz]

Its a true shame we’re missing out on all of our 95mm Nuggets

165mm Churchill would also be mega

[Sebbo_the_Plebbo]

Don’t forget the ultimate gremlin, the Tetrarch Close Support with the 3in howitzer

[Raptor5255-psn]

FFS I knew there was something. Cheers Sebbo, I’ll add it now.

[Sebbo_the_Plebbo]

All good, for another little rat there is also the Daimler Mk 1 Close Support, also with the 3 inch.

[Raptor5255-psn]

[AblativeKitten]

wasn’t there a post war 95mm HESH round too?

I need more HESH

[Master_Teaz]

im not sure, i know there was a prototype/testing 25pdr HESH, not sure about the QF 95mm

If you want wacky HESH, look at the HESH RP-3, or the Malkara, a HESH ATGM

[Raptor5255-psn]

Probably, I’ve seen it mentioned but not any actual documentation for it yet. Wouldn’t surprise me though considering the 95 was kept in service for a little while after the war.

[AblativeKitten]

I’m already aware of both :P
I just need more HESH to tide me over until the Scorpion with 76 arrives

[Ogaly_Bogaly]

Staghound MK.II (CS) with 3-inch gun. This one is in service with the Divisional Cavalry, 2nd NZ division, Italy 1944.

Valentine III (CS), IIRC the gun is from a Matilda CS, and this one is from the 3rd New Zealand Division in the Pacific.

[Jarms]

As much as I want the A9 and A10 CS tanks, they sadly only have HE and Smoke available. I believe the 3.7" Mortar ammunition wasn’t compatible with the 3.7" Howitzer. The HE isn’t even that good, roughly on par with the T-34-85’s but with even worse velocity.

The 3" Howitzer does have a semi-decent HEAT round. 75mm of penetration at 30 degrees and about 86mm at 0 degrees. So you’re putting out 2-Pdr APCBC penetration at all ranges and have better slope performance, that does come at the cost of terrible velocity and typical HEAT drawbacks of detonating on every obstruction.

[Raptor5255-psn]

Christ I forgot about the Staghound too. I did at least remember the Valentine and thought about including it as an honourable mention.

@Jarms

As much as I want the A9 and A10 CS tanks, they sadly only have HE and Smoke available.

Yeah unfortunately they’d have to be relegated to just their 2pdr guises but even just receiving them at all is more than fine with me.