The Vickers/Export MBT line in the British tech tree is undoubtedly one of the strongest and most enjoyable sections of the ground tech tree, offering a welcome change in playstyle from the domestic MBT line, which has, at times, some speed-related deficiencies.
With the British tech tree being restructured shortly, now is the perfect time to start a discussion about the various Vickers and Export MBTs produced and/or modified by Britain currently missing in-game, as I believe there are some notable ones.
Edit
- With the feedback given in this thread so far, as well as a few other bits, I’ve compiled an in-progress list of the current, not yet in-game, British-built, export-focused tanks and upgrade packages that would fit well into the second MBT line of the British tree… This list is certainly not final, so if you have anything to add please share it !
Vickers Mk 1 Family
Vickers Mk 1 (Improved)
Spoiler
A Vickers Mk 1, as already in-game, but with an upgraded 750hp engine, a laser rangefinder, improved -10° of gun depression, and access to more modern ammunition (potentially early APFSDS, like L64A4, but at a minimum L52 APDS and HEAT).
Vickers Mk 3 Family
Vickers Mk 3 (Improved)
Vickers Mk 3 (M)
Spoiler
The most modern Vickers Mk 3, from the late 90s/early 2000s, featuring extensive ROMOR ERA, thermal sights, laser warning system, and some of the most modern 105mm APFSDS round, either DM63, or Excalibur for a unique British option.
Vickers Mk 4 Family
Vickers Mk 4 Valiant 105mm
Spoiler
Vickers’ earliest attempt at a budget-oriented, Chobham-Armoured tank for the export market and the first appearance of the Universal Turret. Long overdue for the game at this point, the Valiant has a 1,000hp engine, 22hp/tonne, respectable but not unbeatable Chobham armour across the frontal arc, and access to second generation 105mm APFSDS, like DM33 and potentially H6/62 for a British option.
Vickers Mk 4 Valiant 120mm (Early)
Spoiler
The same Valiant hull, now with a redesigned and up-gunned universal turret featuring the L11 rifled 120mm, essentially the same turret as seen on the Vickers Mk 7 in-game.
Vickers Mk 4 Valiant 120mm (Late)
Spoiler
Once again, the same base hull, incorporating the redesigned Universal Turret as seen on the Vickers Mk 7/2. If the regular Valiant is the Vickers Mk 4, then this is the Vickers Mk 4/2.
Vickers FMC Mk 5 Family
VFM5 (L7 105mm)
Spoiler
A VFM5 with the venerable L7 105mm cannon as opposed to the Royal Ordnance LRF 105mm. Whilst functionally identical to the one in-game, it could be given some unique ammunition (like Excalibur 105mm APFSDS) to give Britain a higher BR tracked light tank.
Vickers Mk 7 Family
Vickers Mk 7/2
Spoiler
A Vickers Mk 7, as seen in game, with a redesigned 120mm Universal Turret, branded the Vickers Mk 7/2.
Desert Challenger/Challenger 2E Family
Desert Challenger
Spoiler
An early variant of the Challenger 2E, then known as the Desert Challenger, which lacks the redesigned mantlet, retains the barrel mounted TOGS, and has a drivers camera with thermal imaging. All while keeping the 1,500hp engine. A unique option for another highly mobile Challenger 2.
Desert Challenger (IRIS)
Spoiler
Another early variant of the Desert Challenger, now with the Sagem IRIS Commanders Thermal Imager
Challenger 2E (IRIS)
Spoiler
A later variant of the Desert Challenger, now branded the Challenger 2E, with the drivers thermal imaging camera removed, the commanders thermal sights retained, and still lacking the redesigned mantlet of the later Challenger 2E that we have in-game.
Vickers Centurion Retrofit Packages
Vickers Retrofit Centurion (Early)
Spoiler
A basic retrofit package for the Centurion, based on a Mk 5 chassis, incorporating a 750hp engine upgrade.
Vickers Retrofit Centurion (Late)
Spoiler
A more advanced retrofit package for the Centurion, featuring the same new 750hp engine, but also new FCS, a laser rangefinder, and, importantly, access to early 105mm APFSDS, like L64A4. Essentially a British Olifant Mk 1A.
Royal Ordnance Type 59 Upgrades
Royal Ordnance Type 59 (L7 105mm) Revision 1
Royal Ordnance Type 59 (L7 105mm) Revision 2
Spoiler
The same base upgrade package as the Type 59 revision 1, now with a generous coating of ROMOR B Applique armour across the frontal arc, and ROMOR A ERA across the sides of the vehicle.
Royal Ordnance T-55 Upgrades
Royal Ordnance T-55 (L7 105mm)
Spoiler
No Suggestion Post
A very similar upgrade package to the Type 59 Revision 1, but this time the base vehicle is an ex-Polish/Czech T-55 instead of a Type 59.
Royal Ordnance 105mm Improved Weapon System (IWS) Upgrades
Leopard (Pre-Series) IWS
Spoiler
No Suggestion Post
A Pre-Series Leopard 1 (basically a museum piece
stolenborrowed from Bovington), upgunned with the Royal Ordnance 105mm Improved Weapon System (IWS). The below suggestion posts have a little more info on the cannon, but essentially it is an extremely high performance 105mm barrel, firing the newly developed T2 APFSDS, for performance in line with M900, or early 120mm APFSDS.
Leopard C1 IWS
Spoiler
Another trials platform for the 105mm IWS, this time a Leopard C1. This would be a very mobile, stabilised, laser rangefinding platform with an extremely high-performing APFSDS round. A lovely option for the higher tiers of the tree.
M60A1 RISE IWS
Spoiler
Yet another trials platform for the 105mm IWS, this time the M60A1 (RISE). So it would be stablised, and have a laser rangefinder, but certainly wouldn’t be as quick as the above Leopard C1. Slow, steady, and mounting an absolute railgun.
(Small note - although gaijin has recently stated they are considering adding some Commonwealth MBTs to this line, this thread is for the discussion of British vehicles either made or modified for the export market. The Commonwealth is a group of 56 countries that have operated essentially every MBT under the sun, if people are interested in discussing these vehicles then a separate thread can be started)
