M41 (Perkins CV-8) - The British Bulldog

Sebbo_the_Plebbo · October 30, 2025, 6:28pm

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M41 (Perkins CV-8)

Introduction

The M41 light tank, officially designated in U.S. service the Tank, Combat, Full-Tracked: 76 mm Gun, M41, was developed in the early 1950s by the Cadillac Motor Car Division of General Motors. Produced at the Cleveland Tank Arsenal beginning in mid 1951, over 5,500 units were built across several variants, including the M41A1, A2, and A3. Designed as a replacement for earlier light tanks, such as the Hellcat and Chafee, the M41 combined a compact welded hull, powerful engine, and a 76 mm M32 main gun. Though it was eventually replaced in U.S. service by the M551 Sheridan, it remained in use globally, with numerous nations undertaking modernisation programmes to extend its operational life.

A.F. Budge Limited was a British engineering and construction firm founded in 1962 by Tony Budge in Retford, Nottinghamshire. Known primarily for civil engineering and infrastructure projects, A.F. Budge also had a small side hustle of tinkering with a privately owned fleet of MBTs and AFVs larger than that of the militaries of mid-sized European nations - seriously, take a look at some of the images of the collection I’ve included below. A specialist division within A.F. Budge focused on prototype vehicle power packs and diesel conversions, often in collaboration with Perkins Engines and other defence industry partners, producing and marketing engine conversions for vehicles from the Saladin 6x6 to the Chinese Type 59 MBT.

In cooperation with Perkins Engines, A.F. Budge developed, manufactured, and marketed an improved 550hp CV-8 diesel engine conversion for the M41 light tank, the same engine as is fitted to the British FV510 Warrior IFV. This programme was intended to address limitations of the original petrol engine, particularly with regards to ease of maintenance and operation under high-temperature conditions, and hopefully find purchaser amongst M41 operators who were keen to extend the lifespan of their fleet. By 1995-96, the M41 (CV-8) had been built and was undergoing trials, in the fantastically specific ‘’‘Far East’‘’. The re-engining was generally considered successful, with operation in temperature up to 55°C, and the ease of maintenance was also improved.

However, by the mid-90s the M41 platform was looking hopelessly outdated as a light tank, with modern, stabilised, APFS-DS slinging alternatives already pouring onto the market. As such, the M41 (CV-8) unfortunately did not find the gap in the market it was looking for, and it remains a one-off prototype, the fate of which is unknown.

Specifications

Spoiler

Reference M41 stats. The M41 (CV-8) will be the same, with the exception of the engine which will be as below.