- Yes, as a tech tree vehicle
- Yes, as a premium vehicle
- Yes, as an event vehicle
- Yes, as a squadron vehicle
- No, I would not like to see the Cromwell Mk.VIIEw in game.
Cromwell T121801 clearly showing its improved design.
Description
The A27M Cruiser Mk.VIII Cromwell Mk.VII Type Ew (Let’s just call it Mk.VIIEw for short) represents a specific configuration of the Cromwell cruiser tank that can be considered the definitive edition of the vehicle. The Cromwell tank had not only Marks, as normal British tanks, but also Types for its hull, of which there were various. The Cromwell Mk.VII, being the last of the line save the Mk.VIII CS version, incorporated improvements in areas the Cromwell was found lacking in. One of these areas was its armor, which was given an applique armor package in key areas on the Welded (w) hull types, which appears to be developed from the Cromwell Pilot D. Overall, the Mk.VIIEw included:
- A33-type driver’s hatch
- Wider tracks (15.5" to the 14" of the standard Cromwell)
- Increased armor: 1.5" applique to upper front plate, 1" to turret face and lower flat plate
- Improved suspension
- Welded construction
- Low-speed final drive
- Heavy duty front axles
This selection of features represents the most improved variant of the 75mm-armed Cromwell in game terms. Cromwell VIIs were introduced very late into the European campaign and saw little action there, but Cromwell tanks continued to be upgraded after World War II to Mk.VII and Mk.VIII standard, if not to the Charioteer. Cromwells saw limited action in Korea before retiring for good with the British Army.
Specifications
A27M Cruiser Mk.VIII Cromwell Mk.VII Type Ew
Crew: 5
Dimensions
- Length: 20 ft. 8 in. (6.35 m)
- Width: 9 ft. 6 ½ in. (2.91 m)
- Height: 8 ft. 2 in. (2.49 m)
Weight: Slightly greater than 28.0 t
Powerplant: Rolls-Royce Meteor V12 engine (600 hp)
Power/Weight Ratio: ~21 hp/t
Maximum speed: 32 mph (51 km/h)
Armament
- Primary: 75mm Royal Ordnance OQF cannon (64 rounds)
- Rate of fire: 12 rounds/minute
- Muzzle velocity: 2,028 ft/s (618 m/s)
- Ammo types: AP, APC, HE, smoke
- Secondary: 2 x 7.92mm BESA machine gun (coaxial and hull, 4,950 rounds total)
Armor
Key points to note:
- Applique plate provides 4" of armor over the turret’s frontal arc and upper front hull, as well as 3.25" on the joint plate.
- Upper glacis is still only 30 mm. This will be a major weak spot.
- 38 mm shrapnel guards (fat things on the bottom of the turret) are not applique, can be seen (not modeled) on the Cromwells in game.
Additional Equipment:
- 2" smoke thrower
Conclusion
Besides being the pinnacle of the Cromwell line (arguably, the 6-pounder ones are better even with their hull shortcomings), the Cromwell Mk.VIIEw would provide a fast tank with reasonable armor protection, with 4 inches flat across most of the frontal arc but still having considerable weak spots.
Sources
- Cromwell Cruiser Tank 1942-50 by David Fletcher and Richard C. Harley
- CROMWELL CRUISER TANK
- https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205206715
- https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205206713
