Vickers Light AA MK1 (New Zealand): The Small soldier of the Royal New Zealand Army

Suggestions Ground
1

Crest_of_the_New_Zealand_Army

[Would you like to see this in-game?]
  • Yes
  • No
0 voters

Light_Tank_AA_MkI_01a-1

(What appears to be the only image of the modified MK1)

Have you ever played the Light AA MK1 and thought “if only it had less guns” well think no more, the New Zealand Light AA MK1 is exactly that.

This would preferably be a reward for reaching rank two in a ground branch like the former French reserve tanks and the Ha-Go.

History:
The light AA MK1 is a conversion done to Light Tank mark VI to equip it with 4 besa machine guns which was done as to counter low flying aircraft. Around 50 in total were made and served until 1942 when it was withdrawn from service with the allies due to higher flying axis aircraft becoming more prevalent, making it hard to shoot down with such weak armament.

Not much is known particularly about the light AA MK1 service in New Zealand. They were transferred to the New Zealand Divisional Cavalry Regiment sometime in late 1941 to make up for the loss of two Light Tank MK VI.

There’s no recorded evidence that these went to take part in any notable battles, not there being evidence that they were lost. If they did see action, it would most likely be in Libya and Syria as that’s where the Regiment was fighting at the time of the vehicles transfer.

During service, 2 of the besa guns were removed but otherwise is functionally identical to the standard MK1. The reason for doing so is unknown though it might be because the Light AAs were used against infantry so 4 guns weren’t needed.

The light AA MK1 served up until mid 1942 where they were returned to the UK (around the same time that UK operated Light AAs were withdrawn from service) and replaced with standard Light Tank MK6s and Stuarts, Ending the short service of a unique modification of an obsolete spaa. None were preserved.

Special thanks go to @Ogaly_Bogaly for not only making me aware of this vehicle but also helping in creating this suggestion.

Specifications:
Mass:5 tons
Length:4.0 m
Width:2.08 m
Height:2.35 m
Crew:2 (commander/gunner,driver)
Armour:4 -14 mm
Armament:2 x 7.92 mm Besa light machine gun
Engine:Meadows 6-cylinder petrol-88 hp (66 kW)
Power/weight ratio:16.9 hp/ton
Transmission:Wilson pre-selector gearbox
Suspension:Horstmann inclined springs
Operational range:210 km
Maximum speed:56 km/h on road and 40 km/h off road

Sources:

2 Likes
2

+1, but it’s incredibly weak, I don’t think I would want to play it…

Two 7.92 mm’s at rank I would struggle quite a lot even against early aircraft, especially compared to other low-tier SPAAs already in rank I. The historical background is decent, and the New Zealand connection makes it fairly unique.

I do think it would work better as a low-rank reward, event, or collector vehicle rather than a standard tech tree addition. As a novelty: +1.

1 Like
3

+1, Nice to see this finally get approved Lol.

This is perhaps the only SPAA ever operated by NZ, all others being fixed. It seems our AA tactics were to get a dude with a truck to go get the Poms to do it lol.

(sidenote: Like all armies based on the UK’s model, the NZ army is not royal, its just the New Zealand army.

2 Likes
4

Ouuiuu- New Zealand SPAA.

Time for it to fight a WW1 armored car for worse 1.0 SPAA.

+1 for CANZ or some other home for the ANZACs.

1 Like
5

Infantry mode might be better for this thing as a mobile mg post.

1 Like