- Yes
- No
Introduction
Development of the Vickers Mk 4 “Valiant” began in the mid-1970s as a private-venture export MBT, continuing Vickers’ long tradition of independent tank design. Following the public announcement of Chobham armour in June 1976, Vickers saw an opportunity to combine this new protection with the company’s existing Mk.3 design to produce a lighter, highly protected tank for customers unable or unwilling to procure the heaviest NATO and western modern MBTs. Early concept work dates to 1976/1977, with formal design work and drawings finished in 1978. The Valiant was never intended to replace the British Army’s Chieftain directly, but rather to offer Chobham armour, modular design, standout firepower, and advanced fire-control systems in a competitively priced export platform weighing roughly 43-44 tonnes combat loaded.
The Valiant retained a conventional layout, derived from the Mk.3, but saw major changes in essentially all areas. The hull used an all welded aluminum alloy structure to save weight, while the turret was steel with externally mounted modular Chobham armour packs concentrated over a 50-60 degree frontal arc. This approach provided frontal protection superior to the in-service Chieftain despite significantly lower overall mass. The tank introduced Vickers’ “Universal Turret,” capable of mounting multiple guns, including the 105 mm L7, the 120 mm L11A5 rifled gun, or the Rheinmetall 120 mm smoothbore. The Valiant was equipped with advanced optics and FCS, notably the Marconi Centaur 1 fire control system, laser rangefinders, gyro-stabilized commander’s panoramic sights, and thermal imaging integrated for both commander and gunner. The engine used was the Rolls-Royce CV12TCA Condor engine derated to 1,000hp, with alternatives such as the GM 12V71T and the MTU 872 also considered.
A working prototype was completed and entered trials in June 1979, less than two years after design began. Following initial automotive testing and subsequent modifications, the Valiant was presented to the British Army at Bovington in March 1980 and publicly unveiled at the British Army Exhibition at Aldershot in June 1980, when it formally received the name “Valiant.” Further redevelopment of the turret and systems followed, with manufacturing at Vickers’ Elswick Works beginning in 1981. By late 1982, British Army trials had concluded after more than 4,500 km of testing, generally demonstrating strong firepower, mobility, and an exceptionally capable fire-control system, although design shortcomings, particularly related to the aluminum hull structure, were identified during evaluation.
Despite interest, the Valiant failed to secure orders. Vickers actively marketed the tank overseas, including a Middle Eastern tour to Qatar, Jordan, the UAE, and Egypt, followed by comparative desert trials in the UAE in 1983 against Challenger 1 and AMX-40. The Valiant performed strongly in mobility and gunnery but suffered a mechanical failure during off-road trials, and no sales were achieved. Although shortlisted by Spain in 1985, the program was effectively ended after the prototype hull was badly damaged in an accident when it fell from a low loader. With no production orders and no viable hull for a second prototype, the project was terminated. Nevertheless, the Universal Turret was not significant damaged, and was repaired, influencing later designs such as the Vickers Mk.7/2 and contributing directly to the turret used on Brazil’s EE-T1 Osório.
The variant being discussed in this suggestion is the Vickers Mk 4 Valiant with the revised Universal Turret, a significant redesign of the older Universal Turret that retains the same 120mm L11A5, but with an updated Chobham array, repositioned smoke launchers, and a reshaped turret face, mantlet, and overall geometry. This is the same turret as seen on the Vickers Mk 7/2, whereas the older style of universal turret is seen on the preceding 120mm variant of the Vickers Mk 4 Valiant, as well as the Vickers Mk 7 we currently have in-game. Logically, that makes this vehicle the Vickers Mk 4/2, although I have never seen that designation actually used so Vickers Mk 4 Valiant (Revised Universal Turret) will have to do instead.
Specifications
Images
Spoiler
A comparison of the Universal Turrets, showing the later revised Universal Turret as fitted to the Vickers Mk 4 (top) and Vickers Mk 7/2 (middle), and the older 120mm Universal Turret as fitted to the Vickers Mk 4 (bottom). Note the difference in smoke grenade launcher position and overall geometry, particularly of the turret face as well as the lower rear.
Sources
Spoiler
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lye7UHnhqEg
At 13.00 mentions and shows the turret of the Vickers Mk 7/2 being previously trialed on the ValiantMarch-April 1983 issue of Armour Magazine (available here)
https://tanks-encyclopedia.com/vickers-mk-4-valiant/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHa-WYDmkkU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLRg6DtxYfY
Vickers Mk 7/2 Brochure Material