Tank ID

Hanno Spoelstra · #1 14-01-12, 21:39

Who can ID this tank? (source: http://www.cubra.nl/gerarddecroon/06.htm)

I have an idea, but I'm not sure.

Thanks,
Hanno

maple_leaf_eh · #2 14-01-12, 22:32

Too wide for a Universal Carrier, and no turret. Front hatch is wrong for a Valentine. Too many other problems for a Comet/Cromwell.

Ryan · #3 14-01-12, 23:12

What's your hunch Hanno, it's got me stumped?
I've looked through pics of A10 cruisers, Archer SP guns and more. Nothing matches up though.

Richard Coutts-Smith · #4 14-01-12, 23:27

Do we have a country of origin Hanno?
Rich.

Ed Storey · #5 15-01-12, 03:24

The tracks are the key as is the front mounting bracket for the track guards.

There is something not right about the location of person that is sitting low in the front hull.

Perhaps a Cromwell? I doubt it is not a Covenator or a Crusader.

Ed Storey · #6 15-01-12, 03:25

Given it some additional thought, due to the angled turret, more likely a Crusader.

Alex Blair (RIP) · #7 15-01-12, 03:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

Who can ID this tank? (source: http://www.cubra.nl/gerarddecroon/06.htm)

I have an idea, but I'm not sure.

Thanks,
Hanno

Hanno..It may be a Marmon Harrington or Vickers but one of those used in The Dutch East Indies..
Maybe the tracks are the give away..Very unusual but I have seen them on other Dutch tanks..

Matthew Reid · #8 15-01-12, 04:51

Looks to be a self propelled gun. And not a tank. Least not when the pic was taken.

Matthew

tankbarrell · #9 15-01-12, 09:00

It's an Archer. The hatch that the guy on the left is looking out of is a gearbox cover, both of which are open and can be seen in the upright position. Presumeably, it's a gutted hull.

Jack Innes · #10 15-01-12, 14:23

Not that it identifies the vehicle but here is the translated (sort of) article. It does give the time period & explains the situation of the fellows in the picture.

http://www.microsofttranslator.com/B...croon%2F06.htm

Jack

Ed Storey · #11 15-01-12, 18:02

If it is an Archer and this is the rear end, then were is the 17-Pdr Barrel? Also what is the item protruding from the middle?

The tracks do not look like Archer tracks.

Alex Blair (RIP) · #12 15-01-12, 18:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by tankbarrell

It's an Archer. The hatch that the guy on the left is looking out of is a gearbox cover, both of which are open and can be seen in the upright position. Presumeably, it's a gutted hull.

Adrian...
Knowing all things tankie,as you do ..I am hesitant to offer a suggestion ,rather than a Valentine Archer(17 Pounder installed ..it is a Valentine with a 6 pounder..),at least ..as you say stripped out hull..

tankbarrell · #13 15-01-12, 18:20

It's clearly an Archer, you can see a muzzle of some sort though it's either not a 17 pr or it's been cut short. It's not long enough to be just minus its muzzle brake and no other gun would fit very well though it could be anything stuck in for a static.

The tracks look fine to me.

Dave Page · #14 17-01-12, 16:38

Hi Guys,
it is thye rear view of a Valentine as far as I can make out, with the rear louvred hatches open but I don't think it is an Archer, could be a 6lber in a regular turret.
Cheers,
Dave

tankbarrell · #15 17-01-12, 18:13

All Valentine gun tanks have gearbox/ radiator cover that are made up of channel sections and are essentially flat in section. Archer has a different style which are made from plate and are triangular in section. I suspect the solid rear plate is to act as a blast shield.

These are clearly visible here and I still say it's an Archer with a dummy or cut short gun.

The first pic is from the Archer service instruction book and the second is from the Valentine X and XI book.

Dave Page · #16 17-01-12, 18:24

Hi Adrian,
enlarged the image and it is a lot clearer that the radiator hatches are as fitted to an Archer. As for the short barrel I have no idea.
Cheers,
Dave

Alex van de Wetering · #17 19-01-12, 21:47

hmm, good one.

For a moment I was thinking that it might be a partly dismantled Valentine Bridgelayer...the "barrel" not being a barrel, but part of the bridgelaying equipment. But, I have to say that Adrians point about the Archer engine covers are rather convincing. So, I would also say an Archer with some other gun fitted...maybe even 25pdr? It's post-war Dutch, so Bridgelayer, Archer and Valentine used as OP could be found in one of the vehicle dumps. Mismatches and strange combo's used for training purposes in Dutch service were no exception in the immediate post-war period.

Alex

Hanno Spoelstra · #18 19-01-12, 22:34

Alex, my thoughts exactly.

Thanks for ID'ing this Archer, Adrian!

Regards,
Hanno

tankbarrell · #19 20-01-12, 08:58

You're welcome Hanno! I bet there are other pictures of it somewhere showing what has happened with the gun.