CMV Issue 131 Fletcher Article

[Mike Cecil]

Ahh, it was good to see an article on the Australian Cruiser tank by David Fletcher in the recent (no 131) issue of CMV. Readability was excellent in David's usual style, and he always seems to be able to encapsulate the history of a vehicle so well in just a few pages.

Of course, the majority of information about the AC series is resident in Australian archives, rather than the UK, so it is perhaps not surprising that there are a few statements that are a little astray of the mark.

The heading asks 'where did the name Sentinel come from?' and David spends a long paragraph debating this point, concluding ('in the absence of any firm evidence') that it was adopted AFTER the war as a collective name for the type. Well, there is solid, documentary evidence that the name was officially adopted in early 1942 for just the AC1 tank. David later comments that the AC3 tank at the AWM, 'now rejoicing in the name Thunderbolt', which seems to imply that this is also a later naming. Again, the AC3 powered by the Perrier-Cadillac triple V8 was officially named Thunderbolt in 1942, and there are documents that prove this, also.

David makes no mention of the AC3 that was to be built in Victoria powered by a Wasp radial, the configuration giving rise to the 'other' AC3 name, the AC3 Scorpion (also an officially promulgated name). Alas, no AC3 Scorpions were built prior to the shut-down of the project in mid-1943.

David also comments that the AC1 at Bovington arriving in 1949, and that it was sent to the UK for 'evaluation'. Documents show that the tank was gifted directly to the tank museum at Bovington via the Australian Army Staff in London as a 'technical example' for display at Bovington, and not for testing or evaluation. The offer was made and accepted before the war's end. The tank, complete with all accessories and documentation, left Australia aboard the SS Nestor in mid-1946, arriving in the UK after a voyage lasting about 8 weeks.

Although there were only 65 AC1, 1 AC3 and 3 'E' series Australian Cruiser tanks built during WW2, and none saw any operational service, the whole process, from concept to design to production, is fascinating. I know there has been a highly detailed manuscript completed about the history of the Aust Cruiser, but alas it seems to be stuck in publisher's limbo for some reason I am yet to fully understand. Such a pity, as the books author turned up some really interesting 'stuff' on the whole program (I was honoured to read and comment on the drafts, and write the Foreword). Hopefully, it will see the light of day sometime soon.

Mike C

[Ryan]

Lovely info as usual Mike.
Is there any info in regards to performance possibilities of the AC3 Scorpion?
I'll definately buy a copy of that unpublished book if I ever get the chance too.
Can a moderator put this info into the Sentinel thread please, if you don't mind Mike?

http://www.mapleleafup.net/forums/sh...ad.php?t=11517

[zemsi]

Originally Posted by Ryan

Can a moderator put this info into the Sentinel thread please, if you don't mind Mike?
http://www.mapleleafup.net/forums/sh...ad.php?t=11517

done, information copied

[Ryan]

Originally Posted by zemsi

done, information copied

Thank you.

[Matt Flegal]

Originally Posted by Ryan

Lovely info as usual Mike.
Is there any info in regards to performance possibilities of the AC3 Scorpion?
I'll definately buy a copy of that unpublished book if I ever get the chance too.
Can a moderator put this info into the Sentinel thread please, if you don't mind Mike?

I would echo all of that. We're getting a true book on the Ram tanks later this year, it would be awfully nice to get a companion on the Sentinels.

Matt