Crusader III AA Mk.I

Crusader III AA Mk.I - anti-aircraft vehicle using the chassis of the Crusader III tank. As an anti-aircraft weapon is used 40 mm anti-aircraft cannon Bofors in a lightly armored top open tower. The crew consists of 4 people - commander, shooter, charger and driver.
The development of the anti-aircraft device based on the Crusader III tank began in September 1941. Serial production at Morris Motors began in 1943.


Due to insufficient combat capabilities, this type was later replaced by Crusader III AA Mk.II and Crusader III AA Mk. III with a double 20 mm anti-aircraft cannon company Oerlikon.


Tactical and technical data:
Caliber: 40 mm
Measure: 360 °
Aim: -10 ° - + 70 °
Combat weight: 18 t
Ammunition: 160 pcs
Max. speed: 42 km/h
Number of produced pieces: 215
Dimensions:
- length: 5994 mm
- width: 2642 mm
- height: 2532 mm
- clear height: 406 mm
Armor:
- frontal armor: 25.4 mm
- side armor: 12.7 mm
Range: 255 km
Pitch angle: max. 30 °
Vertical degree: 0.69 m
Trench width: max. 2.59 m
Radio station: & # 8470; 19
Crusader III AA Mk.I - Crusader AA Mk. I

Crusader AA Mk. I
Crusader III AA Mk.I - Crusader III AA Mk.I

Crusader III AA Mk.I
URL : https://www.valka.cz/Crusader-III-AA-Mk-I-t41079#158235 Version : 0
Exterior view of the Crusader III AA Mk. tank from the vehicle treatment manual


1. Rear view mirror
2. Protective cover for the barrel of the QF 40 mm gun
3. Searchlight
4. Crowbar
5. Belt length adjustment tool
6. Shovel
7. Toolbox and barrel cleaning
8. Locks
9. Box for field cooker, protective covers, first aid kit and engine cover
Crusader III AA Mk.I -


URL : https://www.valka.cz/Crusader-III-AA-Mk-I-t41079#432860 Version : 0
Supposedly was the "tower" virtually unusable and the operator it sundávaly - anyway there is a rather unclear photo of some of the invasive beach (british, or canadian - namely, Gold, Juno or Sword), on which is seen just to the Crusader III AA Mk.Even without extensions, only with the platform for the operation of the...

In the attached photo is the Crusader III AA Mk.I, intercepted in the column in the transfer-sometimes just before the "D-Day". Note that the armor already does not correspond to the "mostly closed" the tower (compare with the above photos of the prototype) and the vehicle has added "boxes" on the material....
Crusader III AA Mk.I -


URL : https://www.valka.cz/Crusader-III-AA-Mk-I-t41079#158310 Version : 0
Images, confirming the use of the Crusader/s III AA Mk.Even in the fight in Normandy - invading JUNO beach, the first days immediately after the invasion...
In the background of the first picture is to see the object/s of fortifications on the coastal cliffs of Normandy, the second frame is see the wall, firming the coast... it Can be assumed that it is not the same vehicle (although one never knows Wink ).
The first picture also documents the mounting method of the "deep wading set" (set for wading) on the rear of the vehicle..
Crusader III AA Mk.I -


Crusader III AA Mk.I -


URL : https://www.valka.cz/Crusader-III-AA-Mk-I-t41079#161943 Version : 0

Diskuse

In the first post struck by the information about the "additional armor" Crusader III AA Mk.I - two machine guns...
Some sources that actually reported, but logic says that "zdůvodnitelný" might be one (machine gun) as "a practice shot gun" (which was later used in Crusader III AA Mk.III). Why is the Crusader III AA Mk.And two, when the ammunition was probably (due to the caliber of the weapon), a sufficient effect at a larger radius from the point "rozprasku"???

Of rather better photos of the Crusader III AA Mk.I can deduce that both machine guns are ... in fact, the circular reticle (odměrový and náměrový)...

I, however, took a picture of the vehicle with the triple mounting of the "twenties" - such a vehicle was allegedly used for training, in combat actions on the european mainland, however, has already hit... And of course I ran into another "conflict resources" - some claim that it was a cannon Oerlikon, another source of weapons determines the as Polsteny..
Crusader III AA Mk.I -


Crusader III AA Mk.I -


URL : https://www.valka.cz/Crusader-III-AA-Mk-I-t41079#158320 Version : 0
It is not a conflict, Polsteny of Oerlikonů based and some sources you is either wrong, or it is just to indicate as well (maybe those differences were smaller than in their eyes oprávnily change the designation).
URL : https://www.valka.cz/Crusader-III-AA-Mk-I-t41079#158344 Version : 0
I removed the machine guns from the first post.


But according to internet sources, the triple cannon was mounted on the Crusader AA Mk.III instead of the original turret....
URL : https://www.valka.cz/Crusader-III-AA-Mk-I-t41079#158372 Version : 0
It buko 1: relying only on internet sources can be tricky - compare the diameter of the wreaths towers Mk.III and what is a fixed platform with three Polsteny/Oerlikony...
It seems to me like it was on a very, very small diameter, which rather corresponds to the Mk.Even before the Mk.III... Logic says that it was appropriate to do a minimum of editing - and that would (according to the above attached image rather match the finish of the Mk.I).... In addition, the Mk.I corresponds to the "placatost" boxes on the fenders....
URL : https://www.valka.cz/Crusader-III-AA-Mk-I-t41079#161942 Version : 0
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