Royal Scots Dragoon Guards
Infantry Tank Mk III "Valentine"
| GENERAL DATA | |||
| Formal Designation | Infantry Tank Mk. III* (A15), Valentine II | ||
| Manufacturer(s) | Vickers Armstrong | ||
| Production Quantity | approx. 700 | Production Period | 1940-42 |
| Type | Heavy/Infantry Support | Crew | 3 |
| Length /hull (m) | 5.41 | Barrel Overhang (m) | n.a. |
| Width (m) | 2.63 | Height (m) | 2.27 |
| Combat Weight (kg) | 16000 | Radio Equipment | No.11 or No.19 |
| FIREPOWER | |||
| Primary Armament | 40mm ROQF 2-pounder Mk. IX or X | Ammunition Carried | 60 |
| Traverse (degrees) | Electric (360°) | Elevation (degrees) | n.a. |
| Traverse speed (360°) | n.a. | Sight | n.a. |
| Secondary Armament | 1 x 7.92mm Besa MG (coaxial) | Ammunition Carried | 3150 |
| MOBILITY CHARACTERISTICS | |||
| Engine Make & Model | AEC A190 | Track Links | 73 or 103 or 102/track |
| Type & Displacement | In6, 9.6 liters | Track Width | 36 cm |
| Horsepower (max.) | 131hp@1800rpm | Track Ground Contact | 310 cm |
| Power/Weight Ratio | 8.1 hp/tonne | Ground Pressure | 10.5 psi |
| Gearbox | 5 forward, 1 reverse | Ground Clearance (m) | 0.41 |
| Fuel | Diesel | Turning Radius (m) | n.a. |
| Range on/off road (km) | 177+145 aux. | Gradient (degrees) | 32° |
| Mileage (liters/100km) | 113 on road | Vertical Obstacle (m) | 0.91 |
| Fuel Capacity (liters) | 164 + 136 aux. | Fording (m) | 0.91 |
| ARMOR PROTECTION | ||||
| Armor Detail | Front | Side | Rear | Top/Bottom |
| Hull | 20mm@22°(lower) | 60mm@90° | 17mm@30° | 20mm@0&18° |
| 60mm@69°(nose) | 60mm@90° | 7mm@0&18° | ||
| Superstructure | 30mm@22° (glacis) | 30mm@27° | 17mm@32°(engine) | 20mm@0&13° |
| 60mm@90°(driver) | 10mm@0&12° | |||
| Turret | 65mm@90° | 60mm@90° | 65mm@90° | 20mm@10°(front) |
| 10mm@0°(mid) | ||||
| 10mm@10°(back) | ||||
| Mantlet | n.a. | - | - | - |
| The prototype of Valentine, a more armoured
development of the Cruiser Tank MkI and MkII, was ready on February
14, 1940 (hence its name!). By the time production ceased in
1944, 8275 (a higher total than for any other British tank) had been
built. Valentine tanks proved to be reliable reliable vehicles, even if they were difficult to drive. Important variants included the Bishop, the Archer, and the Duplex Drive swimming tank systems.
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