Royal Scots Dragoon Guards
| GENERAL DATA | |||
| Formal Designation | Cruiser Tank Mk. VI Crusader Mk. II (A15) | ||
| Manufacturer(s) | Nuffields | ||
| Production Quantity | 5300* | Production Period | 1940-42 |
| Type | Medium/Cruiser Tank | Crew | 4 or 5** |
| Length /hull (m) | 5.97 | Barrel Overhang (m) | n.a. |
| Width (m) | 2.77 | Height (m) | 2.24 |
| Combat Weight (kg) | 19300 | Radio Equipment | n.a. |
| FIREPOWER | |||
| Primary Armament | 40mm 2-pounder Mk. I | Ammunition Carried | 130 |
| Traverse (degrees) | Hydraulic (360°) | Elevation (degrees) | -15° to 20° |
| Traverse speed (360°) | 10 sec. | Sight | n.a. |
| Secondary Armament | 1 x 7.92mm Besa
MG (coaxial) |
Ammunition Carried | 4500 |
| MOBILITY CHARACTERISTICS | |||
| Engine Make & Model | Nuffield Liberty Mk. III | Track Links | n.a. |
| Type & Displacement | V12, 27.0 liters | Track Width | 24.6 cm |
| Horsepower (max.) | 340hp@1500rpm | Track Ground Contact | n.a. |
| Power/Weight Ratio | 17.6 hp/t | Ground Pressure | 15.5 psi |
| Gearbox | 4 forward, 1 reverse | Ground Clearance (m) | 0.41 |
| Fuel | Gasoline (Petrol) | Turning Radius (m) | 9.0 |
| Range on/off road (km) | 322 | Gradient (degrees) | n.a. |
| Mileage (liters/100km) | 155 on road | Vertical Obstacle (m) | n.a. |
| Fuel Capacity (liters) | 500 | Fording (m) | 1.0 |
| Speed on/off road | 43 km/h | Trench Crossing (m) | n.a. |
| ARMOR PROTECTION | ||||
| Armor Detail | Front | Side | Rear | Top/Bottom |
| Hull | 32&20mm@28&60° | 12+14mm@90° | 27mm@90° | 10mm@0°(front) |
| 6mm@0°(rear) | ||||
| Superstructure | 12&9mm@10&30° (glacis) |
- | 14mm@45° | 7mm@0° |
| 32mm@50° | ||||
| Turret | 30mm@80° | 23mm@50° | 30mm@65° | 12mm@0°&10° |
| 20mm@70° | ||||
| Mantlet | 49mm@81° | - | - | |
| The Crusader II formed the main equipment of the
British armoured divisions in the Desert Campaigns. It was a fairly
reliable vehicle, specially if one considers the disappointing
performances of its predecessors (the Cruiser Mk III and IV,
the Covenanter, and the Crusader I). Total production amounted to 5,300 units |
| Crusaders were used also for a variety of special purposes including observation post, command tank, ARVs, mine-clearing, anti-tank gun tractors, and more... |