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British Comet tank versus German panzers?

Posted: 26 Apr 2002, 21:38
by Andy H
The British Comet armed with a 75mm gun arrived in Europe during December 1944 and proved to be battle worthy and reliable.

Does anyone have any info on how they faired against German Panzers etc

:D From the Shire

Posted: 26 Apr 2002, 23:00
by Christian Ankerstjerne
I believe Wittmann once was up against a few Comets on his own - he won out, destroying al lthe Comets, driving away himself with only scratches...

Posted: 26 Apr 2002, 23:37
by Erich
CY :

Can you post a pic of the Comet ? If this Tank was not in use until December of 44 then Wittmann couldn't possibly have been up against it......

E

Posted: 27 Apr 2002, 12:06
by Andy H
FP, I'm interseted to know where you read that Wittmann engaged Comets since Erich has rightly pointed out that there is a time diff here.

I've actually gone out and bought a scanner so hopefully I'll try and posta picture of a Comet soon.

:D From the Shire

Posted: 27 Apr 2002, 13:51
by David Lehmann
Here is a picture of that AFV :

Image

Posted: 27 Apr 2002, 16:37
by Marcus
Image
After the initial battles in the Western Desert in 1941 and 1942 it was seen that the British didn't have guns that were able to easily defeat the German armored vehicles. By late 1943 there was an urgent need for a fast cruiser tank that could defeat German armor.
Leyland was given the task to design the Comet as a successor to the Cromwell. It was to be built with as many of the components of the Cromwell as possible.
The turret couldn't take the 17 pdr. so the smaller 77 mm gun, that was developed by Vickers-Armstrong, was installed. It could fire the same shell as the 17 pdr. but was smaller so it could fit into the turret.
A mockup was ready in late September 1943. The first prototype was ready in February 1944. After about 60% redesign it was ready for production. The first production models were delivered in September 1944.
The hull and turret were all welded which were part cast and part rolled. A stronger suspension was needed and return rollers were added. The cupola for the commander was the same as on the Cromwell and provided good all around vision. The turret was traversed by electrical power from the main engine. Storage bins were over the tracks and behind the turret.
Gun was actually 76.2 mm, but was called 77 mm to avoid confusion with the 17 pdr. It could penetrate 130 mm at 30° at 2,178 yards using APDS ammo.
First delivery was to 11th Armored Division in December 1944. It was the only division to have all it's units re-equiped with the Comet.
The only variant was a vehicle that had exhaust cowls added to help reduce the visibility of the Comet at night.
http://www.wwiivehicles.com/html/britain/comet.html

Posted: 27 Apr 2002, 16:38
by Erich
Panzermeyer, that is very interesting, and I can't say I have seen one before....... :? must do some more investigating

E

Posted: 25 Nov 2002, 01:45
by Polynike
wittmann came up against Cromwell tanks

Posted: 25 Nov 2002, 02:18
by Michael Kenny
This is a victim of a Comet

Posted: 25 Nov 2002, 10:26
by Caldric
The Brits would use the Comet until the early 60's also/

Posted: 26 Nov 2002, 00:27
by General Patton
The British Comet armed with a 75mm gun arrived in Europe during December 1944 and proved to be battle worthy and reliable.
Actually, the Comet tank was armed with a high velocity 77mm 17lb mark V. gun.
Regards,
Patton
PS- The 17lber mark IV was a 76.2 mm so don't get confused. Odd if you ask me.

Posted: 26 Nov 2002, 09:18
by Mark V
General Patton:

Read Marcus last post.

The gun was not 77mm. It was same issue as for example 106mm recoilless gun later. Nominal and actual calibre weren't the same.

Posted: 26 Nov 2002, 23:48
by General Patton
funny... On the gun table it says it was a 77mm and at onwar.com, it syas it was a 77mm 17lber mark V. lbs could be same weight different gun caliber. I could be wrong...

Posted: 26 Nov 2002, 23:49
by Logan Hartke
You are. Marcus is right.

Logan Hartke

Posted: 27 Nov 2002, 00:21
by Mark V
Nominal calibre 77mm was selected because even the dummies soldier in ammo-depot understand that you can't shoot 76.2mm ammo on 77mm gun, or vice versa. With different 76.2mm ammunition separated only by different Mark-numbers you would have had much bigger chance for big f...-up on supply train.

BTW. Here is pic of different British WW2-era ammunition which was used in tank.

17 pounder is fourth from right (APDS, 76x583mm)
77mm is third from right (76x420mm)


Image

Picture is from Tony Williams excellent site:

http://www.quarry.nildram.co.uk/index.htm

I believe that Tony don't mind me linking this pic here.