A typical recce troop had eleven light tanks.
Some sources however say there were armoured regiments that had separate recce squadron. For example at http://www.geocities.com/vqpvqp/nih/Articles/11.html (a site of the North Irish Horse) you may find info that this regiment fielded such a squadron during the Italian campaing. What is even more interesting, not only did the recce squadron have light tanks but the heavier ones (esp. Shermans) as well:
Reportedly there were other regiments that featured similar structure.In Italy, Second Phase, July/December 1944
A & C Squadrons:
Troops HQF,1 & 2 - 3 6pdrs per Troop
Troops 3 & 4 - 3 Na75s per Troop
B Squadron:
Troops HQF,1-3 - 3 6pdrs per Troop
Troops 4 & 5 - 3 Na75s per Troop
RHQ Squadron: 6 6pdrs
Recce Squadron:
Squadron Leader - 1 Stuart
Troops 1-3 - 3 Stuarts per Troop
4 Troop - 3 Shermans
Does anybody here know perhaps more about the subject? Was the difference (troop vs. squadron) only a matter of nomenclature, or rather it reflected some tactical concepts for instance?
By the way, don't you think it was rather odd having three-tank troops in sabre squadrons and an eleven-tank recce troop in the regiment's HQ Sqn?
Best regards,
Petrus