British Comet tank versus German panzers?
British Comet tank versus German panzers?
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
From the Shire
Does anyone have any info on how they faired against German Panzers etc
From the Shire
- Christian Ankerstjerne
- Forum Staff
- Posts: 14023
- Joined: 10 Mar 2002, 15:07
- Location: Denmark
- Contact:
- David Lehmann
- Member
- Posts: 2863
- Joined: 01 Apr 2002, 11:50
- Location: France
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
Last edited by Marcus on 27 Apr 2002, 16:38, edited 1 time in total.
-
- Member
- Posts: 8249
- Joined: 07 May 2002, 20:40
- Location: Teesside
- General Patton
- Member
- Posts: 320
- Joined: 25 Sep 2002, 22:48
- Location: USA
- General Patton
- Member
- Posts: 320
- Joined: 25 Sep 2002, 22:48
- Location: USA
-
- Member
- Posts: 1226
- Joined: 12 Mar 2002, 19:30
- Location: Illinois, USA
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)
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.
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)
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.