Despite the fact that the British Cruiser Tank Mk. V Covenanter did not participate in combat operations, only one example of this rather extravagant combat vehicle has survived to our time. The history of its development, production and short service life is described in the article ''Reservist Tank''. In this review we offer you to get acquainted with the last surviving Covenanter, presented in the exhibition of the Tank Museum in Bovington, England.
If the background of the photos makes it difficult to read the background information of the photos, you can hover your mouse over the text — this will darken the background of the caption.
The Covenanter was developed as a heavier modification of the A13 cruiser tank and retained many of the design features borrowed from its predecessor. In particular, the Christie's Suspension
The very tight layout of the new tank led to its unique feature. The radiators of the engine cooling system could not be placed either in the engine-transmission compartment or on its roof. They ended up on the upper hull front plate
The small volume of internal fuel tanks made it necessary to place an additional tank on the stern of the hull. But the Covenanter's engine used flammable gasoline
On the roof of the engine-transmission compartment in the rear of the tank, mufflers and the stowage areas of spare parts are very tightly located
The tank is armed with a 40-mm two-pounder gun and a 7.92-mm BESA machine gun paired with it. To the right of the gun mask and machine gun in the turret was installed a smoke grenade launcher
The Covenanter Tower has a complex shape. The upper and lower side plates are connected at sharp angles. This form could be considered successful, if not for the almost vertical frontal plate. In the aft part of the turret is a large hatch, through which three crew members — commander, gunner and loader are located in the tower get into the tank
The construction of the turret, composed of armor plates arranged in two layers, was distinguished by its complexity. The turret's sides were made of armor plates of 10 and 9.5 mm, the turret's forehead — from parts with thicknesses of 20 and 19 mm, the stern-12 and 12.5 mm, accordingly
At the stern of the turret was placed a stowage box for the crew's belongings. The construction of the turret hatch that leans back in the course of movement is also visible
The gunner observed the battlefield through the sight located to the left of the twin installation. In addition, he had an observation device in the turret's front plate to the left of the sight
Smoke grenade launcher armor
The commander and loader had prismatic observation devices of the Mk.IV
Periscopic observation devices had an all-round view
On the right side in the front of the hull was the mechanic driver's seat, covered from above by a double-leaf hatch. The radiators on the left deprived the driver mechanic of a view in this area
Mechanic driver's observation device (on the right) and pistol port closed with armor flap
For a right-hand view, there is a viewing slot in the driver's cabin
On the hull front plate there are two stowage boxes SPTA and headlight
On the overhanging shelves of both sides in the bow there are spare tracks and fire extinguishers
Stowage of the spare track on the left wing in the nose of the machine
On the overhanging shelves, also were placed the stowage boxes SPTA
Stowage box SPTA and protection for the engine cooling system intake. Cooling problems plagued the Covenanter throughout its short service life
Mufflers, air ducts, and stowage boxes SPTA turn the roof of the engine-transmission compartment of the tank into an intricate maze
Aft stowage boxes SPTA and cooling system ducts
View of engine-transmission compartment roof from the starboard side
Stowage box for the crew's belongings
Aft hull plate, towing eyes, side gear protection, and an external fuel tank overhanging the stern plate. Even with it, the Covenanter's fuel reserve was only 160 km
The undercarriage of each side consists of 4 track rollers, a guide and a driving wheel. There are no support rollers
The tracks are 273 mm wide. Pinion engagement
Rubberized guide wheel in the nose of the tank
Large diameter rubberized track roller. The rubber band has clearly visible holes for ventilation. The original intention was to stamp rollers out of aluminum, but Britain at war could not afford that luxury. Steel Rollers
Despite the fact that the British Cruiser Tank Mk. V Covenanter did not participate in combat operations, only one example of this rather extravagant combat vehicle has survived to our time. The history of its development, production and short service life is described in the article ''Reservist Tank''. In this review we offer you to get acquainted with the last surviving Covenanter, presented in the exhibition of the Tank Museum in Bovington, England.
If the background of the photos makes it difficult to read the background information of the photos, you can hover your mouse over the text — this will darken the background of the caption.
The Covenanter was developed as a heavier modification of the A13 cruiser tank and retained many of the design features borrowed from its predecessor. In particular, the Christie's Suspension
The very tight layout of the new tank led to its unique feature. The radiators of the engine cooling system could not be placed either in the engine-transmission compartment or on its roof. They ended up on the upper hull front plate
The small volume of internal fuel tanks made it necessary to place an additional tank on the stern of the hull. But the Covenanter's engine used flammable gasoline
On the roof of the engine-transmission compartment in the rear of the tank, mufflers and the stowage areas of spare parts are very tightly located
The tank is armed with a 40-mm two-pounder gun and a 7.92-mm BESA machine gun paired with it. To the right of the gun mask and machine gun in the turret was installed a smoke grenade launcher
The Covenanter Tower has a complex shape. The upper and lower side plates are connected at sharp angles. This form could be considered successful, if not for the almost vertical frontal plate. In the aft part of the turret is a large hatch, through which three crew members — commander, gunner and loader are located in the tower get into the tank
The construction of the turret, composed of armor plates arranged in two layers, was distinguished by its complexity. The turret's sides were made of armor plates of 10 and 9.5 mm, the turret's forehead — from parts with thicknesses of 20 and 19 mm, the stern-12 and 12.5 mm, accordingly
At the stern of the turret was placed a stowage box for the crew's belongings. The construction of the turret hatch that leans back in the course of movement is also visible
The gunner observed the battlefield through the sight located to the left of the twin installation. In addition, he had an observation device in the turret's front plate to the left of the sight
Smoke grenade launcher armor
The commander and loader had prismatic observation devices of the Mk.IV
Periscopic observation devices had an all-round view
On the right side in the front of the hull was the mechanic driver's seat, covered from above by a double-leaf hatch. The radiators on the left deprived the driver mechanic of a view in this area
Mechanic driver's observation device (on the right) and pistol port closed with armor flap
For a right-hand view, there is a viewing slot in the driver's cabin
On the hull front plate there are two stowage boxes SPTA and headlight
On the overhanging shelves of both sides in the bow there are spare tracks and fire extinguishers
Stowage of the spare track on the left wing in the nose of the machine
On the overhanging shelves, also were placed the stowage boxes SPTA
Stowage box SPTA and protection for the engine cooling system intake. Cooling problems plagued the Covenanter throughout its short service life
Mufflers, air ducts, and stowage boxes SPTA turn the roof of the engine-transmission compartment of the tank into an intricate maze
Aft stowage boxes SPTA and cooling system ducts
View of engine-transmission compartment roof from the starboard side
Stowage box for the crew's belongings
Aft hull plate, towing eyes, side gear protection, and an external fuel tank overhanging the stern plate. Even with it, the Covenanter's fuel reserve was only 160 km
The undercarriage of each side consists of 4 track rollers, a guide and a driving wheel. There are no support rollers
The tracks are 273 mm wide. Pinion engagement
Rubberized guide wheel in the nose of the tank
Large diameter rubberized track roller. The rubber band has clearly visible holes for ventilation. The original intention was to stamp rollers out of aluminum, but Britain at war could not afford that luxury. Steel Rollers
