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The Valentine I, Infantry Tank Mk III, was the only version of the Valentine tank to use a petrol engine, and was armed with the standard 2-pounder gun of early war British tanks.
The Valentine I was powered by a 135hp A.E.C. 6-cylinder gasoline engine, as also used in the A10 heavy cruiser tank. It had a two man turret and was armed with the 2-pounder anti-tank gun and a coaxial 7.92mm Besa machine gun. In the two man turret the commander also acted as the loader.
The Mk I was produced in 1940 and a total of 350 were built. It didn't officially gain the Valentine I designation until June 1941.
Names
Valentine Mk I
Infantry Tank Mk III
Stats
Production: 350
Hull Length: 5m 41cm/ 17ft 9in
Hull Width: 2m 63cm/ 8ft 7.5in
Height: 2m 27cm/ 7ft 5.5in
Crew: 3
Weight: 15,700kg/ 15.4 tons
Engine: 135hp AEC A 159
Max Speed on road: 24km/h/ 15mph
Max Speed off road: 18km/h / 11mph
Max Range: 112km/ 70miles on road
Armament: OQF 2pdr Mk IX, Besa
Armour
Turret front: 65mm
Turret sides: 60mm
Nose: 60mm at 21 degrees
Glacis plate: 30mm at 68 degrees
Hull sides: 60mm vertical