Valentine II from the left
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The Valentine II, Infantry Tank Mk III*, was the first version of the tank to use a diesel engine, but retained the 2-pounder gun of the Valentine I.
The Valentine II was powered by a 131hp A.E.C. Diesel engine. This was based on the A.E.C. Comet, a commercial six-cylinder engine.
It had the original two-man turret with its 2-pounder gun and coaxial 7.92mm Besa machine gun.
Those tanks intended to serve in the desert were given sand shields and jettisonable fuel tanks.
The Mk II was later given a three man turret, becoming the Valentine III.
The Mk II was built in 1940-41. Around 700 were built, for a total of 1,050 with the original two man turret (some sources say 1,025).
The Mk II and Mk IV entered combat in November 1942 with 8th RTR during Operation Crusader in North Africa.
Names
Valentine II
Infantry Tank Mk III*
Stats
Production: 700
Hull Length: 5m 41cm/ 17ft 9in
Hull Width: 2m 63cm/ 8ft 7.5in
Height: 2m 27cm/ 7ft 5.5in
Crew: 3
Weight: 16,500kg/ 16.2 tons
Engine: 131hp AEC 160 diesel engine
Max Speed on road: 24km/h/ 15mph
Max Speed off road: 18km/h / 11mph
Max Range on road: 176km/ 109 miles
Armament: QF 2-pounder Mk IX, 7.92mm Besa machine gun
Armour
Turret front: 65mm
Turret sides: 60mm
Nose: 60mm at 21 degrees
Glacis plate: 30mm at 68 degrees
Hull sides: 60mm vertical
Valentine Infantry Tank 1938-45, Bruce Oliver Newsome.
Looks at the most numerous British tank of the Second World War, but one that only saw limited combat service, mainly in North Africa. Notable for the amount of information packed into a series of tables, including specifications and identifying features of the many versions of the Valentine, as well as the interesting material on the interior of the tank, how it was driven, and on the many special variants such as the Archer self -propelled gun, which carried its main gun pointing backwards. [read full review]
