Valentine IV
The Valentine IV was powered by a G.M.C. diesel engine, in place of the A.E.C. model used on the Mk II, but was otherwise similar to the earlier model.
The original Valentine I had been powered by a petrol engine, but on the Mk II that had been replaced by a 131hp A.E.C. engine. On the Mk IV that was replaced by a 138hp G.M.C. 6-71 diesel engine. This was a six-cylinder two-stroke diesel engine, with a good reputation for reliability and low engine noise. The transmission was a Spicer synchromesh gearbox with five forward speeds.
It retained the original two-man turret of the Mk I and Mk II, and the 2-pounder gun and coaxial Besa machine gun.
The Mk II and Mk IV entered combat in November 1942 with 8th RTR during Operation Crusader in North Africa.
Names
Valentine IV
Stats
Production:
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: 138hp GMC 6-71 Model 6004
Max Speed on road: 24km/h/ 15mph
Max Speed off road: 18km/h / 11mph
Max Range: 176km/ 109 miles
Armament: QF 2-pounder Mk IX, 7.92mm Besa machine gun
Armour:
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. [
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How to cite this article:
Rickard, J (27 May 2015), Valentine IV , http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/weapons_valentine_IV.html
