Cavalier (Cruiser Mk VII)
In service 1942 - 1945
The first of the Cromwell family and the worst of it - underpowered, unreliable, relegated to gun towing.
Built byNuffield Mechanizations
Photograph pending. No clearly licensed photograph of this vehicle was found.
Development history
The Cavalier was Nuffield's attempt to build the new heavy cruiser using the old Liberty engine rather than waiting for the Meteor. The extra weight of thicker armour with no extra power made it sluggish and mechanically troublesome, and it was never sent into combat as a gun tank. Most of the 500 built were converted into artillery observation posts and armoured recovery vehicles, serving in Normandy in those roles while the Meteor-engined Cromwell did the fighting.
Notable actions
- Battle of Normandy (observation and recovery roles)