Hi Guys,

About a week ago I was in the Czech republic for a scale modeling show and while we were there we also visited two military museums.

In the Kraliky museum we found the chassis of a Cromwell between all the post-war russian and czech vehicles. Sadly we were not able to have a good look at the vehicle, because it was off limits to public. I did manage to take some "illegal" pics.

The Cromwell seems to have been converted at some stage. Has anyone got an idea what this Cromwell was used for? It has a plate welded over the turret ring with a hole in the middle. One other strange feature is the cut-out in the rear panel, with some tube or exhaust sticking out. Any ideas? AA-tank? mobile searchlight?

regards,

Alex van de Wetering

p.s. maybe the number on the hull front gives something away?

It is one of several that were used post war in mining. Some were converted to cranes, hence the plate on the hull and were powered by an electric motor connected to the original Merrit-Brown gearbox. The motor was powered using a cable out of the back of the tank!

Quite how you avoided running over the wire, I wouldn't like to imagine....

I saw a few of these in 1991 (i think) and a friend has been restoring one since. Interestingly, many of the wheels had been re-tyred by cutting off the rim and welding on a tyre from a T-34 wheel.

They had many of the original markings visible still.

Czech Cromwell
 

I have it down as a Mk V from B Sqn, 2nd Batt. Czech Independant Armoured Brigade.
If it helps?

Cheers
Kevin
:salute:

Adrian,

Thanks for your comment about the Cromwell. It never came to my mind that this could have been a post-war civilian conversion. :o I kept on thinking about a modification done by the Czech military, post-war . Have you got any pictures of your friends Cromwell? Is he restoring it back into a gun-tank again? I can imagine it is hard to find a Cromwell or Centaur turret, these days.

Kevin,

Thanks, Yes, I am also interested in the WW2 history of this specific Cromwell, so your reaction is very welcome. Great!

regards,

Alex

One of these cranes is offered for sale on MilWeb:

It looks like it is now being sold without the crane.

http://www.russiantruck.co.uk/tracked10.html

Anyone know where to find a Centaur or Cromwell turret? :)

Alex