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These
shots were too good to pass up!
The Valentine,
while not used by the Canadian Armoured Corps overseas, holds the distinction
of being the first tank manufactured in Canada, prior to the Ram. Of 1420,
all except 30 were sent to Russia, where by all accounts they were popular
and acquitted themselves well.
This
example is a British Valentine, which differs from the Canadian only in
minor details. If anyone knows these regimental markings, please email
me! |
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This
right-side shot shows the racey lines of the Val. It's remarkably low profile
(height 89 inches) must have been a constant source of annoyance to German
antitank gunners. Canadian Valentines were equipped with the puny 2 pdr
AT gun, while British versions were adapted for the excellent 6 pdr early
on (and later, the 75mm QF gun).
This
particular tank is driven regularly, and by all accounts, is a lot of fun! |
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Right
rear view. Mud and grass in tracks make me very happy!
The Val
is sleek, but slow. Powered by a GM 6004 6-71 series 6-cylinder diesel
of some 130 Brake HP @ 1900 rpm, the Canadian Vals were rated at a blistering
15 mph top speed. In accordance with their doctrine, the Russians favoured
the diesel over the British and American preference for gasoline engines.
Laden weight is 39,000 lbs (19.5 short tonnes). |
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A
peek into the driver's compartment. Seated centrally, he was by himself
up front. There was a hatch like this on the other side as well, but entry
to (and exit from) this compartment requires a degree of physical agility
unknown to the common man! Visibility from this position is extremely restricted
at the best of times. Frontal armour thickness is 60mm. |
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Detail
of the driver's station viewed from the turret. The seating position is
much like a race-car, with the driver's legs slightly raised. It is tight,
but surprisingly comfortable. The 'V'-shaped black-handled levers are the
tiller bars. Gear shifter is on the right, and instrument panel on the
left. At the top of the picture are the twin periscopes which comprise
the only visibility when buttoned down. |
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Turret
detail viewed through the only turret hatch. The perforated ring at the
bottom of the turret ring holds main gun rounds. Note that in this example,
the breech assembly of the 2 pdr gun is missing. Traverse and firing controls
are below the barrel stub.
Turret
crew was two only, a commander-loader and gunner. There wasn't room for
any more, regardless! Interestingly, the interior of this Val is painted
white, unlike most British armoured vehicles. |
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Last
but not least (some of my pics didn't turn out), a left-rear view of the
turret. The No.19 W/T set is on the left and a ventilation/brass casing
ejection port on the right. The blue box is the commander's W/T - intercom
control switch. The box on the ceiling to the rear of the hatch is for
vision 'prisms'.
This
particular vehicle was running at a local show on 2 October 1999, and while
we weren't able to be there, some photos and commentary should be coming
our way shortly.... |
|
12 Feb 00 |
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| Copyright ©
Geoff
Winnington-Ball , 1999 - All Rights Reserved |
