TETRARCH TANK

The 'Tank, Light Mk VII, Tetrarch I' was a British light tank produced during the Second World War, initially for the reconnaissance role but later for use by airborne forces.

Contents

Design and Development

Combat history

Variants

Tetrarch I CS

Tetrarch DD

See also

External links

Design and Development

The first Tetrarch prototype (then called a PR Tank or Purdah), was produced by Vickers-Armstrong in 1938. The vehicle was approved by the Army and production started in 1940, only to cease soon after following the bad performance of light tanks during the prevailing stage of the war.
The production of Mk VIIs was restarted in 1941 following the adoption of the vehicle by airborne forces, since it was light enough to be deployed from the air, via Hamilcar gliders, to support paratroops. The name "Tetrarch" was given to the vehicle in 1943.
The most interesting feature of the Tetrarch was its unique skid steering system that accomplished turns by the lateral movement of road wheels, which bowed the tracks. For sharp turns, the driver had to apply brakes to one track in the traditional fashion.
The Tetrarch turret design was also used on the Daimler Armoured Car

Combat history

★ A small number were deployed during Operation Ironclad, the invasion of Madagascar in 1942.

★ Airborne Armoured Reconnaissance Regiment, 6th Airborne Division- landed by Hamilcar glider as part of Operation Overlord on June 6, 1944 on the River Orne

★ Rhine crossing March 24, 1945.

★ About twenty Tetrachs were supplied to the USSR, where they were photographed in training.

Variants

Tetrarch I CS

★ Close support version with a 3-inch (76 mm) howitzer.

Tetrarch DD

★ One Tetrarch was fitted and tested with a propeller drive and canvas collapsible flotation screens in June 1941 at Brent Reservoir. The test was a success and Straussler DD (Duplex Drive) was adopted for the Valentine and Sherman.

See also

★ M22 Locust

External links

★ WWII vehicles