CRUSADER III

Product Description

The model kit CRUSADER III is presented in the same box & with the original sprues of the FIRST VERSION RELEASED IN 1976 The certified limited edition is guaranteed by an HOLOGRAM on the box which

Includes:: the sequence number of each kit Produced up to 5300 units by nine British firms from March 1940 till 1943 the Cruiser tank Mk IV underwent several modifications up to the definitive version called Crusader III It was armed with a 6 pdrgun replacing the 2 pdrgun of the previous version the frontal Besa machinegun turret was deleted from the superstructure tank hull a better ventilation & a larger room for ammonition being consequently achieved Besides the gun turret & frontal hull armour thickness was increased As from Spring 1941 the Crusader was the main British tank to be operational in the North African theatre in Fall 1942 it took part to the battle of El Alamein together with Americanbuilt Sherman tanks Capable of coping with the Italian AFVs it could not complete with the German Panzer III the 50mmgun of which as well as the Italian infantry 4732 antitank gun could perforate its armour On the other hand its strong & reliable Christie suspensions gave it fast speed even on very rough terrain just like the North African one this compensating for its armour & armament lack At the beginning of 1943 the Crusader was definitely withdrawn from the fighting line its hull however being still produced to be fitted for various British special AFVs conceived for the invasion of Europe Among these the 17 pdr 7655 mm gun artillery tractor was widely used by antitank divisional units in the western front