Infantry Tank Valiant (A38)

1944 WORLD WAR 2

• 1 History of the Valiant Infantry Tank (A38)
• 2 Infantry Tank Valiant (A38) Specification
  • 2.1 Basic
  • 2.2 Roles
  • 2.3 Dimensions
  • 2.4 Performance
  • 2.5 Performance
  • 2.6 Armor
  • 2.7 Changes

History of the Valiant Infantry Tank (A38)

The British Army's "A38 Specification" called for a new infantry/assault tank to be used in the Asia-Pacific region during World War II (1939-1945). Like the other Allied forces, Britain fought on multiple fronts for the capture of the Axis powers.

The A38 is designed to combine a light tank design with strong armor protection and superior firepower. The resulting design - the "Heroic" infantry tank - ultimately proved a failure and went down in history as only a prototype - now housed in the British Bovington Tank Museum

Design work began in late 1943, and the specification placed less emphasis on certain key qualities, such as off-road capability and direct tank-to-tank combat. This allowed the engineers to stay within the target weight range, and the end product became a manageable 27-ton armored machine. Measurements include a length of 17'7", a width of 9'3" and a height of 7'. The vehicle will be piloted by four people and has 4.5 inches of armor protection.

The hull is cast armor with bolted sections. Power will be provided by a GMC 6004 series diesel engine rated at 210 hp, giving the vehicle a speed of just 12 mph on the road and a worse 7 mph off-road. As usual in tanks, the engine is mounted in the rear compartment.

The suspension system consists of separate wishbone spring units. The wheel chassis consists of six rubber tire wheels, located on one side of the fuselage.

Initial work on the vehicle fell to the attention of the famous Vickers, but before becoming the focus of Ruston & Hornsy, Birmingham Rail Cars and Wagons were directed. Founded in 1918, Ruston & Hornsy has become a trusted manufacturer of heavy equipment of all types. In 1944, as the war began against the Axis powers on some fronts, a pilot vehicle finally appeared.

The official name of the vehicle is "Armored, Infantry, Brave (A38)".

The primary weapon of choice was the 57mm QF 6-pounder, which proved to be easily available from existing British stockpiles. The gun was mounted on a three-man turret with lateral and altitude control, although its nearly vertical fairing would prove to be a ballistic disadvantage in actual combat.

Additional weapons include 2 x 7.92mm Besa machine guns, one coaxially mounted.

Progress on the Valiant project was slow, with testing beginning in 1945 when the vehicle ran (on the road) for a while in May. It turned out to be cumbersome to use, and trials did little to confirm the value of the product. The parties did not agree. Fortunately, the war in Europe ended that month and the main focus of the Allies was now on the Pacific Theater. The war ended completely in August, reducing the need for pesky, expensive infantry/assault tanks.

As such, the Valiant became the target of a quick termination thereafter.

After the war, the existing pilot vehicles were used in the "Tank Technical Academy", and their various shortcomings were extensively studied by prospective engineers. It then found its permanent home at the Bovington Tank Museum, which can be seen today (2014).

Infantry Tank Valiant (A38) Specification

Basic

Roles

Dimensions

Performance

Performance

Armor

Not available.

Changes