BRITISH TANKS

Greymouth Evening Star, 22 December 1936, Page 4

BRITISH TANKS

j OLD ONES FALL TO PIECES | The Army Council is pressing fovI ward with new types of tanks. A de--1 sign embracing characteristics which • will allow of greatly-accelerated proj duction in an emergency has been ap--1 proved for the Tank Brigade, says the “Morning Post.” Another type of tank is also being evolved to work in close co-operation with infantry, and the latest type of light tank is to be multiplied. The Tank Brigade is in a sorry plight at the moment. The 12-ton (medium) tank, which is still the armament of that brigade, is literally falling to pieces. Nuts and bolts are strewn about the field when it manoeuvres, and at the end of a “battle” the casualties give an unintentionally realistic touch to operations. Ten years ago the Dominion Premiers wore allowed to see the “mystery tank.” None but privileged persons were allowed to approach it. It weighed 20 tons, and was said to be the last word in engineering skill. £30,000 “EXHIBIT.” It carried four revolving turrets for machine-guns and one central revolving turret for the 3-pounder gun, and its cost was approximately £30,000. Tiiat alone condemned the machine to be an exhibit only. Its production in war to replace casualties was another serious handicap. The next of the tank family to re- t ceive attention was one of 16 tons. The reduction in weight and a slightly simpler design brought the cost down to about £25,000. ’This machine held the field for several years, but the I authorities, for quite good reasons, never went into production. It was | too complicated in design for rapid production. The 16-tonner was, however, a fine model of a heavy fighting machine. Its successor is not so heavy, its design has been simplified, and in comparison with the existing medium tank it has a little heavier armour. The medium tank now in use was a good machine when adopted, but the progress made in the application of science to war has made it a "back number” for years. There are features in the new machine which places it in the front rank of armoured vehicles. Its cross-country performance is said to be good, and it has greater engine power, which gives it an improved gradient climbing performance. Until the Tank Brigade has been rearmed, it could not take the field without grave risk of disaster.