A Guards' Valentine IX.
The Valentine was one of the most numerous Allied tanks, in eleven marks and accounting for over a quarter of Britain's tank production.
Background[]
The Valentine was an infantry tank produced in eleven marks and numerous specialized variants, accounting for a quarter of British tank production throughout the war. It began its life as a private design of Vickers-Armstrong. Drawing on their experience with previous designs, V-A engineers combined the low weight of cruiser tanks A9 and A10 and the armor of the A11 infantry tank (the infamous Matilda I). To keep the weight down while maintaining protection, the resulting Valentine was cramped and had a small, two-man turret. Although it was slightly less armored and only as fast as the Matila II, it was easier to produce and far cheaper, thanks to using parts from the A9 and A10 cruisers.
Submitted to the War Office, the design was finally approved in April 1939 and scheduled for delivery in May 1940. Successful trials coincided with the disastrous defeat in France and the loss of much of UK's tank force, leading to the Valentine entering service in July the following year. A total of 8 275 tanks were produced between the UK and Canada, making it the Empire's most produced tank design.
Variants[]
Valentine III[]
The III featured a modified turret, with more space for the loader thanks to an altered frontal armor plate and increased space in the rear. Side armor has been thinned to save some weight and reduce production costs.
- Valentine III
- Kampfpanzer III(e): Valentine IIIs captured by the Nazis were pressed into service as Infanterie-Kampfpanzer III "Valentine" 749(e).
Valentine VII[]
Valentine Komroti is a Mark VII, an improved Canadian Mark VI. Using a mix of Canadian and American parts with a US-made diesel engine and, in late models, cast glacis, the Mark VI only differed from the Mark VII in minute internal changes and the use of an older radio set (No. 11 vs. the VII's No. 19).
Valentine IX[]
Valentine IX was a Mark V, using an US GMC diesel engine and transmission giving it improved mobility and reliability, upgraded with a 6-pounder gun, sacrificing the coaxial machine gun for increased anti-armor performance. Late models had an improved diesel engine, giving it 165 hp.