Produktbeschreibung
As part of the Allied Lend-lease program to the Soviet Union a number of British Infantry Tanks Mark III (Valentine II) were shipped to the Red Army. Over the war a total of 2720 Valentines of various marks were sent to the Soviet Union.
The Valentine II first saw service with the Soviets during the battle for Moscow in late 1941. It saw service mainly on the central and southern fronts because of the proximity to the British supply routes through Persia (Iran).
n Soviet service the Valentine II was criticized for its low speed and its weak 2pdr gun, however it was still liked due to its small size, reliability and good armour protection.
The Valentine II was powered by the AEC A190 131 hp diesel engine. In order to increase its range, an auxiliary external fuel tank was fitted to the left of the engine compartment above the track guard.
A total of 161 (136 arrived) Valentine IIs were sent to the Soviet Union. The Red Army also received the Valentine IV (449) and VIIa (1043) that were visually similar to the Valentine II. The Valentine IV was powered by a GMC 138 hp diesel engine instead of the AEC engine.
The Valentine VIIa was Canadian built with the GMC engine, studded tracks, jettisonable external fuel tanks, protected headlights and .30 cal Browning machine-guns instead of the 7.92mm Besa machine-guns of the Valentine II and IV.
In Flames Of War -
The SU033 model can be used to represent all three of these Valentine models.
Because of its small size and light armament the Mark III (Valentine II) was treated as a light tank and can be found as a option for Light Tankovy Companies. They are armed with the 2pdr, which has similar performance to the Soviet 45mm tank gun, (Range: 24"/60cm, ROF 3, AT 7, FP 5+) though it doesn't have any HE.
The Valentine has better protection than any other Soviet light tank (F6, S5, T1), but is let down by its slow speed (Slow tank 8"/20cm cross-country). |
