Hobby Master 1-72 Ground Power
HG3110 British Cromwell IV 2nd Armoured Welsh Guards, Germany, April 1945
In WWII the British had an armour doctrine that called for two classes of tanks. Infantry
tanks were just that, fairly slow well armoured with the main goal to support the infantry.
The Cruiser tanks were just the opposite they compromised armour for speed and agility.
This was very important during their reconnaissance roles. Using the Meteor engine the
Mk. IV could attain speeds up to 52 km/h while almost gliding across the terrain on the
Christie Suspension. Later models received heavier armor when it was deemed some
speed should be given up for crew protection. Late in WWII there probably were more
Cromwell Mk. IV in operation than any other British tank but the Churchill and the Sherman
overshadowed its importance.
The B Squadron 2nd Battalion of the Welsh Guard was an armored RECCE Regiment
equipped with the Cromwell IV that had their 57 mm guns re-bored to 75 mm. On March
30,1945 the 2nd Battalion crossed the Rhine and on April 18, 1945 reached Visselhovede.
Here their headquarters was surrounded and attacked by German Marines. One
Squadron arrived and surrounded the Germans capturing 440 soldiers. On April 26 they
reached Westerimke where there was an SS camp. This turned out to be the last battle for
the Welsh Guard.
Specifications
Vehicle Type - Cruiser Mk. VIII (A27M) Cromwell Mk. IV
Crew - 5
Dimensions
Length - 6.35 m (20.8 ft)
Width - 2.91 m (9.55 ft)
Height - 2.49 m (8.17 ft)
Weight - 27,500 kg / (60,627 lb) / (27.06 British long tons) / (30.13 US short tons)
Ground pressure - 14.7 lb/sq. in
Powerplant - Rolls Royce Meteor V-12 26.9 liters 600 hp@2550 rpm
Power to weight ratio - 21.4 hp/t
Fuel - Gasoline capacity 527 liters (139 US gallons)
Performance
Speed
On road - 52 kph (32 mph)
Off road - 29 kph (18 mph)
Range
On road - 265 km (164.66 miles)
Off road - 134 km (83 miles)
Armament
Main - 1 x 75mm ROQF Mk. V or VA cannon with 64 rounds
Secondary - 2 x 7.92mm Besa MG (coaxial, bow) with 4,950 rounds
Armour
Maximum - 76mm (2.99 in)
Minimum - 20 mm (.79 in)