A27M Cromwell - British Cruiser Tank

The A27M Cromwell is one of the most famous British tanks used in World  War II, its development started in 1941 with the objective to replace the Crusader.

First production models used the 57 mm QF 6 pdr gun and two 7.9 mm Besa machine gun. Powered by a 600 hp Rolls Royce Meteor V12 and weighting 27.5 tons the Cromwell could reach a top speed around 55 kmh which is very fast for its time.

The 4 men crew (driver, gunner, commander and loader) were protected by an armor up to 76 mm thick.

About 3000 units were build and deployed during the invasion of Normandy, despite the high losses rate, the Cromwell served with armored units and reconnaissance regiments.

The Cromwell basis were used for some variants like the Excelsior (heavy tank) and the Charioteer, a tank destroyer with a powerful 84 mm QF 20 pdr gun.