Valentine V
The Valentine V used a new three-man turret, but retained the same engine and main gun of the Valentine IV.
The new turret was enlarged at the front and rear to make space for a third crew member. It had a commander's hatch at the rear and a modified mantlet. It was powered by the same 138hp G.M.C. Diesel engine as the Mk IV, and carried the standard combination of 2-pounder anti-tank gun and coaxial Besa machine gun.
Side armour was increased to 60mm.
A similar pattern was followed with the Valentine II and Valentine III. The Mk II was similar to the Mk IV, with the two-man turret, but using an A.E.C. diesel engine. The Mk III was powered by the A.E.C. engine, but used the three man turret.
The Valentine V began to enter service in North Africa in the summer of 1942, at the time of Rommel's last offensive at Alam Halfa. They were also involved in the Second Battle of El Alamein. It was also used by 6th Armoured Division during Operation Torch, the invasion of French North Africa.
Names
Valentine V
Stats
Production:
Hull Length: 5m 41cm/ 17ft 9in
Hull Width: 2m 63cm/ 8ft 7.5in
Height: 2m 27cm/ 7ft 5.5in
Crew: 4
Weight: 16,700kg/ 16.4 tons
Engine: 138hp GMC 6-71 Model 6004
Max Speed on road: 24km/h/ 15mph
Max Speed off road: 18km/h / 11mph
Max Range: 176km/ 109 miles
Armament: QF 2-pounder Mk IX, 7.92mm Besa machine gun
Armour
Turret front: 65mm
Turret sides: 60mm
Nose: 60mm at 21 degrees
Glacis plate: 30mm at 68 degrees
Hull sides: 60mm vertical
Valentine Infantry Tank 1938-45, Bruce Oliver Newsome.
Looks at the most numerous British tank of the Second World War, but one that only saw limited combat service, mainly in North Africa. Notable for the amount of information packed into a series of tables, including specifications and identifying features of the many versions of the Valentine, as well as the interesting material on the interior of the tank, how it was driven, and on the many special variants such as the Archer self -propelled gun, which carried its main gun pointing backwards. [
read full review]
How to cite this article:
Rickard, J (27 May 2015), Valentine V , http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/weapons_valentine_V.html
