chruchill tanks

RedLeif · Post by **RedLeif** » Mon Sep 26, 2011 7:09 pm

I'm trying to find out what the amount of armour was on the front hull vs. front turret of the Mk1 through Mk 4 Churchill tanks? Does anyone have or know of a written source for the armour values (in inches or cm) for the Mk 1 - MK 4 models.

Using only the internet I repeatedly found '102mm (4") front armour', but no differentiation between the hull and turret.

I'm also wondering if anyone has any knowledge (or source) of the 75mm howitzer used in the hull (in the Mk1). I think it was the QF 3" gun, which I don't believe had an AP round available. Do others readers concur with this? This is not critical as the mk was used so little but I'm just curious.

regards
Leif

Donald M. Scheef · Post by **Donald M. Scheef** » Mon Sep 26, 2011 10:13 pm

Hard-copy references of which I know:

AFV Profiles number 1; Churchill Infantry Tank Mk IV. This is long out of print and difficult to find. I have a copy at home that I am willing to examine, but I am now on a six-week overseas assignment. Let me know five weeks from now if you are still interested.

Osprey Old Vanguard number 13; Churchill Tank. This has been out of print but Osprey has been reprinting some of their old volumes. They may not reprint this one because of the newer volume listed below. This is another book I have at home.

Osprey New Vanguard number 2004; Churchill Tank. I haven't purchased this because I have the earlier volume. The last time I looked it was available from the Osprey website.

Don S.

Nazgul · Post by **Nazgul** » Mon Sep 26, 2011 10:56 pm

Churchill Mk. 1, 2, 3: Upper Hull 80(45); Lower Hull 80(15); Turret Front 95; Gun Mantle 102(15)
Churchill Mk. 4 NA75 : Upper Hull 80(45); Lower Hull 80(15); Turret Front 76(30); Gun Mantle 89+51 (spaced armor) (specs for refitted with American 75mm gun)

First number is the armor thickness in mm, number in parentheses is the slope of the armor in degrees.

Information I found years ago from more places than I can remember. Part of my pet project that went on for 18 months. Can't vouch completely for it, but I hope this helps.

TAMMY · Post by **TAMMY** » Mon Sep 26, 2011 11:03 pm

Looking at AFV Profile NÂ°1 (as suggested by Donald) I have found the following:

for the Mk. IV
Turret: front 88mm, vertical. Sides 76mm, vertical.
The front nose plate is goven at 88mm too.

The Osprey books have no details of armour.

I have found the following data in the old Bellona Militar vehicle prints:

Mk.I, ICS, Mk.II, IICS
Hull, front nose plate 3,492" (89mm)
Turret (cast) front and sides 3,492" (89mm)
The hull howitzer was a QQF 3 in. Howitzer Mk. i (76,2mm L/26) with 58 rounds. (I suppose the rounds where HE as for AT fire there was the 2 pdr gun)

Mk III, IV, V
Hull, front nose plate 3,492" (89mm)
Turret (welded or cast) front and sides 3,492" (89mm)

I hope this helps

RedLeif · Post by **RedLeif** » Mon Sep 26, 2011 11:43 pm

thanks guys.
Great Data and confirms what I was expecting.

Leif