British Armoured Fighting Vehicles of World War II - Light Tanks

Light Tanks

These were a series of similar small produced by Britain in the years between the First and Second World Wars mainly for use in Imperial duties. They saw use in training, and in limited engagements with British Imperial units in colonial policing action before the war. All were about 5 tonnes, the earlier models had a crew of two and were armed with a 0.303 Vickers machine gun. The later had a crew of three and a heavy machine gun (the 0.50 inch version of the Vickers machine gun or 15mm Besa machine gun) as well as 0.303 or 7.92mm Besa machine gun. Although some were used in France and North Africa at the start of the war, they were removed as not fit for service in armoured divisions.

  • Light Tank Mk I
  • Light Tank Mk II
  • Light Tank Mk III
  • Light Tank Mk IV
  • Light Tank Mk V
  • Light Tank Mk VI


The last of the light tanks were produced during the war. Not considered suitable for use in the divisions, they were trialled in airborne operations. Armament was the QF 2 pdr anti-tank gun.

  • Light Tank Mk VIII
  • Light Tank Mk VII Tetrarch I

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