Cromwell Tank - Variants

Variants

The modifications and developments of the Cromwell were classified under "Type" and "Mark". A single Mark could cover up to four Types and a Type up to six Marks making classification complex.

The Types ran from A (the earliest Cavaliers, Centaurs and Cromwells) to F (a late model Cromwell with driver's side escape hatch).

Centaur I

First draft. Armed with the Royal Ordnance QF 6 pounder (57 mm) gun (with 64 rounds of ammunition). It was used only for training. 1,059 produced.

Porpoise was also used by the M7 Priest 105 mm howitzers.

Centaur II

Mark I with wider tracks and no hull machine gun. Experimental only.

Centaur III

Centaur armed with the 75 mm ROQF Mk V gun. In 1943, most Centaur I were converted to IIIs, but a few remained as such. 233 produced.

Centaur IV

Centaur armed with a 95 mm howitzer (with 51 rounds of ammunition). This is the only version of the Centaur known to have seen combat, in service with the Royal Marines Armoured Support Group. The vehicles were fitted with wading gear to get them ashore. Trunking waterproofed the engine inlets and covers were fitted to the guns. 114 produced.

Centaur, AA Mk I

Used a Crusader III, Anti-Aircraft Mk II turret fitted with twin 20 mm Polsten guns. Were originally deployed in Normandy, but withdrawn as unnecessary due to Allied air superiority. 95 were produced.

Centaur, AA Mk II

Used a Crusader III, AA Mk III turret with twin 20 mm Polsten AA guns.

Cromwell I

Exactly the same as the Centaur I, but using the Meteor engine. Only 357 produced due to the switch from the 6 pounder (57 mm) to the 75 mm gun.

Cromwell II

Increased track width and removal of the hull machine gun to increase stowage. None produced.

Cromwell III

Centaur I upgraded with Meteor V12 engine. Only ~ 200 produced due to scarcity of Centaur I's.

Cromwell IV

Centaur I or III upgraded with Meteor engine, or built as such. The most numerous variant with over 1,935 units produced.

Cromwell IVw

Meteor engine, and all welded hull.

Cromwell Vw

Cromwell built from the start with the 75 mm gun and a welded instead of riveted hull.

Cromwell VI

Cromwell armed with 95 mm howitzer. 341 produced.

Cromwell VII

Cromwell IV and V upgraded with additional armour (101 mm to front), wider (15.5 inch) tracks, and additional gearbox. These were introduced very late in the war and did not see much in the way of combat. ~ 1,500 produced.

Cromwell VIIw

Cromwell Vw reworked to Cromwell VII standard, or built as new to that standard

Cromwell VIII

Cromwell VI reworked with same upgrades as VII.

• Centaur IV behind Sword Beach, Normandy, France