OK, after much deliberation I have decided to blog about armoured vehicles used in the Second World War, Axis & Allied. I am starting with the Mk I Infantry tank, better known as the Matilda.
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MK I Infantry Tank found at: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1xPuCXQZYx4ZnCTU-G3eWY6bIRxW9YpYIxkj1Fp1GaS18DtOHYX0QBML6JM5XVVpHoCTkK7HmfkyHI-9lTQRsYGpb1CJCho5B9EpDrsw7Qi9UC-WtmtsegClPOjAG0JFfM5EZQcIWcMs/s1600/infantry-mk-i-matilda-mk-i-01.png
Infantry tanks in the mid 1930's were not required to attain any decent speed, as their name suggests they were primarily used as infantry support weapons. One advantage of this was that they had heavier armour than faster tanks. They were used in the Battle of France, MK 2 Matilda's proving better, any surviving MK I tanks were destroyed before the BEF evacuated in May-June 1940. One major problem of the MK I was the vulnerability of the tracks which were too exposed.
| Matilda Mk.I specifications |
| Dimensions |
4.85 x 2.28 x 1.86 m (15.91×7.48×6.1 ft) |
| Total weight, battle ready |
11 tons |
| Crew |
2 |
| Propulsion |
Ford V8 petrol
70 bhp at 3500 rpm |
| Speed |
8 mph (13 km/h) |
| Range |
80 mi (130 km) |
| Armament |
0.303 or 0.5 in (7.7 or 12.7 mm) heavy machine-gun |
| Armor |
From 10 to 60 mm (0.39-2.36 in) |
| Total production |
140 in 1938-1939 |
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