Armoured Vehicles In World War 2 #WW2

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.

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

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