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Crusader

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Crusader

AnnoGB20_Crusader.png
Battle Tier
1234567891011
Overview
Mouse over "
Well, the ones further down, of course.
" for more information
[Client Values; Actual values in
Specifically, the mismatch in crew values caused by commander's 10% crew skill bonus. Outside of a crew of 1 commander only, 100% crew is a fiction. The client values, given for 100% crew, will normally be taken into battle with 110% crew skill members aside from specific functions, causing their actual performance to deviate from the expected client value. These differences are taken into account in tooltip boxes.
]
880,000  Credits Cost
650136 HP Hit Points
19/19.310.71/21 t Weight Limit
Crew
  1. Commander (Radio Operator)
  2. Gunner (Loader)
  3. Driver
Mobility
395410 hp Engine Power
58/22 km/h Speed Limit
4045 deg/s Traverse
20.7938.28 hp/t Power/Wt Ratio
NoNo Pivot
Armor
// mm Hull Armor
39.1/19.5/24.750.8/23.5/29.7 mm Turret Armor
Armament







{{#ifeq:ARMOR_PIERCING_CR|ARMOR_PIERCING||



{{#ifeq:HIGH_EXPLOSIVE|ARMOR_PIERCING||


AP/APCR/HE







{{#ifeq:ARMOR_PIERCING_CR|ARMOR_PIERCING||



{{#ifeq:HIGH_EXPLOSIVE|ARMOR_PIERCING||


AP/APCR/HE
Shells




















30/1200/15




















45/2400/32
Shell Cost
50/50/6075/75/100 HP Damage
78/121/23110/180/30 mm Penetration



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28.57 r/m 

Standard Gun

Reload Times
Nominal: 2.1 s
50% Crew: 2.67 s
75% Crew: 2.35 s
100% Crew: 2.1 s
Rammer: 1.89 s
Vents: 2.05 s
Both: 1.85 s
Both and BiA: 1.81 s
Both and Max Crew %: 1.74 s

See Crew, Consumables, or Equipment for more information.



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27.27 r/m 

Standard Gun

Reload Times
Nominal: 2.2 s
50% Crew: 2.8 s
75% Crew: 2.46 s
100% Crew: 2.2 s
Rammer: 1.98 s
Vents: 2.15 s
Both: 1.93 s
Both and BiA: 1.9 s
Both and Max Crew %: 1.82 s

See Crew, Consumables, or Equipment for more information.
Rate of Fire






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1428.5

Standard Gun

Using Shell Type 1 (50 Damage):


Theoretical Damage Per Minute
Nominal DPM: 1428.5
50% Crew: 1122.5
75% Crew: 1275.5
100% Crew: 1428.5
100% Crew
Vents: 1462
Rammer: 1587
Both: 1624.5
Both and BiA: 1655.5
Both and Max Crew %: 1726.5

Advantageous Damage Per Minute
First-shot DPM: 1478.5
50% Crew: 1172.5
75% Crew: 1325.5
100% Crew: 1478.5
100% Crew
Rammer: 1637
Vents: 1512
Both: 1674.5
Both and BiA: 1705.5
Both and Max Crew %: 1776.5

See here, here, or here for more information.

Standard Gun

Using Shell Type 2 (50 Damage):


Theoretical Damage Per Minute
Nominal DPM: 1428.5
50% Crew: 1122.5
75% Crew: 1275.5
100% Crew: 1428.5
100% Crew
Vents: 1462
Rammer: 1587
Both: 1624.5
Both and BiA: 1655.5
Both and Max Crew %: 1726.5

Advantageous Damage Per Minute
First-shot DPM: 1478.5
50% Crew: 1172.5
75% Crew: 1325.5
100% Crew: 1478.5
100% Crew
Rammer: 1637
Vents: 1512
Both: 1674.5
Both and BiA: 1705.5
Both and Max Crew %: 1776.5

See here, here, or here for more information.

Standard Gun

Using Shell Type 3 (60 Damage):
With wholly penetrating hits

Theoretical Damage Per Minute
Nominal DPM: 1714.2
50% Crew: 1347
75% Crew: 1530.6
100% Crew: 1714.2
100% Crew
Vents: 1754.4
Rammer: 1904.4
Both: 1949.4
Both and BiA: 1986.6
Both and Max Crew %: 2071.8

Advantageous Damage Per Minute
First-shot DPM: 1774.2
50% Crew: 1407
75% Crew: 1590.6
100% Crew: 1774.2
100% Crew
Rammer: 1964.4
Vents: 1814.4
Both: 2009.4
Both and BiA: 2046.6
Both and Max Crew %: 2131.8

See here, here, or here for more information.






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2045.25

Standard Gun

Using Shell Type 1 (75 Damage):


Theoretical Damage Per Minute
Nominal DPM: 2045.25
50% Crew: 1607.25
75% Crew: 1826.25
100% Crew: 2045.25
100% Crew
Vents: 2093.25
Rammer: 2272.5
Both: 2325.75
Both and BiA: 2370
Both and Max Crew %: 2472

Advantageous Damage Per Minute
First-shot DPM: 2120.25
50% Crew: 1682.25
75% Crew: 1901.25
100% Crew: 2120.25
100% Crew
Rammer: 2347.5
Vents: 2168.25
Both: 2400.75
Both and BiA: 2445
Both and Max Crew %: 2547

See here, here, or here for more information.

Standard Gun

Using Shell Type 2 (75 Damage):


Theoretical Damage Per Minute
Nominal DPM: 2045.25
50% Crew: 1607.25
75% Crew: 1826.25
100% Crew: 2045.25
100% Crew
Vents: 2093.25
Rammer: 2272.5
Both: 2325.75
Both and BiA: 2370
Both and Max Crew %: 2472

Advantageous Damage Per Minute
First-shot DPM: 2120.25
50% Crew: 1682.25
75% Crew: 1901.25
100% Crew: 2120.25
100% Crew
Rammer: 2347.5
Vents: 2168.25
Both: 2400.75
Both and BiA: 2445
Both and Max Crew %: 2547

See here, here, or here for more information.

Standard Gun

Using Shell Type 3 (100 Damage):
With wholly penetrating hits

Theoretical Damage Per Minute
Nominal DPM: 2727
50% Crew: 2143
75% Crew: 2435
100% Crew: 2727
100% Crew
Vents: 2791
Rammer: 3030
Both: 3101
Both and BiA: 3160
Both and Max Crew %: 3296

Advantageous Damage Per Minute
First-shot DPM: 2827
50% Crew: 2243
75% Crew: 2535
100% Crew: 2827
100% Crew
Rammer: 3130
Vents: 2891
Both: 3201
Both and BiA: 3260
Both and Max Crew %: 3396

See here, here, or here for more information.
Damage Per Minute


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0.35 m 

With 50% Crew: 0.434 m
With 75% Crew: 0.379 m
With 100% Crew: 0.336 m
With BiA: 0.328 m
With BiA and Vents: 0.321 m
Maximum possible: 0.308 m

For more details, see Crew


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0.37 m 

With 50% Crew: 0.458 m
With 75% Crew: 0.4 m
With 100% Crew: 0.355 m
With BiA: 0.347 m
With BiA and Vents: 0.339 m
Maximum possible: 0.325 m

For more details, see Crew
Accuracy


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1.7 s 

With 50% Crew: 2.106 s
With 75% Crew: 1.839 s
With 100% Crew: 1.63 s
With GLD: 1.482 s
With BiA: 1.594 s
With BiA and Vents: 1.559 s
With both and GLD: 1.418 s
Maximum possible: 1.359 s

For more details, see Crew or Equipment


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2 s 

With 50% Crew: 2.478 s
With 75% Crew: 2.163 s
With 100% Crew: 1.918 s
With GLD: 1.743 s
With BiA: 1.875 s
With BiA and Vents: 1.835 s
With both and GLD: 1.668 s
Maximum possible: 1.599 s

For more details, see Crew or Equipment
Aim time
4846 deg/s Turret Traverse
360° Gun Arc
-15°/+20°-12°/+20° Elevation Arc
260130 rounds Ammo Capacity
General
2020 % Chance of Fire






360 m 

With 50% Crew: 282.8 m
With 75% Crew: 321.5 m
With 100% Crew: 360 m
With Recon and Situational Awareness: 378.2 m
With Coated Optics: 396 m
With Binocular Telescope: 450 m
Maximum possible: 515.4 m

For more details, see Skills or Equipment






370 m 

With 50% Crew: 290.7 m
With 75% Crew: 330.4 m
With 100% Crew: 370 m
With Recon and Situational Awareness: 388.7 m
With Coated Optics: 407 m
With Binocular Telescope: 462.5 m
Maximum possible: 529.7 m

For more details, see Skills or Equipment
View Range


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375 m 

With 50% Crew: 294.6 m
With 75% Crew: 334.8 m
With 100% Crew: 375 m
With 100% Signal Boost: 450 m
When affected by 100% Relaying: 412.5 m
Maximum possible: 539.6 m

For more details, see Skills or Equipment


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550 m 

With 50% Crew: 432.1 m
With 75% Crew: 491.1 m
With 100% Crew: 550 m
With 100% Signal Boost: 660 m
When affected by 100% Relaying: 605 m
Maximum possible: 791.4 m

For more details, see Skills or Equipment
Signal Range
Values are Stock - click for Top


VI

AnnoGB20_Crusader.png

880000

The Crusader is a British tier 6 light tank.

The Crusader was developed by Nuffield Mechanizations Ltd. from 1938 through 1940. More than 5,300 vehicles were mass-produced from 1941 through 1943. They were most extensively used in the North African campaign in 1941–1942.

NOTE: In update 1.9 the Crusader was reclassified as a light tank and was moved up to tier 6. As such, it once again receives the light tank concealment on the move bonus.

The Crusader is commonly regarded as a difficult tank to play effectively, requiring a high skill level and punishing your mistakes at every opportunity. Its mobility is similar to the Covenanter (which had its mobility increased however in 1.9.1), meaning that the Crusader is not the quickest or most agile of tanks and is only just able to escape from danger. The low standard penetration means it is critical that you learn enemy weak points. The Crusader is most capable when played like a jackal, assisting other tanks in dealing with distracted enemies.

The Crusader leads to the GSR 3301 Setter.

Modules / Available Equipment and Consumables

Modules

Ico_gun_alpha.png

Guns

Tier Gun Penetration
(mm)
Damage
(HP)
Rate of fire
(rounds/minute)
Dispersion
(m/100m)
Aiming time
(s)
Weight
(kg)
Price
(Credits)

IV OQF 3-inch Howitzer Mk. I 38/100/23 175/110/60 15 0.49 1.9 116 30000
IV QF 6-pdr Mk. III 105/170/30 75/75/100 27.27 0.43 2.3 400 27000
V QF 6-pdr Gun Mk. V 110/180/30 75/75/100 27.27 0.37 2 450 35000
IV QF 2-pdr Mk. X 78/121/23 50/50/60 28.57 0.35 1.5 130 6000

Ico_engine_alpha.png

Engines

Tier Engine Engine Power
(hp)
Chance of Fire on Impact
(%)
Weight
(kg)
Price
(Credits)

IV Nuffield Liberty Mk. III 395 20 383 11500
V Nuffield Liberty Mk. V 410 20 383 12500

Ico_suspension_alpha.png

Suspensions

Tier Suspension Load Limit
(т)
Traverse Speed
(gr/sec)
Rmin Weight
(kg)
Price
(Credits)

V Crusader Mk. I 19.3 40 B/2 6200 4000
VI Crusader Mk. III 21 45 B/2 6200 18500

Ico_radio_alpha.png

Radios

Tier Radio Signal Range
(m)
Weight
(kg)
Price
(Credits)

VII WS No. 19 Mk. II 450 40 21000
VI WS No. 19 Mk. I 400 40 15000
V WS No. 9 375 40 3600
VIII WS No. 19 Mk. III 550 40 22000

Compatible Equipment

Low Noise Exhaust System Class 2 Vertical Stabilizer Class 2 Light Spall Liner Camouflage Net Class 2 Coated Optics Class 2 Stabilizing Equipment System Experimental Optics Wear-Resistant Gun Laying Drive Improved Configuration Venting System Innovative Loading System Enhanced Gun Laying Drive Class 2 Improved Hardening Class 3 Additional Grousers Class 2 Modified Configuration Class 2 Improved Rotation Mechanism Class 2 Improved Aiming Class 2 Improved Ventilation Class 3 Binocular Telescope Class 2 Gun Rammer Class 2 Turbocharger Class 2 

Compatible Consumables

Stabilizer Greasing Automatic Fire Extinguisher Natural Cover Optical Calibration Aim Tuning Experienced Firefighters 100-octane Gasoline 105-octane Gasoline Manual Fire Extinguisher Pre-Battle Maintenance Vent Purge Large First Aid Kit Large Repair Kit Duty Comes First Shell Organizer Orderly Ammo Rack Focus on Target Pudding and Tea Increased Focus Small First Aid Kit Small Repair Kit Gearbox Intricacy Steady Hand Combat Course 


Player Opinion

Pros and Cons

Pros:


  • Incredible fire rate with top gun. DPM is the best of the Tier 6 light tanks, and even rivals some Tier 8 mediums
  • Low profile and good camo values make hiding in bushes easy
  • Decent view range of 360, 370 as of Update 1.9.1
  • Tied with T37 and VK 28.01 for highest health pool (680) among tier 6 light tanks


Cons:


  • Slowest of the Tier 6 light tanks, albeit it now goes 58 km/h as of 1.9.1 (power/weight is still lacking, though)
  • Gun depression is misleading - 7 gun depression at the front; the maximum of 12 applies to the sides only
  • Poor armor, completely ineffective at tier 6
  • Lowest standard penetration (about MT-25 with 57mm) and alpha on its top gun of all tier 6 lights, though APCR is good


Performance

The Crusader is meant for combat and is less geared towards scouting. However, if played carefully, it can be a capable mobile spotter in the early stages of the game. In the late game it can be useful for finding and destroying enemy artillery. At no point should you try to cross wide open spaces - you lack the horsepower and you have virtually no armour, although with correct angling it is sometimes possible to make miraculous bounces.

The high DPM is fantastic if you have a comprehensive knowledge of enemy weak spots, but newer players or those who are still learning the higher tiers are likely to struggle. In fact, the Crusader's top gun is its only saving grace. It is weak, but its ROF makes up for the lack of damage provided you are able to penetrate. The Crusader is somewhat awkward during tight maneuvers such as circle-strafing due to unimpressive traverse speed, but if you can pull it off, you can tear enemy heavies to pieces - just beware that the slightest stumble on your part will result in your death.

You should avoid cresting hills frontally, as you can only depress your gun 7 degrees over the front, somewhat low for such a low armored vehicle. The frontal view port blocks it from going down to the maximum of 12 degrees. Instead, to shoot safely over a hill, you have to try a tricky maneuver of angling your tank like a jackknife with the turret perpendicular to the hull (or forming a V-shape to the hull) to get any shots off. However, your side armour is thin and your ammo rack extremely brittle, so unless you particularly enjoy reduced DPM or exploding, protect your sides at all costs. Now you are starting to see why this tank requires skill to use effectively. It is your choice whether to bother with Safe Stowage or a Wet Ammo Rack, although if you are playing the Crusader like you should (as a sneaky damage thief with occasional spotting duties) then these won't be required.

The ammo capacity of the QF 6-pdr Gun Mk. V was doubled to 130 in Update 1.9, meaning it's much less likely you'll run out of shells in the middle of the battle; however, you should still use as little HE as possible, as the damage increase is not worth the penetration loss.

As previously stated, this can be a very challenging tank to play and it is difficult to define a true role for it beyond scavenger. Swallow your pride, keep your head down and prepare for the grind towards the Setter.

  • NOTE: As of Update 1.9.1 the Crusader has received buffs. The top speed was increased further from the original 44 km/h to 50 km/h to now 58 km/h. The Crusader also now has 370 view range (+10 from previous 360) and has significantly less bloom after firing, to the point of where with a 100% crew (even with a rammer) it can be fully aimed right as it loads, letting it use DPM reliably at range, something it horribly lacked until the update. Lastly, the dispersion (with a 100% crew) has been buffed from 0.39 to 0.35, the aim time from 2.21 to 1.92, and has less bloom upon movement/tank traverse (from 0.22/0.22 to 0.18/0.18). Overall, the gun is much more usable now, especially at range, while also improving the very lacking top speed to an acceptable amount, and the view range is decent now as well.


Crew Skills:

Commander (Radio Operator): Camo (Retrain to Sixth Sense and then begin camo again); Recon

Gunner (Loader): Camo, Snap Shot

Driver: Smooth Ride, Camo


Early Research

  • The WS No. 19 Mk. III carries over from the Covenanter and should be installed immediately. The 6-pdr guns are also available if you previously played the Churchill I or Cavalier.
  • Start by researching the upgraded suspension or purchasing Enhanced Christie Suspension.
  • Next, research the Crusader Mk. III turret, followed by the QF 6-pdr Mk. III for an amazing boost to firepower.
  • Research the Nuffield Liberty Mk. V engine for a slight boost to engine power.
  • Research the QF 6-pdr Gun Mk. V.
  • Finally, research the Crusader Mk. III suspension if you did not previously.


Suggested Equipment


Coated Optics Binocular Telescope Enhanced Gun Laying Drive Improved Ventilation"Wet" Ammo Rack 


Gallery

Historical Info

Crusader tank

Cruiser Mk VI or A15 Crusader was one of the primary British cruiser tanks of the early part Second World War and perhaps the most important British tank of the North African Campaign. The Crusader's mobility made it a favourite of British tank crews and its Ordnance QF 6 pounder main gun made it more than a match for the early Panzer III and Panzer IV tanks it faced in combat. Retained in service because of delays with its replacement, by late 1942 the lack of armament upgrade combined with the presence of Tiger I Tanks among the Afrika Korps and overheating problems caused by the high temperatures of the desert, led to the design being phased out in favour of the new US-supplied Sherman medium tank. The next British cruiser in combat would be the Cromwell heavy cruiser.

Development history

In 1938, Nuffield Mechanization & Aero Limited produced their A16 design for a heavy cruiser tank based on Christie suspension. Looking for a lighter and cheaper tank to build, the General Staff requested alternatives. To this end the A13 Mk III cruiser tank design which would enter service as the "Tank, Cruiser Mk V" and known in service as "Covenanter" was designed. Nuffield were, in 1939, offered the opportunity to take part in the production of Covenanter. Nuffield, however, preferred to work on its own version of the A13—though they still provided design work for the Covenanter's turret. This new tank was adopted as "Tank, Cruiser, Mk VI Crusader", under General Staff specification A15. Although Crusader is often referred to as an improved version of the Covenanter, in fact it was a parallel design.Both tanks were ordered "off the drawing board" without building prototypes first. Despite a later start, the pilot model of the Crusader was ready six weeks before the first Covenanter.

Unlike earlier "Christie cruisers"( A13, Marks III and IV and the Mark V Covenanter ) that were built with 4 road wheels, Crusader had five road wheels each side to improve weight distribution in a tank that weighed almost 20 tons instead of the 14 tons of the previous cruisers. The 32 in (810 mm)-diameter wheels were of pressed steel with solid rubber tyres. The hull sides were built up of two separated plates with the suspension arms between them.It had a different engine from the Covenanter, different steering system and a conventional cooling system with radiators in the engine compartment. At the left hand side of the front hull—a place occupied by the engine radiator in the Covenanter—was mounted a small hand-traversed auxiliary turret armed with a Besa machine gun. The auxiliary turret was awkward to use and was often removed in the field or remained unoccupied.

Both the A13 Mk III and the A15 designs used the same main turret. The turret was polygonal—with sides that sloped out then in again—to give maximum turret space on the limited turret diameter. Early production vehicles had a "semi-internal" cast gun mantlet, which was quickly replaced in production by a better protected big cast mantlet with three vertical slits—for the main gun, for a coaxial Besa machine gun and for the sighting telescope. There was no cupola for the commander who had instead a flat hatch with the periscope mounted through it. The main armament, as in other British tanks of the period, was balanced so the gunner could control its elevation through a padded shaft against his right shoulder rather than using a geared mechanism. This fitted well with the British doctrine of firing accurately on the move. When it was understood that there would be delays in the introduction of successor heavy cruiser tanks—what would become the Cavalier, Centaur and Cromwell—the Crusader was adapted to use the 6 pounder gun.


Combat history

North Africa

With the Axis forces in North Africa having pushed the British back to the Egyptian border and the remaining British armour being a mixed force of older tanks with a few Matildas, tanks were hurriedly shipped via the Mediterranean arriving on 12 May 1941. There were sufficient Crusaders to equip the 6th Royal Tank Regiment which with the 2nd RTR (with older cruiser tanks) formed the 7th Armoured Brigade. The rest of the tanks were Matildas for the 4th Armoured Brigade giving the 7th Armoured division only four tank regiments. Although there was pressure from London for the reconstituted Desert Rats to go into action, outfitting for the desert and training delayed their first use until Operation Battleaxe, an attempt to relieve the siege of Tobruk in June. As the brigade swept round the flank, the Crusaders were caught by concealed anti-tank guns and lost 11 tanks. The 6th RTR lost more tanks, to action and defects, in the fighting withdrawal of the next two days. The 7th Brigade was re-equipped with further Crusaders, but as the brigade had been expanded by the addition of 7th Hussars there were not sufficient to replace the older cruiser tanks. The 22nd Armoured Brigade, effectively an advance force of the 1st Armoured Division, which was three inexperienced Yeomanry units equipped with Crusaders transferred to North Africa to bring the 7th Armoured up to three-brigade strength. The 8th Hussars was added to the 4th Armoured Brigade but these had to be equipped with M3 Stuart light tanks as there were still insufficient cruisers. The 22nd was able to take part in Operation Crusader of November 1941 which was named after it.

In Operation Crusader the two British Corps were disposed such that they could not support each other, but it was expected that as the British outnumbered the German and Italian forces in tanks, the tank against tank battles would be decided in their favour. However in the resulting encounters, Rommel did not put his tanks en masse into action against the British ones and the large numbers of German anti-tank guns working offensively with the tanks and infantry proved effective.The Germans had a few 88 mm guns but were mostly equipped with the Pak 38, a long-barreled 50 mm gun, with a range of 1,000 yards. This superiority in quality and tactical deployment of AT guns was to be a feature of the Afrika Korps throughout the Desert War. The Crusader's 2 pdr (40 mm) gun was as effective as the short-barreled 50 mm of the Panzer III although it was outranged by the short-barreled 75 mm of the Panzer IV. Although the Crusader was faster than any tanks it opposed, its potential was limited by a relatively light QF 2-pounder gun, thin armour and mechanical problems. A particular tactical limitation was the lack of a high explosive shell for the main armament—these existed but were never supplied. Axis tank forces developed an extremely effective method of dealing with attacking tank forces by retiring behind a screen of concealed anti-tank guns. The pursuing tanks could then be engaged by the artillery. With the German anti-tank guns out of range of the tanks' machine guns and without a high explosive shell to return fire, the tanks were left with the equally unpalatable options of withdrawing under fire or trying to overrun the gun screen.

The Crusader proved prone to catch fire when hit, a problem that was identified as due to the ammunition being ignited by hot metal penetrating the unprotected racks. The angled underside of the turret created "shell pockets" that acted as a lever for lifting the turret from its mounting when struck by a shell. The Crusader proved unreliable in the desert due to a number of issues. These started with their transport from the UK to North Africa. Poor preparation and handling caused problems that had to be rectified before they could be passed to the regiments, and ate into the supply of spare parts. Once in use the sand caused erosion in the cooling system and the stresses of hard cross-country travel caused oil leaks in the engine blocks. Since there were few tank transporters or railways in the desert, the tanks had to travel long distances on their tracks causing further wear.

By the end of 1941, there was only one brigade, the 2nd, which was operating only Crusaders. In March 1942, US-built Grant medium tanks arrived: these replaced one in three Crusader squadrons. While the inclusion of the Grant with its effective 75 mm gun gave better firepower against anti-tank guns and infantry they were slower, limiting the Crusaders when they had to operate together. From May 1942, the Mark III were delivered. Of the 840 tanks available to the British, 260 were Crusaders. The German tanks they were facing were improved types with improved frontal armour which caused the Crusaders' 2-pounder shot to shatter rather than penetrate.

As part of British deception operations, Crusaders could be issued with "Sunshade" which was a metal framework with canvas covering that disguised the tank as a lorry to German aerial reconnaissance. Similarly dummy tanks were deployed. Later in the campaign shipping was improved, Nuffields had put an engineering team in Egypt, and crews were better at preventing problems, but the reputation of the Crusader could not recover. After Montgomery took over command, the imbalance between British armour and German was redressed by better control and the addition of more American-supplied Grant andSherman tanks. The Crusader was replaced in the main line of battle and used for "light squadrons" trying to flank the enemy when it engaged the heavier units. The Australian 9th Infantry Division operated Crusaders for reconnaissance and liaison. The British 1st Army landed as part of the Allied operations in Tunisia; some of its units were using the Crusader and these saw action from 24 November. These were not solely Crusader regiments but mixed Crusader and Valentine tanks; within each squadron two troops were Crusader IIIs and there were Crusader II CS attached to the Squadron HQ. These units of the 26th Armoured Brigade were used as an independent armoured column, "Blade Force", with the 78th Infantry Division. The operations of Blade Force were on terrain different from the desert of the earlier campaigns and the fighting took place with smaller numbers of vehicles. These actions were similar to what would be seen later in Europe. The 1st Army converted to Shermans during Tunisia, but Crusaders remained in use with the 8th for longer. The last major action for Crusaders was the Battle of Mareth. The North Africa campaign finished shortly after.

Other use After the completion of the North African Campaign, the availability of better tanks such as the Sherman and Cromwell relegated the Crusader to secondary duties such as anti-aircraft mounts or gun tractors. In these roles it served for the remainder of the war. The Crusader, along with the Covenanter, equipped regiments at home particularly those of the 11th Armoured Division.

A Crusader bulldozer was developed but not used operationally. One of these bulldozer tanks was converted for removing munitions following a fire at Royal Ordnance Factory Kirkby.

The Crusader anti-aircraft guns were designed for use in North West Europe. However with the Allied domination of the air they were largely unneeded and the AA troops were disbanded. The Crusader gun tractors operated with the Armoured Divisions, but were supplanted in part by the 17 pdr Archer self-propelled gun.

Operators

- Argentina - converted gun tractors

- Canada

- Free French

- United Kingdom

- Kingdom of Italy - Littorio Armoured Division

- Nazi Germany - 15th Panzer Division

- Netherlands

- South Africa

Surviving vehicles

Around 21 tanks survive in various degrees of preservation, ranging from running-condition museum vehicles to wrecks. Eight survive in various collections in South Africa.

Notable examples include the Crusader III in running condition at the Bovington Tank Museum in the United Kingdom. The Musée des Blindés in France preserves a Mk III anti-aircraft Crusader and the Overloon War Museum in the Netherlands owns a gun-tractor variant.


Historical Gallery

Historical Accuracy Errata

The following are consensus errors or inconsistencies which have been identified with the configuration of the vehicle in question and conflict with information available on the public record. The causes for these divergences in the game are normally not disclosed and may be rooted in game balance.

Crusader Mk I variants had four crew members, of whom the radio operator/loader is missing. In addition, the Mk I had an auxiliary turret armed with a Besa machine gun, though it was often removed in the field.
  • The Nuffield Liberty Mk III engine is considerably more powerful than in reality, with 395 hp compared to the historical 340.
  • The Nuffield Liberty Mk V engine was only mounted on the Centaur tank.
  • Historical Rolls-Royce Meteor engine with 600 hp is missing. One Crusader was experimented with this engine in September 1941, reaching speeds of up to 80 km/h.
  • The Crusader was replaced by the M3 Grant and M4 Sherman. In World of Tanks, however, the Crusader leads to neither tank.


UK
Light Tanks ICruiser Mk. I IIM2 IICruiser Mk. II IILight Mk. VIC IIIValentine IIIStuart I-IV IIICruiser Mk. III IVCruiser Mk. IV VCovenanter VIA46 VICrusader VIIGSR 3301 Setter VIIIFV1066 Senlac VIIILHMTV IXGSOR3301 AVR FS XManticore
Medium Tanks IVickers Medium Mk. I IIVickers Medium Mk. II IIIVickers Medium Mk. III IVMatilda IVMatilda LVT IVGrant IVAC 1 Sentinel VCavalier VValiant VSherman III VMatilda Black Prince VISherman Firefly VICromwell VIAC 4 Experimental VICromwell B VISherman VC Firefly VIIComet VIIICenturion Mk. I VIIIFV4202 VIIIChieftain/T95 VIIICenturion Mk. 5/1 RAAC VIIIChimera IXCobra IXCenturion Mk. 7/1 XCenturion Action X
Heavy Tanks VChurchill I VExcelsior VIChurchill VII VITOG II* VIIBlack Prince VIIFV201 (A45) VIIICharlemagne VIIICaliban VIIIGonsalo VIIICaernarvon VIIICaernarvon Action X IXFV4201 Chieftain Proto IXConqueror XFV215b XSuper Conqueror XT95/FV4201 Chieftain
Tank Destroyers IIUniversal Carrier 2-pdr IVValentine AT IVAlecto VArcher VAT 2 VIChurchill Gun Carrier VIAchilles VIAT 8 VIExcalibur VIIChallenger VIIAT 15A VIIAT 7 VIIIGSOR 1008 VIIIAT 15 VIIICharioteer VIIITurtle Mk. I IXTortoise IXFV4004 Conway XFV215b (183) XFV4005 Stage II XFV217 Badger
Self-Propelled Artillery IILoyd Gun Carriage IIISexton II IIISexton I IVBirch Gun VBishop VIFV304 VIICrusader 5.5-in. SP VIIIFV207 IXFV3805 XConqueror Gun Carriage
Light Tanks
USA IT1 Cunningham IIM2 Light Tank IIT1E6 IIT2 Light Tank IIT7 Combat Car IIIM22 Locust IIIM3 Stuart IIIMTLS-1G14 IVM5 Stuart VM24 Chaffee VM7 VIM24E2 Super Chaffee VIT21 VIT37 VIIT71 CMCD VIIT71 DA VIIIT92 VIIIM41 Walker Bulldog IXT49 XXM551 Sheridan
UK ICruiser Mk. I IIM2 IICruiser Mk. II IILight Mk. VIC IIIValentine IIIStuart I-IV IIICruiser Mk. III IVCruiser Mk. IV VCovenanter VIA46 VICrusader VIIGSR 3301 Setter VIIIFV1066 Senlac VIIILHMTV IXGSOR3301 AVR FS XManticore
Germany ILeichttraktor IIPz.Kpfw. II Ausf. D IIMKA IIPz.Kpfw. 35 R IIPz.Kpfw. 38H 735 (f) IIPz.Kpfw. 35 (t) IIPz.Kpfw. I IIPz.Kpfw. II III43 M. Toldi III IIIPz.Kpfw. M 15 IIIPz.Kpfw. 38 (t) IIIPz.Kpfw. III Ausf. E IIIPz.Kpfw. II Ausf. J IIIPz.Kpfw. I Ausf. C IIIPz.Kpfw. II Ausf. G IIIPz.Kpfw. T 15 IVPz.Kpfw. 38 (t) n.A. IVPz.Kpfw. II Luchs VVK 16.02 Leopard VIVK 28.01 mit 10,5 cm L/28 VIVK 28.01 VIIAufklärungspanzer Panther VIISpähpanzer SP I C VIIIleKpz M 41 90 mm VIIIleKpz M 41 90 mm GF VIIIHWK 12 VIIIHWK 30 IXSpähpanzer Ru 251 XRheinmetall Panzerwagen
France IRenault FT IID1 IIAM 39 Gendron-Somua IIAMR 35 IIFCM 36 IIRenault R35 IIHotchkiss H35 IIIAMX 38 IVAMX 40 VAMX ELC bis VIAMX 12 t VIPanhard AMD 178B VIIAMX 13 75 VIIHotchkiss EBR VIIAMX 13 57 VIIAMX 13 57 GF VIIIPanhard EBR 75 (FL 10) VIIIPanhard AML Lynx 6x6 VIIIBat.-Châtillon 12 t VIIIELC EVEN 90 IXAMX 13 90 IXPanhard EBR 90 XPanhard EBR 105 XAMX 13 105
USSR IMS-1 IIBT-2 IIT-45 IIT-26 IIT-60 IITetrarch IIIBT-SV IIILTP IIIM3 Light IIIBT-7 artillery IIIT-116 IIIBT-5 IIIT-127 IIIT-46 IIIT-70 IVBT-7 IVT-80 IVValentine II VA-20 VT-50 VIMT-25 VIT-50-2 VIILTG VIIILTTB VIIILT-432 IXT-54 ltwt. XT-100 LT
China IIVickers Mk. E Type B IIIType 2597 Chi-Ha IVM5A1 Stuart VI59-16 VIType 64 VIIType 62 VIIWZ-131 VIIIWZ-132 VIIIM41D IXWZ-132A XWZ-132-1
Japan IRenault Otsu IIType 95 Ha-Go IIType 97 Te-Ke IIIType 97 Chi-Ha IIIType 98 Ke-Ni IVType 5 Ke-Ho
Czechoslovakia IKolohousenka IILT vz. 35 IIILT vz. 38
Sweden IStrv fm/21 IIStrv m/38 IIL-60 IIIStrv m/40L IIILago M38
Italy IFiat 3000 IIL6/40
Poland I4TP IITKS z n.k.m. 20 mm II7TP III10TP IV14TP
ja:Tank:GB20 Crusader