Travel:

Aberdeen Proving Ground
Tank Park and Museum

WWII British Mk IV Churchill Tank (A22)

article and photos by Russ Lockwood



A rapidly developed heavy infantry tank (in concept) was first produced in in 1941 as the MkI with 40mm gun in turret and 75mm howitzer in the hull (later dropped). It took part in the Dieppe raid (including three adapted as flamethrowers). Too slow for modern armored warfare, some Mk Is, IIs, and IIIs were shipped to the USSR. The upgraded Mk IV nonetheless won adherents in the mountains of Tunisia in 1943, and went on to serve through the end of the war in a variety of roles, including flamethrowers (Crocodiles), bunker busters (AVRE: Armored Vehicle Royal Engineers), recovery vehicles, and bridgelayers. 5460 produced and it served into the 1950s.

Crew of five. 40mm gun, 2 MGs, speed 15mph, range 88 miles.

Aberdeen Museum and Tank Park

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