The British Mark I Cruiser Tank A9 was developed by Vickers Armstrong, entered service in 1938 with the British Army and saw limited service in France during 1940 and the Western Desert in 1941.

At the time it entered service it was a fairly good design in the Cruiser class and was most famous as being the first to have a hydraulically powered turret.

The British Mark I Cruiser Tank A9 was equipped with a 2 ponder (40mm) main gun in the main turret. Mounted in the front of the hull were two small traversing turrets, each mounted with a .303 MG.

The 6 man crew were protected by steel armour, which varied from 6mm to 14mm and was the vehicles biggest criticism.

It’s 40km/h top speed was thanks to the vehicles AEC Type A A.179. It had an operational range of 240km.

Only 125 vehicles were manufactured, 50 by Vickers and 75 at Harland and Wolff in Belfast, Northern Ireland.