The British World War 2 Valentine Tank

The British World War 2 Valentine Tank nick-name should not be confused with a romantic relationship the British Army had with what was a successful design and represented 25% of the total tank production in the UK during World War 2, but rather the day Vickers submitted its design to the War Office.

Production commenced around 1940, with a total of 3 UK firms manufacturing the vehicle – Vickers, Metropolitan Cammell and Birmingham Carriage, which totalled 8275 when production ended in 1944. It was also built in Canada (numbers 1420) where they were shipped to Russia under the Lenda-Lease program.

Series

Valentine I (Tank, Infantry, Mk III)

The first model of the Valentine, it was not sent out due to problems from rushed production. The tank had riveted hull, was powered by AEC A189 135 hp petrol engine and equipped with a 2 pdr. gun and a coaxial Besa machine gun. Its two-man turret forced the commander to also act as the gun-loader.

Valentine II (Tank, Infantry, Mk III*)

The British World War 2 Valentine Tank

This model used AEC A190 131 hp diesel engine. In order to increase its range, an auxiliary external fuel tank was installed to the left of the engine compartment.

Valentine III

The British World War 2 Valentine Tank

A larger turret was installed, allowing the addition of a dedicated loader to ease the duties of the commander. The side armour was reduced from 60 mm to 50 mm to save weight.

Valentine IV

A Mark II using an American 138 hp GMC 6004 diesel engine and US-made transmission. Though it had slightly shorter range, it was quieter and more reliable.

Valentine V

Valentine III with the GMC 6004 diesel engine and US-made transmission.

Valentine VI

Canadian-built version of IV. It used some Canadian and American mechanical parts. Late production vehicles had cast glacis detail. First few produced with a 7.92 mm Besa coaxial machinegun, soon replaced by a 0.30 inch Browning coaxial machinegun.

Valentine VII

Another Canadian version, it was essentially the VI with internal changes and a different radio set.

Valentine VIIA

Mark VII with jettisonable fuel tanks, new studded tracks, and protected headlights.

Valentine VIII

A III upgraded with the QF 6-pounder gun. In order to fit it, the coaxial machinegun and the loader crew member had to be removed. The side armour was reduced again. Crews came up with a novel way of using a machinegun from inside the hull by fitting a solenoid-fired Browning MG into a 6-pdr shell-case. When needed, this was inserted into the 6-pdr breech and the solenoid cable connected, allowing the gunner to aim it using the main gun elevating gear, traverse and telescope.

Valentine IX

The British World War 2 Valentine Tank

A V upgraded to the 6 pdr gun. Similar armour reduction as the VIII. On late production units an upgraded, 165 hp version of the GMC 6004 diesel was installed, somewhat improving mobility.

Valentine X

A new turret design and 165 hp engine. A Besa coaxial machinegun was fitted again. Welded construction.

Valentine XI

An X upgraded with the OQF 75 mm gun and 210 hp version of the GMC 6004 diesel. Welded construction. Only served as a command tank.

Variants

Valentine DD

The British World War 2 Valentine Tank

Valentine Mk V, IX and Mk XI, made amphibious by the use of Nicholas Straussler’s Duplex Drive. Used by crews training for the M4 Sherman DD tanks of the Normandy Landings.

Valentine OP / Command

Observation Post and command version with extra radios. To give more space inside, the gun was replaced with a dummy.

Valentine CDL

A continuation of the Canal Defence Light experiments. The conventional turret was replaced with one containing a searchlight.

Valentine Scorpion II



Mine exploder, turret-less with flail attachment. Never used operationally.

Valentine AMRA Mk Ib



Mine exploder with Armoured Mine Roller Attachment. Never used operationally.

Valentine Snake

Mine exploder, using Snake mine clearing equipment. Few used operationally.

Valentine Bridge-layer



An armoured bridge-laying vehicle; a turret-less Mk II fitted with 34 ft x 9.5 ft Class 30 scissors bridge. Several dozen were produced, some of them supplied to the USSR.

Valentine with 6pdr anti-tank mounting

Experimental vehicle built by Vickers-Armstrong to examine the possibility of producing a simple tank destroyer by mounting the 6pdr in its field carriage on the hull in place of the turret. Trials only, 1942.

Valentine Flamethrowers

 

Two Valentine tanks were modified to carry flamethrowers. These were tested by the Petroleum Warfare Department to determine which system was best for a tank-mounted flame projector. One used a projector ignited by cordite charges and one used a projector operated by gas pressure. The flamethrower fuel was carried in a trailer and the flame projector was mounted on the hull front. Trials started in 1942 and it showed that the gas-operated system was better. From this test installation was developed the Crocodile equipment for the Churchill Crocodile flamethrower used in the North West Europe campaign in 1944-45.

Valentine 7.92in flame mortar



Experimental vehicle with turret replaced by fixed heavy mortar intended to fire 25 lb TNT incendiary shells to demolish concrete emplacements. Trials only by Petroleum Warfare Dept, 1943-45. Effective range was 400 yards (maximum range 2,000 yards).