Comet (tank)

The Tank, Cruiser, Comet I (A34) was a British cruiser tank that first saw use near the end of the Second World War. It was designed to provide greater anti-tank capability to Cromwell tank squadrons. It was armed with the 77mm HV, which was effective against late war German tanks and a superior weapon to the 75mm KwK 42 gun of the Panther when firing APDS rounds. As a development of the Cromwell, it was an interim design before the Centurion tank.

The Comet saw post-war combat during the Korean war, and remained in British service until 1958. Comets sold to other countries continued in some cases to operate into the 1980s.

Design and development

Combat experience against the Germans in the Western Desert Campaign demonstrated to the British many shortcomings with their cruiser tanks. Hence a request was made in 1941 to the Nuffield Organisation and Leyland Motors Ltd for a new heavy cruiser tank that could achieve battle superiority over German models. For reasons of economy and efficiency, it had to use as many components as possible from the current A15 Cruiser tank Mk VI Crusader tank.