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| Tank, Light, Mk VIII, Harry Hopkins (A25) |
|
| Type |
Light tank |
| Place of origin |
 United Kingdom |
| Production history |
| Manufacturer |
Metro-Cammell |
| Produced |
1943-1945 |
| Number built |
about 100 |
| Specifications |
| Weight |
8.5 Long tons |
| Length |
4.34 m |
| Width |
2.65 m |
| Height |
2.11 m |
| Crew |
3 (commander, driver, gunner) |
|
| Armour |
6 - 38 mm |
Primary
armament |
Ordnance QF 2 pounder
50 rounds |
Secondary
armament |
7.92 mm Besa machine gun
2,025 rounds |
| Engine |
Meadows 12 cyl. petrol engine
148 hp (110 kW) |
| Power/weight |
17.4 hp/tonne |
Operational
range |
225 km |
| Speed |
48 km/h |
The Tank, Light, Mk VIII, Harry Hopkins (A25) was developed by Vickers for airborne forces of the British Army during World War II. It was known as the Harry Hopkins tank, after the US politician.
The design was a further development of the Tetrarch light tank. It featured a new, redesigned turret and hull with thicker, sloping armour for improved shot deflection. Like the Tetrach, it had skid steering, which operated by bowing the tracks by lateral movements of the centre road wheels, but power assistance was added. The vehicle was armed with a QF 2 pounder gun, with 50 rounds of ammunition, and a coaxial 7.92 mm Besa machine gun, with 2,025 rounds of ammunition. A taper bore Littlejohn adaptor could be fitted to the barrel of the 2 pdr to use APCR shot which had improved armour penetration.
Three prototypes were authorised in April 1941 and production was then switched to Metro-Cammell, manufacturers of the Tetrarch. About 100 vehicles were eventually delivered, between June 1943 and March 1945, but it was not used in combat.
A modified chassis was employed as the basis for the experimental Alecto self propelled gun.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
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Scout Cars and Armoured cars |
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| Scout Cars |
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| Light Reconnaissance Cars |
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| Armoured Cars |
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| Armoured Trucks |
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| Armoured Command Vehicles |
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