Valentine Bridgelayer

This Valentine Bridgelayer was on display at the Tank Museum at Bovington.

Valentine Bridgelayer

The Valentine Bridgelayer was a British armoured bridgelayer tank based on the Valentine Infantry Tank MK II. It was turretless and fitted with a 10-meter (33 ft) long, 2.90-meter (9 ft 6 in) wide Class 30 (capable of bearing 30 long tons (34 short tons)) scissors bridge. The bridge could be deployed in 2.5 minutes and could carry a wide range of vehicles, including tanks, trucks, and artillery.

The Valentine Bridgelayer was first produced in 1942 and saw action in North-West Europe, Italy, Burma, and Manchuria. It was a valuable asset to Allied forces, allowing them to quickly and safely cross rivers, streams, and other obstacles.

The Valentine Bridgelayer was a well-designed and reliable vehicle. It was based on the proven Valentine tank chassis, which was known for its durability and ease of maintenance. The scissors bridge was also a very effective design, and it was able to withstand a great deal of weight.

The Valentine Bridgelayer was a vital piece of equipment for Allied forces during World War II. It helped them to overcome a variety of obstacles and to achieve victory.

Here are some additional facts about the Valentine Bridgelayer:

    • It was the first British armoured bridgelayer to be produced in large numbers.
    • It was used by a variety of Allied forces, including the British, Canadians, Americans, and Soviets.
    • The Valentine Bridgelayer was a very versatile vehicle. It could be used to cross a variety of obstacles, including rivers, streams, ditches, and craters.
    • It was also used to support infantry operations and to provide cover for engineers.

The Valentine Bridgelayer was a highly successful vehicle, and it played an important role in Allied victory during World War II.

Valentine Tank

This Valentine Tank was on display at the Bovington Tank Museum.

The Valentine tank was an infantry tank produced in the United Kingdom during World War II. More than 8,000 of the type were produced in eleven marks, plus various specialised variants, accounting for approximately a quarter of wartime British tank production. The many variants included riveted and welded construction, petrol and diesel engines and a progressive increase in armament. It was supplied in large numbers to the USSR and built under licence in Canada. It was used extensively by the British in the North African campaign. Developed by Vickers, it proved to be both strong and reliable.

The Valentine first entered service with the British Army in December 1941, with the 8th Royal Tank Regiment in Operation Crusader. It quickly earned a reputation as a reliable and well-protected vehicle. The Valentine’s armor was particularly effective against German anti-tank guns, and it was also equipped with a powerful 75mm gun that could penetrate the armor of most German tanks.

Valentine

The Valentine was used extensively in the North African campaign, where it proved to be a valuable asset to the British forces. It was also used in other theaters of war, including the Western Desert, Italy, and the Far East.

The Valentine was not without its flaws. It was relatively slow, and its armor was not as thick as some of the German tanks. However, its reliability and firepower made it a valuable asset to the British Army.

After the war, the Valentine was phased out of British service. However, it remained in service with other armies for many years. The Soviet Union, for example, continued to use Valentines until the early 1950s.

The Valentine tank was a significant contribution to the British war effort. It was a reliable and well-protected vehicle that was used extensively in all theaters of war. The Valentine’s legacy can still be seen today, as many examples of the tank are preserved in museums around the world.

Valentine Infantry Tank Mk III at the Imperial War Museum Duxford.

Valentine Infantry Tank Mk III

Valentine Infantry Tank Mk III

This Valentine Infantry Tank Mk III was on display in the Land Warfare Exhibit at the Imperial War Museum Duxford.

Valentine Infantry Tank Mk III

British WW2 infantry support tank, crew of 4, powered by AEC 6-cylinder diesel engine, armed with 2pdr gun and machine gun.

Valentine was an infantry tank produced in the United Kingdom during the Second World War. More than 8,000 of the type were produced in eleven marks, plus various specialised variants, accounting for approximately a quarter of wartime British tank production.