Carden-Loyd Tankette (Series)

History of the Carden-Loyd Tank (Series)

It's easy to dismiss the Carden-Loyd tank line as an expensive (if dangerous) children's toy on looks alone, but the "little tanks" that "could" revolutionize mechanized warfare in the 1930s and 1940s and proved successful in Foreign markets eventually spawned a generation of similar systems around the world. Their designs became the basis for a new generation of tracked vehicles in Europe and Asia. Interested countries have produced or reproduced the original British design under license and reproduced and improved upon it - both for speed and functionality.

Others just ordered tanks with their own national specifications from their British manufacturers. Used by its hapless operators, the Tankette played an offensive role against the might of the Germans in the early days of World War II. However, in the early years only the British Army really took advantage of light mobility systems. The tank also provided a springboard for the excellent British "universal aircraft carrier", the Soviet T27 light tank, the German Panzer I light tank, the Polish TK light tank and the Italian CV series (among others).

In short, in the 1930s and 1940s, there were few mechanized designs that were not influenced by the Carden-Loyd light tank.

Start

There are some in the military (especially in France) who subscribe to the idea of ??an offensive approach to warfare, in which light tanks can be used in an effective offensive, skirmish-oriented role. Such a force would move armor and personnel at high speeds across the battlefield, eventually overwhelming enemy positions in the process. World War I saw the use of armor in a variety of light and medium roles, but some saw a future where medium and heavy tanks would become the norm. After the war, others still pursued the idea of ??light tanks as an effective battlefield solution. The "tank" was considered a potentially effective machine gun carrier and reconnaissance vehicle.

In practice, the type would develop into countless other forms, including mortar or field gun tractors, and even self-supporting smoke systems. One of those who caught his attention was British Major Gifford LeQuesne Martel.

Major Martell

Martel started working in his own garage, producing a capable one-man "tank". Based on his vision (and with his own funds), he built a working prototype. The pilot vehicle was completed in 1925, combining various existing components into a compact system. The engine is a Maxwell, and the track is provided by Roadless Traction. The axles are from a Ford truck.

The main structure is made of wood and has panel sides, completing the highly functional look. Martel then took his creation to the War Office and tried to convince the British Army of his idea of ??a light armor system. The War Office took note and worked with Morris Commercial Motors to produce four such pilot vehicles (under the name "Morris-Martell") for further evaluation. The first was completed in 1926.

Eight more vehicles were ordered the following year for the British Army's new experimental group of light reconnaissance aircraft. The order was officially rescinded when it was discovered that a crew member could not use the steering controls and weapons effectively alone.

Maurice Martel

Martel then worked with Morris to develop a slightly improved one-man tank - resulting in a two-man design. While the exterior of the vehicle hasn't gotten any better, it's now taking a more "occupant-friendly" approach, trying to employ whatever ergonomic measures it can find. The track system is dominated by a drive sprocket and idler that span a pair of small wheels. Another (larger) wheel is mounted at the rear via an extension of the main body. The crew sits in an open-top, high-profile superstructure.

The vehicle is powered by a 16-horsepower Morris engine and weighs 2.75 tons. The weapon consists of a light machine gun with performance equivalent to 10 miles per hour off-road and 15 miles per hour on the road.

Despite the improvements, the second Morris-Martel design still lacked definite qualities to consider it a viable solution, but progress was made nonetheless.

Crosley Martel

Crossley and Martel teamed up to produce another tank design, again revolving around the concept of a one-man system. This particular approach combines rubber tracks and a 14-horsepower Crossley engine.

Likewise, the single-shot LMG as a standout feature of the weapon has a top speed of 18.6 mph, while the design is 1.8 tons. The design emerged in 1927 and was an attempt to incorporate more ideas into Morris-Martel's original attempt.

The Crossley-Martel approach retains some of the look of the previous Morris-Martel designs.

Enter Carden-Loyd, Ltd

Carden-Loyd Tractors, Ltd, a company led by self-taught engineer Sir John Valentine Carden, is another company to jump on the small car bandwagon and take the basic idea a step further. The original Carden-Loyd one-man model was built in Kensington in 1925, and the War Office ordered a pilot example for evaluation.

Role I

The one-man tank Carden-Loyd Mark I followed in an attempt to increase the speed and overall route duration of the original tank. It was powered by a 14-horsepower Ford Model T, weighed 1.6 tons, and allowed speeds of up to 15 to 31 mph depending on whether it used tracks or wheelbase (respectively).

Fourteen steel wheels occupy the sides of the track. The Carden-Loyd Mark II single tank is basically the same shape as the Mark I, but tested a new chain suspension system. Four rubber bogies replaced the original fourteen steel wheels.

The Carden-Loyd Tankette Mk III is another offshoot of the Mark I with a new tracked chassis. At this point, however, the idea of ??a one-man tank started to fade, and the prospect of a two-man system came into focus.

Two-person tank

The Carden-Loyd two-person tank was developed in 1926 and is slightly different from the previous Carden-Loyd tank. She still retains her utilitarian appearance but makes room in the superstructure for a second crew member.

The duo's design was refined in the final Mark IV with revised suspension and (eventually) five return rollers. instead of the previous one. 303 Vickers machine gun, the Mark IV used a .50 caliber heavy machine gun, available in Mark VIa and VIb models.

The Mark V appeared later than eight pilot vehicles. Although essentially Mark IV, they are somewhat unique in their arrangement of using trike wheels and track equipment. Mark IV contracted Morris-Martel around the same time as the eight pilot systems mentioned above.

Carden-Loyd Tankette Production

Vickers-Armstrong was chosen to make various forms of micromachines. Production of the Tankette began in 1927 and continued until 1935, with approximately 450 eventually delivered. Much of the production during this period (1933-1935) was handled by the Royal Armouries.

Carden-Loyd Tankette Tour

The Carden-Loyd tank offers a small, low profile from all angles. The standard operator consists of two people, and the weapon (optional) comes in the form of a single. The Vickers machine gun caliber 303 was installed in the front right of the superstructure. The Vickers system has limited lateral movement, but the tank is designed to "bring" the machine gun "into" combat, not as an offensive infantry deterrent. Additionally, the 7.7mm system can be easily replaced with a .50 heavy caliber machine gun if desired.

Therefore, a suitable machine gun tripod was also mounted on the tank and clamped to the left front side of the front hull. The armor protection on the individual panels is between 5 and 9 mm thick, although she still has an "open" structure. Although this is bad for the crew, the open approach allows for unobstructed all-round visibility and keeps the weight of the tank to a minimum. The total weight is 1.5 tons (about 1,525 kg).

The total length is 2.46 meters and the width is 1.75 meters. The overall height is 1.22 meters. There is no doubt that the tank fits its classification perfectly - a small tank.

The design features a large front drive sprocket and thin chain. The track runs under four small wheels to one side of the track and is reactivated by an idler pulley mounted at the rear. The suspension system is the bogie. The engine was mounted forward of the fuselage, while the crew compartment was attached to the stern.

The superstructure consisted only of low slabs wrapped around the crew compartment. The powerplant is controlled by a single Ford-branded Model T-series gasoline engine with 4 cylinders producing 40 hp at 2,500 rpm.

Top speed is a respectable 25 mph under ideal road and road conditions, and range is limited to around 90 miles.

Carden-Loyd Tankette Operator

Overseas sales are key to cementing the Carden-Loyd Tankette legacy. In the face of a war-weary world, every major military sale has contributed to the immediate success of their respective products.

Military personnel are always looking to modernize their barns, and cost-effective solutions have been the norm. Purchases and licensed production of tanks are carried out throughout Europe and Asia.

Ultimately, the operators included (along with the British army) Poland, Czechoslovakia, the Soviet Union, Japan, Italy, Belgium, Canada, France, India, Italy, Siam, the Netherlands, Bolivia, Greece, Thailand, Taiwan, Finland, Portugal and Chile.

In Poland, the Carden-Loyd design laid the groundwork for the upcoming series of domestically produced TK tanks and (eventually) TKS tanks. Czechoslovakia produced a slightly modified British tank called the Tancik vz. 33. The Soviet Union made good use of the purchased Carden-Lloyd aircraft to design and manufacture the larger and much improved T-27 series, which were produced in the thousands.

The Belgians also made good use of the tanks they bought and used this small machine as both a machine gun carrier and a modified tank killer. The Italians made licensed copies of the CV-29, which eventually became the basis for their indigenous L3/35 tanks.

Many British small tanks have been researched and reverse engineered to produce results and further explore new developments.

Carden-Loyd Tanks in WWII

The original Carden-Loyd tank was designed for the early days of World War II, primarily against German invaders, and had little offensive value. Nonetheless, the vehicle exhibited some of its versatile qualities well and is credited with advancing the design of Germany's machine-gun-oriented Panzer I tank line. The tank also formed the basis for the ubiquitous British "universal aircraft carrier", an open vehicle that served the British Army in various forms during World War II.

Further action saw tanks in the 1932-1935 South American Chaco War and the 1940-1941 Southeast Asian Franco-Thai War.

The

Carden-Loyd tank is the carrier of the famous Stokes mortar system, 37mm howitzer and 20mm Oerlikon anti-tank gun. A trailer dubbed a "GS" clipped into the back of the tank and proved useful in transporting ammunition.

Essentially, the Tankette is flexible enough to be used in any way its owner demands, and by the end of its tenure, it's a truly versatile and well-respected little machine.

The fact that it was researched and reproduced shows us the revolutionary aspects of the design that started with the introduction of the Martel design in the first place. Although sometimes classified as a "light tank," the Carden Lloyd actually belongs to a very distinct class of tanks, simply called "tanks."

Specification

Basic

Roles

Dimensions