Matilda II Infantry Tank, TL6 (1940-1945)
The Matilda I was a two-man tank which carried a single machinegun, developed in the mid-30's. They took part in the Battle of Arras in 1940 and were quickly relegated to training thereafter, their armament totally inadequate, although their thick armor was impervious to most German anti-tank guns.
Fortunately, while the Matilda I was entering production, it was appreciated a larger tank with more crewman and better weaponry. The Matilda II was used in the early stages of the North African campaign, where it proved nearly impossible for the Germans to destroy. However, once the Germans began using their 88mm guns in a regular AT role, the Matilda II's reign of the battlefield ended. It also suffered from it's light armament, which could not be improved (there wasn't enough space in the turret and a larger turret couldn't be fitted), although a close support version, armed with a 3" howitzer and 42 HE shells, was used. It also proved to be a difficult tank to build. Many were send to the Australians after 1941, who used them successfully against the inferior Japanese tanks and AT guns.
Subassemblies: Small Tank chassis +3, full rotation Small AFV
turret +2, tracks +3
P&P: 2x70 kW diesel w/140 kW tracked drivetrain, 112 gallons
gasoline (fire chance: 10) in self-sealing tanks, 80 mile range (road)
Occ: 4 NCS (driver, cannon gunner, cannon loader and commander)
Cargo: 1 Body, 1 Tur
| Armor | F | R/L | B | T | U |
| Body | 4/250 | 4/210 | 5/265 | 4/65 | 4/55 |
| Turret | 4/245 | 4/245 | 4/245 | 4/65 | 0/0 |
| Tracks | 4/35 | 4/35+80 | 4/35 | 4/35 | 4/35 |
Weaponry
37mm Medium Tank Gun/2-pdr OQF Mk IX [Turret:F] (93 AP)
Ground LMG/7.92mm BESA coaxial [Turret:F] (2925 solid)
Equipment
Turret: Medium radio reciever/transmitter
Body: Fire extinguisher, traversing gear for turret
Statistics
| Size: 19'x9'x8' | Payload: approx. 2800 lbs | Lwt: 59,360 lbs (29.68 tons) |
| Volume: 63 (315 cf) | Maint.: 30 hours | Price: ? |
HT: 8
HP: 1000 [body], 400 [each track], 150 [turret]
| gSpeed: 15 | gAccel: 3 | gDecel: 20 | gMR: 0.25 | gSR: 5 | GP: low (2/3) |
Design Notes
The turret can rotate completely in 15 seconds (24 degress per second).
Armor is Average quality (DR 82 per inch). The Matilda has skirt
armor that protects the hull side and tracks; unlike standoff armor, it
does not reduce the effectiveness of HEAT shells and will not normally
fall off in rough terrain. Side DR includes the skirt; track armor lists
it separately.
Sources
The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Military Vehicles, Ian Hogg
and John Weeks, Prentice-Hall, 1980
http://www.shadowsfolly.com/wwii/Britain/Matilda.htm