AC-1 Sentinel

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AC-1 Sentinel
AC-I tanks

AC-I tanks
General properties
crew 5 (commander, driver, gunner, loader, machine gunner)
length 6.35 m
width 2.80 m
height 2.56 m
Dimensions 27.5 tons
Armor and armament
Armor Front: 65 mm
side and rear: 45 mm
Tower: 65 mm (complete)
Main armament 1 × 40 mm QF 2 cannon
Secondary armament 2 × 7.7 mm Vickers machine gun
agility
drive 3 × Cadillac V8
246 kW (330 PS)
suspension Leaf spring
Top speed 48 km / h
Power / weight 8.9 kW / t (12.2 PS / t)
Range 175 km

The AC-1 Sentinel was an Australian type of tank. The vehicle was manufactured by New South Wales Railways . The abbreviation "AC" stands for "Australian Cruiser" and identifies the model as a cruiser tank .

description

When the threat from Japan grew bigger and bigger in 1940 and Great Britain was unable to supply tanks , Australia began to design its own type of tank. The first vehicle of this type was completed in 1942, was armed with a 2 pounder cannon (40 mm) and had good armor (up to 65 mm). It was completely surprising that the Australians were the first to succeed in casting the tub from a single piece. Later attempts were made with a 25 pounder howitzer . However, only 66 of the Sentinel were made, as the USA was delivering tanks with better properties to Australia at that time. Nevertheless, it was a remarkable achievement that Australia was able to set up a tank program and the corresponding industrial facilities in a very short time.

variants

  • AC I "Sentinel"
    • an Ordnance QF 2 pounder cannon (40 mm) (130 rounds)
    • two Vickers machine guns (4,250 rounds)
    • three Cadillac V8 engines (two side by side and one engine behind)
  • AC III
    • an Ordnance QF 25 pounder cannon (87.6 mm)
    • a Vickers machine gun
    • the crew was reduced to four men by removing the machine gun in the bow
    • three Cadillac V8 engines
  • AC IV
    • an Ordnance QF 17 pounder cannon (76.2 mm) or Ordnance QF 25 pounder cannon
    • a Vickers machine gun
    • Motorization identical to that of the AC III

Web links

Commons : Sentinel Panzer  - Collection of images, videos and audio files