1944 Cromwell Mk IV Type E 75 mm

An excellent restoration project based on a rolling Cromwell Mk IV Type F hull with transmission and a fitted (but not connected) diesel engine. Offers the new owner full freedom to complete it either as an original Mk IV Type F or as a World War II ARV configuration. In both cases a solid foundation for an authentic restoration.

Location

Nederweert, The Netherlands

Year of construction

1944

Country of origin

United Kingdom

Manufacturer

London, Midland and Scottish Railway, English Electric, Leyland Motors, Morris Motors

Type

Mk IV Type F

Condition

Partially restored

Margin Goods

Yes margin goods; No VAT applicable

€ 70.000,-

Incl. commission

Details

Condition

Offered 'as is', this Cromwell represents an exceptional restoration project. At present, it is a rolling hull equipped with transmission. A diesel engine has been installed with the intention of making it drivable, although it has not yet been connected or tested.

This project offers the new owner the freedom to decide the future direction of the restoration. One option is to complete it in its original configuration as a Cromwell Mk IV Type F, sourcing a turret to restore it to wartime specification. Alternatively, it could be finished as an Armored Recovery Vehicle (ARV); a configuration that was also used during World War II.

Whichever path is chosen, the foundation is solid, providing an excellent basis for an authentic and historically significant restoration.

Specifications

Technical details

Manufacturer: London, Midland and Scottish Railway, English Electric, Leyland Motors, Morris Motors
Model: Mk IV Type F
Manufacturing date: 1944
Serial number: Unknown
Length: 20 ft 10 in (6.35 m)
Width: 9 ft 6,5 in (2.91 m)
Height (with turret): 8 ft 2 in (2.49 m)
Weight: 27.6 long tons (28.0 t)
Max. speed: 40 mph (64 km/h) maximum with 3.7:1 final reduction drive 25 mph (41 km/h) on roads 18 mph (29 km/h) cross-country
Operational range: 170 mi (270 km)
Main armament: Ordnance QF 75 mm
Secondary armament: 2 × 7.92 mm Besa machine gun with 4,950 rounds
Engine: Meteor V12 Mk3
Crew: 5 (Commander, gunner, loader/radio operator, driver, hull gunner)
Armor: 2.5 in (64 mm) on the hull front, 3.02 in (76.7 mm) on the turret front
Production numbers: 4.016

History

A rare Cromwell Mk IV Type F cruiser tank, built under British war-era specifications and one of the more numerous variants, combining speed, mobility and versatility. The Type F refers to its hull configuration (riveted construction with altered internal layout) and sits within the final-specification production run.

Powered by the Rolls-Royce Meteor V12 engine and paired with the Merritt-Brown gearbox, the Cromwell was among the fastest British tanks of WWII, reaching up to 40 mph (64 km/h) on road. It was fitted with a dual-purpose QF 75 mm main gun (in later marks such as the IV) that allowed it to engage both armored and soft targets.

The Cromwell saw frontline use from June 1944 in Normandy and in the Northwest Europe campaign, serving with armored reconnaissance units and as a workhorse for British armored divisions. After the war, it continued in service and was exported to operators including Greece, Israel, Portugal, and others.