As the nation that conceived the first tank more than a hundred years
ago, Britain has a long and fascinating series of tank designs to its
credit. Despite a period of apathy from the relevant authorities about
the value of tanks, which led to its grateful reliance on American-made
models during the Second World War, Britain bounced back to become an
important innovator once again - notably with the development of the
still-secret Chobham armour for the 1980s. In addition to the
outstanding successes of British tank design, there were many
unsuccessful designs along the way. The sheer quantity of proposals,
prototypes and production models is bewildering to all but the
non-specialist, and yet fascinating to those who persevere in their
search for information. The Complete Catalogue of British Tanks
therefore aims to make the essential information available in readily
digestible form, as well as to suggest further sources of information
for those who wish to take their interest a stage further. Completed
with useful Appendices about the variety of engines used in British
tanks, and about the multiple main weapons that have been employed, this
book will be a rapid-reference standby for anyone with an interest in
the story of these armoured fighting vehicles.
