Heavy Cruiser Tank A.34 Comet I

The Comet I heavy cruiser tank was similar in layout to the A.27 Cromwell cruiser tank, except that it had a welded hull and turret. The Comet carried a shortened 17 pdr gun, capable of defeating enemy Tiger and Panther tanks, especially when using the new A.P.D.S. tank round which was introduced in 1945. Comet tanks were first issued to the 11th Armoured Division in December 1944, and they took part in the Rhine crossings in March 1945. The Comet became the main battle tank of the British army after the war, it served in the Suez Canal Zone, Palestine, and West Berlin until 1958, when it was replaced by the Centurion tank. Many Comet tanks were sold, and remained in service with other armed forces until the late 1970s.

Available Scale Model Kits

1:76 Matchbox 40072
1:285 GHQ UK23
1:300 Heroics & Ros B019

Technical Specifications

A.34 Comet I
Type: Heavy Cruiser Tank
Motor: Rolls-Royce Meteor V-12 cylinder, 447 kw
Transmission: 5 Forward, 1 Reverse
Speed: 52 km/h on roads
Fuel Capacity: 527 l
Range: 200 km
Length: 6558 mm
Width: 3050 mm
Height: 2682 mm
Weight: 33500 kg
Armament: 77 mm L.50 Tank Gun (modified 17 pdr), 7.92 mm Besa Turret and Hull Machine Gun, 2" Bomb Thrower
Crew: Commander, Driver, Gunner, Loader, Radio Operator
Production: 1944- (1.200 units)

Historical Employment

British Army 1944-1958

The Comet was the best British tank of World War Two, it proved a good match for enemy Tiger and Panther tanks. However, in terms of armoured vehicle design, the Comet was a step back: it had vertical armour plate like the German Tiger I tank, rather than the more protective sloped plate of the Panther, T-34 medium tank, or A.16 Crusader.

Frequently Asked Questions

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British Miniatures of World War Two