Editing Matilda II (section)

==Development history==
The split between the infantry tank and cruisers had its origins in the [[World War I|First World War]] division between the [[Mark I (tank)|first British heavy tanks]] and the faster [[Whippet (tank)|Whippet Medium Mark A]] and its successors the [[Medium Mark B]] and [[Medium Mark C]]. During the [[interbellum]], British tank experiments generally followed these basic classifications, which were made part of the overall doctrine with the work of Major-General [[Percy Hobart]] and the influence of [[Basil Liddell Hart|Captain B.H. Liddell Hart]].

In 1934, Hobart, the then "Inspector, Royal Tank Corps", postulated in a paper two alternatives for a tank to support the infantry. One was a very small, heavily armoured, machine gun-armed model that would be fielded in large numbers to overwhelm the enemy defences. The other was a larger vehicle with a cannon as well as machine guns and heavier armour proof against enemy [[field artillery]].{{sfnp|Chamberlain|Ellis|1981|p=54}} Vickers designed a tank to a General Staff specification based on the first option as the A11 Matilda. Within the limitations of military finances, the [[Master-General of the Ordnance]], [[Hugh Elles]], went for the smaller machine gun tank and the larger cannon-armed version did not proceed.{{sfnp|Fletcher|1989|p=3}} This requirement was passed to [[Vickers-Armstrongs]] which had a prototype (A11E1) but with armour proof against current anti-tank guns ready by September 1936.{{sfnp|Chamberlain|Ellis|1981|p=54}}

The first suggestion for a larger Infantry Tank was made in 1936, with specification A12. The design was produced by the [[Royal Arsenal]], [[Woolwich]], and [[Vulcan Foundry]] was selected as the manufacturer.{{sfnp|Fletcher|1989|p=4}}<ref name="Jentz11"/> A12 used a number of design elements of the A7, a medium tank that was built in limited numbers in the early 1930s whose mechanical layout was used for many following designs.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.geocities.com/Pentagon/Quarters/7413/matilda2.html |title= A12, Infantry Tank Mark II, Matilda II |website=Arcane Fighting Vehicles - AFVs |publisher=Graham Matthews  |access-date=2010-02-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091028175238/http://geocities.com/Pentagon/Quarters/7413/matilda2.html|archive-date=2009-10-28}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.wwiivehicles.com/unitedkingdom/tanks-medium/a7.asp |title=Britain's A7 Medium Tanks - World War II Vehicles, Tanks, and Airplanes |publisher=wwiivehicles.com  |access-date=2010-02-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110610222107/http://www.wwiivehicles.com/unitedkingdom/tanks-medium/a7.asp |archive-date=2011-06-10 }}</ref> With its greatly increased armour, a lack of power was seen as a problem. The solution was to use two AEC straight-six water-cooled diesel engines, used in London buses, providing up to 87&nbsp;hp each. These were linked along a common shaft. Suspension was to use the "Japanese Type" bell crank suspension used on the A7.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}}

Vulcan received a contract for two wooden mock-ups and two mild-steel prototypes in November 1936. The first mock-up was delivered in April 1937 and the A12E1 prototype in April 1938. The prototypes proved excellent in a {{convert|1000|mile}} test, resulting in only a few changes to improve the gearbox, suspension and cooling. When war was recognised as imminent, production of the Matilda II was ordered and that of the Matilda I curtailed. The first order was placed shortly after trials were completed, with 140 ordered from Vulcan in June 1938.{{sfnp|Fletcher|1994|page=8}}