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Matilda II
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==Variants== [[Image:Matilda-Scorpion.jpg|thumb|Matilda Scorpion in North Africa, 1942]] [[Image:H 031847.jpg|thumb|Matilda Baron under test]] ===Major variants=== * '''Infantry Tank Mark II (Matilda II)''' {{sfnp|Jentz|1998|p=12}} : First production model{{sfnp|Fletcher|1994|pp=12–14}} armed with a [[Vickers machine gun]].{{sfnp|Jentz|1998|p=12}} * '''Infantry Tank Mark II.A. (Matilda II Mk II)''' {{sfnp|Jentz|1998|p=12}}{{sfnp|Fletcher|1994|pp=12–14}} : Vickers machine gun replaced by [[Besa machine gun]]. The "A" denoted a change in armament.{{sfnp|Jentz|1998|p=12}} * '''Infantry Tank Mark II.A.* (Matilda II Mk III)''' {{sfnp|Jentz|1998|p=12}}{{sfnp|Fletcher|1994|pp=12–14}} :New Leyland diesel engine used in place of AEC engines.{{sfnp|Jentz|1998|p=12}} * '''Infantry Tank Mark II (Matilda II Mk IV)''' {{sfnp|Fletcher|1994|pp=12–14}} : With improved engines, rigid mounting and no turret lamp<ref name="Modelling">{{Cite book|last=Mark Bannerman, Robert Oehler |title=Modelling the Matilda Infantry tank |publisher=Osprey |page=6}}</ref> * '''Matilda II Mk IV Close Support''' (CS) :Variant with [[Ordnance QF 3 inch howitzer|QF 3 inch (76 mm)]] howitzer,{{efn|The shell cartridge was 76.2 x 134R. On the Infantry Tank Mk IV, the [[Churchill tank]], the gun was used for HE|group=nb}} firing high explosive or smoke shells. In British service these were generally used by HQ units (usually a single command vehicle),{{sfnp|Fletcher|1994|p=12}} whereas entire Australian [[squadron (army)|squadrons]] often appear to have used them – frequently in a [[direct fire]] role, against Japanese [[strong point]]s. * '''Infantry Tank Mark II (Matilda II Mk V)''' {{sfnp|Fletcher|1994|pp=12–14}} :Improved gear box. Westinghouse air servo used.{{sfnp|Fletcher|1994|p=14}}<ref name="Modelling"/> ===Other variants, field modifications and prototypes=== ;UK * '''Baron I, II, III, IIIA''' :Experimental Matilda chassis with [[mine flail]] – never used operationally. * '''Matilda Scorpion I / II''' :Matilda chassis with a mine flail. Used in North Africa, during and after the battle of El Alamein.<ref name="Fletcher2017">{{cite book |last=Fletcher |first=David |title=British Battle Tanks: British-made Tanks of World War II |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=H7EvDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA37 |year=2017 |publisher=Bloomsbury |isbn=978-1-4728-2003-7 |page=37}}</ref> * '''Matilda II CDL/Matilda V CDL''' [[Canal Defence Light]] :The normal turret was replaced by a cylindrical one containing a searchlight (projected through a vertical slit) and a BESA machine gun. The searchlight was intended to disorientate and confuse enemy at night. * (Prototype) '''Matilda with A27 turret''' :Matilda II with modified chassis and [[Ordnance QF 6 pounder]] in an [[Cromwell tank|A27]] turret.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mailer.fsu.edu/~akirk/tanks/GreatBritain/GB-Matilda2-6pdr.jpg |title=Photo |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051031100317/http://mailer.fsu.edu/~akirk/tanks/GreatBritain/GB-Matilda2-6pdr.jpg |archive-date=31 October 2005 }}</ref> One produced, no documentation other than photographs of it remain.{{sfnp|Fletcher|1994|p=14}} * (Prototype) '''Matilda II "Black Prince"''' :Radio-controlled prototype produced in 1941 using A12E2 with Wilson transmission. Planned uses included use as a mobile target, for drawing fire and so reveal hidden anti-tank guns, or for demolition missions. Planned order for 60 cancelled as it would require conversion of Rackham clutch transmission to the Wilson type. Used a QF 6-pdr Mk. V A gun.{{sfnp|Fletcher|1994|p=40}} ;USSR * Field modification of Matilda Mark III with [[76 mm tank gun M1940 F-34|76mm ZiS-5]] (redesignated as F-96) gun :One Matilda Mk.III supplied to the USSR was refitted with the 76.2mm ZiS-5 gun as used on the KV-1. This modification was found to be unsuccessful due to the space taken up by the breech of the ZiS-5 in the Matilda's turret, no production was started.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://warspot.ru/7198-novyy-mech-dlya-matildy |title=Новый "меч" для "Матильды" |author=Юрий Пашолок |date=17 October 2016 |website=warspot.ru |access-date=29 September 2018}}</ref> ;Australia [[Image:Matilda Frog being demonstrated at Morotai in June 1945.JPG|thumb|A Matilda Frog being demonstrated on [[Morotai]], June 1945]] [[Image:Matilda Hedgehog(AWM 133687).jpg|thumb|Matilda Hedgehog, with the mortar elevated]] * '''Matilda Frog''' (25) :A [[flamethrower tank]], this was fitted with a flame projector in place of the main gun, disguised with a tube to make the Frog resemble a normal, gun-tank. To avoid the complication of engineering a rotating, high-pressure joint, the flamethrower's fuel was in an {{convert|80|impgal|L|adj=on}} tank inside the turret along with the tank of high-pressure air, which propelled the fuel. This left space for only a single crewman who operated the flamethrower. Several other flame-fuel tanks, totalling {{convert|162|impgal|L}} were fitted in the hull and used to replenish the turret tank. The flame projector had a range of {{convert|90|yd|m}} and fired about {{convert|10|impgal|L}} with each shot. A problem with the system was that it required a thirty-second interval between shots to build up pressure. The Frog tanks saw action on Borneo and were considered very effective.{{sfnp|Fletcher|1994|page=42}} * '''Murray''' and '''Murray FT''' :Flamethrower tank. Similar to the Frog but with a larger turret fuel tank - {{convert|130|impgal|L}}. It used cordite instead of compressed air as a flame-fuel propellant. The type never saw action.{{sfnp|Fletcher|1994|page=42}} * '''Matilda Tank-Dozer''' :This variant featured a hydraulic operated bulldozer on the front of the Matilda II tank. 18 were converted in 1945, with the goal of clearing Japanese roadblocks, filling shell craters, or clearing paths through the rough jungle terrain. When used in combat, the variant lacked success, for they were difficult to steer and the nose often dug into the ground, immobilizing the tank. Of the 18 Matildas equipped with dozers, most were converted back into ordinary Matildas by the end of the war.<ref>Anderson, Thomas. "Matilda Dozer". Tank Encyclopedia, 2 June 2024, tanks-encyclopedia.com/ww2/australia/matilda-dozer</ref> * '''{{visanc |Matilda Hedgehog}}''' (6) :Officially known as the "Matilda Projector, Hedgehog, No. 1 Mark I",{{sfnp|Fletcher|1994|p=42}} this fitted a [[Hedgehog (weapon)|Hedgehog]] 7-chambered [[mortar (weapon)#Spigot mortar|spigot mortar]] in an armoured box on the rear hull of several Australian Matilda tanks. The projector was elevated by [[hydraulic]]s adapted from the Logan traversing mechanism used in [[M3 Lee|M3 Medium]] tank turrets.{{sfnp|Fletcher|1994|p=42}} The mortars were fired electrically either individually or as a salvo of six (from the 12 o'clock position;{{sfnp|Fletcher|1994|p=43}} the fifth tube could not be fired unless the turret was traversed to move the radio antenna out of the bomb's flightpath.{{sfnp|Fletcher|1994|p=43}} Each bomb weighed {{convert|65|lb|kg|abbr=on|lk=on}} and contained {{convert|30|to|35|lb|kg|abbr=on}} of high explosive. The range was up to {{convert|182|m|yd|abbr=on}}. Aiming was accomplished by pointing the entire tank; the mounting had no independent traverse,<ref>Anderson, Thomas. “Matilda Hedgehog.” Tank Encyclopedia, 2 Jan. 2024, tanks-encyclopedia.com/ww2/australia/matilda-hedgehog/.</ref> so accuracy was not spectacular, but adequate for the task.{{sfnp|Fletcher|1994|p=43}} Trials at [[Southport, Queensland|Southport]], Queensland, in May 1945 were pronounced a complete success, and the Projector would have been impressive against enemy bunkers, but the war ended before it was used operationally.{{sfnp|Fletcher|1994|p=43}}
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