The Cromwell tank was used by the British Army during the later stages of World War II. The Cromwell was ordered in 1941 and intended to replace the lightweight Crusader "cruiser" tank by being more heavily armoured, and, it was hoped, more survivable in battle. Its greater weight was to be driven by a 600-horsepower Rolls Royce Meteor engine, a derivative of Rolls Royce's line of aircraft engines. Initial models, however, were powered by other engines and were designated Cavaliers and Centaurs when they entered service in mid-1942. The first genuine Cromwells with Meteor engines entered service in early 1943.

The Cromwell tank weighed about 27 tons and had a top speed of 38 miles per hour and a range of between 80 and 170 miles, depending on the terrain. It was initially armed with a 75mm gun and two 7.92mm machine guns. The Cromwell's main assets were its speed, maneuverability, and ease of repair. It first entered battle in large numbers in mid-1944, during the Normandy Invasion and the ensuing campaign across northern France. From Normandy on, Cromwells and American Sherman tanks formed the backbone of British armored divisions. Like the Shermans, however, most Cromwells were outgunned by the more powerful German Panther and Tiger tanks. Cromwell tanks served in British armies until the war ended in Europe in mid-1945.

This particular 1:50 scale British Cromwell Mk. IV Cruiser Tank comes with three British paratrooper figures and saw action at Normandy in 1944. Sold Out!

Dimensions:
Length: 5 inches
Width: 2 inches

Release Date: March 2007

Historical Account: "Falaise" - The British attempted to push the invasion inland, but the Germans reacted with determination and aggression, forcing them to battle for every inch of ground. Progress was slow and bloody, but after almost three months of fighting, the aim of gradually wearing down German manpower and materiel was showing signs of success. Following a coordinated offensive in which the British 21st Army Group attacked in the east to draw in the German armored reserves, the 12th US Army Group succeeded in breaking through the German line in the west on July 31. With the 1st Canadian and 2nd British Armies attacking them from the north, the Americans proceeded to encircle the German 7th Army from the south, trapping and cutting it to pieces in the Falaise Pocket. The Battle of Normandy had been won.