The Tank, Cruiser, Comet I (A34) was a British cruiser tank that first saw use near the end of World War II. It was designed to provide greater anti-tank capability to Cromwell tank squadrons. It was armed with a 77mm HV, a derivative of the 17 pounder, with the result it was one of the few British tanks with the firepower to challenge late war German designs. Seeing post World War II combat during the Korean war, the Comet remained in British service until 1958. Comets sold to other countries continued in some cases to operate into the 70s.

The 11th Armoured Division was the first to receive the new tanks in December 1944 and the only division to be completely refitted by the end of the war. Because of its late arrival, the Comet did not participate in any major battles though it did see combat against the Germans. The Comet was involved in the crossing of the Rhine and the later Berlin Victory Parade in July 1945. The Comet's maximum speed of 32 miles per hour was greatly exploited on the German Autobahns.

Pictured here is a 1:72 scale replica of a British Cruiser Tank, A34 Comet Mk. IV Tank nicknamed "Cobra", that was attached to the 3rd Royal Tank Regiment, 29th Armoured Brigade, 11th Armoured Division, then deployed to North Germany during March 1945. Sold Out!

Dimensions:
Length: 3.5 inches
Width: 1.5 inches

Release Date: September 2012

Historical Account: "Black Bull" - The 11th Armoured Division, known as The Black Bull, was a British Army division formed in 1941 during the Second World War. The Division was formed in response to the unanticipated success of German panzer divisions. It was responsible for several major victories in Normandy after D-Day, and it participated in the rapid advance across France, Belgium, and the Netherlands and the Rhine crossing.

It spearheaded Operation Epsom, reaching the Odon river between Mouen and Mondrainville. It was again embroiled in Operation Goodwood, its assault on Bourgubus Ridge on the first day of the operation being brought to a halt. After Goodwood, the losses of armour within the division were so high that the 24th Lancers were disbanded and its remnants absorbed by the 23rd Hussars. The Regiment then took part in Operation Bluecoat, intended to secure the key road junction of Vire and the high ground of Mont Pinon, allowing the American exploitation of their breakout on the western flank of the Normandy beachhead. The 11th Armored Division was then attached to XXX Corps, which captured Flers, Putanges and Argentan in the battle of the Falaise pocket.

Once the Falaise pocket was sealed, the Regiment remained with the 11th Armoured Division as it liberated L'Aigle on August 23rd. It crossed the Seine on August 28th and, after an advance of 60 miles in one day, liberated Amiens on September 1st and Antwerp on September 4th. It was not directly involved in the ground operations of Operation Market Garden, but covered the right flank of the advancing XXX Corps.

It was in reserve, being re-equipped with Comet tanks, at the time of the Ardennes Offensive, but was rapidly deployed into a defensive line along the Meuse with its old tanks. In 1945, it took part in Operation Veritable and Operation Blockbuster and liberated Bergen-Belsen concentration camp before crossing the Elbe and capturing Lubeck. It was disbanded at the end of January 1946.