Conqueror

Conqueror

Caernarvon

Centurion Mk 10

Conqueror

Caernarvon

Centurion Mk 10

Britain

V Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
7.7	7.7	7.7

Class:

Heavy tank

Research:48 000

Purchase:270 000

Show in game

Description

Following the reveal of the IS-3 during the 1945 Victory Parade through Berlin, the British realised the need for a new heavily armed and heavily armoured tank. Plans were drawn to create a "Universal Tank" hull, which would then be able to mount a variety of different armaments to suit a range of roles. The heaviest of this set of planned vehicles was the Conqueror, armed with a 120 mm gun inspired by and developed alongside that of the American M103, designed to be able to face down any Soviet threats and provide long-range anti-tank support for the existing Centurion.

By 1950, the new hull and chassis were nearing completion, while the gun and turret were still under development. Thus, a project to mount the turret of the Centurion Mk 3 was spawned, in order to ease the development process and train crews on the new hull, resulting in the Caernarvon. 1951 saw completion of the new gun and its acceptance into service, while the turret was still being finalised; plans for a stop-gap carriage for the new gun resulted in the Centurion hull-based Conway. Prototypes were complete by 1952, and the tank itself finally entered service in 1955, being sent immediately to armoured regiments stationed in West Germany. Both the Conqueror and Centurion were ultimately replaced by the Chieftain in 1966.

Introduced in Update 1.55 "Royal Armour" along with the initial British ground tree, the Conqueror deviates from most earlier British designs, favouring firepower and armour. With an extremely powerful main cannon, solid armour protection, and surprising (but still rather lacking) manoeuvrability for such a heavy vehicle, the Conqueror proves to be a highly effective sniper and support tank, able to crack open heavily armoured targets from long ranges. Making use of its strong armour and gun stabiliser allows it to also be put to good use in close-range brawls, although the subpar mobility and long reload can limit the vehicle in this aspect.

General info

Survivability and armour

Smoke grenades

Creation of a smoke screen in front of the vehicle

Armourfront / side / back

Hull130 / 51 / 38

Turret313 / 89 / 50

Crew4 people

Visibility176 %

A basic weak spot of the Conqueror; the gun mantlet. The area is hit because of Conqueror's poor depression. It can be targeted by large-calibre HE, APDS and Sabot shells. - The shown camouflage is known as 'Phalanx', part of the "Night Vision" chest.

The Conqueror Mark 2 utilizes a modified version of Caernarvon's hull, with respectable frontal armour capable of shrugging off rounds from many adversaries. Unfortunately, this hull suffers from similarly weak side and rear armour - and as such angling, the vehicle can prove extremely dangerous if it exposes the side too much. The Conqueror replaces the Caernarvon's Centurion-based turret with a fresh design, providing much better crew spacing and protection. The turret is not without its weaknesses, however; the commander's cupola protrudes quite significantly and APHE or HESH shells may disable internal turret components or crew members. There is also a weak section directly behind the mantlet at the top of the turret, penetration of which will disable crew or the breech/horizontal turret drive. Trap shots are possible, it is likely to get shot with a high-calibre HE, capable of damaging the tank by hitting the base of the turret and exploding into the driver and/or ammo rack just below it. Unlike with similar tank M103 though, for most heavy tanks HE can only penetrate the driver hatch, taking them out, and damage the gun breech on a good hit. SPG calibre HE (like 152 mm of Object 268) will definitely destroy the roof armour and ammo rack, resulting in a knock-out, unless only a few shells are being carried (which is highly impractical). Non-HE shells are less likely to ricochet and do significant internal damage like this, but it is still possible to push them into the tank.

The frontal track guards are also very vulnerable at particular angles and can be exploited even when sides are not exposed to instantly destroy the tank using nearly any gun, like with Churchill Mk VII. The more realistic scenario, however, is high-calibre HESH hitting the ground next to them and setting the tank on fire or outright destroying it. Fortunately, most tanks which are capable of this and are going out of their way to use HESH instead of HEAT are British and can only be your opponent in AB, in RB the likelihood of receiving such hit is greatly reduced.

The Conqueror has a researchable add-on armour package which improves the vehicle's survivability to HEAT rounds and by a small amount to kinetic rounds. The Conqueror is relatively resistant to HEAT ammunition, smaller HEAT ammunition may have issue harming the Conqueror when hull-down.

Armour type:

• Rolled homogeneous armour
• Cast homogeneous armour (turret)
• Structural steel (Side skirts)

Armour	Front	Sides	Rear	Roof
Hull	130 + 20 mm (59°) Front glacis 76 mm (44°) Lower glacis	51 + 6 mm	38 mm Top 20 mm (60°) Bottom	44 mm Front 17 mm Crew hatch 17 mm Rear
Turret	152-313 mm (0-68°) Turret front 89-200 mm (0-78°) Gun mantlet	89-233 mm (1-48°)	50 mm (1-34°)	51 mm 31 mm Square area near gun 17 mm Crew hatches
Armour	Front	Rear	Roof
Cupola	203 mm (0-17°)	70 mm (12-14°)	51 mm 17 mm Crew hatch

Notes:

• Suspension wheels and bogies are 20 mm thick while tracks are 30 mm thick.
• Front of turret vary in armour thickness, from 152 mm to 313 mm, but it is all very sloped due to turret design.
• The front of the turret roof has an additional armour plate of 31 mm in thickness.

Mobility

Speedforward / back

AB37 / 13 km/h

RB and SB35 / 12 km/h

Number of gears5 forward

2 back

Weight66.0 t

Engine power

AB1 545 hp

RB and SB810 hp

Power-to-weight ratio

AB23.4 hp/t

RB and SB12.3 hp/t

Game Mode	Max Speed (km/h)		Weight (tons)		Engine power (horsepower)		Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
	Forward	Reverse	Stock	AoA	Stock	Upgraded	Stock	Upgraded
Arcade	37	13	64.9	1.1	1,046	1,545	16.12	23.41
Realistic	35	12			716	810	11.03	12.27

The Conqueror has reasonable mobility, despite its weight, thanks to a powerful engine and favourable gearbox ratios. It does suffer from a somewhat limited top speed of 34 km/h, however it reaches this speed fairly easily on-road and on smooth off-road surfaces. The vehicle has surprisingly responsive hull traverse due to the engine power and neutral steering capability. The Conqueror has a reasonable reverse speed for a British vehicle, however it shouldn't be relied on too heavily.

When the add-on armour package is researched and equipped, the vehicle's weight will increase by 1.1 tonnes, resulting in a minor decrease in mobility.

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference

AB4 996 → 6 889

RB5 311 → 7 323

SB8 461 → 11 667

Total cost of modifications76 400

127 400

Talisman cost2 000

Crew training78 000

Experts270 000

Aces1 100

Research Aces670 000

Reward for battleAB / RB / SB

140 / 200 / 230 %

190 / 190 / 190 %

Modifications

Mobility	Protection	Firepower
Tracks Research: 5 300 Cost: 8 600 220 Suspension Research: 4 500 Cost: 7 300 185 Brake System Research: 4 500 Cost: 7 300 185 Filters Research: 5 000 Cost: 8 100 210 Transmission Research: 6 500 Cost: 10 000 270 Engine Research: 6 500 Cost: 10 000 270	Improved Parts Research: 3 400 Cost: 8 600 220 Improved FPE Research: 2 900 Cost: 7 300 185 Crew Replenishment Research: 5 000 Cost: 8 100 210 Additional Ballistic Protection Package Research: 6 500 Cost: 10 000 270	Horizontal Drive Research: 5 300 Cost: 8 600 220 Adjustment of Fire Research: 4 500 Cost: 7 300 185 Elevation Mechanism Research: 5 000 Cost: 8 100 210 Smoke grenade Research: 5 000 Cost: 8 100 210 Rangefinder Research: 6 500 Cost: 10 000 270

Armaments

Rangefinder

Reduces the error and increases the maximum measurable distance of the rangefinder

Main armament

120 mm Ordnance QF Tk. L1A2 cannon

Two-plane stabilizer

Reduces the swing of the gun in two planes while moving

Ammunition35 rounds

First-order8 rounds

Reloadbasic crew → aces

19.4 → 14.9 s

Vertical guidance-7° / 15°

The 120 mm L1A2 is a powerful gun, derived from the M58 mounted on the M103 heavy tank. Unlike the M103's selection of HEAT or AP, the Conqueror instead utilises HESH and APDS ammunition, and again unlike the M103, mounts a two-plane stabiliser. The L1A2 exhibits excellent accuracy and long-range performance, although due to the sub-par post-penetration effects of APDS in some cases multiple rounds are required to secure a knock-out, particularly at range where critical components or ammunition is less reliably hit.

Despite this, the Conqueror performs admirably as a sniper, covering capture points or thoroughfares, and should primarily rely on APDS with careful thought as to placement. HESH may prove useful against lighter vehicles or in cases where a target's side armour is exposed, but otherwise should not be relied on for anything besides pure luck. It's important to remember that the Conqueror has a reasonably long reload of 19.4 seconds at base; and as such careful consideration should be made as to what to prioritise disabling first.

120 mm Ordnance QF Tk. L1A2					Turret rotation speed (°/s)					Reloading rate (seconds)
Mode	Capacity	Vertical	Horizontal	Stabilizer	Stock	Upgraded	Full	Expert	Aced	Stock	Full	Expert	Aced
Arcade	35	-7°/+15°	±180°	Two-plane	13.2	18.3	22.2	24.5	26.1	19.37	17.14	15.80	14.90
Realistic					9.7	11.4	13.9	15.3	16.3

Ammunition

Penetration statistics
Ammunition	Type of warhead	Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
		10 m	100 m	500 m	1,000 m	1,500 m	2,000 m
Shot L1G	APDS	502	496	474	447	422	398
Shell L1TK	HESH	152	152	152	152	152	152

Shell details
Ammunition	Type of warhead	Velocity (m/s)	Projectile mass (kg)	Fuse delay (m)	Fuse sensitivity (mm)	Explosive mass (TNT equivalent) (kg)	Ricochet
							0%	50%	100%
Shot L1G	APDS	1,493	6.37	-	-	-	75°	78°	80°
Shell L1TK	HESH	792	15.87	0.1	4	3.97	73°	77°	80°

Ammo racks

Full ammo	Ammo type	1st rack empty	2nd rack empty	3rd rack empty	4th rack empty	5th rack empty	6th rack empty	7th rack empty	8th rack empty	9th rack empty	Visual discrepancy
35	Projectiles	34 (+1)	31 (+4)	29 (+6)	27 (+8)	23 (+12)	22 (+13)	17 (+18)	9 (+26)	1 (+34)	No
	Propellants	35 (+0)	34 (+1)	33 (+2)	32 (+3)	23 (+12)	9 (+26)	1 (+34)	N/A	N/A

Ammo racks of the Conqueror

Notes:

• The first propellant rack contains only a single charge of propellant, so even when bringing a full load of 35 rounds this rack will always be empty as the first round loaded into the gun upon spawn.
• It is advised to take 22 rounds into combat if you wish to maximise available shots but remove the propellant charges racked just beside the driver if considering the weak spot that is the lower front plate of the Conqueror.
• The propellant portion of the ready rack is comprised of a single charge rack and a seven-charge rack. As these spaces make up the 8 round ready rack ammo count they are considered as a single rack for the purposes of deciding how much ammo to take. However if a player were to take only 7 rounds the single rack to the left of the loader would be empty of a charge.

Machine guns

7.62 mm L3A1 machine gun (coaxial)

Ammunition3 750 rounds

Belt capacity250 rounds

Reloadbasic crew → aces

10.4 → 8.0 s

Fire rate500 shots/min

7.62 mm L3A1 machine gun

Ammunition3 750 rounds

Belt capacity250 rounds

Reloadbasic crew → aces

10.4 → 8.0 s

Fire rate500 shots/min

The Conqueror sports two machine guns, one of which is pintle-mounted and may prove itself a deterrent to some close air support. The machine guns may on occasion prove useful for destroying incoming ATGMs, given a bit of luck.

7.62 mm L3A1
Mount	Capacity (Belt)	Fire rate	Vertical	Horizontal
Coaxial	3,750 (250)	500	N/A	N/A
Pintle	3,750 (250)	500	-10°/+30°	±180°

Usage in battles

The Conqueror can be effectively played as a sniper, or a steady breakthrough tank, providing the vehicle's slow reload and weak lower front plate are considered. This heavy tank should not be played in a brawling role. It will easily be flanked and disposed by the side armour plates. Commanders are advised to remain on some of these roles:

Sniper Role

When used in a sniper role, the Conqueror should utilise extreme ranges with some form of cover available, in case the situation goes awry. Ensure awareness is maintained for light flanking vehicles or enemy sniping vehicles on off-angles that may be able to disable the Conqueror through side armour. Play conservatively, avoiding wasting shots, having to wait for the long reload time, and avoid exposing the hull where possible.

Remember the rangefinder and if possible find locations that cover the hull of the Conqueror.

Breakthrough Role

The Conqueror may be utilised in a breakthrough role, although it should be played conservatively with allies and with a level of map awareness at all times. The stabilised gun allows the conqueror to comfortably fire on the move - a rare piece of equipment at the rank - this gives it a distinct advantage over most targets it will face at close range, with the ability to reliably hit targets without waiting for the suspension sway to subside. However, the vehicle's slow reload means that calculated shots are a requirement, and wasting any round may have dire results.

As usual, keep in mind that the vehicle's sides and lower front plate are particularly vulnerable and exposing either to enemy fire will often result in the Conqueror's destruction. If the advance seems to be failing, or the Conqueror is on risk to be flanked. Remember the good reverse speed, this along smoke cover will grant second chances.

Pros and cons

Pros:

• APDS round is extremely powerful and accurate
• HESH ammo may have surprising results, and can prove particularly effective against light or side armour
• The L1A2 cannon is fully two-plane stabilised, allowing it to be fired accurately on the move
• Coaxial machine gun has ballistic performance similar to the HESH round and may be used for ranging
• Turret and upper front plate are very sloped and armoured, with few weak points
• Add-on armour offers more protection in the form of spaced armour to the turret cheeks and upper plate
• Well-spaced crew make the vehicle unlikely to be affected by crew knock-out in a single hit
• Reasonably good mobility despite weight and huge gun
• Optical rangefinder allows for accurate distance measuring
• Reasonable reverse speed allows the Conqueror to peek shots effectively
• Conqueror has commander override: a knocked out gunner will not prevent the player from firing

Cons:

• HESH is not reliable against any vehicle with semi-decent armour; requires high skills and knowledge of the enemy
• The APDS penetration at angles above 45 degrees is significantly reduced
• Long reload time (19.4 second base) for British standards, although relatively standard for the calibre
• Only rifle-calibre machine guns
• Particularly weak side armour and lower front plate; will be commonly targeted areas
• Only 17 mm of protection on the wide engine deck will be targeted by planes
• Top speed is limited at only 34 km/h; it faces really mobile enemies such as the Leopard Is
• Large cupola can be exploited by APHE ammunition

History

Development

In 1944, General Staff started a project called A45 Infantry Support Tank, which started around the same time as the development of the A41 Centurion cruiser tank. This project, after the war, was redesignated from a typical "Infantry Tank" and instead focused on a new role of a "Universal Tank" design in the form of the FV 200 series. The "Universal Tank" concept was to design a vehicle that would have a mobility comparable to that of cruiser tanks, but with the armour and firepower of heavy tanks. The FV 200 series designation was adopted and was to serve as a line of vehicles that used the same hull and chassis in different roles like armour recovery vehicles and self-propelled guns. The first tank of this series was to be the FV 201, which would be 55 tons and use the 20-pounder gun.

In 1949, a new requirement for the project called for the use of a 120 mm gun, possibly in response to the reveal of the Soviet IS-3 heavy tank in the Berlin Victory Parade in 1945. This new requirement would delay the initial deadlines for the tank as no gun of that calibre had been developed yet. As a interim development before such a gun could be made, the FV 201 hull was mounted with a turret from the Centurion tank and this created the FV 221 Caernarvon, with Mark I for a 17-pounder armament and a Mark II for a 20-pounder armament. However, the success of the lighter Centurion tank made the Caernarvon unsuitable in a "Main Battle Tank" role. Further development on the Caernarvon, with emphasis on the armour and armament, would develop the FV 214 Conqueror tanks, some were straight up conversions of Caernarvon Mark IIs. About 185 Conquerors were produced in Mk.1 and Mk.2 variants from 1955 to 1959.

Design

The FV 214 Conqueror, also known as the "Tank, Heavy No. 1, 120 mm Gun, Conqueror", was intended to provide a mobile, long-range anti-tank support for the lighter and more numerous Centurion tanks stationed in Germany. As a response to the heavy IS-3 tank in Soviet service, the tank's armament and armour is taken up and beyond extreme to typical NATO armour development. The armour, with a frontal plate of about seven inches (178 mm), made the tank one of the most protected tanks stationed in West Germany. The abundance of armour made the tank heavy, weighing 64 tons, and this impeded the tank's top speed and made it mechanically unreliable. However, the tank was very mobile in cross-country terrain, seen as equal as the lighter and faster Centurion tank.

The gun was the very large 120 mm cannon, the largest calibre tank gun available when it was introduced. The gun was American-developed, the same 120 mm cannon that would arm the M103 heavy tank. The gun uses a two-piece ammunition and the tank allowed for a ammo stowage of 35 rounds. Another notable feature of the Conqueror aside from its large cannon and thick armour was the unique and rotatable commander's cupola. In the cupola was the Conqueror's fire control system and had many features that made it ahead of its time. Being able to be rotated independent from the turret, plus with a coincidence rangefinder, the commander could align the cupola to a target, measure its range, and direct the gunner to the designated target. While the gunner located and engage the target, the commander could go and find a different target to designate and range.

Usage

The Conqueror were all stationed in West German in the armoured regiments stationed there. Each regiment received 9 Conquerors and were organized in groups of three as tank troops to support the Centurions in any conflict that arise from the tense situation of the Cold War. As history played out, the Cold War never became "hot" and no hostile conflicts arise in the borders of Germany, thus the Conquerors never saw any use aside from training as they were all exclusively stationed on the German borders. The Conqueror's intention to provide a long-range anti-tank capability for the Centurions, became less significant when the Centurions began to arm themselves with the more powerful 105 mm L7 gun, such as the Centurion Mk 10. The lower tactical value of the Conqueror and further development on heavy tanks in Britain had the Conquerors replaced in 1966 with the much more powerful and armoured, yet lighter, FV 4201 Chieftain tank.

Media

Images

• 
• 

Skins

• Skins and camouflages for the Conqueror from live.warthunder.com.

Videos

Heavyweight brits discusses the Conqueror at 6:21 - War Thunder Official Channel

The Shooting Range #108 - Metal Beasts section at 00:28 discusses the Conqueror.

Tank Chats #145 | Conqueror | The Tank Museum - The Tank Museum

See also

Related development

• Caernarvon
• Conway

Shared operational history

• Centurion Mk 10
• Caernarvon

Analogues of other nations

• IS-7
• IS-4M
• T-10M/T-10A
• M103

External links

• [Devblog] Сenturion Mk III and Conqueror Mk II
• [Devblog] Conqueror Armor Investigation