Crusader III

This page is about the British light tank Crusader III. For other uses, see Crusader (Family).

Crusader III

Crusader II

Cromwell V

Crusader III

Crusader II

Cromwell V

Britain

II Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
3.0	3.0	3.0

Class:

Light tank

Research:4 600

Purchase:16 000

Show in game

Description

The Tank, Cruiser, Crusader III (A15) is a rank II British light tank with a battle rating of 3.0 (AB/RB/SB). It was introduced along with the initial British tree line in Update 1.55 "Royal Armour".

The low-profiled Crusader is amongst the first light tanks on the British tech tree with the ability to perform scouting, which is a much relevant role amidst battles.

Although classified as a light tank, the Crusader is only light because of the low armour. Nor the speed or the gun fit in this light category, since the 57 mm 6-pounder is very efficient and in many regards, better than the previous 40 mm 2-pounder found on the Crusader Mk II. This translates into decent firepower capable of engaging most tanks by the front. Yet the same early engine now underpowered struggles with the new heavier cannon, bringing the total weight from 16 tons in the earlier Crusader Mk II now to over 20 tons. Thus the performance of fast attacks or quick flanking manoeuvres is somewhat impeded by this low-power to weight ratio. 

Despite these shortcomings, the vehicle should be a more uncomplicated and easy to learn playstyle than similar ranked vehicles as the slow advancing Valentine or Matildas.

General info

Survivability and armour

Smoke grenades

Creation of a smoke screen in front of the vehicle

Armourfront / side / back

Hull20 / 14 / 14

Turret30 / 28 / 28

Crew3 people

Visibility76 %

Armour type:

• Rolled homogeneous armour
• Cast homogeneous armour (Gun mantlet, Driver's port)
• Structural steel (Side skirts)

Armour	Front	Sides	Rear	Roof
Hull	20 mm (33°) Front plate 9 mm (78-85°), 20 mm (61°) Front glacis 20 mm (26-64°) Lower glacis	4 + 14 + 14.27 mm	14 mm (44-50°) Top (14-52°) 14 mm Bottom	7 mm
Turret	31.75 mm (1°) Turret front 30 mm (0-44°) Gun mantlet	14 mm (50°)	17 mm (28-53°)	12.7 mm

Notes:

• Suspension wheels and tracks are 15 mm thick.
• Interior 14.27 mm side armour is made of rolled homogeneous armour.

Mobility

Speedforward / back

AB47 / 8 km/h

RB and SB43 / 7 km/h

Number of gears4 forward

1 back

Weight20.3 t

Engine power

AB649 hp

RB and SB340 hp

Power-to-weight ratio

AB32.0 hp/t

RB and SB16.7 hp/t

Game Mode	Max Speed (km/h)		Weight (tons)	Engine power (horsepower)		Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
	Forward	Reverse		Stock	Upgraded	Stock	Upgraded
Arcade	47	8	20.3	527	649	25.96	31.97
Realistic	43	7		301	340	14.83	16.75

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference

AB453 → 650

RB507 → 728

SB629 → 903

Total cost of modifications8 470

9 540

Talisman cost640

Crew training4 500

Experts16 000

Aces160

Research Aces190 000

Reward for battleAB / RB / SB

30 / 40 / 50 %

118 / 118 / 118 %

Modifications

Mobility	Protection	Firepower
Tracks Research: 420 Cost: 470 90 Suspension Research: 320 Cost: 360 70 Brake System Research: 320 Cost: 360 70 Filters Research: 530 Cost: 600 115 Transmission Research: 550 Cost: 620 115 Engine Research: 550 Cost: 620 115	Improved Parts Research: 420 Cost: 470 90 Improved FPE Research: 320 Cost: 360 70 Crew Replenishment Research: 530 Cost: 600 115	Horizontal Drive Research: 420 Cost: 470 90 57mm_britain_6pdr_AP_HV_ammo_pack Research: 420 Cost: 470 90 57mm_britain_6pdr_APC_ammo_pack Research: 320 Cost: 360 70 Adjustment of Fire Research: 320 Cost: 360 70 Airstrike Research: 320 Cost: 360 70 57mm_britain_6pdr_APCBC_ammo_pack Research: 530 Cost: 600 115 Elevation Mechanism Research: 530 Cost: 600 115 Artillery Support Research: 550 Cost: 620 115 Improved optics Research: 550 Cost: 620 115 Smoke grenade Research: 550 Cost: 620 115

Armaments

Main armament

57 mm 6pdr OQF Mk.III cannon

Shoulder stabilizer

Reduces the swing of the gun in one plane while moving

Ammunition65 rounds

Reloadbasic crew → aces

5.2 → 4.0 s

Vertical guidance-12° / 20°

57 mm 6pdr OQF Mk.III					Turret rotation speed (°/s)					Reloading rate (seconds)
Mode	Capacity	Vertical	Horizontal	Stabilizer	Stock	Upgraded	Full	Expert	Aced	Stock	Full	Expert	Aced
Arcade	65	-12°/+20°	±180°	Shoulder	34.3	47.4	57.6	63.7	67.8	5.20	4.60	4.24	4.00
Realistic					21.4	25.2	30.6	33.8	36.0

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 Mk.5	AP	101	97	82	66	53	43
Shot Mk.5 HV	AP	108	104	87	70	57	46
Shot Mk.8	APC	110	106	89	72	59	48
Shot Mk.9	APCBC	122	118	101	84	70	58
Shell Mk.10	HE	9	9	9	9	9	9

Shell details
Ammunition	Type of warhead	Velocity (m/s)	Projectile Mass (kg)	Fuse delay (m)	Fuse sensitivity (mm)	Explosive Mass (TNT equivalent) (g)	Ricochet
							0%	50%	100%
Shot Mk.5	AP	815	2.8	N/A	N/A	N/A	47°	60°	65°
Shot Mk.5 HV	AP	853	2.8	N/A	N/A	N/A	47°	60°	65°
Shot Mk.8	APC	853	2.87	N/A	N/A	N/A	48°	63°	71°
Shot Mk.9	APCBC	801	3.23	N/A	N/A	N/A	48°	63°	71°
Shell Mk.10	HE	655	2.72	0	0.1	590	79°	80°	81°

Ammo racks

Ammo racks of the Crusader III

Full ammo	1st rack empty	2nd rack empty	3rd rack empty	4th rack empty	Visual discrepancy
65	46 (+19)	31 (+34)	16 (+49)	1 (+64)	No

Optics

Crusader III Optics
	Default magnification	Maximum magnification
Main Gun optics	x1.9	x3.5
Comparable optics	AMR.35 ZT3

Machine guns

7.92 mm BESA machine gun (coaxial)

Ammunition3 375 rounds

Belt capacity225 rounds

Reloadbasic crew → aces

10.4 → 8.0 s

Fire rate600 shots/min

7.92 mm BESA
Mount	Capacity (Belt)	Fire rate	Vertical	Horizontal
Coaxial	3,375 (225)	600	N/A	N/A

Usage in battles

A Crusader III heading to combat on Poland.

The Crusader tank was designed to be fast and highly mobile, exploiting enemy battle lines by penetrating the flanks and disrupting the enemy from behind. In the game, the Crusader should be used in a similar fashion. It is quick, well armed and highly manoeuvrable, making it great at rushing capture points and exploiting the enemies flanks. The 57mm gun is excellent for its tier, with high penetration and good ballistics. Very few tanks can withstand a hit from this gun without major damage. When uptiered, is a good sneaky flanker in later rank matches with the gun being yet effective.

The tanks low profile is its main advantage. You can hide easily among vegetation and obstacles like walls, shooting from a concealed position or retreating under smoke if the situation is looking a little too dangerous.

Of course, you can't have everything. The tank has thin armour, so it isn't suitable as a front line tank unless in a supporting role. The armour is sloped on some areas, so you may bounce some smaller calibre shells. Explosive shells are your worst nightmare, so avoid getting hit by them. The 57 mm gun has great penetration, but the Crusader has very thin armour. There are still plenty of enemies that can give you some trouble.

While the battle is about staying alive in the tank, do not forget about the allies. This crusader is a great support tank, not just in firepower, but is also capable of scouting and repairing for the team. 

In recap, preferably play as a faster medium tank in a support role amidst the frontline during early module research, additionally players can act as flankers and either eliminate the threats themselves or scout the enemy tanks to allies in SPGs or Strike Aircrafts.

Enemies worth noting

• T-34 (1940) - You will begin encountering early models of T-34s at this tier. You can penetrate their turret easily and drivers port easily, but they can pose a serious problem when angled properly. Also, the 76 mm L-11 gun can easily take you out with its massive explosive power. Try to take out the gunner first and then deal with the rest of the crew members for a safe kill.
• Pz.IV F1 - The rapid-fire 75 mm short barrelled gun can fire HEAT or APCBC rounds, which can penetrate and cause serious damage to the Crusader. Luckily, the F1 has flat armour which can be easily penetrated from the front. Range is your friend with these tanks. Their gun is very difficult to aim accurately over 500 m. Hit it before it hits you and you will most likely come out on top.
• Pz.IV F2 - You may have to face off against the dreaded Panzer IV F2. Its gun is accurate, high penetration and causes massive damage upon penetration. It will kill you easily at range. Fortunately, it has the same weak flat armour as the F1, so can be easily dealt with if you get off the first shot
• KV-1 (L-11) - These heavy tanks are rare at your battle rating, but can still be faced. They have great, bouncy armour and a deadly gun. Try to hit the turret cheeks or the side/rear armour.
• Pz.III L - This Panzer III has a great, high-velocity gun and excellent frontal armour. The extra 20 mm high hardness plates make a massive difference to the frontal armour, making it more bouncy and harder to penetrate. Fortunately, your gun can reliably penetrate the Panzer III L. If you are unsure, aim for the drivers port to kill the driver, gunner and commander.

Almost every tank can kill you easily, even with Rank I guns. Stay mobile or hidden, take advantage of the tanks low profile and shoot only when you know you can penetrate. This can make you a formidable tank on the battlefield.

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Low profile acts as first way of protection
• Lethal semi-stabilized and also quick firing gun; capable of fighting higher rank vehicles as ▀T 34 747 (r), Pz.Bef.Wg.IV J or ▀KV-IB
• Armour is thin but has odd angles, causing some rounds to bounce
• Reverse speed is much better than the Cromwell chassis, though still only average
• Good manoeuvrability
• Carries 50 smoke grenades, can lay down long smoke screens to cover allies on large areas

Cons:

• Low power to weight ratio; not as fast as other light tanks at this rank
• Weak armour overall, turret is flat and easily pierced by most guns at the rank
• Only 3 crew members, relatively easy to kill in one shot

History

Development

In 1938, the General Staff of the British Army requested for a cruiser tank that was lighter and more affordable than the heavier A16 cruiser design developed by Nuffield Mechanizations & Aero. One of these designs was the designation Tank, Cruiser Mk.V based off the A13 cruiser tanks, named the "Covenanter", and Nuffield was invited to become part of its development team, but they refused due to interest in developing their own cruiser tank. Their tank was designated the Tank, Cruiser Mk.VI Crusader and fell under the General Staff specification of A15. The Crusader was a parallel design to the Covenanter but was ready six weeks earlier than the Covenanter despite starting at a later time. The Crusader was adopted into service with the British Army in 1941 and the 5,300 units were manufactured between 1940 to 1943.

Design

The Crusader features a new design that differs from its cruiser tank predecessors. The Christie suspension system on the Crusader had five road wheels for it instead of the usual four, which improves weight distribution of the increased 20-ton weight of the Crusader compared to the 14 tons of the A13 cruisers. The engine, steering system, and cooling system on the Crusader was different as well, but the Covenanter and Crusader use the same main turret. The polygonal shape of the turret gives the crew inside more room for the turret ring diameter.

The Crusader Mk.I and Mk.II were equipped with the 2-pounder, which was aimed by the gunner inside with a padded shaft that allows them to elevate the gun by simply adjusting his own height. Later in the war where an up-gun of the tank armament was necessary and newer tanks such as the Cromwell was delayed, the Crusader was upgraded into the Crusader Mk III variant with a 6-pounder instead, which restricted turret space, requiring the turret crew to be reduced from three to two. These first saw action in the Second Battle of El Alamein in October 1942.

Combat usage

The Crusader first saw action at North Africa, right after the British had been pushed back to the Egyptian border by Axis forces. The Crusaders were part of the huge shipment in the Malta Convoys to reequip the British forces there. Enough Crusaders arrive that the entire 6th Royal Tank Regiment was refitted with them, which joined up with the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment to form the 7th Armoured Brigade "Desert Rats". The brigade's first action was in Operation Battleaxe, though it was delayed due to adapting the tanks for the desert environment. The operation, which called for the relieve of the siege of Tobruk in June, was initiated in June to which 11 Crusader tanks were lost to anti-tank guns, plus many more to mechanical faults. While more Crusader tanks came in to reinforce the cruiser tank forces, there were never enough to supply the continuously expanding armoured units as 7th Brigade was combined with the 7th Hussars, the 2nd Armoured Brigade was added to the 7th Armoured Division, and the 8th Hussars was combined with the 4th Armoured Brigade. Overall, the Crusaders proved effective in the North African Campaign, the Crusader was faster than any tanks on the opposing side and the 2-pounder was lethal to the Panzer III, but the tank suffered from its thin armour, mechanical problems in the desert, and the growing deficiency of the 2-pounder, which didn't have enough range to destroy farther tanks. The Crusader design also caused the ammo racks on the tank to easily ignite due to unprotected racks and shot traps on the turret design. Anti-tank guns continue to be the main reason the Crusader units suffer losses, rather than to enemy tanks.

By the end of 1941, only the 2nd Armoured Brigade retained the Crusaders, the rest of the other tank units were being refitted with better tanks, such as the M3 Grant medium tank from the American Lend-Lease. Crusader units were also refitted with the more powerful Crusader Mk.III with the 6-pounder, which improved the Crusader's ability to destroy the gradually stronger German tanks. After General Bernard Montgomery took command of the British Army in 1942, more British tank units were re-equipped with the Grant and M4 Sherman tanks while the Crusaders were relegated from the front-lines to "light squadrons" meant to flank the enemy and attacked at its exposed sides. When the British 1st Army engaged the Axis at Tunisia, some tank regiments still use Crusaders mixed in with Valentine tanks. These units in the 26th Armoured Brigade, code-named "Blade Force", worked alongside the 78th Infantry Division as an independent armoured column. During Tunisia, the 1st Army was already converting the tank regiments into Shermans, but the 8th Army continued to use the Crusaders for much longer, which would see use at the Battle of Wadi Akarit and Mareth Line.

After the North African Campaign, the Crusaders no longer saw any use in the front-lines and were used in other roles such as gun tractors with 17-pounders or anti-aircraft mounts such as the Crusader AA Mk.I and Mk.II. Some Crusader tanks equipped the tank regiments that stayed back at the British Homelands such as the 11th Armoured Division.

Survivors

About 21 Crusaders still exist intact in various parts of the world. The most notable places with the Crusaders are South Africa with 8 known survivors, a running Crusader Mk.III at Bovington Tank Museum at England, and an anti-aircraft version at Musée des Blindés of Saumur in France

Media

Skins

• Skins and camouflages for the Crusader III from live.warthunder.com.

Videos

Crusader III Tank Review - NUSensei

Crusader III, British Tier-2, Light Tank - Angry Nerd Gaming

See also

Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:

• reference to the series of the vehicles;
• links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.

External links

Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:

• topic on the official game forum;
• other literature.