When you look at the hull of the Comet and compare it with the Cromwell tank it was replacing, there are more similarities than differences. Only 26 were recorded as lost in action during WW2. The end of the war resulted in the early cancellation of part of this order. Orders for 3,000 Comet tanks were issued and they were to use chassis numbers in the range T334901 to T337900. Production was dispersed around Britain because of the threat of German bombing. Other companies were involved in the construction of this AFV, the biggest being English Electric, Fowlers, Leyland and Metropolitan-Cammell. The Birmingham Railway Carriage and Wagon Company was the design parent of the British Cromwell Tank and the A.34 Cruiser Tank Comet. This is the 3rd Comet to come off the production line – Photo: IWM MH4107ĭesign work started in May 1943. The British A.34 Cruiser Tank Comet Mk.I Type A was used in North West Europe during 1945. It was called the A.34 Cruiser Tank Comet Mark I Type A. The answer was to fit a new up-armoured turret with a high-velocity 77 mm (3.03 in) gun onto late version modified Cromwell chassis. The British Army needed a stop-gap tank that could quickly be introduced into production. The A43 Centurion tank was under development but it would not be ready until 1945. The Cromwell tank was fast and low but its turret could not take a larger gun. The Churchill tank had good armor but was slow and had a weak gun.

In 1943, it was realized that a new British tank was needed that had a high-velocity gun that could take on and knock out the new Panther and Tiger tanks, but was also fast and had a low profile. The British Comet was essentially an upgraded Cromwell tank. Cruiser Tank – 1,186 Built The stop-gap tank