Matilda – Conclusion

The Matilda was designed for its use with and more so alongside the infantry divisions of the British and given what we know of infantry men being thrust into the heart of the fight, often leading the way into battle the Matilda certainly lived up to that. While the Matilda was eventually replaced it was …

Matilda – Camouflage

Overall the tank was typically painted khaki green with a dark green pattern to disrupt the kahki. To this layer of paint the various insignia were added on a white background. a 12in x12in square. These squares gad the dis-advantage of making the tank easily identifiable. These white squares disrupted the camouflage scheme. This camouflage …

Matilda – Variants – The Projector (Pt. 7 of 7)

One of the last variants produced by the Aussies was something called The Projector, it represented the most ambitious project despite not ever being deployed. It was to have a most tremendous impact on the battlefield if it were ever used. The Projector or Hedgehog No. 1 Mark 1 was dreamed up from someone or …

Matilda – Variants – The Frog (Pt. 6 of 7)

Just as the Germans had the Flammpanzer so to the Australians had theirs and it was called drum role please The Frog. Instead of having a main gun armament it had a projector/flame thrower mounted in its place. It was designed having a 3 ins. bore to resemble the 3 ins. Howitzer and the Besa …

Matilda – Variants – Aussie Tank Bulldozer (Pt. 5 of 7)

After the mine clearing and the Canal Defense Light other variants were produced, the "Black Prince" was one such variant that was radio controlled and was first seen in 1941. It was based on the A12E2 with full Wilson transmission and said transmission could be operated by remote control. The overall aim of this experiment …

Matilda – Variants – CDL (Pt. 4 of 7)

The Matilda was also associated with a specific variant the Canal Defense Light (CDL). This specific vehicle had its own history and development path but it is closely associated with the Matilda as a tank and vehicle base. The Matilda was the first chosen for conversion for this role. The tank was converted by removing …

Matilda – Variants (Pt. 3 of 7)

The device had 2 girder arms extending from the sides of the tank, the rotating drum was mounted between these 2 arms the chains and cable flails were attached to this drum. The device had its own power-plant and power-train, carrying its own Ford V8 engine and the appropriate drive train and cooling system to …

Matilda – Variants (Pt. 2 of 7)

It was never fitted to the more complicated and later tanks as adapting the power take-off was too difficult. They considered other options among them a French version that eventually proved too cumbersome for general use. Eventually Fowlers designed an anti-mine roller that was for British cruiser tanks but adapted for the Matilda. At first …

Matilda – Variants (Pt. 1 of 7)

As with most armoured vehicles their bases, the power-plant and train and tracks make for a great base to mount any number of attachments that increases the vehicles utility and applicability on the battle field. These vehicles usually fulfilled a specialty role and was typically deployed by the engineering battalions of their respective armies. The …

Matilda – Service Abroad (Pt. 3 of 3)

As the Pacific campaign continued on the Matilda proved itself as the right tank for the job, especially in light of the M3 Stuart prior to the arrival of the Matilda at Milne Bay New Guinea. The Matilda performed admirably given the terrain and jungle conditions, with the enemy remaining largely unseen and able to …