Crusader III AA MkIII. British Anti-Aircraft Tank

The Crusader III was also used to create self propelled anti-aircraft guns. First was the Crusader III, AA Mk I which replaced the 6-pounder in the enclosed turret with a Bofors 40 mm anti-aircraft gun with an autoloader and powered mounting in an open-topped turret. The crew numbered four: gun commander, gun layer, loader, and driver. It was intended for use by organic AA units in armoured formations.

After trials, it was superseded by the Crusader III, AA Mk II, which was armed with twin Oerlikon 20 mm guns for anti-aircraft use. The prototype appeared from Morris Motors in the summer of 1943, the pilot model being issued for testing in June. The armor thickness in the turret was 30 mm at the front and 14 mm on the sides and 17 mm on the rear. The guns were housed in a small, multi-sided polygonal turret with heavy armour, but poor situational visibility for spotting approaching aircraft. The crew numbered four: the commander/gunner,^[two loaders, and driver. The tank carried 600 rounds of ammunition, in 60-round magazines.

After evaluations, the tank was urgently redesigned as the Crusader III, AA Mk III. The Mk III differed from the Mk II:

• An improved turret with raised "lips" in the turret aperture, and a narrower aiming frame.
• An additional single .303 (7.7 mm) Vickers K machine gun in an armoured jacket, between the 20mm guns.^[
• The position of the radio, which was moved to the hull in order to free some space inside the turret. The driver now also acted as the radio operator, instead of the commander.

 (source Wikipedia)

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