Leyland Motors A34 Comet Tank

After the experience of combat in the Western Desert the British Army realised that their Tank Designs were inferior to German Tanks. This lead to a requirement for a new Tank which could take on the best German designs on equal terms. Leyland Motors was approached to take on this task and the 1st attempt, the "Challenger" was a disappointment. Another design was put forward called the "Comet" which was a great improvement and this was the machine that went in to production in February 1944. Using many components from the A27M Cromwell but with lengthened & widened Hull, much greater Armour Protection, an electrically operated turret & a new version of the 17 pounder Anti-Tank Gun of 76.2mm calibre this machine was capable of taking on anything the Germans had and with the same speed & manoeverabilty as the Cromwell. The 11th Armoured Division was the 1st Unit to receive Comets in September 1944 and was the only Unit fully refitted before the end of the war, seeing combat during the Rhine Crossings & was also seen in the Berlin Victory Parade at War's end. About 1200 Comets were built.






Comet I Tank