CREW COMPARTMENT

“IN COMBAT SITUATIONS, THE DRIVER COULD LOOK THROUGH A PERISCOPE WHEN THE HATCH WAS LOCKED DOWN”

The fighting compartment occupied the middle of the hull. The rectangular-shaped turret was placed above it, offset to the right. Compared with the MK.III, the hull was 15.4cm (6.1-inches) shorter and 20cm (7.8-inches) wider. Entry into the tank was via the driver’s door hood on the left-front of the hull. It could be locked in the open position to help the driver observe road conditions. In combat situations, the driver could look through a periscope when the hatch was locked down.

The driver sat at the front of the tank on the left side, which was unusual for a British-built vehicle

ABOVE: The tank commander sat in a swing seat suspended from the turret ring behind the driver