Churchill - Wielka Brytania: książki - historia i modele

A43 Black Prince Tank - A Technical History

The A43 Black Prince arose from the need for a "Super Churchill", armed with the powerful 17 pounder anti-tank gun that could augment the firepower of the standard Churchills within the tank brigades. The resulting machine would prove to be both durable and reliable during evaluation testing, and promised to be an effective weapon in the hands of users.
However, the war would come to an end before production could commence, and the AFV Division of the Ministry of Supply would instead concentrate on newer designs for the post-war era.

This book provides an in-depth examination of the legendary Black Prince, and its place within the history of British tank design.

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Churchill Crocodile Flamethrower (Osprey)

A fire-breathing monster on the battlefield, the Churchill Crocodile was one of the most awe-inspiring weapons of World War II. Tank expert David Fletcher chronicles the development of the flamethrower tank, examining the dramatic effect of these tanks in battle from use in France to the terrifying attack on the Senio River in Italy, as well as investigating the post-war use of Crocodiles to burn down and sterilise the site of Belsen concentration camp, and their mobilisation for the Korean War.
Researched using the papers of Reginald Fraser - the genius behind the flamethrowers - and dramatically illustrated with detailed artwork and previously unpublished photographs, this book brings to life the true terror of these tanks.

Contents: Introduction - Origins - Operational use - The flame goes out - Conclusion - Bibliography - Colour plate commentary - Index.

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Churchill Infantry Tank (Osprey)

This book covers all seven Marks of Churchill gun tank with variations and the curious self-propelled gun of 1941/42, but not the so-called 'Funnies' or the armoured recovery vehicle variants. It begins with the prototype tank A20, which has not been covered in any detail before, then goes on to look at all seven Marks of Churchill, in particular their different guns. This book also looks at the tank's service in Russia and later with the Irish, Jordanian and Australian Armies.

It also features on the disastrous Dieppe raid of August 1942, ending with a brief look at the Black Prince or super Churchill which was only developed up to the prototype stage at the end of World War II. The Churchill is an interesting tank, quite different from any other British tank of World War II, built outside the normal process of British tanks and the Department of Tank Design it was built under the watchful eye of the Prime Minister, after whom it was named, by a firm with no previous experience of tank production.

Despite being condemned as unsuitable and more than once being scheduled to be replaced by a better design this never actually happened. It remained in production and ultimately vindicated itself since, although it was slow and noisy it was found to have superior climbing ability and thicker frontal armour than the vaunted German Tiger.
Its classification as an Infantry Tank has been extensively criticised although recently one or two authors, notably Americans, seem to have revised their views on this and even Field Marshal Montgomery, who advocated a Universal Tank to fulfil all roles, found the Churchill a useful tank on many occasions, particularly considering its ability to absorb punishment.

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Churchill Infantry Tank 1941-51 (Osprey)

The Churchill was undoubtedly one of the most successful British tanks of the Second World War. Although it suffered from being underarmed, a defect common to most British armoured vehicles of the period, it was nevertheless loved by its crews: its cross-country ability was unrivalled and it was less inclined to 'brew-up' from a direct hit than the Sherman. It was also adaptable. Modified Churchills played a crucial part in the initial D-Day landings and in the subsequent advance through France.
Bryan Perrett traces the life of this slow-moving but effective and respected tank from its initial inception through till its eventual obsolescence.

Contents: Development - Operational History - Organization and Tactics - Operation Jubilee - Africa - Italy - North-West Europe - Burma and Korea - Variants.

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Churchill Infantry Tank Driver's Handbook

Designed to replace the Matilda II and Valentine, the Churchill tank was renowned for its ability to cross rough terrain and defeat obstacles, and one of the few Allied tanks that could compete with the German Panther and Tiger tanks. The Churchill's design arose from the post-Blitzkrieg chaos of 1940.
The fall of France and the defeat at Dunkirk made clear that mobility was to be of paramount importance to the British Army. An existing design was scrapped, and a new design designated A22 was awarded to Vauxhall, with orders that the tank needed to be in production by 1941.

Powered by twin-six gasoline engines, the A22 / Mk. 1 Churchill used a new gear box that allowed it to be steered by the relative speed of its tracks. Capable of 15 mph, the tank had a range of 56 miles and armor from .63 to four inches thick, and carried a crew of five and a 2-pdr gun. The Mk I Churchill first saw combat at the Dieppe Raid, where its performance underwhelmed.
Subsequent developments led to the introduction of the Mk. III, which featured a welded turret and a 6-pdr gun, and proved their worth at El Alamein. Eventually a Mk. VII would be produced, offering a 75mm gun, wider chassis and thicker armor (up to 6 inches).

Heavily used by the British and Russians in WWII, the Churchill also saw service during the Korean conflict. This driver's handbook was originally issued by Vauxhall Motors for the British Army in 1943. It provides information for the Churchill I, II, III and IV models, and includes operation and maintenance information.

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Churchill Tank Manual - all models (1941-1956) - An insight into owning, operating and maintenance (Haynes Military Manual)

The Churchill tank has a strong case to be acclaimed the best British tank of World War II. Centrepiece of this manual is the restoration of a troop of three Churchill tanks to full running order by the Churchill Tank Project.
The first to be restored was put through its paces at The Tank Museum in the UK, next to a Tiger tank that was originally knocked out by an identical Churchill.

Author Nigel Montgomery, who owns and restores Churchills, looks at the tank's development, construction and war record, and gives a superbly illustrated insight into the fighting history of Churchills and what it is like to restore and drive them.

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Churchill Tanks : British Army, Normandy Campaign 1944 (Tank Craft)

Designed as a heavily armoured tank which could accompany infantry formations, the Churchill's ability to cross rough ground and climb seemingly unassailable hills became legendary. The tank first saw action in 1942 and the basic design was constantly re-worked and upgunned, culminating in the Mark VII version which was capable of taking on the heaviest German tanks.

In his fourth book in the TankCraft series, Dennis Oliver uses archive photographs and thoroughly researched, vividly presented colour profiles to tell the story of these iconic British tanks.
As readers have come to expect from the TankCraft series, the large full colour section of this book features available model kits and accessories as well as aftermarket products.

In addition to the colour profiles there is a gallery of expertly constructed and painted models. A separate section explains technical details and production modifications giving the modeller all the information and knowledge required to recreate an authentic reproduction of one of the tanks that contributed so much to the British effort in the battles for Normandy.

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