A-9 Mk.I Cruiser Tank

In 1934, Sir John Carden of Vickers company, initiated the design of a light and fast tank that could break with its speed the enemy lines and make attacks in the enemy rear. The British named this type of tank, “cruiser”, and the A-9 Cruiser Tank Mk.I, was the first member of the family. It was decided to use commercial components to reduce production costs, but this resulted in materials that sometimes not getting the necessary benefits. The A-9 came into service in 1938, and although in practice it was similar in concept to the Soviets BT tanks family, they never got close to the splendid mobility features of the Soviet tanks. Sadly, the A-9  Cruiser Tank Mk.I were usually considered vehicles of very poor performance by their crews, and even by the British High Command.

A-9 Cruiser Mk.I gallery and more info