Mk.II Matilda

General Characteristics
Length:	6.0 m
Width:	2.6 m
Height:	3.5 m
Weight:	27 tons
Speed:	24 km/h(road) 15 km/h(off-road)
Range:	80 km
Primary armament:	2 pdr (40 mm) gun
Secondary armament:	7.92 mm coaxial machine gun
Power plant:	-
Crew:	4 (commander, gunner, loader, driver)

The Mark II "Matilda" (Mk.II) was a British tank of World War II. The armored combat vehicle weighed 27 tons and was armed with a 2-pounder[?] cannon. In the deserts of North Africa, the Mk.II often averaged ~9.5km per hour. The tank had frontal armor of ~7.5cm.

Production History

The Matilda was first produced in 1937 but only two were in service when war broke out in September 1939. Some 2,987 were produced until 1943.

Variants

• Matilda I - First production model.
• Matilda II - New machine gun.
• Matilda III - New engines.
• Matilda III CS - Variant with 3 inch howitzer.
• Matilda IV - With improved engines.
• Matilda V - Improved gear box and gear shift.

Combat History

The Matilda was first used in combat by the 4th and 7th Royal Tank Regiments in France in 1940.