Author(s):Dick Taylor
Illustrator:Claudio Fernandez
ISBN:978-83-61421-36-8
Date: 8th February 2012
Series: Green
Format A4 - Pages - 192 (32 in colour)
The Valentine was unusual, as unlike most British tanks to see service during WW2 it began life as a private venture. That is, it was not designed to a General Staff (GS) specification, but came off the drawing-board with the intention of exciting enough interest within the military establishment to secure an order. The Valentine had the highest production numbers of any wartime British tank, and arguably the most variations. A total of 8000+ Valentines was produced in no fewer than 11 variants. The Valentine tank received its baptism of fire with the British 8th Army in Operation Crusader in North Africa during July 1941, just the beginning of a long career, as they would eventually take part in combat in both the European and Pacific Theatres. After the war, Valentines served in several armies as late as 1960. Valentines also saw action with the armed forces of Canada, the Soviet Union, Poland, Australia, and New Zealand. Book contents: Development, Technical Description, Marks descriptions, Operational Use, Colours and Markings, Variants, Survivors.
