Comrade Tank
| Comrade | |
|---|---|
 Comrade Mk3 fitted with the Imperial Ordnance 84mm gun. | |
| Type | Main battle tank |
| Place of origin | Template:Country data Allied Connurist States |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1945–1985 (with Connurist Ground Forces) |
| Used by | See Operators below |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Flynn Defence Systems |
| Designed | 1943-1945 (original Mk1) |
| Manufacturer | Flynn Defence Systems Willisville Manufacturing Co. |
| Produced | 1945-1965 |
| No. built | 30,373 |
| Variants | See Variants |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 52 tonnes |
| Length | 9.8 m with 84mm |
| Width | 3.38 m with sideplates |
| Height | 3.01m |
| Crew | 4 (commander, gunner, loader, driver) |
| Armor | 51mm - 152mm |
Main armament | Imperial Ordnance 77mm (Mk 1 and Mk2) Imperial Ordnance 84mm (Mk 3, Mk 4 and Mk 5a) Imperial Ordnance 88mm (Mk 5b) Imperial Ordnance 105mm rifled gun (Mk 5c onwards) |
Secondary armament | .30 cal machine gun .50 cal machine gun (variant dependent) |
| Engine | Flynn Phoenix 900 hp |
| Power/weight | 17.3 hp/t |
| Suspension | Charlton Suspension |
Operational range | 450 km |
| Speed | 40 km/h |
The Comrade, initially introduced in 1945, was the primary Castarcian main battle tank between 1945 and 1966, and is widely considered as one of the best and most successful tank designs of all time, remaining on the production line until 1967 and serving into the 1980s as a tank, and has served well into the 21st century with the chassis being adapted for several other roles, some of which still see service today.
Development of the tank began in 1943, as a result of a requirement issued by the Imperial Castarcian Ground Forces which called for a 40 ton medium tank capable of withstanding a hit from contemporary heavy tank guns, whilst maintaining the agility of a medium tank. Top speed wasn't vital, but a high reverse speed and good acceleration was desired and required. The highly revered Imperial Ordnance 77mm gun was to provide an effective punch against enemy tanks, and to guarantee excellent performance as per requirements, the Flynn Comet engine was to power the new tank. The new Charlton suspension replaced the Quick suspension in use on earlier designs, which improved ride comfort and was easier to maintain, and combined with sloped armour and a cast turret, the tank on the drawing board seemed to be formidable. The tank was so named for it was envisioned to be a 'friend' of the tank crew, being easy to work with, yet also very capable on the battlefield.
However, shortly after the initial design of the Comrade had been made, it became apparent that the requirement of withstanding contemporary heavy tank guns was impossible to fulfill within the 40 ton weight limit. The Imperial Castarcian Ground Forces and the Castarcian High Command decided that with the potential in the design for the Comrade, the 40 ton limit was to be flouted. The new prototype for the Comrade came in at 51 and a half tons, and as a result of increased weight, the Charlton suspension was strengthened and the new Flynn Phoenix engine would power the new and improved Comrade. Manufacture of the Comrade Mk 1 began in 1945 and later that year, the Mk 2 entered production with a few minor changes. However, despite the tank already having a legendary reputation amongst Connurist tank crews, there were worries about the true power of the 77mm gun. Luckily, Imperial Ordnance finished work on the 84mm gun in early 1948. The 84mm was such a vast improvement over the 77mm that all 77mm armed Comrades were immediately upgraded to the 84mm gun, and this was the Mk 3 Comrade.
Between 1945 and 1967, Flynn Defence Systems and Willis Manufacturing Co. produced 30,373 Comrades of many different variants. In the Connurist Ground Forces, the Comrade was replaced with the Captain Tank.
Operators
- Template:Country data Allied Connurist States – Imperial Castarcian Ground Forces operated Comrades as their main battle tank from 1945-1966
- Template:Country data Zunkwentania – The Zunkwentanian Defense Corps initially operated 250 Comrade Mk 3 tanks. In 1959 they ordered 250 Comrade Mk 6 tanks.
Variants
- Comrade Mk 1 - The first production version of the Comrade.
- Comrade Mk 2 - Minor changes made from Mk 1 Comrade, no changes of note. Entered production in January 1946.
- Comrade Mk 3 - Imperial Ordnance 84mm fitted instead of Imperial Ordnance 77mm. Began production in early 1948.
- Comrade Mk 4 - Smoke canister launchers added to turret, more armour added to rear of hull and turret amongst other slight changes.
- Comrade Mk 5a - Final variant to incorporate Imperial Ordnance 84mm. .30 cal machine gun swapped for .50 cal
- Comrade Mk 5b - Proposed variant which would have incorporated the Imperial Ordnance 88mm gun.
- Comrade Mk 5c - Exactly the same as the Mk 5a and Mk 5b, except with the Imperial Ordnance 105mm rifled gun. Entered service in 1959.
- Comrade Mk 5d - Conceptual variant which would have employed a 90mm gun designed by Imperial Ordnance.
- Comrade Mk 5e - Conceptual variant employing an Imperial Ordnance 100mm gun. Like the 5d, it never left the drawing board.
- Comrade Mk 6 - The 'definitive edition' of the Comrade tank. Transmission redesign amongst many other changes. Entered service in 1960.
- Comrade Commissar - Proposed tank destroyer based upon chassis of Comrade Mk 6. It would have used an 183mm gun designed by Imperial Ordnance.
