Australian AC3 Thunderbolt Tank

AC3 Thunderbolt Tank

AC3 Thunderbolt (Australian Cruiser III) was a cruiser tank designed and built in Australia in World War II as the successor to the AC1 Sentinel. Like the Sentinel the AC3 featured a one piece cast hull and turret. The AC3 featured a much improved design over the AC1 with better armour protection, a more powerful engine, and most importantly increased firepower.

The program was terminated in 1943 before any production vehicles were completed.

Mass	29 long tons (29.5 t)
Length	20 feet 9 inches (6.32 m)
Width	9 feet 7⁄8 inch (2.77 m)
Height	8 feet 4 3⁄4 inches (2.56 m)
Crew	4 (Commander, Gunner, Loader/Operator, Driver)
Armour	Hull front 65 millimetres (2.6 in) sides and rear 45 millimetres (1.8 in) Turret 65 millimetres (2.6 in) all round
Main armament	25 pounder tank gun, 120 rounds
Secondary armament	one .303 (7.7 mm) Vickers machine gun, 2,500 rounds
Engine	Perrier-Cadillac 397 horsepower (296 kW)
Power/weight	13.7 hp/ton
Suspension	Horizontal Volute Spring
Operational range	200 miles (320 km)
Maximum speed	35 miles per hour (56 km/h)

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