Churchill IV, V CS, VI (with AVRE option)
(BR073)
Tank, Infantry, Mk IV (A22)
The initial 1939 specifications for the Churchill design were based on perceptions that any fighting on the Western Front would be similar to World War I trench warfare, so the design incorporated excellent trench crossing abilities.
After numerous modifications (Churchill III), the tank performed much better in the North African Campaign where its heavy armour, low silhouette and good climbing abilities gave it a reasonable degree of success. The Churchill (III and IV) tank later served in the Italian Campaign where the Churchill IV made its first combat appearance. From 1944 the Churchill III, IV and VII all served alongside each other in Western Europe, fighting through France, the Netherlands and Germany. Its well-armoured and reliable chassis made it suitable during these campaigns for a number of special-purpose adaptations.
The most significant changes to the Churchill during the war was the up gunning from a 2pdr (Churchill I & II) to a 6pdr (III & IV) and then to a 75 mm gun (Churchill III, IV, VI & VII). The Churchill IV, V and VI can all be recognised by their cast turret. This was of similar dimensions to that of the welded Churchill III turret, but curves replaced the angles. The cast turret proved more cost efficient to make. All three variants shared the same features except for the armament.
Churchill IV (1,622 produced)
The IV was the most numerous Churchill produced. It, like the Churchill III, was armed with the 6pdr. Early models had 6pdr Mk 5 with the counterweight on end. Later some were up gunned with the 75mm to the Churchill VI standard (as the Churchill IVB). Churchill V (241 produced)
The Churchill V was the close support version of the Churchill IV armed with a 95mm howitzer in place of the main gun. These were usually fielded in the company HQ.
Churchill VI (200 produced)
The Churchill VI was the IV rearmed with the 75mm Mk V gun. Other minor improvements were made to the design but only a few were built due to the near release of the VII and up gunning of some of the Churchill III &IV with the 75mm gun. The Churchills were still outgunned by their German counterparts, but their thick armour partly compensated for the inadequacy of their firepower.Technicial Details
Crew: 5 (Commander, gunner, loader, driver, co-driver/hull gunner)
Length: 7.3m
Width: 3m
Height: 2.8m
Weight: 39 tons
Armour: 16 to 102 mm
Main armament: QF 6 pdr (IV), 84 rounds; 95mm howitzer (V); 75mm Mk V gun (VI)
Secondary armament: 2×Besa machine guns
Engine: Bedford twin-six gasoline 350 hp (261 kW)
Suspension: coiled spring
Road speed: 24 km/h (15 mph)
Range: 90 km
In Flames Of War
The Churchill IV, V and VI are all Fully-tracked for mobility, have armour Front 8, Side 7 and Top 2. They have a Co-ax MG, Hull MG, Protected Ammo, Wide tacks and are Slow tanks.
The Churchill IV is armed with the OQF 6pdr gun. Range 24”/60cm, ROF 3, AT 10 and FP 4+.
The Churchill V is armed with the OQF 95mm howitzer. Range 24”/60cm, ROF 2, AT 7, FP 3+ with Smoke. It can fire bombardments 48”/120cm, AT 4, FP 5+ and fire Smoke Bombardments.
The Churchill IVB and VI are armed with the OQF 75mm gun. Range 32”/80cm, ROF 2, AT 10, FP 3+ with Smoke.
All tanks can upgrade their front armour to 9 with appliqué armour.
15mm, metal/resin
Battlefront Miniatures
