Initially the British Nuffield company designed a Cruiser tank - The Mk V Covenanter based on a sleek hull and running on 'Christie' type suspension it lived up to the idea of a Fast Tank but, failed on reliability and the very 'British' problem of armament. So, keeping the same low hull and suspension the Crusader was born. Naturally in order for the tank to have an impressive speed sacrifices were made and this tank still only sported a 2 pdr gun and light armour. It was also dogged by mechanical problems particularly in the desert where the dust played havoc with engines and cooling systems. Once again, although 'looking the part' the tank was not to live a distinguished career with other better designs replacing it.
