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UNIQUE ID 1948: A12 MATILDA CDL SEARCHLIGHT VEHICLE

The Tank Museum - Public Areas, Bovington, Britain

(Location: World War 2)

With Photographs From Contributor: Massimo Foti


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Sample Photo from Tank with UniqueID 1948


Unique ID: 1948
Added to Database: 27 December 2011
Last Edited: 22 March 2012
Type (ID): A12 Matilda CDL (3780)
Model (ID): Matilda CDL (3780)
Location Category (ID): The Tank Museum - Public Areas (3000)
Location (ID): World War 2 (3010)
Serial Number: 199201: “199201” stamped into data plate.
Registration: T7341: “T7341” stamped into data plate and painted on forward hull sides. “PMV 697” painted on registration plate attached to rear right track guard.
Name: “DOVER” and the coat of arms of the town and port of Dover painted on hull sides.
Other Identification: White circle painted on turret sides.
Collection Reference: E1949.353. (Accession 35349, Entry 1949.1009).
Links: Museum Vehicle Record
References:
Associated Tanks:

Location History:
(see map)

1: Lowther Castle – Penrith, England (Training ca1941)
2: The Tank Museum - Public Areas, Bovington, Dorset, South West England, Britain (Current location)


Text in original Preserved British Tanks publication:

[No entry]

Text in Preserved British Tanks Update:

[No entry]

Text in original Preserved Tanks In Britain publication:

The CDL (Canal Defence Light) was an armoured housing containing a powerful searchlight, substituted for a tank's normal turret. The idea had been advocated, for illuminating the battlefield during night actions, by private individuals but had been sold to the War Office in 1937. 300 improved turrets were ordered for fitting to Matildas in 1940, but these never saw action. Training in Britain was carried out at Lowther Castle near Penrith, and it is presumed that this vehicle served there.
This Matilda has a data plate attached to the nose that reads as follows:

TANK, INFANTRY, MARK V
MAKERS NO 199201 W.D. NO T.7341
DATE JUNE : 1941 1/12/A

A mock-up of the right hand side of a Matilda CDL turret sits on the engine deck and shows the internal arrangement of light and mirrors.


Images - Photographs and NavPix (click to expand or browse)

March 2011

Front right view
1: Front right view

Taken: 6 March 2011
Contributor: M. Foti
Photo ID: 6920
Added: 19 March 2012
Filename: 55716398...
Views: 146
Select/Has Priority: 21/0
    

 

Front left view
2: Front left view

Taken: 6 March 2011
Contributor: M. Foti
Photo ID: 6921
Added: 19 March 2012
Filename: 55716498...
Views: 135
Select/Has Priority: 21/0