The story of the best WW2 British tank

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THE story of the Meteor engine and the armoured fighting vehicles that it powered is told in a fascinating book published by the Derby-based Rolls-Royce Heritage Trust.

Rolls-Royce Meteor – Cromwell and Other Applications describes Rolls-Royce’s efforts to produce a more powerful and reliable tank engine for use during the Second World War.

Most of the development was done at R-R’s Belper Clan Foundry.

In his foreword, editor David Birch explains how Royce’s came to be involved in the application of the Meteor to the Cromwell tank. “It is quite remarkable how Rolls-Royce, in times of national crisis, has adapted itself to a role alien to its forte.

“Many companies and organisations had to do the same, of course, but what differentiates Royce’s from the others is the flair for spotting weaknesses of some kind in the equipment employed by the Services and, off its own bat, doing something about it.”

In 1938, disappointed by the nation’s reliance on weaponry designed by other countries, when Britain itself had a wealth of engineering talent and capacity, the firm turned its attention to the Army’s portfolio of armoured fighting vehicles.

The early days of the war exposed these vehicles as being totally inadequate for modern warfare, a fact that was noted by S W A Robotham, whose chassis division, isolated in Belper, was kicking its heels with little or nothing to do.

Experience of working on motor vehicles like Rolls-Royce and Bentley cars was soon being adapted to fighting vehicles. Tanks, like aircraft, needed more power.

A major battle tank also needed thick armour, a big gun and a transmission and suspension system to cope with the additional weight.

To achieve this, an engine of almost double the power of those available was required. The design engineers and works staff at Belper went on to produce an engine that would remain in service for half a century.

Mr Birch adds: “This story is about how this all came about. It is not the story of the best tank in World War Two, but is the story of how Rolls-Royce gave British tanks reliability and the power to haul their increasing weights at faster speeds.”

The book is available from the Rolls-Royce Heritage Trust, Rolls-Royce Plc, Moor Lane, PO Box 31, Derby DE24 8BJ – £10 to trust members and £15 to non-members, plus pp.