Tank Chats #67 Covenanter | The Tank Museum
Tank Chats playlist • Tank Chats from The Ta... Historian, David Fletcher MBE talks through the Second World War, British, Cruiser tank, the Covenanter. Otherwise known as Tank Cruiser Mark V** A13.
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"They thought it was a Tiger... Well they would, wouldn't they!" Haha! Priceless!
Agreed :-)
Amazing that 1,200 of these duds were built, while the Germans built about 1,300 Tiger I tanks. I like that these British tanks were rather small, lightweight, and had a low profile. The little Valentine was their most produced tank.
My stepfather fought thru Europe and to him every tank sighting report he received invariably said initially that it was a tiger.
@@suryia6706 To be fair, late model PKpw IVs with the Skirtzen could easily be mistaken for a Tiger at a distance/glance. Although Tigers didn't have side skirts the added armor around the turret of IV would make its turret resemble that of a Tiger esp, as I said, at a glance or from a distance.
"We got a tiger! Only 500 000 pounds! -Thats not a tiger! Thats a covenator! "No its not -Yes it is! "Look, a swastika and tiger strikes -German tanks didnt had swastikas! Thats dirt on the tank and somebody ran their fingers trough it! And those are british markings! "It was a tank used in simulations in germany, its authentic. -Then why does it say "built by the London, Midland and Scottish Railway company"! "Its a trophy, from when it destroyed a british tank, like a crusader or a covenator, clearly you know nothing about tiger tanks -DONT know anything about tiger tanks? We bloody have the most famous of them all in bovington! 131, disabled by a churchill tank "You are a liar sir!
For all its faults, the Covenanter and the Crusader were aesthetically pleasant.
Covenanter is a reverse of anything Soviet....doesn't work for sh*t but at least looks good...
Hey, Crusader was a pretty good tank.
No compartment for pocket sand. Instant fault.
Yeah, that's what germans thought. "Look Hans, what an aesthetically pleasant tank ! Shoot it !
Too bad in war there's no price for simply showing up, or for 'best dressed', or for 'honest effort'. The Semple tank would have been the only thing showing up for NZ, and was an 'honest effort'. Yet, a Japanese invasion would have pommeled it into next Tuesday.
The tank chats are getting longer--we heartily approve! Thanks for making and sharing! :)
I also like the short ones, since they are good for a short overview, just to get a grasp of the tank.
I usually don't like short videos - you barely get to lay back and get comfortable watching, and it ends. But a small amount of Fletcher is still better than no Fletcher.
Mr Mürk Hear, hear!
More tank talking is only a good thing.
Tries to be more positive about the tank... Sort of goes down hill at about 3:30.
he meant that as a training tank it was a good tank because the crews got their hands dirty learning how to mend and operate a tank in the field.
3 minutes in, well that's all the good stuff about it, now brace yourselves cuz its getting real.
He got three minutes in before being brutally honest about the tank, that's 2:59 seconds further than I would have ^_^
Notice it looks spead up...
Embrace the succcccc.....
"This tank isn't very good? Build 1200 of them."
Jim Bo : I thought it was 1,700 actually...
How about still building the Sherman after 43. It's simple corruption. The industry has a lucrative contract, and they are going to complete it no matter what. In the US it was Chrysler that put a stop on all the new and better tank designs. Cocaine and prostitutes go a long way to making the big bucks in any war.
The M3 Lee, sure I'd agree with you there. The M4 however, partially. Bearing in mind that the Americans were keen on producing reliable tanks to ship overseas (mainly because resupply and repair problems would be exacerbated due to distance) we can see why they would continue production. Looking at U.S. prototype vehicles and weapons that were in production pre-1945, you can see there was a definite attempt at improving (76mm M1A1 for the M4 76W) or even replacing the sherman ('43 tank trials for the T26 Heavy Tank Concept, i.e. Proto-Pershing). None of them were considered to be good enough to ship over because they could never reach the expected rate of reliability to ship. Hell, even the Pershing in Korea was reported to have mechanical problems, eventually forcing US forces to use the Sherman until the M46 Pattons were ready. When it came to early models, then yes, I'd be inclined to agree that they were unsuitably armed and armored compared to tanks fielded by the Germans and Soviets in "45.
Better than nothing for training and home defence....fast too. Good footage of this in the ww2 movie ' the way ahead'.
Simply for good training, I suppose...
"Don't do this; it's not a good idea." Absolutely vicious.
BjornTheDim:. Mr Fletcher could take out a Panzer IV at 1200 yards armed only with common sense.
I always love these videos. David Fletcher would fit in ANY time period of British history. He is a treasure.
The Attenborough of military vehicles.
I would watch a lecture on medieval water drains if he presented it : )
Fletch is a real character and steals the show from any tank he talks about.
Listening to his unbridled passion about the Rota trailer is always a joy.
@@Calum_S well put sir. Very well put!
You don't need to be interested in tanks to watch this - as a non-native, listening to David, his sense of humour, is pure pleasure !
Both Mr. Wiley and Fletcher are outstanding in their presentations, this episode is no exception
@@burtlangoustine1 Wiley isn't boring at all. Fletcher is entertaining enough but he rambles and is hard to follow. Wiley is engaging, clear, concise, and generally just an excellent presenter on all fronts.
I trust that you all took notes about what not to do when designing a tank as there will be a test later on.
I'm glad I'm not the only one watching this going, "what if we had to design another tank without all these people's help" ;(
Rather the gentleman’s point!
I spend all my waking days thinking about designing tanks.....
A 12 cylinder boxer engine and christie suspension. It might not be any good in combat but it does sounds like a ton of fun to drive thou.
Yeah, when you're retreating at great speed from Panzers.
@@user-qf6yt3id3w Not sure why a Tank that never saw combat would be retreating from Panzer.
@@lionheartx-ray4135 and they retreated to make sure it stayed that way.
For the first ten miles. Then it will have broken down.
@@wbertie2604 then you get too learn how to put to fix a tank Sounds fun to me.
I'll probably never get used to seeing the Christie suspension at work. (1:11) How can a metal box weighing some 20 tons go that fast and smooth *almost a century ago?!*
You can see the Museum's Luchs in the background. I'd love to see a Tank Chat about that cute little bugger.
Heck, a Top Five or an extended Chats about Scout Tanks would be really interesting. Where they worked, where they failed, their changing role on the battlefield.
YES! I was thinking the same!
"Not every tank we made was good."
80%
@@winstonchurchill237 I thought you was dead??!!
in another video he says... we had the best mobility, best armour, best firepower but alas not on the same tank!
"Market Garden was 90% successful operation" - Montgomery
Honestly, most of the tanks produced in this time period weren't very good. No country was immune to this.
'It gets quite warm in there anyway' - Beautifully summarised
Wasnt it a great tank to ride in winter days?!
1,771 built and only 1 destroyed by enemy fire! Clearly, obviously, and absolutely the best tank of the war with that track record!
David Fletcher should play Q in the next Bond movie
Yes. And every gadget is in fact a disguised component for a fully functional tank.
David Fletcher should play Bond in the next Bond movie. "Well, M, I have found the secret plans and they are a bit rubbish." "Well done, Bond, now get to Monte Carlo and try and bring the Challenger back in one piece this time."
It’s a gorgeous looking tank, shame the Covenanter didn’t live up to its looks
But the Crusader looks very similar without having the same problems.
This dudes mustache could bounce an 88mm. Don't @ me
If David Fletcher's moustache was made into armour plate, Churchill would be able to go 40 mph, because it would only need 15mm thickness of the moustache armour to give the same protection.
His mustache is the basis of modern NATO MBT tank armor
@@obelic71 General Dynamics took one of David Fletcher's moustache hair in order to try to manufacture synthetic DF Moustache hair to be the basis for M1A3 new armour composition - Leaked documents say that it offers protection doubling the one of current M1A2 armour while also shaving off some weight off the vehicle.
@@Wanys123 ofcourse the new GXV-T in development at Darpa wil have full DF armour
His mustache is just a lip brow.
I bet equipping the Covenanter with Mr. Fletcher's mustache would make it like a hundred times better.
RGM 96X You could have a little moustache sticker with "Fletcher Approved" to put on his most praiseworthy tanks, like a Where's Wally for walking tours.
"not every tank we made was good... Covenanter certainly wasn't" So this is Sir David being positive.
You have to remember that the UK was putting all its talent and money into building planes and ships, tanks were really last in line when it came to priorities and with the Americans dropping off whole ships full of Shermans they could afford to hold back the Covenanter, skip a few steps and work on something a bit better like Centurion.
The Americans also provided Grants (as in not Lee's) to the Brits which the Canadians also used for training. Don't think any British Grants saw action either but I'm not sure.
Actually, the successor to the Covenanter was the Centaur (predecessor of the Cromwell with a different engine and 6-pounder gun). That never went into action either.
Tim Smith Centaur close support tanks were used by the Royal Marine support units on D Day.
Suryia: Yes, they (Grant’s) did see action in North Africa & Burma/India too between 1942-45!
The Covenanter was designed before WW2.
Thank you David Fletcher when I'm designing my Tank I WILL avoid that idea. My Tank shall be something like New Zealand's Bob Semple Tank and Marvin Heemeyer's Killdozer. But with a Rockin' paint job
Corrugated iron lol
@@emobaddie9791 And concrete. It might work.
Yes the concrete/cement don't forget that. It will be my Chobham armour. @@PobortzaPl
Will need a sleeve for pocket sand Very useful in cqc
Them rivets, getting hit on the outside would be like getting shotgun on the inside
A man of integrity does not fear failure and treats them as opportunities to learn and improve.
Another great video, the Covenanter was a good looking tank whatever its many faults. It's odd that in that era Britain seemed to have a talent for making good looking tanks which weren't very good.
"Try to be slightly more positive about them!" another gem of an understatement.
From a glance, it looks like a very well designed vehicle.
Yeah, but for the radiator. Good thing it didn't go into action. The first shot on the glacis plate would have put it out of action.
David Fletcher is hilarious I love these chats with him presenting.
I'm a man of simple thinking. I see David Fletcher - I click LIKE.
Phew! Mastah2006, I thought I was the only one ... ;o)
"didn't like the idea of welding. too new" XDXDXD I can't tell if this is too british or not XDXD
My favourite presenter - dry..very dry - and honest
David really adds so much to these videos. I know he is retired now..but it sure makes me smile when he says things like”if you’re ever gonna design a tank “. 😂. Love the channel 🍺🍺
only 1 of 1200 tanks was knocked out by enemy actions, seems like a robust tank to me ;) better survival rate than any Tiger
You think Tigers had good survival rates? :D Churchill were the safest tanks of war, M4 was 2nd. Source: kzhead.info/sun/lbKjoMNsoYtuo5E/bejne.html
Is it true that churchills were the safest tanks of the war?
Cue the wehraboos collective whine.
You are making the common mistake of falling for the german cover story about the Tigers being tanks. In reallity they where semi-mobile AT pillboxes. Only late war desperation and badly trained and low intellect SS guys Like Whitman Lager tried using them as tanks
@@mbr5742 calling Whitman low IQ when he is regarded as a great tank commander amd more accomplished than any armchair historian on KZhead.. Okay pal.
I'm new to the world of becoming a tank enthusiast, and I love the way the Covenanter looks. This channel is the best! I really want to visit the U.K. and The Tank Museum is near the top of the list of places I want to go!
I knew we could count on Mr Fletcher to pronounce the name of the bloody thing correctly.
David Fletcher is the David Attenborough of tanks.
Can we have a video about Fletch and how he came to the Tank Museum.
I believe he was dug up on Salisbury plain. They did their best to restore him, much of the bodywork is original but of course the moustache is a replica, that had all rotted away. They focused mostly on restoring the internals, which is why he looks a bit beat up on the outside - all in all a reasonable representation of one of the best tank historians Britain has produced.
@@thisnicklldo one of the best KZhead comments I ever read, thanks ^^
@@hugoshobbies1688 Yes, it's better than - "The REME crafted him from spare parts and left overs in the odds and sods bins." I never did believe that one.
@@thisnicklldo Few men deserve the title living legend but Fletch is certainly one of them. When he eventually shuffles off to the big workshop in the sky. I hope they have him stuffed and put on display in the museum. It just seems right somehow.
Gus Gone In the latest Patreon Q&A they actually mention that they would look into making some kind of interview with Mr. Fletcher.
I think I could listen to David Fletcher talk about anything and be entertained.
One of the coolest looking British tanks.
David is by far my favorite tank lecturer! He has such a great ability to articulate matter of fact information in an interesting way and there is so much subtle humor. Everyone on the channel is great but gives me so many little chuckles that it sets him apart!
These tank chats are an absolute joy to watch.
Great to see David back and looking well. Keep these longer videos coming. We'd happily sit through an hour!
Gotta love the tank museum
Tank Santa delivers early!
Amazing restoration job !
Great as usual.
David Fletcher is the best.
As usual, very enlightening!
Thank you very much for this video David and the Team at The Tank Museum! Please make more!
I'm a David Fletcher fan! I can listen to the man talking tanks for hours!
Great videos keep up the good work
brilliant review as always
Another classic by the master of tanks
Those days at work that almost break you, until you hear tank chats, and then its not so bad. Especially when your hearing about ww2 British designs.
I learned a lot from that short chat!
Thank you , Mr Fletcher .
David Fletcher, the man the myth the legend. I absolutely love this man, keep making videos.
At least it was fast...for quick retreats and escapes!
"Hey Tank Museum here's your Tiger tank"
Lovely looking little tank that !
Cheers Sir, hope all is well
yay one of my favorites, despite many short comings
Legend.
Coulda shipped them to Finland in 1940. Auxiliary armored saunas for the frontline infantry units to use.
No they could not. There was 7 Covenanter delivered in 1940 and the fist was in November. So the fist tanke was delivered half a year after the winter war ended.
@@target844 The Continuation war was a thing though. But I don't think the Brits were willing to ship out supplies to a country that was fighting their 'ally' and receiving supplies from the Germans.
@@TheLuckyday11 If they changed sides, perhaps. Changes sides earlier, I mean. They did start fighting the Germans in Lapland but that was towards the end.
You don't how true that is. On deployment it's one of the first priorities, the mobile sauna!
@@TheLuckyday11 eh it's because Germans were the only ones helping the Fins.
Thanks.
I absolutely adore David Fletcher!
oh thank god . its david fletcher!
Brilliant 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👀👍❤️
" When it's going which wasn't always " Excellent !
Just lovely!.. I stop from doing anything to watch a David F. tank chat! 👍
A brilliant tank chat from the master. Thank you David for another wonderful video.
I always enjoy a tank chat. Good or bad history is important. Good vid.
David Fletcher - keepin' it real, as always!
Love David Fletcher. Keep em coming ya old bloke.
I do love Mr. Fletcher's presentation style. Top notch.
"Warts and all". Great Oliver Cromwell quote. Nice. Covenanter was troubled by its Engine and, perhaps, placing the radiator gear on the front plate was a bit specious. Once the Meteor was installed in the Cromwell Cruiser Tank, all past design crimes were forgiven.
That's how Rolls Royce ended up with jet engines. Rover and Rolls Royce did a trade and Rover handed over its jet division in return for making Meteors (engines, not aircraft!) which were seen as more appropriate for Rover's overall expertise and production.
The most beautiful tank ever!
Not to downplay the other presenters, they are all top notch. I have to say David Fletcher is my favorite. It's his funny way of expressing his thoughts on various aspects of the tanks he is showcasing. There is almost always a poke or straight up jab at the negative aspects of design that inspires a smile or laughter. Keep up the good work Mr. Fletcher!!!
C J the other presenters do great! They’ll just have to operate in the shadow of this moustached giant.
I do like this tank. Good shots of it in the old movie 'the way ahead'.
Ever since the series ‘Tanks!’ aired on Discovery I’ve loved the way David Fletcher talks about them and more particularly about the crew’s experiences driving them. The good man couldn’t be more British if he tried and he keeps surprising me with more British tanky britishness. I just love Tank Grandpa!
Please, nobody EVER put Mr. Fletcher in a suit.Another great episode, thanks as always.
Why is David Fletcher not Knighted yet?
He is! At least as far as I understood the meaning of his MBE title.
@@hugoshobbies1688 Sadly he isn't. This is from the BBC - 'They are now awarded for prominent national or regional roles and to those making distinguished or notable contributions in their own specific areas of activity. The honour of an MBE, in particular, can be given for achievement or service in the community'. It's actually the lowest level of honour. A Knighthood is a KBE.
Because he doesn't do coke with the royal family. OR DOES HE?
@@hugoshobbies1688 no, that's not a knighthood. The civilian division of the award recognises outstanding service to the community. The military division of the MBE is very different.
Not to belittle the whole business, but I'm pretty sure if you kickstarted a bung of a few hundred thousand (for whichever party is in power) you could 'buy' him one. It's odd how funding a political party draws attention to one's pre-existing superlative qualities.
Love david fletcher his voice along with the great subject material is perfect
I love David's straightforward delivery. It is so common sense and to the point.
David Fletcher with that great sense of humour! Thank you!
I can listen to David Fletcher datlk for hours. Funny, anectdotal, interesting and factual all you need to keep my attention. "If you're ever designing a tank, don;t do this, it's not a good idea!" Brilliant.
I like how Craig Moore says that the Covenanter wasn't all that bad and that David Fletcher was a bit too harsh on it, then David goes, "Oh okay, let me restate my point firmly this time." Anyway great video I'm always happy to see another Tank Chat.
David Fletcher is a real star, long may he continue with his cutting and honest warts and all comments
So glad this just popped up in my recommendations, I was just about to start designing a tank.
I like that the sprokets are in the back and it has sloped armor
At 9.03 is the Warminster "Carriers Arms". Nice pint there, and its always both fascinating and unsettling to see these places in a wartime context. Keep up the good work and many thanks
By that video it was bloody quick.
Presented by Mr Fletcher = an immediate Thumbs Up. Take good heed, all who present documentaries, not pop-u-mentaries, you don't have to be amusing, but you do need to know a fair deal about your presentation. Bumbling, side-tracking, and just downright info-overloading don't distract from the task; lack of commitment or going through the motions does. ;o)
I love how this gentleman talk about british tank
i always like the looks of the covenanter when i was a kid. then over the years i got to know how bad it was. but it still looks like an awesome tank.
It's good to have perspective. I agree with having the not-so-good tanks there to compare, and show how it can go wrong.
🙌🏼david🙌🏼
I came for the tank talk but I've stayed for his brilliantly brutal honesty and remarks.
Great channel, lovely looking tank. That Brit has got to be the most knowledgeable person I've seen on armoured vehicles. Brilliant and agreed, show all tanks, would love to see a covy at tank fest battle.