1:72 Hobby Master British A34 Comet "Arrogant" T335293, Queens Own Hussars, Berlin Brigade, 1960

The British Cruiser Tank A34 “Comet” was designed to correct some of the problems with
the Cromwell Tank as well as providing better anti-tank capability for their squadrons. The
Comet was late entering WWII so it wasn’t involved in any major battles but with its new
main gun it could take on Germany’s large tanks. After WWII the Comet saw combat in
Korea and remained in the British inventory until 1958. The Comet was sold to 5 other
countries and some even operated until the 1970s.

The Queen’s Own Hussars (QOH) was formed in 1958 at Tidworth with the combining of
the 3rd King’s Own Hussars and the 7th Queen’s Own Hussars. Squadrons of the QOH
were sent to different locations to take part in various activities but in 1960 they were
reunited in Munster, Germany where they remained until 1962. While in Germany the
QOH was part of the British contingency stationed in the British sector of West Berlin as a
deterrent to Soviet aggression.



Specifications for the A34 Comet

Type – Cruiser

Manufacturer – Leyland Motors Ltd.

In British Service – 1944- 1958

Other Operators – Cuba, Finland, Ireland, South Africa and Myanmar (Burma)

Crew - 5 (Commander, gunner, loader, driver, co-driver)

Dimensions
Length Including Gun Barrel – 25.13 ft.  (7.66 m)
Height – 8.79 ft.  (2.68 m)
Width – 10.1 ft  (3.04 m)

Weight – 68,343 lb.  ( 31,000 kg)

Performance
Engine – 1 X Rolls-Royce Meteor Mk. III V-12 600 hp.
Fuel Capacity – Approximately 120 Imperial gallons
Maximum Speed – 32 mph  (51.5 km/h)
Maximum Range – 123 miles  (198 km)

Armament
Main Gun – 1 X 77 mm HV Mk. II L/49 with 61 rounds
Secondary
1 X 7.92 mm BESA general purpose machine gun in coaxial mount
1 X 7.92 mm BESA general purpose machine gun in bow mount
7.92 mm 5,175 rounds