Grew up in Hong Kong, where doubledecker buses have been a main form of public transportation, the Matilda II being powered by 2x doubledecker bus engines is still my favorite tidbits about this tank. After 9.5yrs of WoT, it is still my most played tanks in the game. And in the game Panzer Corp 2 (where we play as German), I got so excited when I could capture the Matilda 2 and use it in my army. I bet the German (prior to Tiger in service) would feel the same when they could capture a few of these Queens of the Desert too, hehe.

@DaveSCameron

3 күн бұрын

Birkenhead also used double decker trams. ☘️

'The crew couldn't talk back.' Quite right too!

@the_challenger4314

Жыл бұрын

🤣

"Why restore the Matilda II?" Cuz its badass

G'day from Oz... I worked on Leyland Leopard buses for some time, and have seen inside these pre-select boxes. A common fix for premature band wear (and breakages) was to install an air dump valve on each of the clutch actuators to allow quick exhausting of air when coming out of a gear into the next. Otherwise, the exhausted air would need to travel all the way back through the lines to the gear shift valve, taking a few seconds to do so. Some less-mindful drivers would sometimes not allow a pause between gears and thus the next gear would be selected with the previously selected gear still engaged, with obvious results. The dump valves (a readily available air brake type) solved much of this problem.

I love that the British are keeping their old vehicles running. I believe they have the most WWII planes, so maybe some day they can have the most tanks. Good Luck on completing the work on the Matilda II.

@Roblovesbushcraft

Жыл бұрын

There sending them to Ukraine when the challengers are turned to scrap

@tonydoggett7627

Жыл бұрын

What about NZ! the only fighter aircraft that they have WW2 vintage. They need some F16’s or similar to shoot down the Chinese balloons!

@dwaynehicks6838

Жыл бұрын

Shame we didn't do it with some old warships as well.

The A12 Matilda was the Tiger of its day when it first saw combat in 1940. In 1940-41 the 40mm 2 Pounder was the best tank gun in service. The result was that no German tank could take on a Matilda due to its superior armour and firepower. Its only danger on the battlefield was the 8.8cm Flak 36 used in the ground role, and later the 7.5cm Pak.40 anti-tank gun which did not appear until 1942. Its only deficit was the lack of a HE round to to take out those anti-tank guns. This was because the Royal Artillery objected to HE shells being used by other branches of the army.

@bwilliams463

3 ай бұрын

'The Royal Artillery objected to HE shells being used by other branches of the Army.' Grrr. You hear so many of these stories and they make me SO mad. Did nobody tell the Artillery that they and the Army were fighting in the same war? And they're making it hard for fellow combatants to obtain munitions which could help another branch prosecute the war, potentially saving their own troops' lives and potentially shortening the war. It is utterly ridiculous that grown men, elevated in position based (theoretically) on their leadership abilities and military wisdom spent so much time bickering like children in a sandbox while men were fighting and dying in the field.

@billballbuster7186

3 ай бұрын

@@bwilliams463 The Army Regulations regarding the use of HE ammunition was relaxed in late 1941 with the arrival of American tanks which were supplied with HE and APC ammunition. British HE ammo was supplied for tank use shortly after.

@zoperxplex

22 сағат бұрын

Can't stop laughing.

@WilliamWalls-iz2rv

11 сағат бұрын

Ridiculous! And I don't doubt that your observation is correct. It is just deplorably and repulsively absurd if accurate.

@billballbuster7186

9 сағат бұрын

@@WilliamWalls-iz2rv It is common knowledge with serious armor fans. The Germans had nothing to touch it tank wise until the PzKfw IV Ausf F2 in 1942! It was the only Allied tank in front line service 1939 to 1945 fighting in Europe, North Africa and with the Australians in the South Pacific. Facts can shatter your misconceptions lol.

I spoke an Australian tank veteran who served in the Matilda. He said that if only made a bigger turret ring would have made it more upgradeable. My dad served in Tarakan in 1945 infantry man, had a very soft spot for Matilda. There are some excellent photos of Matilda in action on Tarakan including a one of blown onto its side by an IED.

My father was in the very young REME during the war. Had some good memories of this tank . They were a work horse and a very adaptable infantry tank .

I read a great book when I was a kid in the early 80s, tramp in armor, about the crew of a Matilda making their way to Dunkerque. I wish I still had that book. That one and the one about the mercenaries that took a couple of armored cars to Ethiopia in the early days of Nazi adventurism were fascinating.

@crapphone7744

8 ай бұрын

Was the Matilda in the book about making their way to Dunkirk named Bert?

@SwitchMonkey

7 ай бұрын

@@crapphone7744 Yes, I still have a copy of the book. I read it as a teen and the Matilda II has been a favorite ever since. Tramp In Armour, by Colin Forbes, published 1969 by Pan Books LTD, London. Time to read it again!

It looks like those smoke discharges are just cut down Lee Enfield rifles, with a cup on the end. Cool

@ldmitruk

Жыл бұрын

That is exactly what they are.

10:47 Thank you Aaron for starting something I never knew I would be interested in about tanks... from now on, all new "Inside The Tanks" and "Inside the Chieftain's Hatch" videos, please please please also show how the Horn, and Infantry Doorbell (if they have one) sounds! Like Aaron says, "Every Vehicle needs its own horn"!

@alm5992

Жыл бұрын

I know they said that, but it's the doorbell, not the horn???

@nougan_gamer

Жыл бұрын

@@alm5992 It's actually both, they are separate. Tanks like cars too, have a horn to warn other vehicles/pedestrians (when they are not in combat, I suppose, hehe), and many also have some way to allow infantry following/supporting the tanks behind to communicate with the crew inside, basic version like the Infantry Doorbell installed on earlier Matilda 2's as shown in the video, or telephone handset in later vehicles.

Beautiful vehicle. My uncle (many many years ago) worked in a scrapyard that was getting rid of a Matilda. When it was put into the crusher, it broke the entire machine. (We're talking about the 1960's or 70's so there was not the same concern about old vehicles)

@George-sv1fm

Жыл бұрын

Who in their right mind would think to try and crush in a machine something made of such thick plates of raw steel as a tank?

@ptonpc

Жыл бұрын

@@George-sv1fm Scrapyards, with big crushers. Remember at the time most tanks were not as thickly armoured.

@alm5992

Жыл бұрын

I love how before the 21st century, World War 2 vehicles and preserving the past just really didn't matter. A World War 2 tank that possibly saw battles and has epic history behind it- "crush it in big smashy machine thing! HAHA!"

@theholmes8308

Жыл бұрын

@@alm5992in earlier periods they used to do the same thing to troops. There was a Yorkshire based company that went round European battlefields in the 18th and 19th centuries and ground down the bodies dead troops for fertiliser

@guaporeturns9472

Жыл бұрын

@@theholmes8308 yep.. that’s why there are hardly any bodies at Waterloo

Great video of an iconic tank. The more I learn about it, the more I respect its capabilities and service history. Good to see Richard Cutland again, plus the guys from Bovington.

Aestetically Valentine and Matilda are my favourite WW2 tanks

@AC-hj9tv

19 күн бұрын

Autistically me too

One of the best WW2 tanks. Contrary to things like Pz.4, Sherman, T-34 or Panther is that this tank was available early in the war and it had dominated its competition. It is not until 1943 when Matilda 2 started showing its age and become outdated. The greatest issue with the design is that it had little room for improvement. Most namely, little room for a bigger gun. Later tanks like Churchills were outdated from the start, but those tanks had a lot more growth potential as seen with Black Prince. Matilda 2 was an excellent tank and had brought allies much breathing time until they could get their own tank lines in order. It was necessary as unlike Axis or Soviets, allies did not invested heavily into tank production from early on and were quite behind the competition at the time, namely Soviet armor.

He is top notch presenter.

I was going to say they just rebuilt that transmission. I went and checked and that was 5 years ago! The Matilda Diaries episode #11.

@ThePsiclone

Жыл бұрын

isnt it? where the hell did that time go?

Remains my favourite tank in the game. Also, I should have a chat to Chris if I see him at Tankfest: I have a feeling communication would be very easy indeed ☺. Briljante baan heb je daar!

@mbogucki1

Жыл бұрын

It was a fantastic tank back in the days before everyone fired Gold Spam. Matilda and Jumbo were my favorite then.

@ItsMeMars

Жыл бұрын

Geweldige vent, ontmoet tijdens TankFest :)

Do inside of BZ-176, i'd like to know its history better.

@JonMI6

Жыл бұрын

New series idea: Inside the Napkin

@blinx2735

Жыл бұрын

there is no history of the BZ-176 as it never existed outside the game.

@olivierbaranovskiakakaktuz258

Жыл бұрын

@@blinx2735 Imagine sarcasm LOL

@blinx2735

Жыл бұрын

@@olivierbaranovskiakakaktuz258 HOMIE I GOT YOUR JOKE LMAO ALL THE WOT TANKS ARE CONCEPTS PRETTY MUCH

@olivierbaranovskiakakaktuz258

Жыл бұрын

@@blinx2735 Congratulations u know it

Hey...this dude is back! I really enjoyed his earlier videos from a few years ago. As I did this one. Welcome back, Richard Cutland. Note - I just saw he did an earlier video, about a month ago. ☮

I live in the Central West, New South Wales, Australia. An acquaintance of mine who died last year had a working Matilda II with Leyland engines that he had restored to operational condition (except the guns are disabled). I don't know what has happened to the Matilda, but I hope it is maintained and on public display somewhere.

by far my favourite tank in WOT

the low speed and heavy armour were an advantage in new Guinea and borneo-they were walking pace with the Australian infantry-only a japanese 75mm antitank gun would have a chance against the frontal armour. They must have been very hot in the jungle. In borneo the matildas were used in teams of two flame throwers and two HE to knock out japanese concrete bunkers

@geradkavanagh8240

Жыл бұрын

Just a reminder that they were designed as infantry support not as battle type tanks. I still love the concept of a tiny tank( these were tiny) with formidable armour protection and some reasonable punch in weaponry.

A great video. I have to go to Dorset some day.

Great informative video Much appreciated Thanks

Excellent ! You have to be a certain type of guy to get excited about rebuilding a gearbox but I guess those are the sort of guys you want in the Tank Museum crew.

In its day, a great little tank, good AP shell, 2 pounder gun, cast turret and body. Nice.

I remember reading Tramp in Armour by Colin Forbes in the late 70s. An excellent story of a lone Matilda II in France 1940. Highly recommend it.

@zincpatriot7227

Жыл бұрын

Chris, remember reading this book as a young lad in the 70’s and loving it, by chance found it in a charity shop last year, and thoroughly enjoyed it again!

This is a great format, especially discussing the restoration

Made at the Vulcan Iron Foundry at St.Helens near Liverpool. The factory no longer exists. Its armour proved highly effective at Arras in 1940 stopping Rommels panzers, rolling over the German anti-tank guns. The Germans panicked. The Germans leveled an 88mm anti-aircraft gun using solid shot used for bunkers, to knock it out. It prompted the acceleration of the Tiger 1 tank design and production.

@larryjenkinson4789

Жыл бұрын

I used to work at the Vulcan factory in Newton le Willows where they made these tanks. Ended up being taken over MAN diesels and shut down. The Ruston diesel engines were superior to their German counterparts.

@johnburns4017

Жыл бұрын

@@larryjenkinson4789 Paxman were also better than German engines.

@John-nw8uj

Жыл бұрын

I also was an apprentice at The Vulcan, some of the old guys could remember building Matilda’s. John

Excellent narration.

the Australians also took this Tank to the Korean war, they fitted it with a set of 152mm Mortars on the back!

Erwin rommel famously said "give me a battalion of Australians and ill conquer the world"

Great video!

One of the first "modern" tanks. Sloped armour , 3 man turret that allowed the commander to command, centrally located drivers position, and no bow gunner.

Definitely one of my favourite tanks.

My understanding is that a proper HE was not developed by the British for the 2-pounder gun at all. There was an armour piercing round with HE filler produced in the early years that was apparently sometimes referred to as "HE", which was soon phased out of use, but no HE. The Soviets thought the lack of HE a serious shortcoming in the Matildas sent there and tried to replace the gun with a 76mm but that proved impractical.

@tvgerbil1984

Жыл бұрын

The British actually made Matilda II with 3 inch (76 mm) howitzer firing high explosive or smoke shells which would have been ideal as an infantry tank to support infantry. For some unfathomable reasons, they chose not to use that variant extensively to support their troops.

Excellent article.

great tank in the game

Nice to see Richard love his chats and commentary’s on tanks. Well spoken and very informative, can watch these all days, I really love his podcast’ tank nuts’. You guys should check that out. If into that too, always had a fascination with tanks since watching them as a child going around training grounds in bordon Hampshire the REME training grounds for recovery’s etc, now sadly disbanded has history of old military railway too of that area the long moor military railway, or Woolmer light railway as known,anyways rambling..lol😊love the videos word of tanks, thank you very much really enjoy them, not much of a gamer but do play blitz on mobile, shout out to your sister game. Cheers thanks Richard and all.

I love driving this tank in wot. Not the fastest tank but that 2 pounder is so fast and generally can chomp other tanks up. Probably my fave to play. Glad they're restoring that one

The Russians hated the Matilda II because of the side skirts (while they were okay in the desert, they jammed in the Russian mud), the weak motor, and the transmission that overheated. They liked the Valentine, though.

love those videos

When I used to play Allied General in North Africa my tactic was to drive into the middle of a battle with one, and whilst they tried to destroy it, go around with bren gun carriers.

I first learned about this game from the 1998 SSI game Panzer Commander. You could not destroy this tank in the game with the Panzer 3's 37mm gun. Even at point blank range the shells would just bounce off. I had to learn about this tank after that lol.

@iansneddon2956

Жыл бұрын

Yeah, the "Tiger" of 1940. At Arras they threw the German armor into such a panic that (I heard) Rommel thought he was being attacked by multiple divisions when there were only 16 Matilda IIs attacking (most British armor were the machine gun only armed Matilda Is). The Matilda II's gun wasn't much different from the German 37mm gun on the Panzer III, but the problem was armor. The German 37mm could penetrate the 78mm armor with some special higher performance armor piercing shells at a range of around 100 m (standard armor piercing shells would not penetrate). Meanwhile the British 2 pounder (40 mm) gun could penetrate the 30mm armor on a Panzer III with just a standard armor piercing shell at over 1,000 m.

My Dad, Tpr W.A. Clark was in Matthilda 2 tanks at Sidi Bahraini, sidi rezegh, Mersah. Matruh and Tobruk. He was ne ver willing to talk much about WW2 but Bovingdon tank museum helped me to trace his war records.

I worked for a brush manufacturing company....they were given the task to make barrel cleaning brushes for the Matilda but the mod would not tell them the diameter of the gun as it was secret ...one day the boss saw Matilda tanks being transported through his town ..he managed to stop the convoy ,talk to the commanding officer who then allowed him to measure the gun 😅

There is a video elsewhere on the YT that shows how quickly they can roll along . Its quite deceiving . I imagine the British Army gave these to Australians as they left the Desert for the Pacific and the Stuarts , M3 Grants and early shermans started to be shipped

Ots crazy to think that HE rounds weren't issued to tank crews because someone in the artillery would have gotten their feelings hurt.

Manila 2 tanks were made near me at the Vulcan foundry.

So glad to see Challenger content again!

Good to see Mr Cutland back. Nice little tank the waltzing Matilda.

"Great report! Any first knowledge of World War II legacy tanks is invaluable!" "the Brits are a clever lot!"

i know it would be massively difficult but a restoration on the jagtiger with the prototype suspension woud be impressive

nice video, i would like too hear a story or two of when the vehicle was in service that would be great

If you love tanks then its 2 days to cover the tank museum.

cool Video

I have this man as my commander in wot console

good show

is this the tank that underwent a restoration in the work shop series?

They was a period in the 2nd world war when the Matilda 2 was the best tank in the world especially when front on to the enemy and again when the panzer 4 was actually in production ( early small gunned models) …

Had not seen Richard for awhile. Good to see him

Nice Adidas trabs Sir.⚽️

The Valentine tank served throughout WWII. First with the British, and finally with the Russians, who seemed to value it highly.

@liampaterson3424

Жыл бұрын

It wasn't in service until late 1940 though.

@tiberiusbrain

Жыл бұрын

And this video is about what came before

Do the kv2!!!

Bengazhi to Tobruk at 16 mph. Ugh.

16 mph is quite a stretch. 16 kmh maybe

I think that the word "ergonomic" was pratically unknown to British tanks' designers, crews' layout was really awful, plus it was pratically impossible upgunning them with such a tight turret ring. I read that they'd to push forward the gun mantlet to allow a third crewman, the Valentine and Cruiser tanks had the same problem.

@barthoving2053

Жыл бұрын

Ergonomics in military seems a new field not given that much attention. Had a ride in early cold war DAF military truck and they had the gear stick behind the driver seat, just sick out a little.

@andrewflindall9048

Жыл бұрын

Ergonomics wasn't forgotten but, like every other element of design, compromises had to be made. You can give the crew more room but that increases the armoured volume, so do you have a heavier tank or thinner armour, for example. Every decision causes ripples.

@REgamesplayer

Жыл бұрын

Terrible ergonomics are part of a course from that era. Early tankettes were the best. You are sitting next to a running engine. Hazardous, incredibly noisy and you have plenty of vibrations to tire and deafen the crew to outside dangers.

Credi che insieme al crusader siano i tank più belli in assoluto!!

Made in my home town Horwic h

I seem to recall a number of stories about this model tank surprising the Germans with it's toughness early in the war. There's no doubt it would have carried on if they found a way to put a bigger gun on it, but so it goes.

Which variant of the Matilda Mk2 is this?

I wonder where they find these experts that already have experience with these gear boxes. Glad they have enough funding to keep the mainetnace up but I am sure its a struggle.

Unless you are both giants, that is the smallest tank I have ever seen. Perhaps the tankers of WWII were selected on the basis of their height? Like the T34 drivers.

@the_challenger4314

Жыл бұрын

Its defo small 😃

Matilda, Matlida, she take my money and run North Africa.

A very funny story is the Americans gave us the lend lease tanks the M3 Stuart and the M3 Grant/Lee tank during WW2. The Stuart we loved but the Grant/Lee we hated and only used it for training. Ironically the Matilda replaced it in service which was technicaly an older tank. Our Matildas at the end of the war where repalced by the Churchill tank.

Very considerant to issue the machine guns allready chambered for german ammo😂

7.92 machine gun? Never knew that, always assumed .303 cal. I'm not doing the math, so if its the same so be it....

@michaelmclachlan1650

Жыл бұрын

Yes, the Besa machine guns fitted to British armoured vehicles were chambered for the 7.92mmx57 Mauser round. They were developed from the Czechoslovak ZB-53 and with war approaching it wasn't worth the time and trouble to redesign it for the .303 round. Later developments stayed in use until the late 1960's.

@Litauen-yg9ut

Жыл бұрын

@@michaelmclachlan1650 Cool, neat fact I didn't know until now. Thanks

German's didnt bring enough special rounds with them to North Africa.

@vighito-1873

Жыл бұрын

if only they had fired gold....

@alangordon3283

Жыл бұрын

They did . The allies used that ammo until they had no more .

@michaelpielorz9283

Жыл бұрын

but you could outwalk it (:-)) 7,5cm and 88mm didn´t need "special rounds"io make some ventilation holes, much needed in Africa!

Show her the love she deserves and get her running right. People say there isn't witchcraft and I just point at a transmission that isn't a straight up manual.😑

where is the global map teaser video!!!!

The AEC diesel engines supplied about 87 horse power for each engine- not combined. AEC began to mike slightly more powerful diesel engines which were fitted into the AEC Matador 4x 4 artillery tractor- a vehicle that survives in high numbers due to its rugged nature and usefulness.

93 rounds Do I get a code for reading the description?

It always astounds me that my Dodge Challenger RT Scat Pack has more horsepower... & possibly more torque! 485/475

Cool ***

I thought you said when the channel reaches 350k we get a code, but you lied to us again...

5:29 nice to see my old friend Freddy enjoying his retirement. When the new shiney plastic MAN trucks give up the ghost these old foden work horses will still be earning their keep.

The men that drove these in war where brave people this would drive me nuts too cramp and a tank is just a target. I would prefer infantry.

It is a funny thing , however , I do not question it , in my older age I find myself completely and totally in luv with dubbya dubbya two British tanks . In my youth , completely ablaze , nothing but Easy Eights, Panthers and of course not just Tigers but Royal Tigers . How is it that after finally achieving emotional maturity I prefer what decades ago I would not even read about because they were ugly . It all started with a mint condition .303 SMLE , it goes like this : The Americans build Tanks that shoot good , the Germans build Tanks that look good , the Russians build tanks work good and the British build Tanks that kill people . I know , it’s my spin on that WWI rifle saying , but I like it , and for me , that is all that matters these days .

so its a later panzer 3 with 40mm gun only slower

@frostedbutts4340

Жыл бұрын

Far better armor, particularly on the sides and rear.

The name really strikes fear in the enemy.....Matilda

Not hard to see why an American Dinosaur Lee tanks were an UPGRADE IN 42 to these tanks !

@therealmrfishpaste

Жыл бұрын

The Lee's main advantage over Matilda was it's HE firepower

Love to know who did the CC's on this vid as they're crap!

Where is the man, the legend, the Chieftain?

Wrought not wreaked. Sorry. I can’t help myself.

A British tank with mechanical problems. Who would have thunk it?

@johnburns4017

Жыл бұрын

What problems?

:)

Bet it can't handle a javelin.

where moran?

9:20😳😳😳