From David Fletcher's 'Mechanised Force'
Regarding what became the Matilta II
'Inevitably the question of a suitable power unit arose, and one suggestion involved a Napier-built version of the Junkers Jumo engine, although this was rejected in favour of an AEC unit'.
Any idea what Jumo engine was in mind with this suggestion?
This occurred quite early on in the process by the looks of it, just after the prototype A11 had appeared, its effectiveness was being questioned and a faster gun armed 3 crew 14 ton version was considered which gradually morphed into the A12.
This from another board i've posted on
I've just had a look in David Fletcher's Osprey book on the Matildas; it looks from that that there was three months of stumbling/arguing over the engine fitment...amongst other issues...in the three months after the new tank was proposed in September 1936 - but by the time the prototype and first contract was issued to the Vulcan Foundry, engine fitment had indeed been settled on. So this discussion on a Napier-built Jumo variant must date to the September-December 1937 period.
Regarding what became the Matilta II
'Inevitably the question of a suitable power unit arose, and one suggestion involved a Napier-built version of the Junkers Jumo engine, although this was rejected in favour of an AEC unit'.
Any idea what Jumo engine was in mind with this suggestion?
This occurred quite early on in the process by the looks of it, just after the prototype A11 had appeared, its effectiveness was being questioned and a faster gun armed 3 crew 14 ton version was considered which gradually morphed into the A12.
This from another board i've posted on
I've just had a look in David Fletcher's Osprey book on the Matildas; it looks from that that there was three months of stumbling/arguing over the engine fitment...amongst other issues...in the three months after the new tank was proposed in September 1936 - but by the time the prototype and first contract was issued to the Vulcan Foundry, engine fitment had indeed been settled on. So this discussion on a Napier-built Jumo variant must date to the September-December 1937 period.