Valentine Tank Mk. VI

Total Bids Placed:

Condition

This model is a Canadian or United kingdom-built version of Mk IV; initially known as Tank, Infantry Mark III***. Late production vehicles had cast glacis detail, along with more use of cast sections instead of fabricated ones. The first fifteen were produced with a 7.92 mm Besa coaxial machine-gun, thereafter replaced by a coaxial 0.30-inch Browning machine-gun.

Upper hull section is a replica. There is no engine and has a incorrect turret (Modified M8 Stuart Howitzer. The interior is almost empty. The Valentine has also a fake barrel and no breech. It’s is great object for a museum display as it stands today.

This valentine was preserved after the war and was eventually sold for several years as the ‘Mad Max Freedom Fighter’. After this ‘excursion’, it eventually ended up with a collector who put a lot of work into converting it back to a tank similiar to a valentine with the aim of exploiting it in a museum.

He used the turret of an M8 Stuart Howitzer from a LVT and made a new rear deck with parts of an Archer. In addition, various sheet metal parts have been newly manufactured, as has the dummy gun. However, the ultimate goal of turning this into a moving vehicle again was never achieved. Despite that, we think it is a nice object that can form the basis for a Valentine. It’s is great object for a museum display as it stands today.

Remarks:

• No engine but has transmission;
• Incorrect turret  (Modified M8 Stuart Howitzer);
• No breech;
• Interior is almost empty;
• Upper body armor is replicated;
• Rear deck is of an Archer.

History

The Tank, Infantry, Mk III, Valentine was an infantry tank produced in the United Kingdom during World War II. More than 8,000 of the type were produced in eleven marks, plus various specialized variants, accounting for approximately a quarter of wartime British tank production. The many variants included riveted and welded construction, petrol and diesel engines and a progressive increase in armament. It was supplied in large numbers to the USSR and built under license in Canada The Valentine was extensively used in the North African Campaign, earning a reputation as a reliable and well-protected vehicle. Developed by Vickers, it proved to be both strong and reliable.
The Valentine was of conventional layout, divided internally into three compartments; from front to back the driver’s position, the fighting compartment with the turret and then the engine and transmission driving the tracks through rear sprockets. Driving was by clutch and brake steering through levers, whose control rods ran the length of the hull to the transmission at the rear.
The first tanks had a two-man turret, the gunner on the left of the gun and the commander acting also as the loader on the right. When three-man turrets were introduced, the commander sat to the rear of the turret.
The Valentine shared the common weakness of the British tanks of the period in that its 2-pounder gun lacked high-explosive (anti-personnel) ammunition and soon became outdated as an anti-tank weapon. Introduction of the 6-pounder in British service was delayed until the loss of equipment in France had been made good, so the 2-pounder was retained longer.
Canadian Service
To develop its own tank forces, Canada had established tank production facilities. An order was placed in 1940 with Canadian Pacific and after modifications to the Valentine design to use local standards and materials, the production prototype was finished in 1941. Canadian production was mainly at CPR Angus Shops in Montreal and 1,420 were produced in Canada, of which 1,388 were sent to the Soviet-Union. They formed the main Commonwealth export to the Soviet Union under lend-lease. The remaining 32 were retained for training. The use of local GMC Detroit Diesel two-stroke engines in Canadian production was a success and the engine was adopted for British production. British and Canadian production totaled 8,275, making the Valentine the most produced British tank design of the war.

Technical

Manufacturer CPR Angus Shops
Model Mk VI
Manufacturing date WWII
Serial number 49320
Length 17 ft 6 in (5,33 m)
Width 8 ft 8 in (2,64 m)
Height (top up) 8 ft 7 in (2,61 m)
Height (top down) n/a
Weight 35.274 lb (16.000 kg)
Max. speed (land) 15 mph (24 km/h)
Max. speed (water) n/a
Operational range 87 mph (140 km)
Main armament QF 2 pdr. (1,57 in/ 40 mm)
Secondary armament 2 x 0,3 in (7,62 mm) BESA machine guns, note secondary armament is not included.
Engine GMC 6004 diesel, 138 hp
Crew 3 (commander, gunner, driver)
Armor 0,31 – 2 in (8 – 51 mm)
Production numbers 1.420 produced in Canada of wich 1.388 were sent to the Sovjet Unie. The remaining 32 were retained for training.

Note to the buyer

LOCATION

The location of any Lot is indicated with the specific lot number. Specific address details will be provided upon request and to the successful bidder / Buyer.

INSPECTION(S)/ VIEWING DAYS

Inspections (viewing days) are open on:
– USA: Thursday March 14, Friday April 5, Saturday 6 and Friday April 19 2024

– The Netherlands: Saturday April 13 (Nederweert)

Given the fact that these are often very special items whose condition, no matter how hard we try, cannot always be described 100% completely, we really recommend that you make use of this.

IMPORTANT DATES

– Campaign Start: March 1^st 2024,

– Release Website and brochure (all items listed and categorized): March 20 2024,

– Bidding Open: Friday April 19 2024 00:00 CET (Dutch American Friendship Day),

– Bidding Ends:

Saturday April 20 2024 (Vehicles)

Saturday May 11 2024 (Parts & Accessories)

Times:             Amsterdam NL (CET): 06:00 PM (18:00)

London: 05:00 PM (17:00)

New York USA: 12:00 AM (12:00)

Sydney AUS: 04:00 AM (04:00) next day

BUYER’S PREMIUM

On all lots a buyer’s premium of 16,5% of the hammer price is charged. Over this buyer’s premium a 21% sales tax (VAT) will be applicable.

PARTS, ACCESSOIRIES & MILITARIA

The batches of spare parts, various accessories and militaria are sold in as-is condition and delivered without any guarantee of functioning.

VEHICLES & VEHICLE RELATED EQUIPMENT

Cars, motorcycles, trucks, cannons or howitzers, armored vehicles, and tanks are sold in as-is condition, with no technical guarantee and guarantee of authenticity and with or without registration.

Arms & weapons

The Auction House will not supply ANY item unless the correct paperwork and licensing – if needed – has been supplied by the Buyer in full.

If required and applicable (fire)arms can be made inoperable or permanently disabled by BAIV in The Netherlands as being a licensed Arms & Weapons Dealer Registration Nr. NL20191618779. In this case all relevant cost will be charged to the Buyer in addition and have to be paid in advance in full. Collection by appointment only!

MARGIN/ VAT

However, for most of the lots 21% sales tax (VAT) over the hammer price will be not applicable, it might be that in some specific cases sales tax (VAT) over the hammer price will be charged. In such a case this will be specifically specified in the lot description. For all other lots the margin scheme will be applicable. For more info see our General Conditions of Sale Article 9 on our website; www.tracksandtrade.com

COLLECTION

Due to our participation in the commemorations of D-DAY in Normandy France collection of all lots is scheduled for the period Monday June 24 till Friday July 5 2024. However, for buyers who want to participate with their purchased lot at the 80^th Anniversary Commemorations in Normandy this can of course be deviated from. In such a case please let us know soonest.
import and export

Depending on the destination and content of the Lot the Buyer shall obtain an International Import Certificate / End User Certificate. Some of the items listed in the auction may require special licenses or permits or existing documents must be prepared for export. If this is relevant, Tracks & Trade will take care of this. The applicable costs will be charged to the successful bidder. Please email [email protected] if you have any questions or concerns. No item will be allowed to be collected without 100% of all legal requirements being fulfilled.

Delivery

Removal of lots must be completed by June 28 2024 after full payment and 100% coverage of all legal requirements. No storage fees will be applicable until that date.

Shipping and packing costs and special costs that arise for loading special items, such as crane costs or costs for hiring special equipment etc., will be charged to the Buyer on the basis of actual costs + a surcharge of 10%. Naturally, you can count on us when it comes to the shipment of your purchases. We are happy to take care of that!

STORAGE

Lots not picked up by Buyers before June 28 2024 will be returned to secure storage at Buyer’s expense. In this case storage fees will be applied as follows:
– Parts & accessories: € 25,- / lot / week.

– Cars and motorcycles: € 50,- / lot / week.

– Armored vehicles, tanks, cannons etc. € 75,- / lot / week.

Listed storage fees excluding 21% VAT.

NOTE
If you have any specific questions, please contact us either by telephone (+31 6 518 22 502) or E-mail ([email protected]). We are happy to help and support you through the entire process. We will do our utmost to please and comfort you.
So, don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions!

GENERAL CONDITIONS

All information and transactions are subject to the general terms and conditions (Version 2.0 dated 29-04-2022). For more detailed information visit our website or click here.