Science Fair Project Encyclopedia
Black Prince (tank)
The Black Prince was the name assigned to an experimental development of the Churchill infantry tank with a larger hull and a 17-pounder (76mm) gun. It was named after a 14th century figure, Edward, Prince of Wales.
The slow speed of the Black Prince and ready availability of M4 Shermans which could be upgraded as "Fireflies" with the 17lb gun limited this tank to experimental status.
It is also worth noting that in 1943 in Tunisia concern as to the firepower of the Churchill was such that the armoured workshops did convert some Churchills "in theatre", removing their 2lb or 6lb weapons and replacing them with 75mm guns taken from damaged M4s. This led to the later model Churchill tank which mounted a 75mm gun and saw action in 1944-5 in Europe with the army tank brigades.
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