Tank Chats  

When you’re worried about the silhouette of the tank so you decide to just make it so large the enemy thinks it’s a local mountain range.

"... The M103. We've got one of those here somewhere..." The humblest of humbleflexes.

"originally suggested by... whatsisname... Montgomery!" I love David Fletcher!

The photo of the crew at 14:18, the far right soldier is my grandad. He has some amazing stories of his time in the conqueror.

“Extra shells could be handed to the gunner by the driver if he had nothing else to do, all he had to do was drive the tank” I so look forward to each and every video featuring our beloved Mr. Fletcher.

THANKYOU for *not* interrupting David Fletcher's story-telling flow with 'energetic self promotion' half-way through, as with previous videos. Of course you're a business, but just letting David regale his encyclopedic recollections about tanks unabated does wonders for the enjoyability of your output.

My word, it’s putting it mildly to call this thing a veritable behemoth.

A 60t tank with a 120mm gun, hunter-killer target selections for the Tank Commander. Plaster it with some more acronyms and it'd sound like its from a more recent time.

I drove a mk2 Conq for some 2 years, on changing gears you pulled back one of the steering tillers as you dipped your clutch and changed gear sharpish, pulling the tiller stopped the gearbox for a fraction of a second allowing you to change up not down, changing down was the old double de clutch method it was an art driving the old tanks, todays tanks are a lot easier.

That thing is so massive it makes our dear presenter look like a Toy David! 😊

"Was coined by - what's his name... Field Marshal Montgomery..." I know what you did there and it was savage.

The independent rotation of the commander turret is amazing

Fascinating, as always. Also, I really appreciate that you decided not to interrupt your videos any more right on the middle.

"He was only driving the tank after all" God bless David Fletcher! His comments about an experienced driver are right on point. When I was a gunner, having a driver that knew what he was doing and could keep us riding smooth as the TC or I were about to fire was worth his weight in gold. I hated when we'd have to break up an experienced crew due to promotions or reassignments. (There's a good reason I never had a "D" as part of my radio call sign. I could get us where we needed to go, but never got that perfect feel for driving.)

"It was coined by, erm what's his name?, field marshal Montgomery" hilarious.

I still think this is the best looking British tank ever.

An old pub regular of mine, Mike Boyle, said he was one of the first people trained on the Conqueror as it was coming into service. I seem to remember him mentioning doing some sort of testing where he was part of a crew that stayed in their tank, hatches sealed, for over a week in order to simulate living conditions and the ability to continue fighting if there was a nuclear blast close to the front line (which the tank would survive). He also said he was one of the tank commanders in the Beatles film HELP! Great man.

Jesus, I've never appreciated exactly how big the Conqueror is!

That turret is so big it has its own turret.

Can we start a petition to have Mr.Fletcher knighted?

I swear David could just talk about how to plug in your vacuum cleaner and i would be interested

I used to love watching these when I was a kid in the early '50's. The whole ground shook and as David says the noise was tremendous. My dad used to say you could hear them miles away out on Sennelager plains.

I know David isn't tall, but that Conqueror tank is huge. As for the American M103, I once marched behind a couple of them during a parade. It too is massive.

My grandfather lived just up the road from the tank depot at Ludgershall where he also worked for many years, having previously been in the REME for 20-odd years. They had one of these as the Gate Guardian there back when when I was young, which was somewhat inevitably nicknamed “William”. The Conqueror really was an impressive beast.

Every tank I've seen in the '' steel '' always appeared much more massive and impressive than it did on videos. With the exception of the Renault FT ( you can see one, for free, in the cour d'honneur des Invalides, in Paris ). That thing is almost cute, the size of a small tractor. But anyway, I predict that this Conqueror right there, must be giving the feeling of standing in front of an iron house.

I worked at the Bailey Gate industrial Estate in Sturminster Marshal, Dorset. They had a couple of these there, sometimes they were run up and driven around. Saw a turret change happen, took about 5 hours. If I remember rightly the various tanks and armoured vehicles there were hired out to film studios. I remember the series V used some of them. This was probably around 1983/4. These Conquer's are absolutely massive!

“….coined by…what’s his name..? Field Marshal Montgomery…” 😂😂😂

I saw a Conqueror at the Imperial Warmuseum Duxford. It truly is a massive tank. Best Regards from Germany - you are very fortunate to have those excellent museums in your great country!

"The driver could always pass the shells back if he had nothing else to do, he was only driving the tank after all!" I love that British witty humour.

David Fletcher is the Betty White of the tanker world... He is now and will forever be ageless and lovable.. (RIP Betty)

Interesting hearing about hunter-killer mechanisms; I'd always assumed this was just a "big dumb tank".

Glad to see have got rid of the advert interruption in the middle.

Wonderful timing, just made a fire and fired up the computer... and this appeared. Thank god it's Friday.

My late father served as a loader/radio op on the Conqueror always had nice words to say about it, loved the look of this beast it had serious presence

My dad was a trout commander of 3 of these. Too wide for the transport so only inches to spare. Fan belt issues, air scrubber problems, need oil top ups through an inch and a half hole from a far too big filler, so used empty beer cans to dispense the oil. 2 part projectile but on occasions had to ram the charge up the barrel which was dicy as it was percussion ignition. Had auto eject into a hopper which threw it out the back of the turret area, but then the casings got stuck and blocked the traverse. All in all good fun,

'one of the loudest tanks ever unleashed on the public' has DF just let slip some tank massacre out on the Devon moors

I drove tanks... as a lad ... a trooper ...I thought it was just great. I enjoyed it.. I got that perfect tank driving feeling. I was just 17 year old at the time. My instructor said I was good, he said so. I always had a feel for it, so much so I decided to have a go flying helicopters, having got my wings without much effort I decided I really did have a feel... Much much later, and now running my own heli company a customer had to forego his expensive pre paid Formula One driving day and asked if I would bid for the ticket. At Mallory park about 35 candidates assemble to drive the morning with road car exotica from Germany and Italy. The afternoon was my first taste of single seat race cars, with the baby formulas at first, for which I was just too big, ~i just could not change gear with my right hand and as you were supposed to, my arm was just too long so I did it across my chest with my left. So later another two car upgrades saw us in the star of the day, an F1 V8 of about 800 bhp, big fat tires and a sound track to match. Those 10 laps were a joy and it just flashed by in what was for me just moments, I was clocked on the back straight at 168 mph by radar and made the most of it. In the debrief classroom at the end, all 8 instructors collated their marks and the chief instructor called out the drivers names with marks for the day. Bottom marks were about 45% if I recall. This took some time and I got the feeling I had been forgotten and left out. The the boss instructor said and now we have the most remarkable performance of the day any of us have seen with a score of 92% !! The previous high score was my mate with 63%. So whoever this guy was had done really well. Then he called out my name and asked me to stand up... I still have the photographs score card and after glow of pride to this day, like I said I have a knack for this kind of thing !! My tank driving instructor said so !!

When I was at school in the late 60s, we had a school camp at Instow in Devon, near to AXE, (Amphibious eXperimental Establishment). They had a Conqueror which was used for beach recovery trials. It as in a pretty sad, rusty state, but I got permission to have a close look and make sketches for my, (then), hobby of model making. Huge thing. One of the staff told me that the commander could actually control the turret, but that the servos were tricky and often the turret would 'wobble' about the aiming point before settling, and in some cases would move the long way round to sync up. I think it was a mark 2, sadly my sketches are long gone. The rotating cupola seemed to be controlled by foot pedals. The split image range finder had it's own little shutters to protect the optics when it wasn't in use.

No annoying person interrupting. Bliss.

I know David Fletcher is a short guy, but seeing him standing next to this tank looks like he's standing next to a 4 story building.

The Chadqueror is back to make its enemies tremble just by its presence.

"Errrm, what's his name... Oh, Field Marshal Montgomery."

I clicked this in an instant. Grumpy tank grandpa and the last of Britain's steel dragons.

"He was only driving the tank after all" 😀

Would love to have further videos a bit tuned up on the audio department, can't barely hear a thing

Thank you for not interrupting the video halfway through asking for patreon donations

I honestly thought they miniaturized David Fletcher for a moment there! Who else thinks it should be 'Sir' David Fletcher!?

The Conqueror has always been extremely badass, especially in its looks I didnt realise how big it was though aha

And the Germans got the steel wheel design from the Soviets, who used it on their KV tanks and, for a while, on the T-34. They were even informally called "Russenrollen" (Russian rollers).

Holy crap this video makes you see just how massive the Conqueror is

My old fella was the gunner in this tank during national service in 1960.

A comparison video for the m103 and conqueror would be neat

Considering that seeing first and shooting first are the most important factors in winning an armored engagement, that system with the commander spotting and ranging targets for the gunner may well have made this the best tank of its day.

I'm impressed by the conquerors sloped armour. What a change from the days of the British infantry tanks. This would give a T55 a run for its money.

I'd love to see a side by side comparison of the Conqueror, the M103, and T-10/IS8. That would be amazing.

Duxford still has a running one (well, it was running the last time I was there). How best to describe it in motion? 1) You hear it. 2) You feel it. Each track being about a yard wide means 65 tons is spread out over a wide area. 3) You eventually see it, ponderously moving towards you, looking like a hung-over behemoth after being woken up early.

If I remember correctly Nicolas Moran (aka The Chieftain) claimed: "it would win any battle...so long as it broke down in the right place" Edit: Correct spelling of name...sorry for the misspelling Chief

Wow! And again I learned something new from Mr. Fletcher! Didn't know that the Hunter-Killer system that all new MBT's have was invented with Conquerer

For some reason, and the fact that I’m a Yank, I can’t really put my finger on why I’ve a special admiration and appreciation for the British Conqueror. To my knowledge, it never really broke any new ground in the development of heavy armored warfare, but nevertheless it’s always been one my very favorite tanks. I guess it’s simply the straight forward brute power of the vehicle that has something to do with my love of the Conqueror. I know it’s awful to think it’s “unfortunate” that the Conqueror was never able to see actual armored combat, but I think she would’ve given a good accounting of herself, battle odds notwithstanding, if actual ground combat took place in the early 1960’s against Warsaw Pact forces in Europe.

Didn't know the Conqueror was so huge. Mr. Fletcher standing next to it almost looks like he's a shell to be fired from its' gun :D

The tank is so massive it looks like it has been put there by green screen and sized incorrectly. What a monster of a vehicle.

Gadzooks what a monster!

0:14 "It's a long story and I'll try and encompass it, in this chat, if I can." All while he's looking in the perfect direction for the end of the video timeline. I even went and checked and saw 16 minutes. I better make a cup of tea.

that picture of three tanks on the firing range reminded me of a school trip I made to to Bovington around 1960. We had been promised a ride in a tank but it was explained that next day there was a very important visit so we would be taken down to the range to see the tanks practicing for next day. There we were all lined up and this little Officer, I was 6ft he no more than 5ft8in, explained that it took three shots to kill a tank HE long HE short and the third kill. He pointed out next days target all painted white, and that days target, then he gave me a pair of Bioculars to watch the tank destroyed. Three shots ran out, nothing, the bioculars were snatched from my grasp, then I saw the white tank in flames. A rather sheepish crew exited the tank. Must go back one day.

7:09 he's only driving the tank after all LMAO. David is the best lol. I could watch him talk about armored vehicles till the end of days.

I know Mr. Fletcher's not a tall man, but this tank makes it rather apparent.

A continued thanks to dear Old Bovi, and everyone who keeps her ticking. Brilliant stuff :)

4:09 -When you really need to stop the Soviet advance with a well-timed Tsunami...

Thank you sir for the very interesting video. Bit there is one thing I would like to know about this mighty Tank. Where was the Hot Water Boiling Vessel located. We all know how important a nice cup of tea is the the crews morale.

I always remember my first visit to the museum, i couldn't wait to see the King Tiger after hearing war stories. I stood transfixed by it, dragged away to check out the other exhibits, i saw this beast and totally forgot the King Tiger. I still to this day feel the awe i did that day for this tank.

I like this old chap as a presenter. Good knowledge.

4005 was built, was tested, and tested against a centurion. The tank museum are currently having theirs re build by "Mr Hughes" who has a splendid RU-vid channel and you can see the full restoration video, well worth watching.

Conqueror was a monster in every sense of the word. There were reasons why the Russians placed their best tanks & regiments in direct opposition to the British forces, Conqueror was one of them.

I've always had a soft spot for this Beauty! I always enjoy David's tank chats but this one was a treat!

I consider these types of "Heavy Tanks", things like the Conqueror, and M103. "Heavy Gun Tanks" as the armor was quickly made ineffective, but the guns were still effective, so they could still be fielded. But more as a emplacement tank. Not a true Heavy Tank for assaults and things.

I'm so glad y'all are finally talking about this tank! Love this tank in World Of Tanks and War thunder.

Oh wow!!! You are either a very small man or that is a MONSTER of a Tank.

"Whatsis name? Uh... Field Marshal Montgomery" My opinion exactly.

Does anyone know where the conquer from Castle Martin went? (Romulus and Remus the gate guards. One was a cent)

Yes, I'll never forget old whatisname!

my personal favorite tank ever

I love how the thumbnail is an old man with a tank on the background

Un char aussi imposant que magnifique, un des plus beau char au monde, je l'adore!!!

this reminds me of the American M103 heavy. I've seen two of them in person. The one in the AAF museum dwarfs the M60 it's parked next to.

4:11 - For a second i thought it was a Jawa Sandcrawler

Yes my favorite old man of war🙏🏽❤💯

That turret looks like they filched it from a destroyer

Oi, I warned you not to put the David Fletcher in the dryer again! Look at him, he's 4ft tall now! Get the Fletcher-stretcher!

I remember there being several of these parked at Warcop around 1966-7. Possibly intended as range targets, as I've seen the remains of at least one up on the fell.

I love these things. What would be cool is if there was a play list of Nation tank from their first one to when ever, so people see how each country saw tanks and how they improve or regressed in tank design.

Wow its first time I'm early to the new episode of the best series on RU-vid!

I saw there was at least a mock up of the DD version. That would take a very brave crew

So what we will do is ask the Royal Navy for a ship they dont need anymore and fit some tracks to it

Always Fascinating!!!

Great tank and great Sir David's comment !!

I always thought the Conqueror was a prototype. I'd never seen any pictures of read about its service life in the 60's. Very interesting video, as always. It's too bad more didn't survive.

It actually surprised me when I saw one at Kubinka, I really didn't expect a conquer there

Man just imagine what kind of a massacre would be if a battalion of Conquerors met a group of Jagdtigers, a fight until only one remains

As commanded by the renowned explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes when he served in his late father’s regiment the Royal Scots Greys.

brilliant my absolute favourite tank of all time , stunning !