THE MISSING LINK

WEAPONS OF WAR

For 60 years, an important testbed in British tank development has lain undiscovered. For the first time, new research has pieced together its final form. Ed Webster profiles the FV201 (A45) Universal Tank

The FV201 (A45) P1 prototype with provisional Centurion turret and machine gun blister on the hull. A failed universal design that led to the Conqueror

ALL IMAGES COURTESY OF THE AUTHOR UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED

When discussing early post-war British armour development, most are familiar with the Ferret, Charioteer or Centurion.

Yet arguably one of its most important series of vehicles is criminally forgotten.

The story of the FV201 is a tale that has been muddied, confused, overlooked and written out of the history books. Yet before its cancellation, the FV200 series tank underwent considerable design effort, resulting in Britain developing the first main battle tank. Moreover, without this vehicle the army would never have adopted the Conqueror.