Taken from the original Service Instruction Book this photo of a Crusader III shows all the characteristic features of the type.
A slightly scruffy Mk III “somewhere in North Africa” in the dark colour - probably black - over sand scheme typical of the later stages of the campaign.
Development and use of the Crusader continued. The Cruiser VIA later known as Crusader II was introduced with armour increased to 50mm maximum, now held in place with flat-faced hexagonal screws. Lighting was changed to two headlights with metal bars over them to protect them, more stowage bins were fitted and oil bath air cleaners with characteristic “doughnuts” at each end became standard. As the small machine gun turret proved to be of little use, they were left unoccupied or removed in the field and new vehicles were built without them with a large almost circular hatch in its place. But the main armament remained the 2pdr. While it was good when introduced and still effective at close ranges, the thicker armour used on German tanks meant it was becoming outclassed. The turret was therefore redesigned to take the new 6pdr gun. It was extended slightly forward and the gun and coaxial BESA mounted in a recess. Turret hatches with two flaps opening sideways replaced the original up-and-over type. Because there was less space, turret crew was reduced to just two which meant the commander had to act as loader. And with only three crew the many tasks of maintaining the tank in fighting order became more difficult.