The A33 was not put into production due to technical problems with the Churchill tank being resolved and the cost/time to set up a new factory line.
The A33 Excelsior was built as a result of the Churchill Infantry tanks poor performance at the battle of Dieppe, leading to a new vehicle design being requested. This ended in several proposals and two prototypes the A33 and the T14. Two companies set about designing the new tank: English Electric and Rolls Royce.
The A33 design chosen was built by English Electric, while the rival Rolls-Royce designs did not make it to the prototype stage. The hull and turret were basically the same as the A27 Cromwell, but with added armour. There were two prototypes built and they differ in suspension amongst other things. The first prototype had the suspension from the American M6 Heavy tank.
The Tank Museum’s A33 Excelsior
We have the second prototype, which had new design by English Electric that operated with scissor type action, known as the “R/L Heavy” type suspension. It is now the only surviving A33 Excelsior in the world.
