uring the Second World War, the British Army wanted a tank with very heavy armor, but that kept weight to a minimum. They wanted, in essence, a rolling contradiction.
Despite the Valiant’s overall failure, it did feature some useful innovations. Perhaps first and foremost was the Valiant’s front armored glacis. In contrast to most tanks of the era, the Valiant’s hull featured a distinct outward-facing point. In addition to better deflecting enemy shells, the sloped surface also increased the amount of armor plating an incoming round would have to penetrate.
The turret was also heavily armored, though at a cost. In addition to a fairly tall profile, the turret surfaces were nearly vertical, presenting a weaker, thinner target to enemy tanks and anti-tank crews than a sloped turret surface would have. Likewise, the frontmost hatch, the bulge in between the hull front and turret ring, also presented a near-vertical surface and was therefore also a weak point.
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