 The <unk> experienced several setbacks throughout its development and deployment with the Army and airborne forces . One of the major problems was the limited number of these tanks that existed after production ended in 1942 , which particularly affected the airborne forces . The transport of 20 of the tanks to the USSR under the <unk> @-@ <unk> Act depleted the number available for use by airborne forces , as did the loss of several more during Operation <unk> , the invasion of Madagascar . A Royal Armoured Corps report issued in December 1942 stated that approximately 50 <unk> were available for use . In a memorandum , dated January 1943 , by Major General George F. <unk> , commander of the 1st Airborne Division , <unk> complained that he had been informed that 70 of the tanks were available , whereas only 50 actually remained , with no reserves to replace those lost in combat . This lack of sufficient replacement reserves , combined with a War Office report that some <unk> airborne tanks would be required for the 1st Airborne Division and an unnamed airborne division to be formed in India , led to the <unk> 's eventual replacement by the US <unk> <unk> . 
