initially its equipment was 219 us m1917 tanks – a first world war design – obtained at scrap prices. they were sufficient for some training and familiarisation, but otherwise of very limited combat use. to form the 1st army tank brigade, valentine tanks were ordered. this british design was to be built in canada. aside from the necessary adjustments to the design to incorporate local engineering standards and available components, the canadian valentines used a gmc engine. this engine, being an improvement over the original, was later applied to british production. in practice, canada never used most of the 1,400 valentines they built as they were supplied under lend-lease to the soviet union.