Tank Archives

The Americans undertook multiple programs to modernize the M48 Patton, particularly by installing the same 105 mm gun used on the M60. One such program was enacted #OTD in 1965, but all the tanks that were supposed to be modernized were sent to Vietnam instead. #tanks #history

Czechoslovakia was a major arms exporter before the Second World War. Peru was one of its customers, ordering 24 Tanque 39 tanks from CKD. The first delivery of these tanks was made #OTD in 1938. Peru liked them so much that they tried to buy more after the war. #tanks #history

Funds to pay for two Christie tanks were allocated by the USSR #OTD in 1932. Christie never received the full sum, since the tanks delivered to the Soviets were lacking turrets and accompanying documentation as required by their contract. #tanks #history

One of the biggest problems with foreign tanks in the Red Army was a shortage of ammunition. #OTD in 1941 the Soviets requested more ammunition from the British: 1200 rounds for tanks with 2-pounders and 1000 for tanks with 3" howitzers. #tanks #history #WW2 #WWII

#OTD in 1942 the US Army decided against mass production of heavy tanks after analyzing experience from in North Africa. This meant that the Heavy Tank M6 that was already standardized would never see battle. These tanks were chiefly used for public displays. #tanks #history #WW2 #WWII

The Medium Tank M4A3E2 was a tremendous success, and the question of a similarly up-armoured variant of the Pershing was raised #OTD in 1944. The resulting tank called T26E5 was completely proofed against the 88 mm L/71 gun at a weight of just 46 tons. #tanks #history #WW2 #WWII

#OTD in 1942 production of a trial batch of T-34 tanks with spaced armour was approved. These tanks were completely proofed against 50 mm APCR and 75 mm HEAT. The problem was that by next year, the T-34 was facing much bigger German guns. #tanks #history #WW2 #WWII

Škoda's S-II-b tank was rejected by the Czechoslovakian army, but the improved S-II-c piqued Hungary's interest. #OTD in 1940 a license for this tank was acquired and it was built in Hungary under the name Turan. #tanks #history #WW2 #WWII

The Panzer III tank finally found its footing with the Z.W.38 concept. The Wehrmacht ordered 759 tanks in June of 1938 and 444 more #OTD in 1938, even though none had been delivered at that point. Only one tank would be built before the end of the year. #tanks #history

A list of first impressions on Valentine tanks used by the Red Army was submitted #OTD in 1941. The tanks were described as well armoured and easy to drive, but had low top speed, low range, and poor mobility on snow and ice. #tanks #history #WW2 #WWII

Work on installing a 122 mm gun to make a tank destroyer out of the Object 241 (future ISU-152) began #OTD in 1943. This vehicle was designated Object 242 and was accepted into service as the ISU-122. #tanks #history #ww2 #WWII

General von Thoma, commander of German ground forces in Spain, submitted a report on his experience #OTD in 1936. He skirted around the subject of losses, but did admit that the German Pz.Kpfw.I armed only with machine guns was no match for the Soviet T-26. #tanks #history

It was the same as on a normal T-34.

After StuG III production lines were destroyed by bombing, the Germans were in need of a new chassis for their assault guns. The use of a Pz.Kpfw.IV chassis was approved #OTD in 1943, with the resulting vehicle called StuG IV. #tanks #history #WW2 #WWII

Trials of the T-90 tank began #OTD in 1942. This was a clear favourite among AA tanks. Unfortunately, the desire to save T-70 chassis and adapt the T-90 turret for the T-60 introduced a crucial delay that resulted in the death of the project. #tanks #history #WW2 #WWII

#OTD in 1941 General Mason-MacFarlane met with the head of the Soviet tank directorate Fedorenko in Moscow. This meeting resolved several issues with British tank shipments, including improper weatherproofing that resulted in damage during shipment. #tanks #history #WW2 #WWII

After weeks of engine trouble, the British had to stop trials of their M3 Lee tank #OTD in 1941 when the engine finally broke down beyond repair. It had only worked for 109 hours. The R975 engine remained the least reliable of all American tank engines. #tanks #history #WW2 #WWII

Despite a successful pre-war tank program, Sweden fell hopelessly behind the rest of the world after WW2 and had to shop for tanks abroad. #OTD in 1952 the British offered them 80 Centurion Mk.3 tanks, which were accepted into service as the Strv 81. #tanks #history #ColdWar

The offensive stage of the Battle of Moscow began #OTD in 1941. The Germans had exhausted all of their reserves during their rush towards Moscow, enabling the Red Army to push them back as far as 300 km across a 750 km wide front. #tanks #history #WW2 #WWII

Although often overlooked, fierce battles in the land, sea, and air were fought to keep the Germans from taking Murmansk. #OTD in 1944 the "For the Defence of the Soviet Transarctic" medal was issued to recognize its defenders. #tanks #history #WW2 #WWII

The SG-2 SPG was delivered for trials #OTD in 1942. This vehicle could have become the SU-122, but a defective chassis provided for conversion ruined its chances against the U-35, even though it was a superior design. #tanks #history #WW2 #WWII

Orders to conduct comparative trials of T-70B and T-80 tanks were given #OTD in 1942. The T-80 was superior in every way, but with the general decline of light tanks on the Eastern Front it did not last long in production. #tanks #History #WW2 #WWII

The legendary sniper Vasily Zaitsev started his career behind a desk in the Navy, but yearned to fight, first as a signalman in a machine gun company and then as a sniper in the ruins of Stalingrad. #OTD in 1942 Zaitsev earned his first Order of the Red Banner. #history #WW2 #WWII

Find out about the history of this vehicle in my upcoming book Hetzer vs SU-76M: Hungary 1945.

www.ospreypublishing.com/us/hetzer-vs...

The Jagdpanzer 38 is best known today under the name Hetzer. This was never the official name of this vehicle, but #OTD in 1944 Guderian reported that this nickname popular among German troops. #tanks #history #WW2 #WWII

A review of Eduard Grote's TG-3 medium tank was conducted by the Soviet VOAO technical commission #OTD in 1931. The 30 ton convertible drive tank with was no better than Grote's previous designs and the commission concluded that his services are no longer required. #tanks #history

Blueprints for installation of the 17-pounder gun into the turret of a Sherman tank (with the exception of the ammo racks) were finished #OTD in 1943. The first prototype was converted and began gunnery trials by the end of the month. #tanks #history #WW2 #WWII

Work to mount the 75 mm L/43 gun in the VK 30.01 (H) heavy tank began #OTD in 1941, but it turned out to be impossible without a radical redesign of the turret. This was the final nail in the coffin for this project as in 1942 no one needed a heavy tank with a short 75mm. #tanks #history #WW2 #WWII

Yup, the SCW killed a lot of prospective tanks since now even a light tank had to have enough armour to become impervious to 12.7 mm machine guns at the very least. Also weird stuff like a rear facing flamethrower to burn enemy infantry off of your engine deck.

YouTube video by Tank Archives Not-so-Soviet Inventions

Learn about what the USSR learned from the Germans at the Kama school in my video on Soviet tank design solutions with foreign roots: www.youtube.com/watch?v=79mU...