Clik here to view.
Captured Tank Observation
Continued from part 2."T-1 tankThe driver's observation devices are located in the turret platform. There are two slits in the observation hatch in front of the driver. For observation hatches are...
View ArticleVideo: Why did the USSR not develop an RPG during WWII?
Today's video is based on a question I answered on r/AskHistorians. This question was asked by user EhCanadianZebra, who wanted to know why the USSR never developed an anti-tank rocket launcher during...
View ArticleNew Turret
"November 15th, 1942#SO4899To the chief of the BTU, Colonel comrade AfoninMoscow, Red Square, 2nd NKO housePeople's Commissar of Tank Production, comrade I.M. ZaltasmannMoscow, 11 Sadovo-Sukharevskaya...
View ArticleSoviet Panzer '46
"Plans for experimental design and scientific research work of the Ministry of Transport Machinebuilding of the USSR for 1946ItemDescription of workFactoryCostHeavy tank (Object 701)Finishing technical...
View ArticleClik here to view.
An IS in the Hand
An experimental prototype of the IS-1 tank, formerly called KV-13, was sent to factory trials on March 9th, 1943. This was a fully fledged heavy tank, a little lighter than the KV-1S, but much more...
View ArticleChristie Negotiations
"Discussion between comrade Khalepskiy and Mr. Christie in comrade Petrov's office on April 18th, 1930 at 3 pm.Christie: We had a board of directors meeting and the following proposal was arrived at:...
View ArticleMine Roller Trials
"Report on the use of PT-3 mine rollers in combat from July 12th to 16th, 194329th Guards Independent Tank BrigadeThe use of two mine rollers was planned during the penetration of enemy defenses near...
View ArticleThermite Shells
"Report on new armour piercing shells used by the German armyThe use of so called "thermite" armour piercing shells by the German army has not yet been confirmed.German press made a mention of an...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Field Artillery Penetration
"USSR NKOArtillery HQ of the 22nd ArmyPestovoSeptember 7th, 1941To chiefs of artillery of infantry divisionsTo the commander of the 56th Corps Artillery RegimentPersonal copy for:_________On orders of...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Heavy Tank Destroyer
The ISU-152 is the best known Soviet heavy SPG. This was the most numerous heavy SPG in history and its career lasted for many decades, overshadowing its "little sister", the ISU-122. The vehicles had...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Warspot Article: Firefly Development
The British developed a first class anti-tank gun during WWII, but had no luck with a platform to put it on. The solution came from abroad. Although it took a lot of effort, Sherman tanks proved...
View ArticleDavid vs Goliath
"Results of trials of the 45 mm gun and anti-tank rifles and the effectiveness of anti-tank grenades on the Tiger tankOn November 13th and 14th, 1944, trials of 45 mm armour piercing shells and...
View ArticleSherman Tracks
"Armoured and Mechanized Forces of the Red Army StaffJuly 25th, 1945#0793772To the Chief of the GBTU Tank DirectorateTo the Chief of the Formation and Equipment Directorate of the Armoured and...
View ArticleThickness Problems
"Opinion of a member of the model commission and representative of the Ilyich factoryThe following needs to be considered when discussing and making a decision regarding the production of the A-43 tank...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Late Replacement
There are many cases in tank building where a very good vehicle appears too late to enter mass production. This was most common at the end of WWII, when a number of development programs were cut due to...
View ArticleT-60 Guide
"March 16th, 1942Directions on using T-60 small tanksThe main combat ability of the T-60 is its speed and mobility on the battlefield. The density of its autocannon and machine gun fire, the small...
View ArticleVideo: Red Army Tactics, Tank Brigades (1942)
The Red Army is often stereotyped as throwing tanks at the enemy haphazardly, hoping to overwhelm the enemy. This is far from the truth. As early as 1942 tactics changed drastically to reflect the...
View ArticleChristie Proposal
"April 9th, 1930New YorkA discussion between comrades Khalepskiy and Gobar with Mr. ChristieMr. Christie arrived with his director and stated that on April 8th his board of directors had a meeting and...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Tank Identification
"Identifying signs of tanks and armoured cars of the Armoured and Mechanized Forces of the Central FrontJune 1st to June 15th, 1943For ground forces, tanks and armoured carsDay:Main: solid white stripe...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The Best StuG
The StuG III and StuG 40 were the most numerous armoured vehicles in the German army during WWII. Together with the StuH 42 assault howitzer, 11,300 such vehicles were built. The front lines needed...
View Article