Trials of a Ram tank with a 75 mm gun began #OTD in 1943. The program was cancelled with only 40 out of the planned 700 tanks converted, as Sherman tanks were available in sufficient numbers and there was no need to use Rams. #tanks #history #WW2 #WWII
Trials of a Ram tank with a 75 mm gun began #OTD in 1943. The program was cancelled with only 40 out of the planned 700 tanks converted, as Sherman tanks were available in sufficient numbers and there was no need to use Rams. #tanks #history #WW2 #WWII
The first concrete step towards the KV-1S tank was taken #OTD in 1942. Two KV-1 tanks with modified components, including a new 8-speed gearbox, entered trials. These tanks also had new cooling systems and supercharged V-2KF engines. #tanks #history #WW2 #WWII
The front armour of the T-44 prototype tank was at the level of its predecessor at 75 mm. #OTD in 1944 a request was made to make it 90 mm thick to resist the latest German heavy anti-tank guns. #tanks #history #WW2 #WWII
The Medium Tank T5E2 entered trials #OTD in 1939. The position of a howitzer in the hull and a single machine gun in the turret seemed archaic, but a greatly improved version of this layout was used on the Medium Tank M3. #tanks #history #WW2 #WWII
As the USSR and the Western Allies closed in on Germany, friend-or-foe identification became very important. #OTD in 1945 orders were given to apply a white cross to the top of the turret and a white stripe running around the perimeter. #tanks #history #WW2 #WWII
The Battle of Moscow ended #OTD in 1942. The Germans were thrown back hundreds of kilometers from the Soviet capital. The German army was in no shape for another offensive in this sector, choosing to redirect their attention to the south for the summer 1942 campaign. #history #WW2 #WWII
The IS-3 tank entered production #OTD in 1945. Despite some rumours, the tank came far too late to fight against Germany in the Second World War, nor was it used to fight against Japan in August of 1945. #tanks #history #WW2 #WWII
The NIBT Proving Grounds at Kubinka had quite a large collection of experimental armoured vehicles on hand. #OTD in 1938 a decision was made to gather them into a museum. Today, it remains one of the largest and most impressive tank museums in the world. #tanks #history
Germany going for Stalingrad in 1941 would have been a hell of a twist. I think they could have taken it if they really wanted to.
The first contract to build LT vz.34 tanks was signed #OTD in 1933, ending a decade-long search for a Czechoslovakian tank. The LT vz.34 was followed by the LT vz.35 and LT vz.38, which were among the best light tanks of their generation. #tanks #history
By the time trials of the IS-1 (#233) concluded #OTD in 1943 requirements for heavy tanks had changed. Soviet heavy tanks now needed an 85 mm gun. The tank that went into production under the name IS-1 later that year was a very different vehicle. #tanks #history #WW2 #WWII
It was used to save money. The guns were transplanted from WWI vintage Renault FT tanks. The turret ring diameter was the same so that turrets could be reused as well, but I haven't seen any evidence that this was done.
A T-60 tank equipped with a high velocity 37 mm ZIS-19 gun in an enlarged turret entered trials #OTD in 1942. This was a considerable upgrade to the T-60 tank, but entirely unnecessary, as the T-70 was already replacing it in production. #tanks #history #WW2 #WWII
Two Heavy Tank T32 prototypes arrived at the Aberdeen Proving Grounds #OTD in 1946. This vehicle was based on the Pershing tank to accelerate development, but it was still too late to fight in the war it was designed for. #tanks #history #WW2 #WWII
#OTD in 1934 APX presented the APX R turret. This one man turret carried a 37 mm SA 18 gun and a MAC Mle. 1931 machine gun. Later, the more powerful 37 mm SA 38 gun was installed in the same turret. It was used on several French light tanks. #tanks #history
Valentine tanks with 2-pounders continued to arrive in the USSR long after the 2-pounder became ineffective against German armour. #OTD in 1944 a proposal was made to replace it with an 85 mm ZIS-S-53 gun. This replacement was never performed. #tanks #history #WW2 #WWII
Since tank riders were a common tactic used by the Red Army, the tanks were adapted to support them. For instance, #OTD in 1942 heat shields were added over the exhaust pipes on the T-70 to the infantry wouldn't burn themselves. #tanks #history #WW2 #WWII
Orders were given #OTD in 1941 to develop powerful new 107 mm anti-tank guns to defeat German super-heavy tanks. The guns were built and tested, but by the time German heavy tanks showed up the 107 mm caliber was no longer in use. #artillery #tanks #history #WW2 #WWII
Development of the successor to the Medium Tank M3 began #OTD in 1941, shortly after it entered into production. The resulting tank was called Medium Tank T6, which evolved into the Medium Tank M4, the legendary General Sherman. #tanks #history #WW2 #WWII
Assembly of the Porsche Tiger was completed #OTD in 1942. 10 more tanks were supposed to be delivered in May, but defects with the cooling system causing rapid engine failure that were discovered during testing delayed the start of production. #tanks #History #WW2 #WWII
Reality wasn't as rosy. Christie failed to provide a turret or documentation as agreed, for which the Soviet side withheld a percentage of his payment. This irreversibly soured the relationship between the two parties and no further deals were made.
Negotiations between Christie and Soviet representatives took place #OTD in 1930. Despite what is often claimed, the Soviet side insisted on obtaining explicit permission from Washington to export Christie tanks to the USSR. #tanks #history
After shopping around for an export tank, Switzerland picked the Czechoslovakian LTL-H over the German LKA/LKB and Swedish Landsverk L-60. The LTL-H consisted of the Praga THN chassis adapted to Swiss requirements. This tank served under the designation Panzerwagen 39. #tanks #history
An order for 100 Covenanter tanks was made #OTD in 1939. No prototype would be built. As a result of this haste, the design was unpolished and the tank never saw combat, as by the time its defects were corrected it was already obsolete. #tanks #history #WW2 #WWII
Trials of Soviet heavy artillery against armour began #OTD in 1941. It turned out that 122 and 152 mm guns made fine anti-tank weapons in a pinch. This knowledge that came in handy when powerful guns were needed urgently in 1943. #artillery #history #WW2 #WWII
#OTD in 1943, after more than a year of using British tanks, the Red Army composed a report on its experience. These tanks were slow moving and hard to service. A recommendation was made to only use them in the south, as they were unsuitable for winter. #tanks #history #WW2 #WWII
The Germans committed considerable resources to trying to break through to the encircled garrison at Tarnopol, including Tiger tanks of the s.Pz.Abt.507. Those tanks fell victim to Soviet 152 mm guns #OTD in 1944. #tanks #History #WW2 #WWII
#OTD in 1943 a contract for 135 SU-76I SPGs was signed. Such a small number was caused by a shortage of StuG III and Pz.Kpfw.III chassis captured in a condition suitable for refurbishment. Only 200 vehicles of this type were built. #tanks #history #WW2 #WWII