Which Country made the best WW2 tank

[Ritterkreuz]

Originally posted by ILay
There was not just one 'best tank'

British A34 'Comet' and 'Valentine'
Rrussian light tank T70 and T34
Jupaneese 'Ha-go' 'Ke-ri' and '90'
German tigers and 'Die Maus' of Ferdinand Porsche.

Russian t-34 were easier in production, more economical and more taylor type produced. Don't forget that the Germans copied the Russian technologies in tank building. Heinz Guderian with a group of specialists spent weeks in Kharkov 'locomotive production plant' as early as 1933. The plant was producing BT-2 and BT-5 at the time. Capable of producing the speed of 100 kmh. The plant normal production capability was 22 tanks a day. Hitler started the war with 3195 tanks. Or, 145 days of the job of just one factory. Add to this the spare parts - Germans had to hold massive stock. Russians could even use the airplane engines for the tanks (like M-5 engine for BT7)

The Germans only copied Russia slope armor thats all, The remainder, they invented it. Russia tecnologies came from around the World, including Germany(use of Radio and larger turret for a gunner and radio operator)and the USA.(Christie Suspension).

Even with their great number of tanks: 18 000 at the start, many were phased out, and could easly be destroyed with weak comparatively Germans force and the Luftwaffe. Of course suprise element aid them but also, the Germans were the most formidable soldiers of WW2.

[vorosilov]

Originally posted by Ritterkreuz

Hi Vorosilov,


The Germans had some problem of fiability with the new Panther being deployed, so when the attack came and it was firstly start by Russia, then the German take some time to get ready before lunching their own attack. With many Panther broke down(cuz the engine, and exaust) many which never reach the front, I will said that this battle was remarkably a tactical victory for Germany but strategically one for Russia; with the exhaustion of all German equipment they had.

Hello Ritter,

This is what I try to say. New Panther - new problems. New Tiger - more problems.
The Russians were very satisfied the performance of the T - 34. Yes, they developed and produced other type of tanks like the Jozef Stalin, KV-4. But the bulk of the Russian armour was the great and reliable T-34. It was an all terrain vehicle. Great armour protection and good firepower. High speed and long range.
The battle of Kursk was not won by a few hundred of Russian supertank. Nor some monster artillery pieces.
But by great(not the best), reliable weapons presented on the battlefield in good operational order and in large numbers. But it was easy to manufacture the T-34 compare to the Tiger and the Panther.
The Russians didn't pay too much attention to the detailed look of their armours as the Germans did so.

You right, the King Tiger was a beautiful weapon. State of art. So was the Tiger, but they all ended up as scrapped metal at the end.

Best Regards: Vorosilov

[Ritterkreuz]

Originally posted by vorosilov


Hello Ritter,

This is what I try to say. New Panther - new problems. New Tiger - more problems.

** But what they could do others, they did not have the choice, they started 24/24 production late and couldn't stop Russian advance on the front after the end of 42. They wasted precious time to not building cheaper tank in great number but reflecting their philosophy they like always bigger and stronger tank. The Panther was excellent but made to late. They even intended to replace their existing family of Panther's and Tiger's with the E series; which were less complicated to build with all the common component.

The Russians were very satisfied the performance of the T - 34. Yes, they developed and produced other type of tanks like the Jozef Stalin, KV-4.

**KV-4 and on was much prototype like Maus.
It was said that KV-1 have clutch problem, to get from the 1 through the third something like that...

But the bulk of the Russian armour was the great and reliable T-34. It was an all terrain vehicle. Great armour protection and good firepower. High speed and long range.

** Not so great armor protection because they can be destroyed up to 4 500 meters with the KWK or PAK 43.


The battle of Kursk was not won by a few hundred of Russian supertank. Nor some monster artillery pieces.

**With all respect, The Russians did not have super tanks or monster artillery pieces.

But by great(not the best), reliable weapons presented on the battlefield in good operational order and in large numbers. But it was easy to manufacture the T-34 compare to the Tiger and the Panther.

** I Agreed on this, reliability of the T-34 was excellent and it was easy to build them.

The Russians didn't pay too much attention to the detailed look of their armours as the Germans did so.

** Germany in the other hand yes, cuz they like their huge Cat-like Panzer and put great car on them.

You right, the King Tiger was a beautiful weapon. State of art. So was the Tiger, but they all ended up as scrapped metal at the end.

** Of course there were defeat so everything in Germany was destroyed or scrapped.

** Nice to speak with you Vorosilov

[Ritterkreuz]

Lets take a look at this monster...




Specifications
Weight: 188000kg
Crew: 6 men
Engine: Daimler-Benz MB 509 / 12-cylinder / 1080hp (V1)
Daimler-Benz MB 517 Diesel / 12-cylinder / 1200hp (V2)
Fuel Capacity: 2650-2700 liters + 1500 liters in reserve tank
Speed: 13-20km/h
Range: Road: 160-190km
Cross-Country: 62km
Lenght: 10.09m
Width: 3.67m
Height: 3.63m
Armament: 128mm KwK 44 L/55 & 75mm KwK 44 L/36.5(150mm KwK 44 L/38 or 170mm KwK 44 gun for future use.)
1 x 7.92mm MG34
Ammo: 128mm - 55-68 rounds
75mm - 200 rounds
Armor (mm/angle): Turret Roof: 60/90
Gun Mantlet: 250/round
Front Turret: 240/round
Superstructure Roof: 50-100/9
Front Glacis Plate: 200/55
Hull Front: 200/35
Belly Plate Fore: 100/90
Side Turret: 200/30
Hull Side Upper: 180/0
Hull Side Lower: 100+80/0
Rear Turret: 200/15
Hull Rear Upper: 150/37
Hull Rear Lower: 150/30
Belly Plate Aft: 50/90

Penetration of Armor Plate at 30 degrees from Vertical.
Ammunition: 100m 500m 1000m 1500m 2000m 3000m 4000m
Panzergranate: 40/43 223mm 212mm 200mm 189mm 178mm 156mm 140mm


Pzgr.40/43 (APCR) - Armor Piercing Composite Rigid (Tungsten Core)


The Maus main gun could penetrate front, side and rear armor (at 30 degrees from vertical) of Sherman, Cromwell, Churchill, T-34/85 and JS-2 tanks at ranges of 3500+ meters.




[Edited by Ritterkreuz on 26th August 2002 at 22:34]

[jutka]

My kitty cat will destroy it in a minute!! Doesn't she look ferocious?

[Ritterkreuz]

Originally posted by jutka
My kitty cat will destroy it in a minute!! Doesn't she look ferocious?

LOL, of course kitty have always the upper hand on their parents.

[jutka]

Yes it's true!! But shhhh don't tell Vorosilov!!

That is such a cute picture!!