Posted on 03/09/2015 12:38:33 PM PDT by C19fan
The Germans are a polarizing people, and so are their products. Sort of like when journalists review a BMW — people either love ‘em or hate ‘em. This is because Germany’s engineering prowess is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it enables Volkswagen, BMW, Porsche, etc., to lead the pack when it comes to performance. On the other hand, the Germans are notorious for letting their reach exceed their grasp. They rush new and innovative products to market without giving them a proper shake-down first.
Not only does this odd duality explain Germany’s mixed record in building fine automobiles, it also sheds light on designs going as far back as World War II. Case in point: the Panzerkampfwagen Tiger battle tanks the Fatherland built to counter Allied armor. They were either deadly killers, clunky death traps, or both, depending on who you ask.
(Excerpt) Read more at autos.yahoo.com ...
I have a ‘92 R100RS and a ‘78 R100/7 sidecar rig, as well as several non-BMWs.
When I’m riding the ‘92 it’s my favorite bike. When I’m riding one of the others it’s my 2nd favorite.
I guess that makes it my overall favorite.
I was thinking more about the rule, rather than the odd exception. The VW Rabbit pickup may be a good example for the latter. A multi-trillion $$$ economy doesn’t survive long on the latter, though.
;-)
A valid example, no doubt, but a drop in the bucket economically on the larger scale. Same could be said for the 911 Porsche and some other “iconic” legacy products (Leica cameras etc.).
The point being, the blanket statement the author makes in his introduction is off-base in the real world of today.
On being shown US weapons production figures and the projected increases, Hitler angrily rejected them as propaganda
I read that at the end of the war, with German prisoners streaming back to the camps, one of 'em looked up and saw the hundreds of aircraft flying overhead and sneered "propaganda".
I had my original copy of Panzer Leader (my first wargame) until last year when the termites discovered the joy of playing Panzer Leader also.
It’s been replaced.
I got out with my skin.
Turns out there’s an after market seal that does a permanent job.
I did love the zip this car made. And, 25 mpg (on premium.)
I get the distinction, my friend... but I’ll say this:
When the muzzle is pointing your way, you’re NOT thinking “Gee... that’s not a tank”... Haha!!!
Yeah, the Germans - and us, for that matter, had “Tank Destroyers” as a separate type of armored vehicle. They had the Sturmgeschutze II and IV, the Marder, the Jagdtiger and Jagdpanther, basically tank killers as you said.
They also had a monster called the Brumbar (Brown Bear) with a 150mm launcher on it... nasty thing.
We had the M10 and later M36 Jackson, as well as the fast M18 Hellcat.
Interesting how that class of vehicles went away, and we have the all-purpose tanks now.
I think the Swedes had a vehicle called the S-Tank up through 70s; looked similar to some of the German turretless tank destroyers.
RE Aberdeen:
I was there a LONG time ago, when I was a youngster. It would be a nice day trip to go there again.
Forgot about Ferdinand Porsche’s Elefant. They didn’t perform so well at Kursk; Soviet infantry swarmed them and destroyed the crews in those open, exposed crew compartments.
They had a smaller version too, the Nashorn (Rhinoceros), I think it was based on the Czech T38 chassis...
Inventive people, them Germans... glad they’re on our side now.... (sort of, anyway)...
When I finally got another go fast, I went with a Honda S2000. Very kind on the wallet by comparison, and trouble free.
Squantos, my good friend... good to see ya...
I’d thank him if I could... he passed away when I was 15, many years ago.
He was Airborne all the way to the end of his life, even paralyzed.
He was 55 feet tall to me...
I’ve discovered the joys of VASSAL and am revisiting my favorite — Squad Leader.
Awesome.
Hoss
It’s GUFFY!!!!!!!!!
“Battle of the Bulge”, 1966. Telly Savalas, Robert Shaw, Charles Bronson, Henry Fonda, Robert Ryan, Dan McArthur, and a whole bunch of other stars from back in the day.
And they were driving M24 Chaffees and calling them Shermans, while the Germans were using M47 (or 48s) and calling them Tigers...
But still... I saw it as a kid. It made quite the impression on me.
A non aggression pact with someone does not make you an ally. It simply means you will not attack each other.
RE ME-262:
Interesting how they figure out to beat that thing... they couldn’t catch it, as it was 100 mph faster than anything we had in the sky...
So the Mustangs, Lightnings, and Thunderbolts just loitered over the airfields and blew them over with .50 fire on landing and takeoff.
Adolf Galland was the commander of the ME262 Jagdegeschwaders (Fighter Wings); He wound up as a consultant to the Argentine Air Force later on, and they flew British Gloster Meteor jets. He was asked by way of comparison between the ME262 Schwalbe (”Swallow”) versus the Meteor, as he had flight time in both. He said, paraphrasing, “Had the Brits come up against us with these (Meteors), we would have wiped up the skies with them.”
www.consimworld.com
Best place to find vassal players.
Just stay out of the Coffee table....
Desert Rhino - I have no issue with the amount of damage the Soviets inflicted on the Germans. My issue, and Flag This touched upon it is would their victory have happened without US aid?
Would the Soviets have faltered without the billions of dollars worth of supplies, money etc. ?
That is the question I am interested in. I do not know but I have my doubts.
ASL.
There are no other wargames.
Yeager - Amazing man... American hero.
From a generation of amazing Americans.
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