Didnt see the scrap pile that makes up the Russian T-80?
I would think that in today’s world, tanks are becoming nearly obsolete.....................
The British never used it (Centurion) in combat,
This guy has no credibility. The British used the Centurion in the Korean War. Is there anything worth reading in this piece?
Problem with WWII German tanks is they were overengineered to the point they broke down frequently on the battlefield. So often that more of them were destroyed by their own crews attempting to keep their technology out of Allied hands than the allies ever destroyed.
Well, enemy tanks anyway.
The T-34 was revolutionary because its sloped armor and Christie suspension system made it far more advanced than any German tank in 1941. Indeed, the T-34/85 that arrived later in the war with its 85 mm gun was considered the best tank of World War II.
Agree with your recommendation that the T-34 be Number 1 on the list and the M1 as second - and the Renault Ft someplace in the list. Further recommend the US M48 which saw service all over the world, was reliable and effective, particularly in Israeli service during the various Middle East wars. I watched an M48 take out a VC ambush with precision and enormous destructive power in front of me. Most impressive.
I put the Sherman #1 because when properly outfitted(76mm, HVSS), it was overwhelming. The T-34’s were good because the Russians didn’t mind getting them killed.
If we had built the Pershing earlier, it would be #1 IMHO.
Aww, no love for the M18 Hellcat?
(I’d love to have one, but not the expense or fuel bill)
The Panther Mk. V has to be on this list.
75mm gun with 100mm sloped armor ripped off from the T-34. Lighter than the Tiger yet just as fierce and if they had the right petrol would have been very fast for a “medium.”
I think the Panther has to be on that list somewhere. In several ways better than the T-34 and Sherman and attributed to be the design many post WW2 tanks were predicated upon.
I read somewhere that the Tiger if properly fitted to today’s standards, IR and Range Finder could stand up to an Abrahms.
Of course the article could have been horse chit!
Whatever tanks Saddam was using are historical in that people realized that tanks are useless without air cover.
“If the Russians learn to mass produce this tank, Germany will lose the war.”
A German general, who witnessed the T-34 close up, during the opening days of Operation Barbarossa.
The Battle of 73 Easting by Capt. H.R. McMaster
https://app.box.com/s/plg2wis5mrd6qlfntfrl1lr79ax0bx1f
Tanks are terribly limited these days.
Remembering I have no military knowledge outside what I have read....
The Char-B was the tank the Germans feared at the outset of the war. It’s thick armor and protected sides made it virtually indestructible in a frontal or flank attack. It wasn’t until the Germans discovered that damned ventilation(?) grill on the side that they had a reliable way to kill the Char-B.
Like every other non-German tank of the time the tank commander was also the main gunner. He had to manually sight his shot raising and lowering the gun with his shoulder!
Unfortunately the French high command was defense minded and relied on the Maginot Line to keep Germany out.
De Gaulle had written the book for the French on the use of armor but it wasn’t until all else failed that they let him put together an armored division and make a fight of it.
The Char-B should get an honorable mention. Nothing more.
I agree the Tiger was overrated. Too heavy for the bridges, too slow to keep up with the Panthers and engineered to death. I think it got on the list because Hollywood turned it into a monster in every WW2 film ever made.
The Stridsvagn 103 didn’t change history, but it has to be one the most brilliantly designed tank for its mission...ever. It was a purely defensive weapon and would have driven the Soviets nuts had there ever been an engagement.