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One of the forgotten designs of WW2 was the Romanian tank destroyer "Maresal":
http://www.worldwar2.ro/arme/?article=244
It was a very innovative design, that managed to impress the Germans so much that they wanted to buy the license for it. Later, the Germans used features of the Maresal in the design of the famous Hetzer.
The gun of the Maresal, the 75mm DT-UDR 26 anti-tank gun model 1943, was also an excellent design, the best 75mm AT gun of the war:
http://www.worldwar2.ro/arme/?article=300
Romanian engineers also converted some captured Soviet equipment into decent tank destroyers, the TACAM R2 and the TACAM T-60:
http://www.worldwar2.ro/arme/?article=241
http://www.worldwar2.ro/arme/?article=242
http://www.worldwar2.ro/arme/?article=244
It was a very innovative design, that managed to impress the Germans so much that they wanted to buy the license for it. Later, the Germans used features of the Maresal in the design of the famous Hetzer.
The gun of the Maresal, the 75mm DT-UDR 26 anti-tank gun model 1943, was also an excellent design, the best 75mm AT gun of the war:
http://www.worldwar2.ro/arme/?article=300
Romanian engineers also converted some captured Soviet equipment into decent tank destroyers, the TACAM R2 and the TACAM T-60:
http://www.worldwar2.ro/arme/?article=241
http://www.worldwar2.ro/arme/?article=242
Ah yes, the tankette. The Japanese never had the right idea about tank design.
Hey, dont diss the Type 97 Te-Ke, tankette. Its one of my favourite Japanese Tanks...
Besides, the Japanese tankettes wasnt designed to be battle-tanks, they were utility vehicles, like the British "Bren carrier", designed to support the infantry by hauling ammunition and ordnance right up to the frontline, they had an armored trailer for that purpose...
However, in lag of better, was the Japanese tanketter often use as light Tanks for close infantry support and reconnaissance...
Looks like they took one of those early catapilar tracktors and build a submarine(?) on top of it, dont think we are talking about a rare or unknow Tank, more like a Experimental boat (submarine)...
Yes, it was extremely small (basically the same size as the field gun it was using as its main armament).
However, it was exactly the vehicle that the Romanian army needed. A small, cheap and fast to produce tank destroyer, ready to be produced in big numbers to counter the Soviet heavy tanks.
It was lightly-armoured, relying on its small size and its speed for protection, with a main gun capable of destroying even the heaviest enemy tanks. And its innovative design allowed it to have a crew of only two people, which explains the small size. Also, the 2-man crew made it easier for Romania (who did not have a larg number of trainer tank crews) to field it in big numbers.
However, this design came too late to have any impact on the war.
The behemoth, M2 Mae West!
And yes, the Americans were equally without clue in the '30s.
The Japanese copies of German tanks looked quite promising (and as they were copies of German tanks obviously did have the right idea ) , but never made it onto the battlefield. Of course, the megalomaniac idea of the O-I Tank was very interesting as well, much as the German "supertanks" (Maus, Ratte, etc.).
) , but never made it onto the battlefield. Of course, the megalomaniac idea of the O-I Tank was very interesting as well, much as the German "supertanks" (Maus, Ratte, etc.).
The Maresal is one of my favourite AFV's of WWII. In the Steel Panthers series, it was always the first AFV I added once a new patch was released
Multi-turreted tanks have a certain 'coolness' also, the
T-35
I think this makes it a bad design for an AFV. Ask the french
Not really. The whole idea behind a tank destroyer without a turret is that it will never fire on the move. And the innovative design of the Maresal allowed its 2-man crew to operate the vehicle perfectly (can give some details if you want, but the basic idea was that the same person could steer the vehicle using his feet and control the gun with his hands, at the same time).
The German team of tank specialists sent to evaluate the vehicle did extensive tests to see if the limited crew could operate the Maresal well in combat conditions. In conclusion, they told the Romanian engineers that designed it: "It is amazing that people with no previous experience in tank design have found an effective solution to reduce the crew, while we haven't found one all these years".
The problem with 2 man crews wasn't technical. It was the workload. Often one man had to do several things together, aim the gun, command the driver, use the radio and act as a spotter.
Yes, but a "Panzer" and this kind of "Stug" are miles apart as far as the complexity of the demands on how to fight are concerned.
The French tankmakers put too much on the plate of tank commanders, instead of delegating tasks, like the Germans. But this thing was never expected to operate in quite the complex environment of a tank. It will hold a position in a defensive line, preferably an elaborate ambush. It will only move in order to shift to a better spot, refuel and rearm, or bugger the hell out.
Other than that, on the defensive, this thing wold give almost the value of performance of a full tank, at a fraction the cost, while also being tremendously manpower efficient. This was the German experience with Stugs after all. Better value for money than full tanks once they had been put on the defensive.
Indeed.
Forgot to add another reason for the small size of the Maresal: the accuracy of the main gun, the Resita gun being way more precise than the German 75mm installed on the Stugs. This allowed the vehicle to carry less ammunition than the German counterparts.
Forgot to add another reason for the small size of the Maresal: the accuracy of the main gun, the Resita gun being way more precise than the German 75mm installed on the Stugs. This allowed the vehicle to carry less ammunition than the German counterparts.
South America
This is not from a 1950's SFI movie they are the pride of 1930's Venezuela.
They also utilize the magical force of pyramids
Dr
This is not from a 1950's SFI movie they are the pride of 1930's Venezuela.
They also utilize the magical force of pyramids
Dr
This is not from a 1950's SFI movie they are the pride of 1930's Venezuela.
They also utilize the magical force of pyramids
Dr
My God.
What are they, early attempts at stealth tanks?
UFOs with wheels???
Thats exactly what i thought Stealth tanks:rofl: Damn those Venezuelan's were advanced for the time !
:doc:
There weren't any tanks that fire on the move. And to be honest, if the germans had such a design that they greatly needed, why did they never use it?? specially that you say the Hetzer was based on it.