The heavy tank evolved from a vehicle designed for either infantry support or the breakthrough role into a tank killing vehicle fitted with a larger gun than carried by the standard or main battle tanks. Once MBT's were large enough to carry the required high velocity tank gun the heavy tank was done. It did make some sense for the Conqueror, M103, and T-10 to provide overwatch for their lighter armed brothers but once we got to the 105mm the rationale was pretty much done.
Indeed one could argue the Tiger tank and it's 88mm was overly expensive to produce and operate and that all the resources devoted here would have been vastly better spent on more Panther's with it's excellent very high velocity 75mm L70. Thus the main German heavy tank in WWII was not better than what was effectively an MBT in the Panther.
Funny that Britain who fought Germany created the heaviest armed and armored MBT of it's generation in the Chieftain and Germany went with the fastest in the Leopard I.
Fort Benning now has the Armor Museum Restoration Shop. Part of the National Armor & Cavalry Collection. It's over on the 75th Regt Road on Sand Hill. Drove by it this morning but all the gates were locked. They have the T20 series of tanks from WWII plus many many many others. MBT70 XM1 and too many too nam
also just past the National Infantry museum is a sign for the "Future Home of the National Armor and Cavalry Museum". Not sure how long it will be, but it doesn't look like they've broken ground yet (7/22/12)
Took a lot to get to what we have today, honestly a very good balance of speed power and protection
ReplyDeleteThere's also the M103 version of the M60.
ReplyDeletehttp://data3.primeportal.net/tanks/mark_holloway/m103/images/m103_4_of_4.jpg
I had the pleasure of standing next to this beast (the T28) when I was stationed at Ft. Knox... WHAT A BEAST!
ReplyDeleteIt has two full-size tracks per side to keep the ground preassure down.
i've never seen any of these vehicles. Ft Knox is on my bucket list just to visit the armor museum.
ReplyDeleteIf you what to see more, search for videos about the game "World of Tanks" and see the american tank tree.
ReplyDeleteIt's very interesting !!
The heavy tank evolved from a vehicle designed for either infantry support or the breakthrough role into a tank killing vehicle fitted with a larger gun than carried by the standard or main battle tanks. Once MBT's were large enough to carry the required high velocity tank gun the heavy tank was done. It did make some sense for the Conqueror, M103, and T-10 to provide overwatch for their lighter armed brothers but once we got to the 105mm the rationale was pretty much done.
ReplyDeleteIndeed one could argue the Tiger tank and it's 88mm was overly expensive to produce and operate and that all the resources devoted here would have been vastly better spent on more Panther's with it's excellent very high velocity 75mm L70. Thus the main German heavy tank in WWII was not better than what was effectively an MBT in the Panther.
Funny that Britain who fought Germany created the heaviest armed and armored MBT of it's generation in the Chieftain and Germany went with the fastest in the Leopard I.
Fort Benning now has the Armor Museum Restoration Shop. Part of the National Armor & Cavalry Collection. It's over on the 75th Regt Road on Sand Hill. Drove by it this morning but all the gates were locked. They have the T20 series of tanks from WWII plus many many many others. MBT70 XM1 and too many too nam
ReplyDeleteGREAT INFO~!!!! thanks for passing that along.!
ReplyDeletealso just past the National Infantry museum is a sign for the "Future Home of the National Armor and Cavalry Museum". Not sure how long it will be, but it doesn't look like they've broken ground yet (7/22/12)
ReplyDelete