The best tank of World War II adult network. Ten best tanks of World War II. Heavy Tank "Joseph Stalin"

istPravda.ru.

In principle, everyone knows the saying that the best is a good enemy. But it is only in principle. If the best is designed to replace good ahead of time, you can only encounter additional difficulties. This is exactly what happened with the strongest German tank of World War II - a model "Tiger II", a better known called "Royal Tiger".

Actually, his predecessor, Tiger I tank in 1942 on the Eastern Front, where his task began to withstand the Soviet T-34 tank, was also involved too hastily. And only when in 1943 managed to cope with the technical problems of this car and establish it mass productionShe became truly terrible weapons who were horror on enemies.

When the tests of TiGR-I tank started, its manufacturer - Henschel Concern - received an order for the development of a new, more advanced model. A similar order also received the Design Bureau of Ferdinand Porsche (Ferdinand Porsche). At the same time, the previous development of Porsche turned out to be excessively innovative, and as a result, the chassis already built by him were redone and adapted for production on their base of SAU Ferdinand.

Layout tank "Tiger II"

In the development of the "heir" "Tiger I", this chaos soon began. Before designers, fairly clear tasks were delivered: in particular, the new model had to have a housing, impenetrable manual grenades, that is, having a steep wall like the T-34, as well as the medium-heavy tank "Panther".

For comparison: heavy tang "Tiger". The main difference is the form of the body. At the "Tiger" of the hull nose is a stupid - "step", at the "Tiger II" - inclined.

In addition, Tigers II were equipped with a better gun

The new tank was supposed to be equipped with a new 88 mm long sleeve gun under the 43 L / 71 structural number. It was the most powerful tank gun of the entire World War II. She was much perfect than gun soviet tank IS-2, despite the fact that the caliber was 122 mm.

Thirdly, engineers were instructed to develop, if possible, a simple design for mass production. The German gunsmiths were convinced of the importance of this factor at the examples of T-34, as well as the American tank M4 "Sherman" (Sherman). In particular, they assumed the use of the set of identical spare parts for Tigger-2 and Panthers-2.

The first prototypes developed by both competing design bureaus did not comply with the tasks. The development stalled until the Hitler personally intervened in the case and did not require it once again to strengthen the front and lateral armor to 185 millimeters and did not pay attention to the inevitably increasing weight of the new tank.

Ultimately, after new developments were demonstrated to Hitler, in October 1943, the order for the production of tanks was the company HENSCHEL. To begin with, it was necessary to build 175 cars. The proposal of the chief designer of Erwin Anders (Erwin ADERS) to concentrate to start all the capacity at the production of an improved intermediate model based on the "Tiger I", which would have a thicker front armor, was rejected. At the same time, however, it would be possible to produce large quantity Tanks that would have less problems with spare parts.

However, the military department preferent with this pragmatic option to establish the production of not yet launched into the series " Royal Tigers" In December 1943, the Henschel plant shop in Kassel left the first three trial cars. In January 1944, the first series of eight "Tigers II" was released.

At the same time, Henschel has increased the production of "Tigers I" to 95 cars per month. Their number could be almost twice as much if the plant did not have to adapt to the production of a new model.

Tank Tracks on Tower and Borts - Awnable Attempt to Create Additional Protection

In the spring of 1944, the first "royal tigers" were delivered to the troops - first the elite tank training division, and then heavy tank units that acted on the front regardless of ordinary divisions. The first tests showed that the new model had many advantages over his predecessor, but there were also serious shortcomings.

One of the main advantages was a new gun, which could destroy any opponent's tank with frontal hit from a distance of two kilometers. In addition, the tank capacity of the new tank has grown from 534 to 860 liters, so that it could overcome the ranges up to 140 (instead of 100) kilometers to 90 (instead of 60) kilometers over rough terrain.

The main disadvantage of the "royal tiger" was its mass, an increase in 60 to 70 tons. She was too large for most bridges that had to overcome along the path of the troops. Therefore, "Tigram II" often had to look for bypass paths.

And since the new "tigers" was equipped with the same motors as the old - 12-cylinder "Maybahmi" of 24 liters and with a capacity of about 700 liters. s., Their already small relative power decreased from 12.5 to 10 liters. from. on ton. For comparison: German Panther and Soviet T-34 relative power was 16 liters. from. on ton. And only when the motor was finalized, and its power rose to 800 liters. p. His relative power comes with the indicators of the Soviet heavy tank IP-2.

However, perhaps the most serious lack of "Tiger II" was the low quality of its steel. The German mining and ore industry has not had enough molybdenum and used Vanadium to doping. However, the result turned out to be different, the engineers were expelled: Molybdenum increased steel strength, and Vanadium is its elasticity. This led to the fact that nominally significantly more durable armor Tigra-2 was destroyed inside the tank, which led to the death of the crew, although the enemy grenade did not pierce her through.

The first 50. serial tanks Received the towers who made at their own risk of Ferdinand Porsche. Only since June 1944, the cars began to equip the tower of the best form produced by Henschel, which, however, were another 1.2 tons harder.

For the first time, "royal tigers" were involved on March 19, 1944 during the "Operation of Margarita" of the Tank Training Division in Hungary. But there they did not meet any resistance at all.

Americans captured "royal tigers" and took to themselves

The first serious fight in which Tigers II was attended, the battle of July 11, 1944 was at the French village of Colombell in Normandy. For the shortest time, twelve "royal tigers" destroyed twelve "Shermans", as well as several American anti-tank guns and half-sized cars, while no loss. However, the Americans caused reinforcements from the air, as well as from the sea, and Tigram II had to retreat.

And a week later, a heavy bomb attack was followed at their position, and during the fights that followed it all, except for one, "Tigers II" were destroyed. A large quantitative superiority of the enemy is super heavy tanks, which about 500 units were built before May 1945, could not oppose anything, even despite their powerful guns.

Tiger II in the museum.

When the tanks appeared during the First World War, it became clear - to conduct battles as before it would no longer succeed. Dedov's tactical schemes and tricks completely refused to work against mechanical "beasts" equipped with machine guns and guns. But " star hour"Steel monsters fell on the next war - the second world. That the Germans that the allies perfectly realized - the key to success is hidden in powerful tracked technique. Therefore, crazy money was allocated for constant modernization of tanks. Thanks to this, metal "predators" evolved with rapid pace.

Tank KV-1

Before collapsed with the Germans, a heavy tank was a fighting baptism in the war with Finns. Monster weighing 45 tons was an invincible opponent until the very end of 1941. The protection of the tank was 75 millimeters of steel. The frontal armorists were so good that the shell resistance led the Germans to horror. Still would! After all, their 37 mm anti-tank guns could not break through the KV-1 even with the minimum distance. As for 50 mm guns, then the limit is 500 meters. And the Soviet tank, equipped with a long-term 76 mm tool F-34, could beat the enemy from the distance of the order of one and a half kilometers.

But they were, unfortunately, the tank and disadvantages. the main problem It was in the "raw" design, which hastily launched into production. The real "Achilles fifth" KV-1 became a transmission. Because of the large loads associated with the weight of the combat vehicle, it breaks too often. Therefore, during retreats, the tanks had to quit or destroy. Since they were irrelevant to repair them in combat. Nevertheless, the Germans managed to snatch a few kV-1. But they did not let them in them. Permanent breakdowns and lack of necessary spare parts quickly put a cross on trophy machines.

This Soviet tank gained the status of the legend, barely appeared on the battlefields. The metal beast was equipped with a diesel engine for 500 "horses", "advanced" booking, 76 mm to the F-34 gun and wide tracks. Such a complete set allowed T-34 to become the best tank of his time.

Another advantage of the combat vehicle was simplicity and manufacturability of its design. Thanks to this, the mass production of the tank managed to the shortest time. Already by the summer of 1942, about 15 thousand T-34 was issued. In total, during the production of the USSR, more than 84 thousand "thirty-fourth" in various modifications.

The main problem of the tank was his transmission. The fact is that it, together with the power unit, were in a special department located in the stern. Thanks to this technical solution, the cardan shaft turned out to be unnecessary. The dominant role was assigned to the control traction, the length of which was about 5 meters. Accordingly, the mechanics-driver is controlled with them was hard. And if a person with difficulties coped, then the metal once gave the slack - the thrust just rushed. Therefore, often T-34 went into battle on one transmission included in advance.

Tank Panzerkampfwagen. VI AUSF. H1 "Tiger"

"Tiger" was created with one goal - to minimize any opponent and turn him into panic escape. Hitler himself personally ordered to cover new tank Lob's bruilist with a thickness of 100 millimeters. And the stern and side of the Tigra closed the armor in 80 millimeters. The main "goatre" of the combat vehicle was a weapon - this is 88 mm KWK 36 gun, created on the basis of "anti-aircraft". The gun was distinguished by the sequence of hits and also record rapidity. Even in the conditions of KWK 36, it could spit with projectiles as much as 8 times.

In addition, "Tiger" was another of the fastest tanks of that time. In motion, he was given by "Maybakhovsky" by the power unit for 700 hp The company was the 8-speed hydromechanical gearbox. And in Shasse, the tank could accelerate to 45 km / h. It is curious that in the technical monument lying in each "tiger", there was an inscription: "Tank is worth 800,000 Reichsmarocks. Keep him safe!". Goebbels believed that the tankers would be proud that they were entrusted with such an expensive toy. But in fact it was very often different. The soldiers were panically afraid that something could happen to the tank.

Panzerkampfwagen V Tank V "Panther"

The German "Panther" weighing in 44 tons exceeded T-34 in mobility. On the highway, this "predator" could accelerate almost up to 60 km / h. He was armed with 75 mm gun KWK 42, in which the length of the trunk has 70 calibers. Panther could spit the armor-piercing subcalibal shell flying in the first second kilometer. Thanks to this, the German car could sweep almost any opponent tank at a distance exceeding a couple of kilometers.

If the forehead "Panthers" was protected by an armored line with a thickness of 60 to 80 mm, then on board the armor was thinner. Therefore, Soviet tanks tried to hit the "beast" in weakness. In total, Germany managed to create about 6 thousand Panther. Curiously here's: in March 1945, hundreds of these tanks equipped with night vision devices went to the attack on soviet troops Under Balaton. But this technical trick did not help.

Tank IS-2

Tank evolution developed rapidly. The opponents were constantly displayed on the "ring" increasingly improved fighters. IS-2 became a worthy answer to the USSR. Heavy tank The breakthrough was equipped with a 122 mM Gaubita. If the projectile from this tool got into the building, then from him, in fact, only ruins remained.

In addition to the Gaubitz, in Arsenal IS-2, 12.7 mm was listed machine gun DSHK.located on the tower. Bullets released from this weapon punch even the most fat brick masonry. Therefore, the enemies have almost no chance to hide from a formidable metal monster. Another important advantage of the tank is his booking. It reached 120 mm. It did not cost, of course, and without minuses. The main thing is fuel tanks in the management department. If the enemy managed to break through armor, then the crew of the Soviet tank was almost no chance to escape. The worst of all accounted for the driver. After all, he had no own hatch.

When the tanks appeared during the First World War, it became clear - to conduct battles as before it would no longer succeed. Dedov's tactical schemes and tricks completely refused to work against mechanical "beasts" equipped with machine guns and guns. But the "Star Hour" of Steel Monsters came to the next war - the second world. That the Germans that the allies perfectly realized - the key to success is hidden in powerful tracked technique. Therefore, crazy money was allocated for constant modernization of tanks. Thanks to this, metal "predators" evolved with rapid pace.

Another advantage of the combat vehicle was simplicity and manufacturability of its design. Thanks to this, the mass production of the tank managed to the shortest time. Already by the summer of 1942, about 15 thousand T-34 was issued. In total, during the production of the USSR, created more than 84 thousand "thirty-fourth" in various modifications.

A total of about 84 thousand T-34 were issued

"Tiger" was created with one goal - to minimize any opponent and turn him into panic escape. Hitler himself personally ordered to cover the new Tank with a frontal border with a thickness of 100 millimeters. And the stern and side of the Tigra closed the armor in 80 millimeters. The main "goatre" of the combat vehicle was a weapon - this is 88 mm KWK 36 gun, created on the basis of "anti-aircraft". The gun was distinguished by the sequence of hits and also record rapidity. Even in the conditions of KWK 36, it could spit with projectiles as much as 8 times.

"Tiger" cost 800,000 Reichsmarocks

It is curious that in the technical monument lying in each "tiger", there was an inscription: "Tank is worth 800,000 Reichsmarocks. Keep him safe!". Goebbels believed that the tankers would be proud that they were entrusted with such an expensive toy. But in fact it was very often different. The soldiers were panically afraid that something could happen to the tank.

Tank evolution developed rapidly. The opponents were constantly displayed on the "ring" increasingly improved fighters. IS-2 became a worthy answer to the USSR. A heavy breakthrough tank was equipped with a 122 mM GABIC. If the projectile from this tool got into the building, then from him, in fact, only ruins remained.

In addition to the Gaubitz, the Arsenal IP-2 was listed 12.7 mm Machine gun DSHK, located on the tower. The bullets released from this weapon pierced even the largest brickwork. Therefore, the enemies have almost no chance to hide from a formidable metal monster. Another important advantage of the tank is his booking. It reached 120 mm.

Shot of Is-2 turned the building in ruins

It did not cost, of course, and without minuses. The main thing is fuel tanks in the management department. If the enemy managed to break through armor, then the crew of the Soviet tank was almost no chance to escape. The worst of all accounted for the driver. After all, he had no own hatch.

Weak transmission - home "sore" kV-1

But they were, unfortunately, the tank and disadvantages. The main problem was the "crude" design, which hastily launched into production. The real "Achilles fifth" KV-1 became a transmission. Because of the large loads associated with the weight of the combat vehicle, it breaks too often. Therefore, during retreats, the tanks had to quit or destroy. Since they were irrelevant to repair them in combat.

Nevertheless, the Germans managed to snatch a few kV-1. But they did not let them in them. Permanent breakdowns and lack of necessary spare parts quickly put a cross on trophy machines.

Panther could break the tank armor at a distance of over 2 kilometers

If the forehead "Panthers" was protected by an armored line with a thickness of 60 to 80 mm, then on board the armor was thinner. Therefore, Soviet tanks tried to hit the "beast" in that weak place.

In total, Germany managed to create about 6 thousand Panther. It is more curious that: in March 1945, hundreds of these tanks equipped with night vision devices went to the attack on Soviet troops near Balaton. But this technical trick did not help.

The history of armored troops begins at the beginning of the twentieth century, when the first models of self-propelled armored machines, more similar to match boxes on the caterpillars, nevertheless showed themselves perfectly on the battlefields.

High passability of firearms gave them a huge advantage in a positional war. Truly successful fighting machine It was supposed to easily overcome the trenches, barbed wire and the interruption of arte-preparation landscape of advanced, apply a good fire damage, support the "queen fields" (infantry) and never break. It is not surprising that the most influential powers of the world immediately joined the "tank race".

Dawn tank era

Lavra for the creation of the first tank rightly belongs to the British, which constructed and successfully applied their "tank. Model 1 "In 1916, in the battle of Somme, completely demoralizing the infant's infantry. However, there were still decades of painstaking work on armor, speed-fire, passability, there was a weak carburetor engine for a more powerful diesel engine, to come up with a rotating tower, solve problems with heat sink and the quality of the course and transmission. The world was waiting for tank duels and anti-tank mines, round-the-clock operation of steel mills, insane projects of multi-monsters and, finally, the silhouette of the wars and rage of the wars of the twentieth century modern tank, familiar now anyone.

Calm before storm

In the 30s, England, Germany, USA and Soviet Union, Precious large war, chairs created and improved their tank rules. Engineers-designers of heavy armored vehicles were lured and brought each other with all the truths and untrue. For example, in 1930, the German engineer E. Grota worked at the Bolshevik plant, which created a number of interesting developments, which then formed the basis of later models of tanks.

Germany hurriedly forged Panzerwaffe rows, the British created the Royal Tank Corps, the USA - Armored Force. The USSR tank troops for the beginning of the war had already had two legendary cars, many who were made for victory - KV-1 and T-34.
By the beginning of the Second World Competition, each other was mainly USSR and Germany. The Americans also produced an impressive number of armored vehicles, only 80 thousand giving on the lend lodge allies, but such fame as "tigers", "panthers" and "thirty parts", their cars did not decrease. The British because of the disagreements that existed before the war, which way to develop the tank industry, gave the palm of the championship and on the battlefields used mainly American tanks M3 and M5.

Legendary Tanks World War II

"Tiger" - a heavy German breakthrough tank, was created at the factories of the company HENSCHEL UND SOHN. He first showed himself in battle near Leningrad in 1942. Weight 56 \u200b\u200btons, was armed with an 88-mm gun and two machine guns, 100mm is protected. Carried five people crew. Could dive with 3.5 meters water. Of the disadvantages - the complexity of the design, high cost (production of one "tiger" did the treasury, as the cost of two middle tanks "Panther"), incredibly high fuel consumption, problems with chassis In winter conditions.

T-34 has developed in the KB of the Kharkov steam-employment plant under the leadership of Mikhail Koshkina in front of the war. It was a maneuverable, well-protected tank inclined armor equipped with a powerful diesel engine and a long-term 76-millimeter cannon. In the reports, nevertheless, problems with optics, an overview, a tesne of combat branch, lack of radiation were mentioned. Due to the lack of space for a full crew, the commander had to perform the functions of the gunner.

M4 Sherman - the main american tank of that period - was produced at Detroit plants. Third (after T-34 and T-54) most mass tank in the world. It has an average reservation, equipped with a 75 mm tool, successfully pointed itself in battles against german tanks in Africa. The cheap, convenient to operate, maintainable. Of the disadvantages: it easily overturns due to the highly located center of gravity.

Panther is a German middle booking tank, the main Sherman and T-34 competitor on the battlefields. Armed with a 75mm tank gun and two machine guns, the thickness of the armor is up to 80 mm. First applied in the Kursk battle.

To famous tanks of the Second World War also includes German fast and light T-3, Soviet Heverexious "Joseph Stalin", who has well-eyed at the storming of the cities, and the source of unobedy heavy tanks kV-1 "Klim Voroshilov".

Unsuccessful start

In 1941, the Soviet tank troops suffered crushing losses, as German Panzerwaffe, having more weak leggormal T-4 tanks, in their tactical skills, the coherence of the crews and the command was significantly superior to the Russians. T-4, for example, initially possessed good overview, the presence of a commander turret and cessis optics, and T-34 received these improvements only in 1943.

The rapid blows of the Germans skillfully supported the fire of SAU, anti-tank guns and aircraft raids, which made it possible to apply massive damage. "It seemed to us that the Russians created a tool to which they would never learn to own," wrote one of the German generals.

Tank winner

After finalizing the T-34-85, he could also make serious competition even a serious competition, but the ingrowth German "tigers." Having an incredible firepower and thick front armor, the "tigers" could not compete with "thirty parts" in speed and passability, jerked and drowned in complex areas of the landscape. They demanded fuel separators and special rail transportation. Tank "Panther" at its high specifications Just like "Tiger," was distinguished by capriciousness in operation, there were roads in production.

In the process of war, the "thirtywell" finalized, expanded the crew office, provided with intercoms, installed even more powerful gun. Heavy armor easily withstood the hitting of a 37 mm tool. And most importantly - soviet tankers The methods of communication and the interaction of tank brigades on the battlefield have learned, learned to use speed, power and maneuverability of the new T-34-85, applied rapid strikes in the rear of the enemy, destroying communications and strengthening. The machine began with the brilliance to perform the tasks for which it was originally intended. The Soviet industry has established a streaming release of improved, well balanced models. It is especially worth noting the simplicity of the design and the possibility of quick cheap repair, because for the tank it is important not only to perform effectively combat tasks, but also quickly go back to operation after damage or breakage.

You can find a model of that time superior to T-34 in separate characteristics, but it is precisely the tank of TTX that this tank can be rightfully called the best and most effective tank times of the Second World War.

Another purely propaganda myth from the series "Russia is the birthplace of elephants". Disproves very simple. It is enough to set the Agitpropovtsu Stalinist a very simple question: "What does the best mean?" And what period of the Second World War? If 1941-42, then this one. If 1942-44, then another. If 1944-45, then the third. For in these different periods, the tanks were also very different (in many respects - even quicensally different). Therefore, the above approval is simply fundamentally methodologically incorrect.

This would be possible to finish the refutation of this myth. However, the topic T-34 and without this mythology is quite interesting to discuss it in more detail. Let's start with the fact that although T-34 and was not the best tank of the Second World War (due to the incorrectness of the very concept of "best" in this context), his design became perhaps the most influential tank design in the history of not only the Second World War, but And tank buildings in general.

Why? Yes, because the T-34 became the first really mass and relatively successful implementation Basic concepts combat tankwhich has become dominant in the entire subsequent tank building. It was T-34 who became starting point, model and inspiration for creating a whole vintage of serial tanks and the second world (Panther, "Royal Tiger", "Pershing") and post-war (M48, M60, Leopard, AMX-30). Only in the 80s, there was a transition to a new concept of the main combat tank, closer to the German tank "Tiger" occurred in the global tank building.

Now let's return to the concept of "best." To start a little statistics. On June 22, 1941, there were 967 T-34 tanks in the Western border military districts (Leningradsky, the Baltic Special, West Special, the Baltic Special, Western Special, Kiev Special and Odessa. It is so - nine hundred sixty-seven. That absolutely did not prevent the Wehrmachut completely destroy the entire first strategic echelon of the Red Army. And only thanks to its own strategic mistakes, Hitler did not win back in October (and even in September). I will tell you more about these errors in a separate section of the book. In other words, the strategic Germans T-34 simply did not notice. How did not notice more than 300 very monster-shaped hard kiv-1.

Further. The total ratio of the loss of tanks in the Second World War between the Red Army and the Wehrmacht was approximately 4: 1. The lion's share of these losses was T-34. The average "lifetime" of the Soviet tank on the battlefield was 2-3 tank attacks. German - 10-11. 4-5 times more. Agree that with such statistics it is very difficult to justify the statement that the T-34 is really the best tank of the Second World War.

The right question should not be "What tank is the best?" And "What qualities should the perfect main combat tank have?" And "how close to the ideal of one or another tank (in particular, T-34)?"

As of the summer of 1941, the optimal medium (main combat) tank was supposed to have a long-barreled large-caliber gun (at that time - 75/76 mm); 1-2 machine guns to protect against enemy infantry; sufficient anti-frequency booking in order to affect tanks and an enemy artillery, remaining invulnerable to them; The crew is 5 people (commander, driver, charging, gunner, radio operator); convenient means of observation and aiming; reliable radio communications; Enough high speed (50-60 km / h along the highway); high permeability and maneuverability; reliability; ease of operation and repair; convenience in control; The possibility of mass production as well as sufficient developmental potential to constantly be "a step ahead of the opponent".

With a gun and booking in T-34, it was more than in order during the year (before the emergence of mass quantities tank pzkpfw. IV with a long-term 75-mm gun 7.5 cm kwk 40). Wide caterpillars gave a tank excellent permeability and maneuverability. For mass production, the tank was also suitable almost perfect; Maintainability in front-line conditions was also at height.

First, there were few radio stations, so they were not installed not on all tanks, but only on the tanks of commanders of the divisions. Which the Germans quickly knocked out (50 mm anti-tank guns or 88 mm anti-aircraft, or even 37 mm "beater" from ambushes from a small distance) ... After that, the others pumped like blind kittens and became easy prey.

Further. As it often happened in the USSR, the tank designers decided to save on the number of crew members and hung on the tank commander also the functions of the gunner. As the shooting efficiency reduced, and made the tank almost uncontrollable. And also a tank platoon, the company ... and so on.

Observation and aiming devices left much to be desired. As a result, when the T-34 approached the distance, it is enough to see the enemy ... it has already been in the penetration zone of 50-mm, short-barreled 75-mm and even 37-mm guns (and 47-mm Czechoslovak guns 38 (t) which Germans had a lot). The result is understandable. Yes, and unlike German tanks, in which each crew member had his own hatch ... In T-34, the hatches were two on four. What this meant in the conditions of battle for the crew of a beaten tank, no need to explain.

Yes, by the way, the presence of on T-34 diesel engine It did not affect his fire hazard. For it burns and explodes not fuel, and its pairs ... Therefore, diesel T-34 (and square meters) were burning no worse than gasoline "Berscrouchpvagenov".

As in general, in the USSR, when designing T-34, priority was given to simplicity and low cost of construction to the detriment of the quality characteristics of the structure as a whole. So, an important minus was the control system of control drives, going through the entire tank from the driver of the driver to the transmission, which repeatedly increased the effort on the control levers and significantly impede the gear shift.

In the same way applied on the T-34, the individual spring suspension system with rollers of large diameter, being in comparison with the suspension PZ-IV is very simple and cheap in the manufacture, turned out to be overall in the placement and hard in motion. The T-34 suspension system also inherited from the BT series tanks. Easy and technological in the manufacture, it is due to the large size of the rollers, which means that the small number of support points per caterpillar (five instead of eight in PZ-IV), and spring depreciation led to a strong swinging of the machine in motion, which made a completely impossible shooting with go. In addition, in comparison with the torsion suspension, it occupied a 20% greater volume.

We will provide the word to those who had the opportunity to assess the advantages and disadvantages of the T-34 - and at the landfill, and in battle. Here, for example, the report of the commander of the 10th Tank Division of the 15th Mechanized Corps of the Kiev Special Military District following the results of the Boiler of June - July 1941:

"Armor of machines and hulls with a distance of 300-400 m makes its way to 37 mm armor-piercing projectile. Stepped sheets of sides make their way with a 20-mm armor-piercing projectile. When overcoming the RVs, due to the low installation of the machine, the nose is broken, the grip with the ground is insufficient due to the relative smoothness of the tracks. For direct hit The projectile fails the front driver's hatch. Machine caterpillar is weak - takes any projectile. The main and onboard friction faces fail "

But excerpts from the report on T-34 tests (note - the export variant that has significantly more high quality Assembly and individual nodes than serial, therefore we are talking about the principal structural disadvantages) at the Aberdeen Polygon in the USA in 1942:

"The first breakdown of the T-34 (burst) occurred at about the 60th kilometer, and after overcoming 343 km, the tank failed and could not be renovated. The breakdown occurred because of the poor operation of the air cleaner (another Achilles plate of the tank), as a result of which a lot of dust stuffed into the engine and the destruction of pistons and cylinders occurred.

The main disadvantage of the hull was recognized by the water permeability of both its lower part when overcoming water obstacles and the top during the rain. IN heavy rain In the tank through the gaps, a lot of water was found, which could lead to the failure of electrical equipment and even ammunition.

The main marked lack of a tower and combat department as a whole is close. Americans could not understand how our tank workers were prevented in a tank in winter in prison. There was a bad turning mechanism of the tower, especially since the motor is weak, overloaded and scared, resulting in the resistance to adjust the speed of rotation, the gear teeth were cut out.

Lack of guns recognized not enough high starting speed (about 620 m / s against a possible 850 m / s), which is contacting the low quality of the Soviet powder. What it meant in battle, I think, no need to explain.

Steel T-34 Tracts were simple in design, wide, but American (rubberometallic), according to their ideas, were better. The disadvantage of the Soviet caterpillar chain, the Americans considered the tread strength of the tank. It was aggravated by poor quality tracked fingers. The suspension on the T-34 tank is recognized as bad, for the Americans have already abandoned the "Christie" suspension as obsolete.

The disadvantages of the diesel engine B-2 are a bad air cleaner, which: does not clean the air at all falling into the engine; wherein bandwidth the air cleaner is small and does not ensure the influx need quantity The air even when the motor is driving. As a result, the motor does not develop full power and the dust falling into the cylinders leads to a rapid response to them, compression and the motor is dropping power. In addition, the filter is made from a mechanical point of view very primitively: in places of point electric welding, the metal has been lying, which leads to the leakage of oil and so on.

Transmission is unsatisfactory, explicitly obsolete design. During its operation, the teeth were completely outdated on the tests on all gears. On both engines are bad starters - low-power and unreliable design. The welding of armor plates is extremely rough and careless. "

Similarly, similar test results are compatible with the concept of "Best Tank of World War II". And by the summer of 1942, after the emergence of improved "fourths", there was no and the advantage of the T-34 in artillery and booking. Moreover, he began to give up in these key components to his main enemy - the "fourth" (and so did not convince this lag until the end of the war). "Panthers and" Tigers "are (like specialized SAU - fighters of tanks) generally straightened with T-34 easily and easily. Like new anti-tank guns - 75- and 88 mm. Not to mention cumulative shells "Panzershchekov" and "Panzerfausts".

In general, it was not, of course, the T-34 best tank World War II. He was a tank in general and the whole acceptable (although from the summer of 1942 and inferior to his opponents in almost all key components). But there were many tanks (only during the war more than 52,000 T-34 were released). What predetermined the result of the war in which it turned out that it was not the wrong warriors, tanks, airplanes, SAU, etc., and who had more than them.

In general, as usual, the corpses were poured and thicked with glands. So won. And the Russian women appear.