I remember seeing a video documentary years ago in which they talked about how either Germany or the Soviets (I cannot honestly remember, I believe it was the Soviets, it may have been both) had developed scale tanks (1/2 scale, 1/3, 1/4, 1/5, 2/5, ?) for use by children, with the intent to train tank crews; I believe children as young as 5-7 through to teenagers, but I could be mistaken. The tanks had functioning cannons, I believe 37mm. In this documentary, they also showed children running around with wooden fighter plane models strapped to their bodies. I believe the tanks were developed during ww2, but they may have been developed only afterwards. I am looking for any information on the scale tanks for use by children, especially that original documentary (I remember seeing it on youtube, and reading the comments). If you can help me to find literally any proof that they even existed, I will be very grateful. Thank you for your time.
I can recall the Germany produced realistic looking war toys in part to instill martial spirit among children and both Nazi and Soviet nations had robust youth quasi military organizations.
Hello everyone, I found them, so for those interested; you can look up "Kinderpanzer" or "Pionier Panzer". They are 1/3rd scale, only few had functioning low pressure cannon, and they are Soviet, not German. I appreciate everyone here, thank you!