Which tank is the most cost effective tank in the war - Page 3

TA152 · #51 (**permalink**) May 3rd, 2008, 03:27 AM

I read the same thing about their aircraft production. If say a throttle lever was not with in 1/100's tolerence then it was not accepted. They continued this until mid 1944.

ValkyrieKatrina · #52 (**permalink**) May 12th, 2008, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pebblemonkey

but the railway lines suppling the parts were`nt being bombed,
think the gun barrels were made in france for the tiger and panthers.

Matt

I think Krupp made the guns for the tanks as they did during ww1. t-34 gets my vote here....cheap and effective if not very comfortable for the crew. then again, most german tanks weren't very comfy either

T. A. Gardner · #53 (**permalink**) May 13th, 2008, 12:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seadog

In looking some information up, I found this interesting report of a comparison done at Aberdeen of some Soviet T-34s and a KV-2 that were checked out.

Conclusions, suggestions

1. On both tanks, quickly replace the air cleaners with models with greater capacity capable of actually cleaning the air.
2. The technology for tempering the armour plating should be changed. This would increase the protectiveness of the armour, either by using an equivalent thickness or, by reducing the thickness, lowering the weight and, accordingly, the use of metal.
3. Make the tracks thicker.
4. Replace the existing transmission of outdated design with the American "Final Drive," which would significantly increase the tanks' manoeuvrability.
5. Abandon the use of friction clutches.
6. Simplify the construction of small components, increase their reliability and decrease to the maximum extent possible the need to constantly make adjustments.
7. Comparing American and Russian tanks, it is clear that driving Russian tanks is much harder. A virtuosity is demanded of Russian drivers in changing gear on the move, special experience in using friction clutches, great experience as a mechanic, and the ability to keep tanks in working condition (adjustments and repairs of components, which are constantly becoming disabled). This greatly complicates the training of tankers and drivers.
8. Judging by samples, Russians when producing tanks pay little attention to careful machining or the finishing and technology of small parts and components, which leads to the loss of the advantage what would otherwise accrue from what on the whole are well designed tanks.
9. Despite the advantages of the use of diesel, the good contours of the tanks, thick armour, good and reliable armaments, the successful design of the tracks etc., Russian tanks are significantly inferior to American tanks in their simplicity of driving, manoeuvrability, the strength of firing [reference to speed of shell], speed, the reliability of mechanical construction and the ease of keeping them running.
Signed -- The head of the 2nd Department of the Main Intelligence Department of the Red Army, General Major of Tank Armies, Khlopo... (end missing: Khlopov?)

I found it very interesting the simple solutions that evaded the Soviet designers. The transmission of the KV-2 was found to be a duplicate of a design rejected 15-20 years earlier by U.S. tank builders. Why could they not have found a better design?

What I find interesting today is that many nations with older Soviet armor are doing this sort of modification to their vehicles. That is, they are dumping the Soviet engine and transmission for a Western one like a Continential or Cummings diesel and a hydromatic transmission. They are opting for Western style rubber bushed tracks with double end connectors. Fire control is going laser and using British, German, or US systems and in some cases even the gun is getting replaced with such venerable favorites as the British L7 105mm.
Its pretty clear when given the choice and opportunity that Soviet armor greatly benefits from Western technology.

Za Rodinu · #54 (**permalink**) May 13th, 2008, 10:30 AM

No problem with that. So they pick up a basically good 20- or 30-years old hull (T-55, T-72, whatever), and bring it up to date with quality and relatively cheap western goodies.

IIRC, the Ukrainian tank plants already offer newbuild German 120mm guns as alternatives, choice of the customer.

By the way, I have already lost track of the many many variants of T-72, T-80 etc, as made in Russia, Ukraine, China, NATO Eastern Europe, etc, etc, etc. plus local mods and rebuilds