Here are a series of videos by World of Tanks documenting the history of tanks by country. The content seems reasonably accurate. The computer graphics seem to be taken directly from the game (unfortunately.) These videos are not new, but we figured they were good enough for a slow news day.
Nuts and Bolts of Tanks Video SeriesWoT
September 22, 2015 by Leave a Comment
A couple weeks ago we posted links to a Russian language series of videos created by World of Tanks examining different factors in tank design. I appears that World of Tanks Europe has released a similar English language version of the series as well. These videos are pretty basic in terms of the information presented, but people may enjoy the footage presented.
The Chieftain’s Hatch: Armored Board talks 90mm
September 20, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Nicolas “The Chieftain” Moran has posted a new article over in his “Chieftain’s Hatch” section of the World of Tanks online forum. This article looks at minutes of a meeting that the Armored Board held on 17th May 1944 which he dug up while searching in the Archives. These particular meeting minutes deal with the 90mm armed M4 Sherman, a vehicle that only existed as a single prototype. This vehicle has been mentioned before, particularly in ‘Armored Thunderbolt” by Steven Zaloga, where he states that a Sherman tank equipped with the turret and 90mm gun of the T26 was rejected due to the fact that it would not enter production any sooner than the T26. This is confirmed in the minutes dug up by the Chieftain. It is also interesting that General Barnes (Head of Ordnance) states that the production of 90mm guns is the bottleneck in the construction of these tanks. The production of 90mm guns was completely stopped; it must be started again from the beginning.
The full article can be read here.
Sherman Tank arrives in Saratoga for display at NYS Military Museum
September 15, 2015 by Leave a Comment
From the Defense Video & Imagery Distribution Network (Dvids)
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. -A World War II-era Sherman tank that spent the past 22 months for refurbishment and repainting with New York Army National Guard maintenance personnel returns for public display at the New York State Military Museum in Saratoga Springs. The famed WWII armored vehicle spent just under ten years stored at the museum awaiting a proper display location and new paint job. The restoration project included welding broken parts as well as stripping and painting the tank. These tasks were a unique training exercise for the Allied Trade section of the New York Army National Guard machinists and mechanics from the State Maneuver Area Training Equipment Site, or MATES, based at Fort Drum, New York. The restoration provides a unique maintenance training task as Soldiers refurbished the Sherman and other historic vehicles for display at other military locations in New York.
Camp Blanding Museum and Memorial Park, Armor
September 14, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Here is a photo gallery of the vehicles on display of the armor on display at the Camp Blanding Museum and Memorial Park in Florida by blogger “1meandad.”
We Are the Mighty blog on Lafayette Pool.
September 11, 2015 by Leave a Comment
The blog “We Are The Mighty” has posted an article about the WW2 exploits of US tank commander Lafayette Pool. Part of the 3rd Armored division, Pool and his crew would become one of the most famous tank crews of war, credited with destroying 12 enemy tanks and dozens of other vehicles in their M4A1 (76) tank dubbed “In the Mood.” Pool has been sited as the inspiration for the character of “Wardaddy” in the recent film Fury. Pool and his crew lost their own tank to enemy action three times, the final incident resulting in the end of Pool’s career as he sustained an injury which lead to the amputation of his leg. Pool would rejoin the 3rd Armored Division after the war and serve as an instructor until his retirement in 1960.
The “We are the Mighty” article is relatively short. For those looking for more information on Lafayette Pool, here are several links to some more in-depth articles.
Videos from Tank Day at Arsenalen – The Swedish Tank Museum
September 9, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Russian tank reseacher Yuri Pasholok has posted a number of videos from Tank Day at Arsenalen (the Swedish Tank Museum) on YouTube. There are twelve in total, we have posted them below.
Strv 104
The Weald Foundation
September 9, 2015 by Leave a Comment
For those interested in the restoration of historical AFVs, be sure to check out the website for the Weald Foundation. Located at the Weald of Kent UK, the Weald Foundation started out as the SdKfz Military Vehicle Foundation, restoring a collection of German WW2 reconnaissance vehicles. They have since expanded their efforts to include some First World War vehicles as well as any other “interesting vehicles missing from the National Collection and those which would be considered unique or rare elsewhere in the world.” The Weald Foundation offers a number of volunteer and training programs centered around the restoration of historic vehicles. They maintain an online magazine called “Inside Track” which is available to members. A sample of articles can be read here. A gallery of their vehicle collection can be viewed here. Some of the most notable vehicles in the collection include a JagdPanther, a Stug III, a Renault FT and Panzerspahwagen 232.
Inside the Chieftain’s Hatch: M53/M55
September 6, 2015 by Leave a Comment
A new episode of the “Inside the Hatch” series of videos starring World of Tanks Nicholas ‘The Chieftain” Moran has been posted. This installment looks at the M53 and M55 self propelled guns.
Video from Russian Military Festival
September 6, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Today we present some videos posted a couple weeks ago from the Military Festival outside of Moscow on August 9, 2015. Several WW2 era vehicles in running condition are shown in these videos. As far as we can discern, some of these vehicles are genuine, some are replica’s using some original parts. These videos are from the Russian language youtube channel belonging to “yolkhere.”
Light tanks T-60 & T-70
Valentine Mk III & M3 Stuart
T-34 Model 1943
SU-76 SPG
10.5cm sFH18 (Sf) auf Geschutzwagen Lorraine Schlepper (f)
PzKpfw II tank replica
PzKpfw VI “Tiger“ tank replica
IS-2 heavy tank & ISU-152 self-propelled gun
Tank and AFV News 