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Tank Archives

@tankarchives.bsky.social

3K followers 80 following 3K posts

Author, reenactor, film photographer, military historian specializing in 1930s and 1940s armoured warfare.

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Tank Archives @tankarchives.bsky.social · Nov 13

Following the latest Twitter exodus here. For everyone who didn't come from there, I post daily tidbits from the history of tanks and other armoured vehicles. Check out my website at www.tankarchives.com

Tank Archives

A blog about World War II era archive documents, primarily dealing with armoured warfare.

www.tankarchives.com

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Tank Archives @tankarchives.bsky.social · 1h

The rapid rate of Soviet tank component production meant that it would take some time for industry to work out its backlog of parts after the design was changed. For instance, #OTD in 1942 the use of leftover KV-1 hulls to build KV-1S tanks was approved. #tanks #history #WW2 #WWII

Tank Archives @tankarchives.bsky.social · 5h

A prototype of the Light Tank T24 was submitted for trials #OTD in 1943. Even though it was based on existing automotive components, trials were still conducted very thoroughly and it only entered production in the following year as the Light Tank M24 #tanks #history #WW2 #WWII

Tank Archives @tankarchives.bsky.social · 6h

The experimental Carro Armato M 13 was shown in Rome #OTD in 1939. This tank would kick off a family of tanks that would be built into 1944, even after Italy exited the war and was occupied by Germany. #tanks #history #WW2 #WWII

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Tank Archives @tankarchives.bsky.social · 7h

A prototype T-43 tank upgraded with 90-110 mm of front armour and an 85 mm gun was due #OTD in 1943. Such a tank was never built, as two weeks prior it was decided that the tank could not be upgraded any further without becoming overweight. #tanks #history #WW2 #WWII

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Tank Archives @tankarchives.bsky.social · 8h

As the Luftwaffe lost its grasp of the sky, air defense became more and more important for the Germans. #OTD in 1943 Hitler personally ordered production of the 2 cm Flak 38 auf (Sf) Pz.Kpfw. 38(t) Ausf. M (Sd.Kfz. 140) SPAAG. #tanks #history #WW2 #WWII

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Tank Archives @tankarchives.bsky.social · 17h

A school opened in Kazan #OTD in 1941 to train Soviet tankers on British tanks. Ironically, these were the same grounds where German tankers were secretly testing their tanks a decade prior. #tanks #History #WW2 #WWII

Tank Archives @tankarchives.bsky.social · 20h

Production of the DTM tank machine gun was approved #OTD in 1944. The improved variant moved the recoil spring to make it more resistant to overheating. #tanks #guns #history #WW2 #WWII

Tank Archives @tankarchives.bsky.social · 22h

Soviet mobility trials of the GMC M10 ended #OTD in 1943. The tank destroyer was judged to have the same mobility as the M4A2 tank that it was based on, with the same strengths and weaknesses when driving. #tanks #history #WW2 #WWII

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Tank Archives @tankarchives.bsky.social · 23h

Mostly them, but it really helps when climbing into the vehicle too.

Tank Archives @tankarchives.bsky.social · 1d

#OTD in 1932 the Ordnance Committee finished specifications for a new convertible drive tank. Christie lost the resulting tender and the contract for the US Army's next Christie tank went to Christie's greatest rival: American LaFrance. #tanks #history

Tank Archives @tankarchives.bsky.social · 1d

#OTD in 1943 the ISU-152 finished factory trials. Handrails were welded on before it was sent to the Gorohovets artillery proving grounds for government trials. #tanks #history #WW2 #WWII

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Tank Archives @tankarchives.bsky.social · 1d

Three Japanese Type 95 tanks arrived at the NIBT Proving Grounds in Kubinka #OTD in 1945. Since they offered absolutely nothing new for Soviet tankers, they were retained as museum exhibits. One tank from this set is still on display to this day. #tanks #history #WW2 #WWII

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Tank Archives @tankarchives.bsky.social · 1d

#OTD in 1944 the installation of DShK machine guns on IS-2, ISU-122, and ISU-152 SPGs was approved. This machine gun came in handy during street fighting, as the mount allowed it to be used to flush anti-tank teams out of ambushes. #Tanks #History #WW2 #WWII

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Tank Archives @tankarchives.bsky.social · 1d

A variant of the Begleitwagen (future Pz.Kpfw.IV) with a torsion bar suspension was ordered #OTD in 1935. The design submitted by Krupp performed so badly that the company never designed a tank with a torsion bar suspension again. #tanks #history

Tank Archives @tankarchives.bsky.social · 1d

An experimental tank battalion was formed #OTD in 1942 in Cairo under the command of Major King. Kingforce, as it came to be known, took part in the Second Battle of El Alaimein, showing the value of the Churchill III tank in combat. #tanks #history #WW2 #WWII

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Tank Archives @tankarchives.bsky.social · 1d

The first Medium Tanks M4A3E2 were issued #OTD in 1944. The "Sherman Jumbo" was much better protected than any American tank and even better than some German heavy tanks at the time, but only a limited number were made. #tanks #history #WW2 #WWII

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Tank Archives @tankarchives.bsky.social · 1d

The Panzerfaust was a very common weapon, but that didn't stop a number of myths from emerging around its use. I take a look at how these weapons were used and what methods were devised against them in my latest video. #tanks #history #WW2 #WWII

youtu.be/jGA7TFdKxLQ?...

Panzerfaust: Effectiveness and Protection

YouTube video by Tank Archives

youtu.be

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Tank Archives @tankarchives.bsky.social · 1d

Officially, the Porsche Tiger was accepted into production in parallel with the Henschel Tiger. However, this led to production of two very similar types of tanks. The decision to suspend production and carry out comparison trials was made #OTD in 1942. #tanks #history #WW2 #WWII

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Tank Archives @tankarchives.bsky.social · 2d

Without a "proper" Exakta Tele-Tessar I jury-rigged a large format 1920s f/6.3 250 mm Tele-Tessar onto my long-suffering VP Exakta. Oh and I also made it half-frame because at this point, why not. Shot on Agfa green sensitive medical X-ray film.

#filmphotography
#analogphotography
#believeinfilm

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Tank Archives @tankarchives.bsky.social · 2d

#OTD in 1942 a decision was made to build a lighter version of the Gefechtsaufklärer Leopard, since the old one ballooned to 26 tons. The new design was supposed to weigh 18 tons but grew to 22 tons during development. This tank was never built. #tanks #history #WW2 #WWII

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Tank Archives @tankarchives.bsky.social · 2d

There was no nation in the world in the 1930s that even entertained the idea of having an army filled only with medium tanks. The biggest medium tank builder of the 30s was the USSR with a whopping 503 units built. The Pz.Kpfw.I and II were light tanks, but they were definitely serious tanks.

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Tank Archives @tankarchives.bsky.social · 2d

Indirectly: Canada relied on French experience to make large castings required for the Ram tank, then shared this knowledge with the Australians.

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Tank Archives @tankarchives.bsky.social · 2d

#OTD in 1942 the KV-13 returned to trials after repairs. The tank worked reliably, but a critical weakness of the cooling system and clogging air intakes was found. These were resolved in later iterations of the design. #tanks #history #WW2 #WWII

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Tank Archives @tankarchives.bsky.social · 2d

Please tell me what Nazis were in power in Germany in 1929 and which of them were involved with Kama.

The Leichttraktor and Kleintraktor also had absolutely nothing in common. Not a single wheel, suspension element, layout, nothing. They are different tanks.

Tank Archives @tankarchives.bsky.social · 2d

The tyre. It's the softest and most vulnerable part of the running gear. It will take the most damage when driving, particularly in hot weather. Look at the edges of this one, they have chunks missing like someone's been chewing on it. That's normal damage after decades of service.