The tallest tank in the world. Super-heavy tanks: steel giants. The largest tanks in Russia

By the beginning of the 20th century military art reached a dead end. The defense became so strong that it was impossible to break through it without huge casualties. The war between two equal opponents threatened to turn into months of trench sitting, without any hope of a positive result. It was then that weapons came onto the scene that could break through any, even the strongest, defenses - tanks. Ideas about creating such machines have been in the air for a long time, but they were formalized only in the first decade of the last century, and by the beginning of the First World War they were actually implemented.

Russian hero

Almost all the leading world powers of that time began developing tanks. Russia did not stand aside either. Two machines were designed at once - one of them was created by the master of the Porokhovshchikov machine-building plant, and the second came out of the experimental laboratory of the War Ministry, the head of which was Captain N. N. Lebedenko. And if Porokhovshchikov’s tank, having undoubted advantages, still remained an ordinary vehicle, then Lebedenko’s brainchild entered into military history as the most big tank in the world.

Because of its size and original shape, the tank had several nicknames: Mammoth, Mastodon, Bat, Bat, Lebedenko's machine and, finally, the most popular one - the Tsar Tank. The dimensions of this armored monster are truly amazing:

• length 17.8 m;
• width 12 m;
• height 9 m;
• weight 60 tons.

Overall, the tank looked more like a small mobile fortress than a weapon designed to attack and break through enemy defenses. Unfortunately, a number of design flaws that were revealed during sea trials in 1915 negated all the efforts of Russian tank builders. The main ones are primarily related to the gigantic size of the machine.

1. Vulnerability. The huge wheels made an excellent target. A single successful hit on them led to the complete incapacity of this monster. First, he lost the ability to move. Secondly, it lay on the ground at such an angle that there was no need to talk about any targeted shooting from the tank.
2. Patency. Because of its immensity, the Tsar Tank was not able to go everywhere. That is, it could only be used on fairly flat and uneven terrain. Such selectivity is a big disadvantage for offensive combat equipment.
3. Stealth. One of the important tactical elements in the success of many military operations is the unnoticed entry into a position, followed by a surprise attack. Tsar Tank did not even have such qualities. The defenders would have learned about his appearance at the line of attack at the same time as the attackers. He was too big and noticeable.
4. Engine. The supertank had two of the most powerful engines (at that time) from the German company Maybach, 240 hp each. With. every. But they were not enough! In order to pull this Goliath out of a muddy rut or pull it up a steep hill, something much more powerful was required.

Therefore, Lebedenko’s car was never put into production. The king of all tanks remained in a single copy until the end of his days, which was quietly and peacefully dismantled for scrap in 1923.

Mighty Frenchman

In 1917, the French began developing a heavy tank called the CHAR 2C. Two years later (in 1919), the development was completed, but the new technology did not have the chance to take part in combat operations. France left the war. A total of 10 units of this machine were produced. Today it ranks 2nd in the ranking of “the world’s largest tank,” which, unlike its Russian counterpart, was put into service and was included in French army until 1940. Here are its characteristics:

• weight – 75 tons;
• body length – 10.27 m;
• width – 3 m;
• height – 4.09 m.

Monsters of World War II

Let's imagine the two largest tanks that fought on the fronts of World War II.

T-35

The famous Soviet tank-fortress. Neither before nor after in the USSR, and then in Russia, anything similar in size and quantity of weapons was produced. The T-35 went into production in 1934 (model T-35A). A total of 59 cars were produced. This was the first Soviet heavy tank. Detailed history The T-35 is well shown in the following video:

Dimensions:

• combat weight of the T-35A – 50 tons;
• body length – 9.72 m;
• width – 3.2 m;
• height – 3.43 m.

TIGER II

The legendary "Royal Tiger". It is still an object of worship for lovers of German music. military equipment those distant times. And we must admit that this fighter has earned the honor of being called the best heavy tank of the Second World War. The Germans began producing it in 1944. A total of 489 units of this formidable weapon rolled off the assembly line. Even just looking at a photo of the “Royal Tiger”, you can feel the power and threat emanating from it. What was it like for our soldiers who repelled their attacks? Fortunately, by this time Soviet army was already invincible, and there was no tangible turning point in the war." armored vehicles death" could not be done.

External characteristics:

• combat weight of the vehicle - 70 tons;
• body length – 7.38 m;
• width – 3.75 m;
• height – 3.09 m.

Supertanks of recent history

In the newest tank history It is difficult to single out any particular tank model. For various reasons, gigantomania has given way to practicality and maximum versatility, the ability to lead tank battle in any conditions. Here are the characteristics of the three best and largest tanks today.

Leopard 2A7 (Germany)

Universal fighting machine– the top lines of tank ratings are firmly assigned to this German “predator”. Dimensions, weapons, chassis, protection, comfort, computerization - everything is very balanced, there are no distortions into individual blocks.

Brief characteristics:

• body length – 7.7 m;
• length with gun forward - 9.67 m;
• body width – 3.7 m;
• height – 2.79 m.

M1A2 "Abrams" (USA)

Most mass tank USA. A total of 9 thousand tanks were produced (as of 2012). Much emphasis is placed on the computer component. In ratings it usually takes 2nd place after Leopard.

Brief characteristics:

• tank weight - 61.4-70 tons;
• length with gun - 9.77 m;
• body length – 7.93 m;
• width – 3.66 m;
• height – 2.44 m.

Challenger 2 (UK)

The third line in all possible classifications is given to this representative of the “British lion”. One of the most protected tanks. Adapted to work in harsh conditions climatic conditions. The video clearly shows how powerful weapon is this "English gentleman".

Brief characteristics:

• tank weight - 62.5 tons;
• hull length – 8.3 m;
• length with gun forward - 11.57 m;
• hull width – 3.52 m;
• height – 2.49 m.

As you can see, for the title of “biggest modern tank in the world” several fighters are competing. And it is impossible to definitely give such a title to a certain car. They are all approximately equal. If, for example, Challenger 2 has the longest hull (8.3 m), then in width it is inferior to the same Leopard and Abrams. Perhaps someday another giant tank will appear, but we can say with confidence that this is not expected in the foreseeable future.

Modern development armored forces is aimed at increasing the compactness and maneuverability of machines, that is, at making them lighter. When creating them, it comes to the fore high cross-country ability and overwhelming firepower. The ability to quickly replace damaged modules is also important. But until relatively recently, designers sought to create large vehicles with thick armor. We inherited from those times the top of the largest tanks in the world.

1. "Tsar Tank"

Russia decided to create such a tank at the height of World War I - in 1915. They called it whatever they called it: loudly - “Tsar Tank”, “mastodon”, “mammoth”, or modestly - “Lebedenko’s machine”. The strength parameters on wheels are impressive:

• length 17.8 m;
• width 12 m;
• height 9 m;
• combat weight 60 tons.

Such a monster could be seen several kilometers away. The gun turret of this prototype rested on a carriage mounted on two huge wheels. The famous Russian engineers Stechkin and Mikulin had a hand in creating the drawings of this colossus. A minimum of 15 crew members had to service the tank. On a flat road it could travel at speeds of up to 17 km/h. Only one test copy of such a tank was produced, but it did not pass initial tests. This structure was difficult to use in tactical maneuver warfare; rather, it was a fortress on wheels. The discovered serious shortcomings put an end to the whole idea, primarily due to the huge dimensions of the machine. Therefore, the Tsar Tank never went into production, and its test copy faced an unenviable fate - in 1923 it was dismantled for scrap.

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2. Char 2C

This colossus was already of French production, and it was it that became the largest tank launched in mass production. It weighed 75 tons and, according to the designers’ plans, it should have easily broken through barrier lines on the front line. The tank's parameters were also very impressive:

• length 10.2 m;
• width 3 m;
• height 4 m.

But the tank turned out to be extremely clumsy, in addition, it destroyed an incredible amount of fuel (more than 1000 liters were required per 100 km). Therefore, in 1940 it was removed from service. The characteristics of the Char 2C were the crowning achievement of the development of the concept of a heavy tank capable of breaking through positional defenses, but this was typical for World War I. The big problem with these machines was their enormous mass, which made them very slow. In the case of trench warfare, for which this tank was designed, this was not a big problem, but in the early 1930s, military tactics began to change, where there was no longer room for stable front lines. The time had come for maneuver warfare, in which super-heavy tanks were useless. It was impossible to quickly transfer them to a new bridgehead, and tactical use required prepared logistics support.

3. Kolossal-wagen (K-Wagen)

This one came in third place german tank, designed to break through enemy defensive lines. His prototype was assembled in 1918, but when the Entente troops approached the factory floors, the Germans decided to destroy the new product. Its parameters were as follows:

• length 13 m;
• width 3 m;
• height 3.5 m;
• combat weight 150 tons.

Like all the first tanks of the times Great War, it was more like a massive steel mobile fortress. Even if it went into mass production, it would hardly be able to significantly influence the course of hostilities; rather, it would distract the attention and resources of the Germans themselves. But, despite this, the K-Wagen became a significant milestone in the development of world tank construction and one of the largest metal tanks.

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4. FCM F1

This is another one french tank, which began to be developed in 1939. It was equipped with two towers at once, located on different levels. The parameters of this monster are impressive:

• combat weight 145 tons;
• frontal armor thickness 120 mm;
• length over 12 m;
• width more than 3.6 m.

The higher rear turret would have housed a 105mm gun, and the front turret would have a 47mm rapid-firing anti-tank gun. The French intended to produce a prototype of this tank in the late spring of 1940, but the rapid advance of the Wehrmacht ruined all these plans. Remained unknown further fate half assembled prototypes.

5. Maus

Next comes a German tank from the World War II period, which received the ironic name “Mouse”. It was developed on the personal instructions of the Fuhrer, who came up with the idea of ​​strengthening the Wehrmacht with several dozen steel giants. The tank’s parameters were truly impressive:

• length 10.2 m;
• width 3.5 m;
• height 3.6 m;
• curb weight 180 tons.

At the end of the war, the Red Army was able to capture a couple of prototypes Maus tank and send them to Soviet Union. Subsequently, one copy was collected from them, which ended up on display at the armored museum in Kubinka.

6. E-100

The heavy German tank E-100 was in sixth position. By the way, its development turned out to be the most advanced, but it still did not come to testing, since Germany lost the war earlier. The E-100 had the following parameters:

• length more than 12 m;
• width 4 m;
• height 3.2 m;
• curb weight 140 t;
• The main armament is a 152 mm gun.

7. A-30 Tortoise

Next comes british tank A-30 Tortoise, which means "turtle". Its first prototype appeared in 1943 and had the following parameters:

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• length 10 m;
• width 3.9 m;
• height 3m;
• curb weight no more than 78 tons.

This tank was capable of accelerating to only 19 km/h. Not only was the tank itself slow, but also its development, which dragged on until the end of World War II, and then, due to the uselessness of the Turtle, it was completely curtailed.

8. T-28 Turtle

The Americans decided to make their own “Turtle” and also began developing it in 1943, while still preparing to actively get involved in fighting on Western European fronts. The dimensions of the hulk should have been as follows:

• length more than 10 m;
• width 3.2 m;
• height 2.8 m;
• curb weight 86 t.

The developers were faced with the task of making frontal armor for the tank that would withstand shots from German Tigers and Panthers. But even in the USA, bureaucratic delays are possible, because of which the tank never reached real service in American army, although along the way it changed its name to T-95.

9.TOG I

This is another English tank that was created a little earlier - in 1940. But during its development, technologies that were outdated by that time were used, so the assembled single copy of TOG I for combat operations turned out to be useless. Here's what he was like:

• length 10.1 m;
• width 3.1 m;
• height 3 m;
• curb weight 65 t.

Despite its considerable weight, this tank had rather weak armor.

10. “Object 279”

The top ten largest tanks in the world is completed by the Soviet machine with the mysterious name “Object 279”, which appeared in 1957 with the following characteristics:

• length 9.8 m;
• height 3.6 m;
• combat weight more than 60 tons.

Its body was made flattened, like a flying saucer. The tank had a hydraulic suspension and double wide tracks, which reduced the load on the ground and increased the vehicle's maneuverability. But poor maneuverability became an insurmountable obstacle to allowing the tank to be tested.

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Second World War became one of the bloodiest battles in the entire history of the civilized world. The number of lives given in the name of freedom is amazing and at the same time makes everyone proud of their homeland, realizing that the merit of their ancestors is invaluable. The desire to study the history of this battle among young people is very commendable, because it is not for nothing that Sir argued that “a people who do not remember their past have no future.” To appreciate how important the feat of our defenders is, you must definitely get acquainted with the history of German tanks. It was the German tanks of the Second World War that served as the main element of the Wehrmacht’s weapons, but this still did not help the German troops win. So what is the reason?

Light tanks

Germany's preparations for armed confrontation began long before the offensive itself. But although some developments of German armored vehicles had already been tested, the effectiveness of light tanks remained highly doubtful.

Panzerkampfwagen I

The signing, which took place at the end of the First World War, put Germany within a certain framework. This agreement strictly regulated all German weapons, including military forces and armored vehicles. The strict terms of the treaty only led to the fact that Germany soon began developing and then secretly producing new military equipment.

The first tank created in Germany in the interwar period was the Panzerkampfwagen I, also known by the abbreviated name PzKpfw I. Development of this tank began in 1931, and according to official documents it was designated as an agricultural tractor. The order for creation was given to 4 leading engineering firms, but as a result, the Wehrmacht gave preference to the model created by Friedrich Krupp AG.

After developing and carrying out all the necessary tests of the test model, this light German tank was put into production. According to official data, from 1934 to 1936, about 1,100 copies were created. After the first samples were handed over to the troops, it turned out that the tank was not capable of developing enough high speed. After that, two modifications were created on its basis: Pzkpfw I Ausf.A and PzKpfw I Ausf.B. After minor changes to the hull, chassis and engine, the tank already posed a serious danger to enemy armored vehicles.

The baptism of fire of the PzKpfw I took place in Spain during Civil War 1936 - 1939. During the very first battles, it became clear that the German tank would hardly be able to fight against the Soviet T-26. Despite the fact that the PzKpfw I gun is quite powerful, it cannot penetrate the T-26 from long distances, while for Soviet car it wasn't a problem.

Since the technical characteristics of this configuration left much to be desired, most of copies were lost on the battlefields. Throughout almost the entire Second World War, tanks were in service with the Wehrmacht, although they had secondary tasks.

Panzerkampfwagen II

After testing it wasn't very successful tank PzKpfw I the German armed forces had a need to create light tank with an anti-tank gun. These are the requirements that were presented to the development companies, but the projects did not satisfy the customer, so a set was made with parts from various companies. Just like the PzKpfw I, the PzKpfw II was officially designated as an agricultural tractor.

In 1936-1937, 75 tanks were produced in three different configurations. These sub-modifications had almost no different technical characteristics, but they served as test samples to determine the effectiveness of individual technical solutions.

In 1937, they began producing a modification of the Pz Kpfw II Ausf b, which combined an improved transmission and chassis, which was later used to produce the best German tanks. Production of the PzKpfw II in all three modifications was carried out in 1937-1940, during this period about 1088 copies were produced.

After the first battles, it became clear that the PzKpfw II was significantly inferior to similar tanks of enemy equipment, since its armor was too weak and the damage inflicted was small. Nevertheless, the production of this vehicle only increased until 1942, and when new, more advanced models appeared, the tank began to be used in secondary areas.

Panzerkampfwagen II Ausf L Luchs

Poor cross-country ability on Polish lands forced the development of a new armored vehicle that would have a tracked propulsion system. Development new technology was entrusted to two engineering giants - Deimler-Benz and MAN, which produced almost all German tanks of the Second World War. Despite the name, this modification had very little in common with the PzKpfw II, although they shared the same manufacturers for most modules.

In 1939-1941, both companies were designing reconnaissance tank. Based on the results of this work, several models were created, which were later even produced and sent to the front. But all these configurations did not satisfy the customers, so the work continued. In 1942, engineers finally managed to create a car that met all the requirements, and after minor modifications it was produced in an amount of 800 units.

Luchs was equipped with two radios and big amount observation devices, as a result of which a new member appeared in the crew - a radio operator. But after the first 100 vehicles were sent to the front, it became obvious that the 20-mm gun was definitely not able to cope with enemy armored vehicles. Therefore, the rest of the batch was re-equipped, and was already armed with a 50-mm cannon. But even this configuration did not satisfy all the requirements, so production of Luchs was stopped.

Medium tanks

German medium tanks during World War II were equipped with many modules that the enemy did not have. Although the USSR armored vehicles still managed to successfully fight enemy equipment.

Panzerkampfwagen III

German medium tank The Pzkfw III replaced its weak predecessor, the Pzkfw I. The Wehrmacht demanded from the manufacturer a vehicle that could fight on equal terms with any enemy equipment, and the weight of the new model had to be equal to 10 tons with a 37-mm gun. It was hoped that the Pzkfw III would be the main unit of German armored vehicles. In battle he had to be assisted alone light tank Pzkfw II and one heavy one, which should serve as firepower for the platoon.

In 1936, the first modifications of the machine were presented, and in 1939 one of them already entered mass production. Since a military-technical cooperation agreement was concluded between Germany and the Soviet Union, the USSR purchased one copy of the machine for testing. After research, it was decided that although the tank was quite armored and fast, the gun was weak.

After the first battles with France, it became clear to the Wehrmacht that the German Pzkfw III tank could no longer cope with the tasks assigned to it, so it was modernized, a more powerful gun was installed on it and the front was armored so that the vehicle would not be too easy prey for self-propelled guns. But since the quality of enemy equipment continued to grow, and the accumulation of new modules on the Pzkfw III led to a significant increase in weight and, consequently, a deterioration in maneuverability, production of the tank was discontinued.

Panzerkampfwagen IV

The production of this vehicle was carried out by the Krupp company, which was entrusted with the development and creation of a powerful tank weighing 24 tons with a 75 mm gun. Like many other German tanks of World War II, the PzKpfw IV was equipped chassis, which included 8 road wheels, which improved the maneuverability and maneuverability of the vehicle.

The tank had many modifications. After testing the first model A, it was decided to install a more powerful engine, which was done in the next two trim levels B and C, which took part in Polish campaign. Although they performed well on the field, it was decided to create new model with improved armor. All subsequent models have been significantly modified, taking into account the experience gained after testing the first versions.

From 1937 to 1945, 8,525 copies were produced various modifications, which took part in almost all battles and proved themselves well throughout the war. That is why several other vehicles were created on the basis of the PzKpfw IV.

Panzerkampfwagen V Panther

A review of German tanks proves that the PzKpfw V Panther was one of the most effective Wehrmacht vehicles. The checkerboard suspension, 75 mm gun and excellent armor made it the best German tank, according to many experts.

As German armor met the requirements during the first years of the war, development of a powerful tank remained in its early stages. But when the Soviet Union demonstrated its superiority in tank building with the release of the KV and T-34, which were significantly superior to the existing German tanks of World War II, the Third Reich began to think about producing a new, more powerful model.

The PzKpfw V Panther, created on the basis of the T-34, took part in major battles on the front throughout Europe and showed its best performance. Although the production of this model was quite long and expensive, it met all the hopes of its creators. To date, only 16 copies have survived, one of which is in the Kubinka Tank Museum.

Heavy tanks

During World War II, Germany's main firepower was heavy tanks. This is not at all surprising if you take into account their technical characteristics. The most powerful heavy German tank is, of course, the "Tiger", but the equally famous "Mouse" does not herd the rear ones.

Panzerkampfwagen VI Tiger

The Tiger project was developed in 1941, and already in August 1942 the first copies took part in the battle of Leningrad, and then in the battle on After German troops attacked the Soviet Union and met serious resistance in the form of the maneuverable armored T-35 gun which any German tank could damage, it was decided to create a vehicle capable of repelling it. Therefore, the engineers were faced with the task of creating a modernized analogue of the KV-1 using PzKpfw IV technology.

Excellent armor and an 88-mm cannon made the tank the best among heavy tanks throughout the world, which was recognized by the troops of the USA, Great Britain and France. The tank's powerful armor on all sides made it virtually invincible, but such new weapons created a need for new means of combat. Therefore, towards the end of the war, Germany’s opponents had self-propelled guns that were capable of destroying them. These included the Soviet SU-100 and ISU-152.

Panzerkampfwagen VIII Maus

The Wehrmacht planned to build a super-heavy tank that would become an elusive target for enemy equipment. After Hitler had already signed an order for development, leading machine builders convinced him that there was no need to create such a model. But Ferdinand Porsche thought differently and therefore personally began designing the configuration of a new super-heavy piece of military equipment. As a result, the "Mouse" was created, the armor of which is 200-240 mm, which is a record for military equipment.

Only 2 copies saw the light of day, but they were blown up by the Red Army in 1945, like many other German tanks. The photographs that survive and the model assembled from the two aforementioned blown up tanks give a great idea of ​​how powerful this model was.

Conclusion

To summarize, it must be said that although in Germany during the Second World War the tank industry was quite well developed, its new products appeared as a response to such models Soviet tanks, like KV, KV-1, T-35, and many others. It is this fact that makes it clear how important role The desire of the Soviet people for victory played a role in the outcome of the war.

In the 20th century, the types of armed forces developed from high speed. One of the most important inventions in this area was tanks. It was they who revolutionized the methods of warfare. This article will tell you about the heaviest military vehicles in history.

Pre-tank era

The design of the first prototype of the tank was proposed in 1874 by the French designer Edouard Bouillen. He came up with the idea of ​​an all-terrain train that would move due to the built-in railway. The military model consisted of 8 sections with 12 guns on the hull. Unfortunately, at that time it was not possible to implement such a project.

Another project was put forward by engineer V.D. Mendeleev in 1916. He designed a model of an armored vehicle with a large-caliber cannon and a machine gun. The project turned out to be difficult to produce and did not interest the Russian government.

The era of tank vehicles

The development of the world's first tank followed immediately after Mendeleev's project and became famous for its formidable name throughout the world, however, the project was never implemented.

"Tsar Tank"

The car is known to everyone who is interested in tanks. It was designed by engineer Nikolai Lebedenko. On January 8, 1915, the model in drawings was presented to Nicholas II. Russian Emperor I was impressed by the engineer’s development and allocated funds for the project. The tank was nicknamed “Bat”, but it turned out to be unsuitable for war: the wheels quickly failed, the tank got stuck on the road.

The Bat is the largest and longest tank in the world. Because of its size, it became famous:

• Weight – 60 t;
• Height – 9 m;
• Length – 17.8 m;
• Width – 12 m.

Impossibility practical use The Tsar Tank predetermined its fate - it stood at the assembly site until the model was scrapped in the 1920s.

The model is the only representative of the type of super-heavy vehicles launched into mass production. The tank was created at the end of the First World War. The purpose of the huge machine was to break through German defensive fortifications. The manufacturer, the French company FCM, received an order to produce 300 copies in February 1918.

Interesting!

During World War II, one copy of the tank was captured by the Germans, after which nothing is known about it.

During the First World War, the warring states were interested in creating machines capable of breaking through enemy fortifications. Germany was no exception. In 1917, engineer Josef Vollmer was ordered to develop a German tank with such capabilities. Volmer provided a design for a machine weighing 150 tons and 12.8 m long. The military vehicle was driven by two 650 engines Horse power. The weapons included 4 77 mm cannons and 7 machine guns.

The K-Wagen was driven by a crew of 22 people. The designers managed to assemble one model and some components for the second. Due to the approach of Entente troops, the developments had to be destroyed.

By the 1930s Char 2C (FCM 2C) no longer meets requirements modern warfare. The French, guided by the experience of the First World War, decided that they needed a new heavy tank.

In 1938, the French military decided on a vision for model number 2. According to their plan, the tank was to have a powerful cannon and a rapid-fire gun. The armor was planned to be made invulnerable to anti-tank guns. The competition for the production of the model was won by FCM. They decided to release the first car by May 1940, but the successes of the German troops prevented these plans.

The tank was built by British developers. The model weighing 64 tons reached a speed of no more than 8 km/h. For a number of reasons, TOG II did not go into mass production.

TOG I

The vehicle was developed simultaneously with TOG II. The first model TOG I was released in 1940. The main advantage of the tank was increased maneuverability with a weight of 82.3 tons. Due to the low speed and outdated design, the military abandoned mass production models.

The largest heavy tank in the world is also known as "Mouse". The Mouse was made by the Austrian designer Ferdinand Porsche. Despite the enormous weight of 188 tons, the model has good handling and increased cross-country ability.

By the second half of 1944, two “Mice” were manufactured, but further production stopped due to a lack of funds in Germany.

Interesting!

During the Soviet offensive, tank models were captured. One of them is currently on display in the Kubinka Central Museum. Photos and videos about Mouse are posted on the Internet.

In 1943, British engineers began developing a heavy tank. As planned by the designers, it was supposed to be equipped with powerful armor and combat systems. Therefore, the model began to be called Tortoise - “ land turtle».

In 1944, the manufacturer received an order for the production of 25 cars, but in May 1945, World War II ended, and the need for the “turtle” disappeared. As a result, 5 models were released.

In essence, the “land turtle” was a self-propelled artillery installation, not a tank, but due to its weight of 89 tons, it was classified as a tank. Among the weapons, the “land turtle” had a 94-mm cannon and 3 machine guns. The model was discontinued when it turned out that the tank was inferior to Soviet heavy vehicles in terms of technical specifications.

The developer, Heinrich Ernst Kniepkamp, ​​considered the E-100 as a universal combat vehicle. Armored tank was supposed to supplant the “Mouse” and other tracked vehicles. In terms of armor strength, the E-100 was not inferior to the “Mouse”, but had less weight (140 tons).

The project was not completed. The developers only managed to produce the chassis, which later fell into the hands of the British military.

In the 20th century, USSR enterprises produced the most big number tanks in the world. The government paid attention to the production of medium and light vehicles, but there were not enough resources for super-heavy ones. Before the Great Patriotic War They were working on creating a copy of a heavy tank at the Kirov plant, but the offensive of German troops forced them to curtail the research.

When World War II ended, the production of heavy tanks was considered unprofitable. The designers focused on the invention of machines capable of fighting in conditions nuclear war. In 1957, the design bureau of Zh. Ya. Kotin released a model of a special tank. The size of the turret armor was 305 mm and the tank weighed 60 tons, but due to poor maneuverability the project did not pass testing.

The development belongs to the German engineer Edward Grotte. According to the plan, the weight of the vehicle was supposed to be 1000 tons. At the same time, the tank would accelerate to 35 km/h. In 1942, the drawings were presented to Hitler and he gave the go-ahead for the construction of the machine. Work on the project was stopped after a year - there were not enough materials to implement it.

The project was developed in the early 1930s. at KB "Bolshevik". What is noteworthy is that its author was the already famous Edward Grotte. The thousand-ton vehicle was supposed to be equipped with six turrets with a dozen guns. According to engineers' calculations maximum speed the car was 60 km/h. As a result of the research, the construction of TG-5 was declared impossible.

Finally

Heavy tanks enjoyed relatively little popularity among the military. They were difficult to produce and rarely justified their cost. Therefore, today medium and light models are popular in the armed forces. For example, the most powerful tank weighs less than 70 tons in the world.

Video on topic

From the very day when the first armored vehicles, called tanks, appeared on the battlefields, they have not ceased to be improved. The largest tank in the world was produced by Russia in 1915. It is known as the Tsar Tank, Mastodon, Mammoth or Lebedenko's machine. He even got several nicknames, for example, the Tsar Tank is compared to a bat, because when the model was transferred to the rear wheels, it resembled bat, falling upside down. What kind of colossus is this, and for what reason has it not been possible to build a larger model so far?

The drawings were developed by great Russian engineers: Stechkin and Mikulin. To be honest, this colossus cannot be called a tank, because in appearance it is more similar to a gun carriage, which has been increased in size. Distinctive feature of this project– non-standard appearance and ambition.

The idea of ​​​​designing such a machine came to the head of the chief engineer Lebedenko, he was inspired by carts. That's what the carts were called in Central Asia, thanks to the huge wheels, they could overcome any bump or ditch. The tank developed by Lebedenko had two huge wheels, each 9 meters in diameter, and the overall length of the vehicle was 18 meters. The mass of the nine-meter high and twelve-meter wide machine reached 60 tons. To service the tank, a crew of at least 15 people was required. On the highway, the maximum speed of this tank reached 17 km/h. This combat vehicle was produced in a single copy, which did not pass initial tests.

As mentioned earlier, the tank could hardly be called a weapon that is used for attack and defense; it is more like a fortress on wheels. Due to the discovered shortcomings, all efforts were nullified. Design flaws were due to the huge size of the tank.

Vulnerability. Large diameter wheels are an excellent target for the enemy. All you had to do was hit the wheel successfully once, and it would render the monster completely incapacitated. First, the tank could not continue moving any further, and second, it fell to the ground so that the angle for aimed shooting was unsuitable.

Patency. The gigantic size of the car did not allow it to pass everywhere. It was more intended for movement on smoother and less rugged terrain. And this is one of the main disadvantages of offensive military equipment.

Stealth. Everyone knows that success in combat operations largely depends on stealth and surprise attacks on positions. But the defending side learned about the appearance of such a giant along with the attacking side.

Engine. The supertank was equipped with 2 powerful German engines, each with 240 horsepower. However, this was not enough. In order for this Goliath to climb a steep mountain, it needed a more powerful engine.

It was because of these shortcomings that the Tsar Tank was not put into production. Not a single copy of this combat vehicle ever appeared in the world, and the trial model was dismantled for scrap in 1923.