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domobran7

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Posts posted by domobran7

  1. Trade-offs in WWII Tank Design

    in Mechanized Warfare

    Posted

    On 1/17/2022 at 8:18 AM, hobbes154 said:

    Sure, I just find it amusing because it is the opposite of the usual stereotype (Panther awesome! Sherman crap!).

    Isn't that kinda true, but mostly because of the situation they found themselves in? Shermans in Normandy were forced to do the duty of heavy tanks (breakthrough) despite being designed as mobile medium tanks. Meanwhile, Panthers were in a defensive situation where mobility wasn't that important, meaning that they could capitalize on Panther's good aspects (excellent gun, good frontal armor) while not being that much held back by Panther's lack of reliability and disadvantages it did have.

     

    Plus, I think early Shermans had some issues with ammunition stowage and tank bursting into flames when hit, which were solved later, but created a lasting perception of M4s being only good at roasting their own crews. But it's been a while since I've read about it, so don't take me at my word.

    On 1/17/2022 at 7:57 AM, hobbes154 said:

    That is a better predictor of (some aspects of) performance, but if you are thinking about design tradeoffs, I think it is interesting to think of a total horsepower "budget" and how to allocate that between tons and hp/ton.

     

    Agreed. Although hp/ton is still important because it tells you how much weight you can have with a given engine, or else how powerful of an engine you need for a given weight.

     

  2. Trade-offs in WWII Tank Design

    in Mechanized Warfare

    Posted

    On 1/15/2022 at 5:48 AM, hobbes154 said:

    2. I find horsepower to be an interesting way to compare different tanks, rather than the more usual classification by weight. E.g.

    •  

    I think better measure is horsepower per ton. When it comes to overcoming obstacles especially, engine has to fight against tank's own weight. By that measure, tank power is:

     

    T-34 M1941: 18,9 hp/t

    T-34/85: 15,6 hp/t

    Panther: 13,8 hp/t

    Tiger I: 12,8 hp/t

    Panzer IV Ausf.H: 11,8 hp/t

    Sherman M4A6: 11,8 hp/t

     

    Weight however is still important. Heavier tank will usually have better firepower and armor, but worse mobility: even using more powerful engine and wider tracks does not remove the problems that heavy weight can create in certain terrains and when crossing bridges.

     

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