Path: utzoo!utgpu!watserv1!watmath!att!cbnews!military From: smpod@csd.lerc.nasa.gov (Steve Podleski (Sverdrup)) Newsgroups: sci.military Subject: Re: German had the best weapons (was Re: M4 Tank Info) Message-ID: <1990Jun4.202320.6877@cbnews.att.com> Date: 4 Jun 90 20:23:20 GMT Sender: military@cbnews.att.com (William B. Thacker) Distribution: na Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories Lines: 36 Approved: military@att.att.com From: "Steve Podleski (Sverdrup)" In article <16134@cbnews.ATT.COM>, military-request@att.att.com (Bill Thacker) writes... >From: military-request@att.att.com (Bill Thacker) >muchow@ns.network.com (Jim Muchow) writes: ...............text deleted.................. >>The T34 should thus be considered a better tank in spite of the fact >>that it was technically inferior. > >Were I >in charge of a WWII army, I'd want the T-34 as my main tank. With >reliability thrown in, I might opt for an M-4 Sherman. Where do you get your information that says the T-34 was not a reliable tank when compared to the M-4. I do not have a source in front of me, but from what I've read, with its diesel engine, the T-34 was reliable (and very maneuverable for it's size and weight.) I would vote for the T-34/85 as the tank of choice for WW II ; it had the best compromise of speed, weight, armour, gun, range, maneuverability, reliability and ease of production. [mod.note: I can't cite a source, but I've heard that the serviceability of the T-34 was very bad. Apparently, the transmission was particularly bad, and tended to work itself loose after a hundred kilometers or so of driving, in addition to leaking fluid. I've also heard that the life of the drive train of a T-34 was relatively short. In short, I can't provide much concrete evidence of poor reliability, but I've certainly never read anything indicating reliability on par with a Sherman or Panzer IV. Another important factor we've all ignored so far is ergonimics. The T-34 was cramped and uncomfortable; little internal padding was provided; and only the latest versions provided a 3-man turret. Turret baskets were not provided, and as nearly all of the main ammo was stored beneath removable floor mats, the fighting compartment was a hazardous place to work during combat. - Bill ]