![]() ![]() Most were derivatives or foreign designs or very poor quality private designs. From the end of World War I to 1935, only 15 tanks were produced. Throughout the interwar period the US produced only a few hundred tanks. In 1939 a belated effort was made to improve flexibility and increase the number of radios. The role of small unit leaders was to execute plans, not to take the initiative in combat. The lack of radios with the light tanks was not seen as a major drawback, since French doctrine called for slow-paced, deliberate maneuvers in close conformance to plans. However, the light tanks lacked firepower and almost all French tanks were handicapped by their one-man turrets, even the larger tanks such as the Char B overworked the commander who besides directing the vehicle, or even a troop, had to load and aim the turret gun. ![]() In general, French tanks of the 1930s were well-armored, innovative vehicles that owed little to foreign designs. The British Army used a different Vickers design which was the first of a series of Light tanks in service. It formed the basis of the Soviet T-26 (around 10,000 built) and the Polish 7TP tank and influenced the Italian Fiat M11/39. Not purchased by the British army, it was bought by some smaller nations. In 1928, the British firm of Vickers produced their "6 Ton" tank. Type 95 Ha-Go tanks in New Britain following the Japanese surrender The FT-17 would have the largest production run of any tank of the war - with over 3,700 built it was more numerous than all British tanks combined. Previous models had been "box tanks", with a single crowded space combining the role of engine room, fighting compartment, ammunition stock and driver's cabin. In fact the FT was in many respects the first truly 'modern' tank having a layout that has been followed by almost all designs ever since: driver at the front main armament in a fully-rotating turret on top engine at the rear. It would be Renault's small tank design the FT-17, incorporating a proper climbing face for the tracks, that was the first tank to incorporate a top-mounted turret with a full rotation. The car industry, already used to vehicle mass production and having much more experience in vehicle layout, in 1916 designed the first practical light tanks, a class largely neglected by the British. In World War I Industrial initiative also led to swift advances. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |