Unique Iron Soldiers 1920-....

In this topic I would like to tell and show some samples of military armored vehicles, which are built / invented in different countries in the period 1920 to 2011.
To the moderator: If I did not properly posted this thread - please moved to the desired section.

There are projects and even real samples a unique vehicles. They was created in the design offices or military modifications. I'll start with the most insane project.
In June 1942 the famous engineer Grote (which deal with construction of submarines in the ministry of armaments in the Reich), together with Dr. Gakkero created project P1000 "Rat" (Ratte), weighing 1000 tons!
Length 35 meters, width of 3,5 meters caterpillars. Powerplant two marine diesel engine MAN capacity of 8500 hp each, or 8 DB diesels rated at 2000 hp
Armament: two sea shells on the 280-mm and 128-mm gun and 8 (1) 20-mm anti-aircraft automatic cannon FlaK 38. Crew - 21 people.
Preserved a sketch drawing and modern reconstruction of the brontosaurus.

On photo - modern reconstruction made on computer.

)))

But the most cool is that for 11 years same Grothe, who worked at that time in the USSR already propose Soviet military leadership project 1000-ton tank TG-5. Armed with two 305-mm guns, four 152-mm and 76 mm cannons and two 45-mm guns. Armor was 300 mm in front, side - 250 mm. The crew - 40 people!!

Another result of the "murky Teutonic genius" a real sample of the tank. Super-heavy tank E-100. Designed by Adler. Work was done in late July 1943. In early 1945 were willing body and transmission elements.
Was high unification with the "Tiger".Engine Maibach HL 230P30 700 hp, later was to plan the transition to a more powerful engine. Track width 1m, transport 550 mm Reservations: forehead - 200 mm, the board - 120 mm, feed - 150mm. The tower is similar to the tank turret "Maus." Armament: 150 mm or 174-mm gun paired with 75-mm cannon. Combat weight - 130-140 tons. In April 1945, British soldiers seized the chassis of the tank and some aggregates.

Photo: captured hull, complete with chassis. Zennelager 1945.

That's the same tank chassis E-100 on a special trailer in Bovigtone(United Kingdom 1945) and another photo chassis E-100. It is clearly seen as size versus "normal" tank)))

The British have also contributed to the cause of building monsters. In anticipation of landing in Europe in spring 1943 started designing "Assault Tank"- heavily armored combat vehicle to break the long-term defense. In 1944 the design was completed and appeared Assault Tank A39 "Tortoise" (turtle). The thickness of the frontal armor of 225 mm (279?) Depth - 152 mm. Weight - 78 tons, crew - 7 people. Meteor V engine with a capacity of 650 hp, max. speed 19,5 km / h. Armament - 32-lb. cannon Mk I, and three machine guns BESA.

Create of the first machine was launched in May (why?) 1945. Release the entire "series" of 6 cars finished in 1947. One copy of the "turtle" is stored in Bovington

USSR, pics 38 & 40 look like actual photos, but to my knowledge no full size Ratte was ever produced. Are they mock ups, or faked photos? 40 looks doctored, but 38 is hard to tell. Whats the story?

sigo said:

USSR, pics 38 & 40 look like actual photos, but to my knowledge no full size Ratte was ever produced. Are they mock ups, or faked photos? 40 looks doctored, but 38 is hard to tell. Whats the story?

Click to expand...

I wrote above - On photo - modern reconstruction made on computer.

Well, the most famous of "Super heavyweight" - "Maus", or "Mouse"(up to February 1943). Weight - 180 tons, crew of 6 people. Reservations: forehead - 200 mm board - 180 / 105 mm, feed - 160 mm, the brow of the tower - 210mm. Max. speed movement - 20-25 km / h. shose, 4-10 mph over rough terrain. Armament: one 128-mm gun, one 75-mm rudie, a 7.92-mm machine gun.

First trip to the landfill in Boeblingen Tank "Maus" Type 205 / 1

"Mouse" was created a two copies - type 205 / 1 with the mass-dimensional model of the tower and the type 205 / 2 is fully complete with weapons.

In this photo, type 205 / 1 at the site in Boeblingen, January-February 1944

The only time the "Maus" decided to test run on the off-road (March 16, 1944) - attempt failed miserably: 180-ton tank sunk almost to the very tower. The rescue mission involving forces of the 7 th spare tank regiment lasted nearly a week. In the photo is clearly seen inflicted on the body to hide (like a captured Soviet) hammer and sickle(inverted )

And here is Type 205 / 2, with the standard turret and armament. June 1944

tanks stored in Kummersdorf 1945, in the back of the tank type 250 / 2 is clearly visible extra fuel tank for 1500 liters.

Tank "Maus" Type 205 / 1 captured by Soviet troops in the area of Kummersdorf

Tank "Maus" Type 205 / 2 found 14 kilometers from the first sample in Shtammlagere near Zossen. The tank was blown up, but suffered in the main body, which allowed the Soviet experts "gather" from the two tanks alone. Corpus was used to type 250 / 1, and the tower of the type 250 / 2.
Such an arrangement of two tanks gave a lot of rumors. In particular, Americans still believe that the tank is 205 / 2 was shot down by Soviet tanks IS-2.)))))

This collected from two tanks, an "almost complete" Maus", before sending in the USSR on special railway platform capacity of 180 tons.

Allies received three sets of body and towers for "Maus" on the firm Krupp factory in Essen

Gathered by Soviet experts, "Mouse"has arrived in suburban estate Kubinka much as 4 May 1946, and now this unique exhibit of the Military-historical museum of armored vehicles and weapons in Kubinka. On this photo a tank in 1960