Without worrying about historical accuracy, if you could only have one type of tank on the table, which one would it be and why? (The only condition is it has to be WWII or earlier.)
:)
Quote from: Leon on 14 September 2010, 01:35:00 AM
...one type of tank on the table,...
That makes it an interesting question. I agree with the folks who consider the late war marks of the Sherman firefly or 76 as the best tank of the war, but that includes logistic elements that are not reflected on the tabletop; with getting you there, yes, which should be reflected in point cost where applicable.
If logistics aren't there, most rules give late panthers a solid edge, and it is not an unreasonably rare vehicle.
Early 15th century Hussite battle waggon. No other AFV has ever enjoyed such a decisive advantage over the opposition or been involved in such a run of victories. AND you get to model St Barbara's cathedral from Kutna Hora (bearing in mind that the present roof is actually a few centuries more recent).
Jagdpanther :D
no turret but long barrel 88 will take out most opposition at long range, gets a bit scary when they get close though, or as Lentulus said a panther, if they were allowed to give it welly when zooming about the battlefield.
Panzer III always liked it probably from building so many of the Matchbox and Esci kits in my youth. Although it was phased out as a battle tank during 1943 it was a match (just) for the Sherman 75 and provided the platform for the most successful self propelled gun of WWII IMHO, the StuG III. They will feature heavily in my Sicily/Italy project for 2011. I seem to be drawn to units which employed it my Market Garden Germans are based on Kampfgruppe Knaust including Kompanie Mielke which had 6 Panzer III's with long and short 50mm and 2 Panzer IV (although I have not done the IV' as they were destroved attacking the bridge and I am mainly interested it the fighting on 'The Island'). Thinking about it I have German tanks in 10 and 15mm and all of them are either Panzer III or Stugs.
T34.
Best...tank...ever (in Comicbook Guy cadence).
Why?
Versatile, fast, powerful, reliable, and made in vast quantities. Accept no substitutes...
PzIV in any & all variants - purely for the aesthetic - it's a thing of beauty.
T34 - Nazi killer
also looks good ;)
Its got to be the T34 (all models),they killed more Nazis and advanced further than any other tank.
A close second for me would be the Comet.I do think that this could have been the Wests T34 ,just a little late in the day....
For the Brits it would be the Crusader, the Germans the Panzer MkII or Stug III, the Italians the L3/35 tankette and the Russians the T-34.
The first two because they bring back fond memories of Arifix and Matchbox kits of my youth; the Italian tankette because it just so mad and the T-34 because it was such a great, groundbreaking tank. I know it was meant to be only one tank, but I just couldn't choose.
hot water tank. it's filthy on that battlefield
Tanks for the suggestion.
Quote from: Leon on 14 September 2010, 01:35:00 AM
Without worrying about historical accuracy
Just spotted this qualifier: in which case I go for this one:
(http://www.kideternal.com/Jetgirl/Pictures/Jet%20Leads%20Tank.JPG)
...on the basis that it comes with Tank Girl & Jet Girl [Naomi Watts - who went on to be the pretty starlet in King Kong] 8)
Quote from: nikharwood on 17 September 2010, 02:42:36 PM
Just spotted this qualifier: in which case I go for this one:
(http://www.kideternal.com/Jetgirl/Pictures/Jet%20Leads%20Tank.JPG)
...on the basis that it comes with Tank Girl & Jet Girl [Naomi Watts - who went on to be the pretty starlet in King Kong] 8)
I don't think that qualifies for this one though...
Quote from: Leon on 14 September 2010, 01:35:00 AM
The only condition is it has to be WWII or earlier
:D
Yeah I know..but I selectively filtered that as it would have stopped me posting a nice picture :d
The British Mk1 of 1916.
The Daddy and mummy of them all.
A huge step forward in technology and concept, it had an over whelming impact at least at first and paved the way for the modern all arms battle.
Slightly latter the Mk IV or V, mechanically much better and available in sufficent numbers to make a real contribution.
And the Rhomboid shap was such a cool design.
Centurion, technically WW2 for definitions of WW2 that allow it to be technically a WW2 tank.
Now, if it was just one tank, instead of type of tank, I'd say some multi-ton doorstop like a JS3 or Tiger II. They can so focus the attention of the enemy that your infantry can get away with anything.
Quote from: DanJ on 18 September 2010, 11:13:10 AM
And the Rhomboid shap was such a cool design.
I like the shape as well, the Mk V* we do is one of my favourite models.
Quote from: lentulus on 18 September 2010, 03:38:50 PM
Now, if it was just one tank, instead of type of tank, I'd say some multi-ton doorstop like a JS3 or Tiger II. They can so focus the attention of the enemy that your infantry can get away with anything.
I'm surprised there's not been more mentions for the Tiger, the sheer size of the thing must have it's advantages!
Yep the Tiger was a beast, I did my dissertation on the Normandy landings, and there is a case of the British laying mines on a road, to avoid tank interference, however Tigers broke through and played havoc, then scarpered back behind their own lines, the next morning they Brits went to see why their mines hadnt, gone boom an dindeed they hadnt, the Tigers seemed to have floated in, however on closer inspection, they realised that due to thier wheel base, the tanks were running along the hedge bases eaither side of the tracks, so the british engineers layed a pile at the base of the hedge and later that night there was a big Kabbom and no more Tiger break throughs occured after that.
Still like the Panther though :D
Quote from: nikharwood on 17 September 2010, 02:42:36 PM
Just spotted this qualifier: in which case I go for this one:
(http://www.kideternal.com/Jetgirl/Pictures/Jet%20Leads%20Tank.JPG)
...on the basis that it comes with Tank Girl & Jet Girl [Naomi Watts - who went on to be the pretty starlet in King Kong] 8)
Quote from: Leon on 17 September 2010, 04:15:56 PM
I don't think that qualifies for this one though...
(Gratuitously re-printing the picture ...) Well, I'm pretty sure that's an M3 or M5 under all the, errm, "extras" so maybe it does.
Back on topic, I've always had a fondness for the Cromwell.
Cheers, Martyn
Well stretching it a bit to turret-less behemoth
The Zveroboy "Beastkiller"
(http://www.zgapa.pl/zgapedia/data_pictures/_uploads_wiki/s/Su152_2.jpg)
Quote from: Leon on 18 September 2010, 03:40:59 PM
I'm surprised there's not been more mentions for the Tiger, the sheer size of the thing must have it's advantages!
Nah. Tiger's were overrated, mostly due to the experiences of the British and US troops who had little equipment to take it out.
The Russians had a far better time dealing with it.
And the Tiger has many serious disadvantages.
Rushed into service they were mechanically unreliable and indeed poorly designed with overcomplicated wheels and a seriously slow turret traverse (Whitman never turned his turret because of this, risking throwing his tracks but turning the whole tank).
FAR too big and heavy, they couldn't use most roads, bridges, couldn't use rail transport without changing to narrow tracks, and had a very limited range, requiring a lot of fuel.
I think it's gained a reputation far beyond its actual importance.
Quote from: Luddite on 20 September 2010, 09:48:37 PM
Nah. Tiger's were overrated, mostly due to the experiences of the British and US troops who had little equipment to take it out.
The Russians had a far better time dealing with it.
And the Tiger has many serious disadvantages.
Rushed into service they were mechanically unreliable and indeed poorly designed with overcomplicated wheels and a seriously slow turret traverse (Whitman never turned his turret because of this, risking throwing his tracks but turning the whole tank).
FAR too big and heavy, they couldn't use most roads, bridges, couldn't use rail transport without changing to narrow tracks, and had a very limited range, requiring a lot of fuel.
I think it's gained a reputation far beyond its actual importance.
Interesting stuff, cheers for that. 8)
I am inclined to accept the common conclusion that the best size for a tank is as small as it can be and get the job done. That may be quite large, but they shoudl still be small.
I am tempted to do a game where every German tank starts the game represented by a model tiger and every assault gun an elephant. You find out what it really is when it takes its first shot (or you find out how little it took to kill it) For fun, an certain percentage really will be what they seem...
Easy enough, it can only be Gruber's little tank from Allo Allo.
(http://www.ciaranbrown.com/sinergruberlittletank200.jpg)
Centaur Tank - Royal Marines Armoured Support Group 1944. 95mm of close support goodness, and commando trained.