Exotic samples of the techniks

Pz.III on the rails - this is a very interesting idea how to bring the tank to the front!

Secret weapon of German

A good soldier will always search for ways to ease his burden, and when danger is not imminent, alternative ways to move his weapon is always welcome. Handcarts, trolleys, strollers or donkeys.....
Fallschirmjäger in the area of Saint-Lô, France. Picture was taken in July 1944 by Kriegsberichter Zimmermann.
http://www.bergflak.com/pstransp.html

Not quite sure what the purpose of this tank [Panzer 38(t)] is, maybe it's a wood burning powered tank or a mobile still for the frontline troops. LoL  

One more photo of the self propelled still.

May be this is a movable shower?

May be this is a movable shower?

Could be, the tubes on the tank must be part of what ever it is. Notice the 4 leaf clover on the tank turret, could this be a unit marking... I tried looking up, but did not have any luck at the moment? And there is a Italian tank off to the side.

The Panzer II is apaprently modified to run on gas - see the similarly-modified SPW here:

https://taboodada.wordpress.com/category/self-sufficiency-2/

33lima... Yes, it makes sense now, vehicles using wood gas generators, instead of precious gasoline.

Also found this article on the subject.

http://www.missing-lynx.com/library/german/holzgasantriebdm_1.html

Sōkō Sagyō Ki

During December 1941, approximately 20 vehicles were transferred to the Philippines as part of the 2nd Tank Regiment, and remained there until the end of the war. Eight vehicles were captured by the United States military during the summer of 1945, which classified the vehicles as flamethrower tanks.

As far as can be determined, these five-man vehicles are used by Japanese engineer troops as assault tanks designed to destroy entanglements and to kill personnel in fortifications. These tanks, however, would be effective only against personnel equipped with nothing more than small arms.

 

A report on Japanese flamethrower tanks captured on Luzon, from the U.S. Intelligence Bulletin, September 1945.

http://www.lonesentry.com/articles/jp_fttank/

The Panther Ausf D Dozer [Ramschaufelpanzer Panther]... for when those accumulating piles of clutter start getting in your way.

   

This is interesting photo. But they should have been removed the turret at least. This is additional weight.

This tank should be in this topic  
It is Panzerkampfwagen VIII Maus.

Another problem that emerged from its weight, was that simply there were no bridges able to take the its weight. To overcome this problem Maus had to be provided with a "snorkel" arrangement which allowed it to submerse to the maximum depth of 8 meters.

That's incredible! To provide tank crossing over the river - it had ability crossing under the river

During tests, it was determined that in case of any failure each Maus would have to be towed by two other Maus tanks.
Out of mind.

That's airplane impressed me greatly. I didn't suppose to see such sample of the bomber in Luftwaffe. It is Henschel 123.
Pay attention to the horse stirrups

It is a very unusual sample of the Pz.IV. The name of this "tank" is Bruckenleger IVc

Here are two models of the Panzerkampfwagen VIII Maus and E-100 tanks.



Also the Maus loaded on a railroad flatbed car.

 

Also a few photos and models of the E-100 Tank.

   

One other German tank destroyer with two vehicles (named  Max & Moritz) built and used on the Eastern Front, the 12.8 cm Selbstfahrlafette auf VK30.01(H) "Sturer Emil".

     

This Sherman is definitely unique! It has wood plates to defend a sides projections against shells!
Actually, even tracks didn't protect anything, no need to talk about wood.
Though, may be it is protection against magnetic mines?

I think that, in the case of the Sherman, is mostly for the crew don't get psychologically "fine", because they all knew that their tank was paper thin if we compare to any other Allied Tank...

An up-armored Sherman during the Okinawa campaign.  



Lockie believe you are correct about wood being used for protection against Japanese anti-tank mines.

Type 99 (Hako-Baku-Rai) mine

It entered service in 1939. Four magnets were attached to the casing made of hemp cloth, along with an external fuze. The fuze had a time delay, which enabled it to be used as an anti-tank hand grenade, or a demolition charge. Once the safety pin was removed, it was armed, striking the fuze ignited a powder delay train. The mine detonated after a five to ten seconds delay, giving enough time for it to be thrown.

The mines could be stacked, held together by the magnets for greater effect. When used individually the mine could penetrate approximately 0.75 inches (19 mm) of steel, with two mines stacked it can penetrate 1.25 inches (32 mm) of steel.

Also used by the Japanese forces.

http://www.lonesentry.com/articles/jp_tankhunters/

That's a very unusual sample of the engineer idea!
Schofield tank from New Zealand.

Suppose, it was nor truck neither tank

lockie wrote:
That's airplane impressed me greatly. I didn't suppose to see such sample of the bomber in Luftwaffe. It is Henschel 123.
Pay attention to the horse stirrups

If you like that kite, why not take one into virtual battle:



[Il-2 1946, of course]

lockie wrote:
This Sherman is definitely unique! It has wood plates to defend a sides projections against shells!
Actually, even tracks didn't protect anything, no need to talk about wood.
Though, may be it is protection against magnetic mines?

That's a USMC (or maybe Army) Sherman in the Pacific. IIRC the planks boxed in a sand filler, so it was an early form of composite armour! Anyway it was designed mainly to stop nasty people who ran up with shaped charges on the end of a bamboo pole, from ruining your paintwork (outside & inside). The weapon was called a 'lunge mine', sort of a human equivalent of the Soviet Hundminen, probably with equally disagreeable effects for whoever delivered the weapon:

http://www.lonesentry.com/articles/jp_tankhunters/

Yeah the precursors of today's ubiquitous suicide bombers....

"Advanced" German armor




Do anybody believe that Wehramch managed to approach to Moscow on this "cans"? That's incredible!  
I remember, when I was young my teachers of the history put their thoughts in my opened mind about SUPERIORITY of the German over USSR in techniks!
Looking at these "monsters" I can't believe how I was stupid to believe in the mentioned fair tails.

Well they were not entirely wrong. The Germans definitely made more sophisticated engines and parts. But they over engineered everything forgetting about the beauty of simplicity and practicality. They still do it with their cars nowadays. Beautiful, complex machines.

Yes, later Germans made outstanding machines, but in 1941 they had a very weak armor to compare with USSR.
Here's interesting photo. I think it is photoshop :B]:


Trophy FT-17