drb
logo



"QUANTUM SHOT" #127


When the military decides to get weird, it's gets REALLY weird

It all started in the Fourteenth Century. We have a record of a "pre-tank" machine, called "Fighting Unicorn".

Military

This is a fragment of a page from the work of Mariano di Jacopo (aka Mariano Taccola) from Sienna. Apparently the body was full of very small soldiers, all running in step; the unicorn horn would be lowered to charge, or just to pound on the helmets of astonished infidels .
(via Barista Media)

------------------------
WORLD'S BIGGEST TANKS

World War I -
1. TZAR TANK

Military

Read it and weep! Landships describes the Biggest Tank Ever Built! It is also the Most Strange Armored Fighting vehicle ever constructed.
"Lebedenko Tank", or Tzar tank (after tsar Nikolaj, who helped finance it) was also called "Netopyr" - vampire bat. Its history starts in 1914 with the engineer N. Lebedenko, who came up with the idea of a 40-ton battle machine, running on one small and two very large spoked wheels, almost 9 meter in diameter. The designers hoped that this configuration would make it possible for the vehicle to cross practically all obstacles. However on the initial trial run the small wheel got stuck in a ditch, and the weak engines did not help either.

Military

Military

Military
Source: Tzar

UPDATE:
Here is another strange one (from France):
The "Machine Boirault" tested for the French Army in 1915 as a trench crossing vehicle:


(image credit: Steve Zaloga )

-------------------

World War II -
2. Stalin's Heavy Tank

Military
art by Lobachev

This page has a fascinating article about Stalin's T-35 HEAVY TANK - multi-turreted monster, visually stunning in its huge dimensions.

Military
T-35-2 on parade in Moscow. November 7, 1933.

The running gear of the T-35A tank:
Military

Military

Outwardly, the T-35 looked like the British A1E1 "Independent" five-turret tank:

Military

Today, only one T-35 survives. It is on display in the Kubinka tank museum.

We deliberately omit Nazi Germany tank monstrosities, as they will be subject of a separate post. We will also speak about TOG series 1 and 2, created in 1940 by a team of former WW1 tank designers - in the forthcoming articles.

Military

-------------------

Cold War -
3. American T95 and T28

Allies came up with a few GIANT TANKS, too. T95 and T28 had a shape somewhat similar to German "Maus" prototypes. This thread (in Spanish) discusses their history and has more images.

Military

Military

Military

Military

Only 2 tanks were finished, one just in time for Korean War. The armored plates in front were 12 inches thick!

-------------------
Have you heard of the Ferrari Tank?

No, not this one:
Military
Military

I am talking about ARMY FERRARI - F333E "Lizard"

Military

The lucrative military contracts has proven to be irresistible to many luxury auto-makers. This article puts it this way:
"The Mercedes G-Wagen has been a staple of European and Asian militaries for two decades. Land Rover has been supplying military trucks for over 50 years. BMW sold motorcycles to the Nazis. Porsche designed the Tiger tank and the Wiesel AWC. The Lamorghini LM-002 was adopted by Saudi security forces. And yes, even acclaimed Ferrari got in on the action."

Military

The Ferrari F333E Lizard was an odd little vehicle, it offered sports car performance with armored protection and special operations capabilities; had a reasonable price (one could buy several "Lizards" for the price of one Ferrari's top-end sports car) and provided a status symbol for some third-world dictators. Unfortunately it did not make any waves with the military, because of Ferrari's "absolute lack of experience in the military sales market".

During WWII US Army used "Cadillac" tanks:
Military

Preview of Cadillac Power:
M-5 light tank powered by two Cadillac V-type engines and twin Hydra-Matic transmissions
Source: Plan59

-------------------
More of weird tanks:

Military
Motorized "schlittenfahrt"

Military

Military
Minenraumpanzer III (source)

PAV 6-12: Rolling Mine Exploder:
Military

Russian "Flying Tank" Antonov-KT:
Military

Soviet OBJECT 279 - heavy 4-track tank with an unusual shape which was supposed to prevent its overturning in case of a nuclear blast:

Military

-------------------

World's Smallest Tanks:

Military

Military

Even Smaller? - the "Tank" Chair

Military

Military

Military
Site:Tank Chair


CONTINUE TO PAGE 2 OF THIS ARTICLE

Also Read: "Tank Bling!"

Category: Technology,Vintage, Military




RECENT ARTICLES:

Visual Caffeine #8
Visual Caffeine, Issue 8

A thrilling blend of art, myths and technology

Visual Caffeine #7
Visual Caffeine, Issue 7

A thrilling blend of art, myths and technology

Art Deco
Imperial Dreams: Art Deco Update

Wings, Gears, & Glamorous Ladies

1970s SciFi
DRB Pics-of-the-Day

Grand Space Adventure 1970s Art



"Dark Roasted Blend" - All Kinds of Weird and Wonderful Things, Discovered Daily!"

DRB is a top-ranked and respected source for the best in art, travel and fascinating technology, with a highly eclectic presentation. Our in-depth articles in many categories make DRB a valued online magazine, bringing you quality info and entertainment every time you visit the site - About DRB

Connect with us and become part of DRB on Facebook and Twitter.



YOUR COMMENTS::

7 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Just when you think you've seen 'em all...

___  
Blogger zhochaka said...

The tank with the glass cab on top is a German driver-training tank for the Leopard series. The instructor sits up there with a very good view, and doesn't have to worry about the weather.

___  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Video about Goliath tank

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIL34mpLi4o

Fantastic blog ¡

___  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Some other cool nazi tanks:
Landkreuzer P. 1000 Ratte Landkreuzer P. 1500 Monster

___  
Anonymous Max said...

The Goliath tank was pretty weird

http://strangeweaponoftheweek.com/category/goliath-tank

___  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Those tiny tanks are actually, I'm fairly certain, tracked mines. You drive them under the vehicles and blow them up.

That soldier riding one is likely in the compartment for the explosives.

___  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

you are correct they are for blowing up other tanks from underneath them.

___  

Post a Comment

<< Home


SF ART & BOOK REVIEWS:
Don't miss: The Ultimate Guide to NEW SF&F Writers!
Fiction Reviews: Classic Cyberpunk: Extreme Fiction
Short Fiction Reviews: Lovecraft's "At the Mountains of Madness" (with pics)
New Fiction Reviews: The Surreal Office



READ OTHER RECENT ARTICLES:


Abandoned, Dieselpunk
DRB Pic-of-the-Day

Abandoned: Streamlined Three-wheeler

Visual Caffeine #6
Visual Caffeine, Issue 6

A thrilling blend of art, myths and technology

Visual Caffeine #5
Visual Caffeine, Issue 5

A thrilling blend of art, myths and technology

Hellish Weather on Other Planets

Wild, Untamed, and Uncut

Medieval Suits of Armor

Metal Body Suits vs. Weapons of Medieval Destruction

World's Strangest Theme Parks

Amusement to the (twisted) extremes!

Enchanting Victorian Fairy Tale Art

"Then world behind and home ahead..."

Adorable Pedal Cars

Collectable Pedal Vehicles Showcase


Japanese Arcades: Gundam Pods & Other Guilty Pleasures

These machines have gone up to the next level


Modernist Tallinn Architecture

Delicious blend of old and new!


Early Supercomputers: A Visual Overview

"Computers in the future may weigh no more than 1.5 tons"


Futuristic Concept Cars of the 1970-80s

French, Italian & Japanese rare beauties


Epic 1970s French Space Comic Art

DRB Time-Slice: Valérian and Laureline


The Trees Are Escaping! The Abandoned Prison in French Guiana

"Great Escape" from the Devil's Island



FULL ARCHIVES
(with previews, fast loading):

2022/16
2015/14
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006

Link Lattes

Feel-Good & Biscotti Issues





CATEGORIES:
Feel-Good! | airplanes | animals | architecture | art | auto | boats | books | cool ads | famous | futurism | food
gadgets | health | japan | internet | link latte | military | music | nature | photo | russia | steampunk
sci-fi & fantasy | signs | space | technology | trains | travel | vintage | weird | abandoned