Best Looking Tank

In terms of classic sleek good looks, I would have to rate the Crusader, Panther, and T34 tops among WWII tanks.

However, I tend to prefer ugly ducklings and I often find beauty where no one else does. The M3 medium (Lee-Grant) is a favorite of mine, and I am also fond of the M3 light tank, the Matilda, and the Vickers light tanks.

 

Char and Tetrarch

 

"I often find beauty where no one else does" . An interesting comment. It would be an interesting psychological exercise to include photos of what you consider a "beautiful woman" alongside your armour choices.

 

I was a Conqueror driver, I must say they were good fun to drive as a 20 year old.

 

Has nobody mentioned this?

 

Don’t forget the Centurion that was not a bad looking beast. I did a gunnery course on the Cent and we had to name every part of the 20 pounder. The only part of the breach block I can remember is the smallest. It was called “Screw retaining intermediate firing needle with drawing needle

 

My original post never made it here, so here we go again. Speaking purely aesthetically.

British: I vote for the Comet. If only, if only we had made enough ahead of the Cromwell. When I joined a TA Yeomanry regiment in the Midlands in 1979, unaware that they had been 'foot cavalry' for a few years (Home Defence) - an old sweat told me that there had been a Comet in the vehicle sheds until 1977 'when Bovington came and took it away'.

German: Later mark Panthers.

Soviet: JSIII

I cannot think of any.. any ... Italian or Japanese tank that was even remotely aesthetic.

 

You are right, mate; I forgot about that somehow attractive armoured caterpillar, le Char B1... Maybe it is because of the very distinctive camo patterns the French were so adept to :wink:

 

Ooohh Char, good call. A truly gorgeous looking tank.

 

Oh, dear, that's a whole 'nother thread I'm afraid.

It's changed for me over the years. When I was young they all had to look like Playboy models, but I've since learned that beautiful women come in a range of shapes, sizes, and body types. And when you meet a girl you love and care about, she's always beautiful to you.

But to bring it back to tanks...well, the Crusader has a classic svelte look, slender and built for speed a la Kate Moss, but the Grant is a 40-23-40 woman, chubby in the right places.

 

The Churchill reminds me of Susan Boyle.

 

1943 the DRAC (Directorate of the Royal Armoured Corp) issued a specification for the A41 (Centurion) to the Tank Design Department who with designers attached from Vickers started the design of the Centurion: Last time I saw one was in Germany - uparmoured with periscopes painted red she was used for 66mm (A/tk) training with training rounds. (1970s) Told not to aim directly at the read areas - which raised a laugh - the 66mm was in the view of many an area weapon that with the assistance of gravity would at least hit the ground - somewhere.


Tank Design Department 1943 :

http://archive.org/stream/armylistoctpart21943grea#page/980/mode/2up

Proving the design (1945):

http://archive.org/stream/armylistjulpart21945grea#page/1216/mode/2up



Directorate:

http://preservedtanks.com/Locations.aspx?LocationCategoryId=3120

http://www.britishpathe.com/search/query/tanks



http://www.scribd.com/doc/48015453/Centurion-Tank-1943-2003

 

Best looking tank is a two-way tie between M24 Chaffee and Comet - both perfectly proportioned tanks.

There wasn't much chance of the Centurion seeing service in WW2 despite what people think, as its production wasn't slated to start until Dec. 45. It was the A43 Black Prince that was scheduled to be the next major British tank type in service, with 300 ordered for production from the second quarter of 1945. A handful of Centurion prototypes were slated for combat trials in May 1945, but a change in circumstances ruled that out.

 

Comet tank for me

Slightly lighter and faster than the tiger but with a Rolls Royce engine.

Was one of the 6 desert Churchill tanks shot up by a six pounder?

Churchill tanks were very good at climbing steep slopes.

Lawrence

PS I also like the Humber Light Recce Car.

 

That's just wrong!

 

You ain't seen nuttin yet! Enjoy

 

Za

The Bwitish Grenadiers one is particularly apt...cups of tea even on the tank markings......now, is that tank turret a Churchill or a Comet....I know which (tank) I prefer.