"Grosstraktor Amphibious Trials" Topic

"I attach a report on testing the amphibious properties of German tanks at Kazan. The experiments have been unsuccessful so far. Recall that although the tanks are early prototypes, the Germans spent 6-7 years on designing and building them."

"October 30th. Our friends were testing the Rheinmetall tank's swimming. It was scheduled at 13:00, but our friends began earlier, at 12:00, which I found out by sheer accident. Perhaps our friends wanted to conduct the first trials without us to later show us a prepared procedure. Personally, I was with the tank when it went towards the lake at 12:00. The rest came at 13:00.

The first swim was successful to a distance of 5-10 meters. The tank was connected to a tractor with a cable, but this was unnecessary. On the second swim the cable was removed and the tank went in without any safeties. The tank was submerged in water by 3/4 and floated, after which it took a right turn. When the tank turned it tilted, and water entered the engine compartment, then the turret compartment, then the whole tank. An attempt by our friends to reverse failed, as the tank quickly submerged and sank…"

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Amicalement
Armand

I've seen pics of this monster before … Like some German designs, it was just too big and heavy !

(smile)

Amicalement
Armand