Russian Armor, Tanks
By Sir Ernie Hamilton Boyette
Aviation Art Store
The very word "tank" equates in the brain as a massive military vehicle. That could be the definition, but it is not. To the armor history enthusiast, like my self, we have read all the Squadron, some Osprey books on tanks. We have also read a dozen books titled, "Tanks of WWII" in all shapes and sizes. And all these books on "tanks" have fairly fulfilled our wanderlust. Especially all the great books, photos and rendered artworks of the truly incredible German tanks of all shapes and sizes. Tanks so big you need to have a fuel tanker truck not far be hind to supply it. The awesome Panther, and the Tiger tank family. We have adored them all.
And yet, when people like us think of the word, "tank", we think T-34! The true definition of "tank" is in fact the Russian armor of WWII. Constructed at times with poor metal with impurities, made in haste, born in hot metal beaten with the very hammers of Russian workers, sweat dripping from their faces they worked franticly to maintain their lives in the dictator state they presently lived in. Harsh and brutal as Stalin was, the Germans were slaughtering almost all citizenry as they advanced from village to village, town and city. The Germans would have killed them all except for what they needed for slaves.
Sweat and blood went into the construction of every Russian tank. Designed from the very beginning to be a basic design with sloped sides sporting a generous two man turret set on a solid chasse. The foundation the T-34 was built on was equally as ingeniously designed chasse system as the Tiger family of tanks for the Germans. The chasse of the Tiger family supported every combination of anti-tank weaponry as well as anti-aircraft systems.
The Russian chasse was just kick-butt tough. Perfect dependable engine and gear system, easy to operate and easy to maintain in the field. Most of all, production line simplicity. Cost effective if you want my financial opinion. Above all the cost-effectiveness has always been in favor of the Russian systems. The Germans are well know for over-engineering everything from their machine guns to their tanks. And all that superior thinking the Germans did at times got in the way of grandeur the Germans were always expecting.
I will add more here in the future.
I love all armor, but the T-34 has a place in my heart for some reason.
See! Only an armor enthusiast would make a statement like that!
The artwork below is by other artist.
I would love to paint a T-34 for a serious client.
If you are interested in commissioning a armor classic, let me know.
July 8, 2008