Saw this actually on the Discovery Channel. A panel of tank experts, including Tom Clancy, the properitor of Bovington Tank Museum etc. picked the top 10 tanks from through out history. Here is their top 10.
10. M4 Sherman
Why is it on the list:
This is the tank that the Allies rode to victory in Europe! It has good mobility, abundance in numbers and EXTREMLY reliable! In fact, one M4 rode all the way from it’s landing in Normandy all the way to the Siegfried Line without any basic maintance at all except for battle damage repairs! That even leave the legendary T-34 in the dust! It’s also extremly adptable! Even if you take out the battlefield mods, experimental mods etc, there are still over 30 different kinds of different Sherman variants of different engines (Something for you die hard Sherm fans to find out build them all! HAHA!), armor thickness, guns, suspension, tracks etc. etc. etc. Shermans also formed the basis of U.S. tank destroyers like the M-10, M-36 and gun motor carriages. All in all, The M-4 deserves it’s place in the top 10!
Weakness:
The M-4 weakness are many too. first of all, it was lightly armored. It can be penetrated easily by any German tanks, least of all the Tigers and Panthers! Second, it was grossly underguned. It’s 75mm was puny compared to it’s Panther counterparts and even the 76mm can hardly penetrate a Tiger! Only the Sherman Firefly, equiped with the British 76.2mm gun, can stand up anywhere close to a Panther or Tiger and walk away to tell the tale! Also, it doesn’t help early “Ronson Lighters” or “Tommy Cookers” catches fire way too easily! resulting in many a good tanker meeting their untimely end!
9. M-551 Sheridan
I SERIOUSLY disagree with this choice! But it’s here!
Why it made the list:
Innovation! Sheridan has plenty of new technologies that makes it one of the most innovative tanks when it came out, least of which is it’s 152mm short barreled gun, which can fire a variety of shells, including the Shelliagh missile and plenty of other system too (All I’m going to say about this tank because of below…)
Weakness:
not many of the system worked out very well. The 152 was plagued with problems. The same can be said of the Shelliagh missile. This is why the Sheridan never entered widespred service except with a few airborne divisions.
8. The Panzerkampwagan V Panther
Why it made the list:
Simple, this is one of the best tank ever for WWII! It also influenced many tank design afterward.
After the initial “T-34 shock”, The Germans was determined to design a tank that would best it! The end result is the Panther. Once it licked it’s initial teething troubles, it proved to be a great tank, even in many ways better than the Tiger! It’s well sloped frontal armor combined with it’s superior made steel meant in some cases, later variants frontal armor is equivalant to 150mm! That’s even more than the frontal armor of the Tiger! It’s 75mm long barreled cannon is more powerful than the Tiger’s 88. In fact, many experts said that the Tiger should have the 75 and the panther the 88! With a lighter weight and faster speed, the Panthers in many ways was the better tank between the two premier German tanks!
Weakness:
One word, Mechnical Realibility!!! Ok, that was two so sue me! [:P] All jokes aside, it’s the German’s unsatiable appetite for perfection that cost the Panther and eventually the war! The Russians, for example, built a tank that’s “good enough” for battle and it showed in their tank. Many T-34 and JS-2 were rough, humble and looked as if they were built by peasants (which they probably were!)! Yet, did that stopped the T-34 and the Js-2 in battle? nope! The Panther was designed to painstaking standards and built to even more exacting standards and this cost it dearly! Only about 4000 Panthers were made in the war, falling far short what it was expected. Not only that, this exacting standard meant that the Panther never really licked it’s initial teething problems. Some of it plagued it throughout it’s life! Ex. after the war, a French commision made this detailed comment on the Panther, “Finally, we would like to say we have to give our respect to our German maintance crews counterparts. Their patience and tenacity must have been tested to the limit by the Panther, especially it’s transmission! Techically, the transmission suppose to last 2000km before a major maintance check. But in reality, you’d lucky to travel 200KM before it started to have problems! Also, it’s suspension, roadwheels (it’s plastic rims starts to peel off after some 300km of travel!) all have problems that was never fully solved!” Asking a Panther to travel from Normandy all the way to the Segifreid Line like that Sherman is a task in Impossiblity! This is what kept the PAnther here. It could’ve been much higher if it were just a bit more mechically realible!
7. T-72
I somewhat disagree with this choice. Come on! There are much better Russian armor, like the T-90. But still the reason why it’s here make sense. Besides, the T-72 could be called the “father” of the T-90 hehe!
Why it made the list:
Simple, the T-72 could be called the first “true” modern tank. It has all the feature of a modern tank, well sloped armor with composite composition, large SMOOTH bore cannon firing HVAPFSDS (High Velocity Armor-Piercing Fin Stabilized Discarding Sabot) shot, and first to feature a auto loader in the tank, cutting the crew down to three.
It’s large 125mm smooth bore cannon was once feared among West tank crews. It’s also small, much smaller than a comparable western tank, meaning it’s harder to hit. And add on top of all this, it’s made in HUGE numbers! At one time or another, the T-72 facing down the Western tanks at Fulda Gap had a 4 to 1 and sometime even more numercal advantage! So the T-72 making it at number 7 isn’t such a surprise after all these reasons!
Weakness:
The T-72 legend started to collapse after the Cold War came to an end, especially after the First Gulf War. It’s small size meant that interior volume is at critical. In fact, Russian only allow the shortest men (hight kept at 5ft5 or below) to serve on the T-72. The turret is a tight fit for anyone at or higher than 6ft. The auto loader initially had teething problems (if you place your arm wrong, sometimes the auto loader will mistake your arm for a shot and grab it and try to ram it down “the chute!”) and most critically, because of the space problem, all of the tanks ammo and powder charges are stored below the turret basket. This meant litterally you are sitting on a powder keg! and add to this, the tanks fuel cells are very close to this, doubling your problems. This is why many T-72 that got hit in the Gulf War litterally “blew their tops” and “lost their heads!” Also, many export T-72 doesn’t even have auto stablizing mechinism, this meant they can’t fire on the move. Even Russian ones can only allow T-72s to fire while moving slowly. Only very late version have some sort of FLIR camera, even that is rudimentary. This is why the T-72 is at number 7 and not higher
6. The Centurion
Why it made the list:
Simple, this tank is almost legendary! Made just short after WWII. Centurions of various marks saw service around the world and wasn’t fully retired in some armies till the 1980’s! That’s almost 50 years of service! it’s main gun went from a 76mm to that of the equally legendary Brithis 105mm. It has all the combination of a great tank. Good armor, good gun, and more than acceptable speed and mobility! This meant that the Centurion making it to number six is hardly a surprise.
Weakness:
Umm…Have you ever tried to ride a bicycle while facing backward? That’s one description on trying to drive this monster! One retired British Colonel who had more than 20 years of experience on the Centurion said he absolutely loves this tank but HATE driving it! Saying, “if this tanks starts to hate you, then you better get prepared! cause if you so much touch the stupid thing wrong, the transmission will kill the engine and you could start the next 15 minutes trying to get it start it again!” and if you ever think that the M-1 is a fuel guzzler, then meet the M-1 grand daddy! The Centurion! The Centurion got the M-1 beat on fuel “chomping” by a mile and then some! The tank can contain up to 300 gallons of fuel. But on crosscountry at top speed, once you travel about 80miles, you better start checking the fuel gauges because you are now running risk of running out of gas! OOOUUUCCCCHHHHHH!!! This is why the Centurion can not go up any further!
5. The Swiss S-Tank
Why is it on the list:
Simple put, this tank is like no other! The first thing that will shock you is, of course, “where is the turret?” The S-tank is the first post WWII tank designed without a turret, much like famouse WWII tank destroyers like the Jadgpanther or SU-100. It’s specifically breed for forest battles and terrin of the Swish outback. It has excellent mobility, in fact, it can move equally well backwards as it is going forward. This is because it has a second control facing backward so that the driver can quickly switch around and face backward and drive the tank in reverse equally well. This allows the tank to fight equally well while moving backward. The tank also has an innovative hydro-penumatic suspension system so as to raise the whole tank up and down. This allows the S-tank to go into an ambush position, take a few potshots, then quickly move in reverse to a fall back position, and repeat the process.
Weakness:
Simply put, the S-Tank is a tank built to exact Switish specifications. So the tank is built ONLY for Swiss needs. This is why it never garnered any export orders. All it’s innovations works well in Swiss country, but not anywhere else. This is a black mark for the tank.
4. The Merkava
Why it’s on the list:
This is one extremly mean tank! The Merkava, known as the Chariot in Hebrew, was designed specifically for Israle defensive needs. Since Israle is extremly “light” on population, and well trained experienced tankers are a rarity, it’s little doubt that this tank is heavy on protection! The Merkava is the only modern tank that has it’s engine out in front, not the rear, just like an APC or IFV. The Isralis purposefully place the engine here so that if ever the front glacis armor is penetrated, the engine will take the brunt of the punishment, rather than the crew. The Isralies rather loose the engine and the tank, rather than the crew. This meant like an APC or IFV, the tank has spaces in the rear section for a squad of infantry, a first for a MBT. The tank also have a massive 120mm cannon and may eventually outfited with Israle’s Trophy auto defense mechinsm.
Weakness:
Like the S-Tank, the Merkava is a tank designed specifically for Israle needs and battle in the Sinai Desert. This meant it might not be perfect anywhere else. Israle is more than willing to loose the tank’s engine in exchange for the tanker’s life. But everywhere else, that move is death for any tank! Also, mobility have always been a question since the Israllies concentrated so much on protection. But that situation improved dramatically with the MK IV with its 1,500HP engine. But still, like the S-tank, the Merkava lack of export orders is telling.
3. T-34
Why it made the list:
I think I don’t need say too much of why this tank is on the list to people here do I? HEHE!!! This is a true legend! It’s almost perfect in every way, the perfect combination of firepower, mobility and protection! The shock it gave to the German lead to the Panther and Tiger and if you have to list a top 10 tanks of WWII, this tank surely will take number 1! Although some modern tanks have out best it, this tank can be said it’s their grand daddy!
weakness:
umm…Let me see…umm…Still trying to find one…Wait…No, that ain’t it!..Come on! There has to be one!!!..Ok, Ok, you can say that the Panther and Tiger eventuall out class it somewhat, that can be counted as a weakness right…Well, I guess YOU CAN say that if the T-34 never was, then the Panther and Tiger will never come to existance!..Ok, still looking for one…Umm…Can I get back to you on this one???
2. M-1A2 Abram
Why it made the list:
Do I need to say why this tank made the list?!?!? Especially after it’s performance in battle in the Gulf War, Iraq and many other places? With it’s powerfull 1,500HP engine, massive 120mm gun, auto stabilize system that allows it fire while the tank is jossoling all over the place, advanced optics and FLIR system that allows accurate firing at night, this tank is a nightmare for anyone on the other side. The M1-A2, especially the SEP version is even deadly because of its vee-tronics (just like Avionics) and it’s networking capabilities. With this capability, if so much as one M1-A2 SEP sees you, then it’s over! Cause it can automatically go over the network, and send your position, it’s position to any of it’s friends. If anyone else is in the network, then they will see the info too. This can include Apaches, A-10 Thunderbolts, Harriers, battlefield commanders or any other assets. This means that if a SEP sees you, then the world can suddenly come crashing down on you! No other tank, not even the tank at number 1, has this capability so far!
Weakness:
The only thing that can bring this tank down somewhat is the fact that it’s turbine engine is a huge fuel guzzler. I won’t say it too much cause I think it’s probably discussed here .
1. Leopard II A5/A6
Why it’s number 1:
The LEo II is agreed as the perfect combination of speed, armor and firepower. However, I still don’t feel it should be number one. The M-1A2 SEP I feel should be since this tank is never battle tested. It’s fast, powerful and accurate and could be called the “Europe’s” tank since many European bought this tank. It’s also extremly easy to maintain and reliable (That’ German engineering for you). But still, the LEo never fired it’s gun in anger. This is why except European countries, almost no one else bought it.
Weakness:
As I’ve said, it’s not battlefield tested. And unless the Leo II fire it’s gun in anger once and for all, this will never go away. You can argue this and that but the M-1 series has fired it’s gun in anger, destroyed it’s opponents and sufferend damages and loses. GDLS can put out all these true to life facts while Klause-Manfried can’t. This is why many Mid-East countries and Austrillia opted for teh M1-A2 instead of the Leo. This is because they saw what the M-1 can do on the battlefield. The same can not be said for the Leo II. This is why IMO, the Leo should be number 2 while the M-1 should be number 1. Although I will admit it’s gonna be a VERY close number 2!
well, I listed out what the experts think and what I think. Let the discussion begin among you tank and armor lovers!
P.S. Some question you probably are asking?
- No Tiger?
Probably because as said, the Panthers in alot of ways were better than the Tiger and the Tiger is even more unreliable than the Panther and a lot slower in mobility (one of the key consideration of this list). This is probably why it didn’t make the list.
- No Challenger II?
Yea, I have a beef with this one too. The Chally should be there but it isn’t. Ohh well, ask them experts, not me!
- Where is the Leclerc?
Again, ask them experts, not me!
