WoT: In-Game Screenshots Of The New Chinese Heavy Tanks With Historical Reference

BZ-75 (China, Tier-10, HT, techtree, mechanics: rocket boosters)

In the 1960s, amid tense relations with the U.S.S.R., China came up with the concept of creating “frontier-covering forces.” The main firepower of this formation was to be units with “frontier-covering tanks” in service. One of the projects for such vehicles was the BZ-75, developed in 1975 using the experience gained developing the WZ-111 heavy tank. During working on the turret, engineers incorporated the design features of the WZ-1224 project. No BZ-75 prototypes were manufactured.

One of the variants of the “frontier-covering tank.” The vehicle featured quite a simple yet technologically advanced hull and turret welded from flat plates. It was supposed to mount two solid- propellant jet boosters for crossing tough terrain, as well as for self- recovery. No prototypes were manufactured. The project was canceled during the design phase in 1969.

BZ-166 (China, Tier-8, HT, techtree, mechanics: rocket boosters)

In the 1960s, Chinese engineers tried to keep up with the leading tank-building countries, so their projects included design solutions of different schools. The distinctive features of the BZ-166 heavy tank were the “wavy” surfaces of the frontal hull armor and the jet boosters. According to the design concept, such armor was to increase the chances of ricochets. The jet boosters could increase the vehicle’s speed for a short time. It was planned to equip the tank with 122 to 160 mm guns and use it for operations in fortified areas, as well as to destroy enemy engineering structures. It existed only in blueprints.

BZ-58 (China, Tier-7, HT, techtree, mechanics: rocket boosters)

Development began in the late 1950s under the concept of creating “frontier-covering tanks.” The project’s distinctive feature was the combined hull: Its frontal armor was cast with large upper glacis slopes, while the rest of the hull was welded. The vehicle was supposed to feature an autoloader in the rear recess of the turret. The design of the turret itself was combined: The welded base was complemented by cast blocks on the vehicle’s cheeks. No prototypes were manufactured, and the project was canceled in 1970.