Boirault Machine (Anti-barbed wire Vehicle)

Original article. 

Author: Tim Rigsby

These vehicles were designed by a French engineer known as Mr.Boirault. Mr.Boirault proposed the Boirault Machine (prototype 1) in December 1914, to help combat the ever growing nuisance of barbed wire and static warfare. His attempts developed into two of the strangest vehicle designs of World War One.

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Boirault Prototype 1

This vehicle was designed to be capable of crossing muddy trenches, and crushing the dreaded miles of barbed wire. It consisted of six metal frames sliding on a pyramidal structure. The driving compartment was situated in the middle, and was supported by large girders. This was also where the petrol engine was located, it helped propel the monster to a maximum of 3 kph. Propulsion was achieved by the motor turning chains and driving rods, which were connected to the metal girders.
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The Fiat 2000(picture heavy)

Original post(seriously, this site needs more exposure)

Author: P Kempf. Editor: Charlie Clelland. With many photos provided by “PDA” and Hans van Oerle

Considering the fact that during WW1 Italy’s main fighting was done in the alpine areas on the border to Austria-Hungary, it is not remarkable that their efforts when it came to tracked armoured vehicles was not en par with those of Britain and France. Considering the weak industrial base of Italy, it can be called quite impressive, when you remember the circumstances. Continue reading “The Fiat 2000(picture heavy)”

The Mendeleyev: Another Russian Tank that Never Was

Original post.

Author: Aleksandr Drobyazko, Editor: P Radley

It is a well known fact, that Russian industry in the beginning of the twentieth century strongly lagged behind the industry of Europe. Nevertheless, the development of the country showed impressive progress. Together with the growth of manufacturing, Russian engineers had been developing a number of interesting projects in different areas of technology, including military ones. One interesting AFV project was offered in 1915 by the Russian engineer Vasiliy Mendeleyev (1886-1922). He was the son of the well known Russian scientist Dmitriy Mendeleev. Vasiliy Mendeleyev had graduated from the Kronshtadt Marine Engineering School, and worked as an engineer at a ship-building factory.

Over the course of several years (1911-1915) and without any assistance, Mendeleev worked in his own time on the AFV project. One of the variants of this machine, with it’s projected weight being about 170 tons, was to be be armed with 120-mm gun placed in the forward part of the armored hull, and with a machine gun in the rotating turret. It carried an ammunition load of 51 shells. The thickness of the armored protection of the hull, was: front: 150 mm, sides and rear: 100 mm. Maximum speed: 24 km/hour. It was to have a crew of 8. The tank was never built.

http://www.landships.info/landships/tank_articles/images/Mendeleyev_4.jpg

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Armor changes in 9.15: T-127 & T67

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Armor changes in 9.15: M60 & AMX-13-90

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