Model Train Journal

...Tiger Tank!
https://tankmuseumshop.org/collections/ ... mas-jumper

Except...that's a Sherman Firefly (Medium Tank, M4A4) Tank Destroyer / Medium Tank [ 1944 ]
Distinctive. Not cherman.

For the man who has everything


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Not high on my list of gotta haves.

Yep, back in the 60's and early 70's, to wear this sweater would label you a war monger.........my how things have changed.

ScaleCraft wrote:Except...that's a Sherman Firefly (Medium Tank, M4A4) Tank Destroyer / Medium Tank [ 1944 ]
Distinctive. Not cherman.

The one on the sweater in front of the Christmas trees is definitely a Pzkpfw VI King Tiger, or Royal Tiger as originally referred to. It looks like the band across the center features a number of different vehicles, ranging from WWII types to later Warsaw Pact and NATO member vehicles.

I've never understood the great fascination many hold for the German Army and its equipment.

healey36, maybe the fascination with the German stuff is because they had so many weapon innovations? The Panther and Tiger tanks were superior to anything the US or the Brits and Russians had during WWII until the very end of the war. And any of the tanks fitted with the 88MM gun, and any of the Germany artillery that were 88s in support, were responsible for hundreds of destroyed allied tanks & crews. Sherman's were gas powered; the Tigers were diesels. Even a minor hit on a Sherman from artillery, mortar, or small arms armor piercing tracers and the tank burnt, with hopefully the crew able to escape before explosion. German machine guns had a much faster rate of fire than anything the US had, and how about that grenade on a stick called the "potato masher"? Made it easier to throw in close combat. Submachine guns with a 90 degree barrel to shoot around corners in city street combat. Not very accurate but could be used as a covering fire until regular infantry could get a hold of the situation. And never forget the most coveted weapon that was brought back home by US troops, the German Luger 9MM, (and thousands of '98 Mauser rifles). Although many different models of automatic handguns are made nowadays, the toggle topped Luger still has the respect of handgun aficionados everywhere. There were many other products that were firsts, and I guess many folks are in awe of some of those innovations?

Mitch, I would agree that they were highly innovative, but I think the notion of their superiority is largely a myth. Much of their stuff was highly unreliable in the field, especially their heavier tanks. The problem was compounded by their lack of recovery equipment capable of handling their heaviest gear, resulting in tanks disabled with mechanical problems that were left behind (the Germans were pretty much in retreat from mid-1943 on). I would totally agree that the dual-purpose 88mm gun was the queen of the battlefield, nearly from the beginning. No one had anything that could stand up to it if in the hands of a capable crew. Anti-tank, artillery piece, anti-aircraft, naval gun, it could do it all. Certainly one of the best ordnance examples in military history.

Best tank of the war, the Russian T-34 series, hands down.

Dave,

"Tanks" for that.

Sorry, I couldn't resist.

George