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Jim, after reading several web sites I would have to say the opem turret came for need of speed. The more heavely armored tank could not develop the manuverabilty or speed of the less armored tank destroyer. You might like to check out this web site. http://www.dnpcorp.com/609th.htm Though the Need for Speed over armor was certainly a consideration in TD design, I'm more of the belief that it was the designed role of the TD that resulted in it being open topped. The design philosophy being that it was the job of TD's to engage enemy armour, as opposed to US tanks which were designed for assault, infantry support and exploitation of breakthroughs. Thus if the TD were not designed with assault or infantry support in mind, but only the role of engaging enemy armor, then top armor is superfluous. Of course when they actually got into combat they were used in almost the same roles as Tanks, and US Tanks had to perform anti-tank role themself, so the problems inherent in lack of armor on the roof become apparent. But I believe the designers actually thought that they would only be used in their intended role. Designers tend to live in "la la" land a lot of the time. Mind you they were probobly only designing what they were told to by the powers that be. Anyway there are some advantages to being open topped. Visibility is improved greatly, this helps a lot if you want to get the first shot in a fight. This also goes for all-round visability as opposed to the limits placed by Tank periscopes that tend to "tunnel vision" the crew. In the case of taking a hit from the enemy there can be increased survivability for the gunner and commander of the crew, as they can just hop over the side. Or in the case of an Achilles Gunner's story I have read you can be found next to the TD after you are blown out of it by the explosion when it gets hit. I'm sure your aware of all the negatives, i.e. snipers, artillery etc. But there must have been some value in being open topped, given the Germans had a habit of making open topped TD's like the Marders, just they wern't turreted. Another example is the British Archer, which had an open topped Valentine Chassis which a fixed rear firing 17 pounder. And they were designed with the knowledge of modern combat in mind, so there must have been some percieved benifit to being open topped. Hope this is of use. Stuart I'm not sure of the why. My Dad drove one of these. He told me when they went through towns they strung chicken wire over these openings. That way, if a gernade was dropped on them it would hit the chicken wire and roll off.
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What are the Names of parts on army tank?
The British use different names; in the US, the front of a tank is called the bow, the body is called a hull, the cannon is called the main gun, the tool boxes along the sides are called sponson boxes, the armor plating covering the rear of the engine is called the back deck, the turret is called the turret, and if theres a small turret atop the main turret it's called the cupola. The bow, sponson boxes, turret, hatches (doors), hull, are naval terms. Reason? Because the original designers of the "tank" were British Naval Architects. And the original name of tanks in 1915 was LANDSHIPS. Sometimes, more often in the past (read 20th century), the left and right of a tank was sometimes called the "port (left) and starboard (right)" and the rear of a tank was sometimes called the "stern"; again, those were naval terms.
How were the M36 destroyer tanks used?
how were the destroyer tank M36was used? US tank detroyers, the M36 and others, were called tank destroyers to improve the morale of their crews and make them more aggressive. The effectiveness of this nomenclature is unknown, but "tank destroyer" sounded more macho than what they really were: armored anti-tank artillery. And the armor was only enough to protect against anti-personnel bullets and fragments. Unlike the German equivalent, US tank destroyers could not stand a hit from a tank, even the 20mm cannon of the Panzer II. The M36 probably used its mobility to best advantage, firing and moving a lot. They had a gun specially designed for destroying tanks, but they did not fight like tanks because they did not have the armor of a tank. * It has been said with some validity that the best weapon for destroying a tank is another tank. Where tanks cannot be available, tank destroyers could certainly fill the gap to defend and delay an armored assault. Just don't try to lead your own armored assault with them. It will not work.
What is the definition of destroyers for bases deal?
Roosevelt's compromise for helping Britain as he could not sell Britain US destroyers without defying the Neutrality Act; Britain received 50 old but still serviceable US destroyers in exchange for giving the US the right to build military bases on British Islands in the Caribbean.
What is military tank's armor made from?
The Vietnam War M48 Patton medium gun tank and M551 Sheridan tanks (turret only) were of one piece cast & welded steel; not riveted. The Sheridan's hull was all aluminum, as it was the only US tank (officially designated the armored airborne reconnaissance assault vehicle) that could swim.
How many tanks did Americans use in World War 2?
A precise answer is not possible, but many, many thousands. The US built over 88,000 Sherman tanks. The Sherman was a medium tank, but the one most used by US forces. Thousands were also given to the British, Russians and French via Lend-Lease. Before Sherman production got up to speed the M3 Grant tank was built, which was a very poor design. The British were so desperate for tanks they gladly accepted this monstrosity and tried to fight with it in the North African deserts, with disastrous results. The US also built M2 Stuart light tanks, and late in the war, finally, a heavy tank, the M26 Pershing, but not too many of the Pershings saw action. The US put sixteen armored divisions into the field. The Table of Organization and Equipment for an armored division was changed several times during the war, but these generally had somewhere between 200-400 tanks at full strength. In addition, the US put dozens of independent tank battalions into service. These independent battalions were usually used to provide direct armor support to the infantry divisions, leaving the armored divisions for breakthroughs and exploitation. The US also fielded many tank-like fighting vehicles, such as tank destroyers and self-propelled artillery. The tank destroyers were intended, as the name implies, to destroy enemy tanks. These were tracked vehicles, like a tank, usually with a larger main gun than a tank, but, without any armor. This last was a fatal defect. The tank destroyers proved mostly ineffective against enemy armor, but were excellent for use as self-propelled artillery. There were dozens of independent battalions of tank destroyers. Units were also purpose-built to be self propelled artillery pieces, again on a tracked chassis.
Why are U.S. Navy Destroyers called cans?
US Destroyers were built of less than an inch thick of sheet metal. US Battleships, Carriers, and Cruisers had belts of "armor" around them, and were often over an inch thick in sheet metal (skin). Therefore, US Sailors called destroyers, "TIN-CANS"..."Cans" being short for Tin Cans.
What US units landed on Omaha Beach?
29th US Infantry Division consisting of:116th Regimental Combat Team743rd Tank Battalion1st US Infantry Division consisting of:16th Regimental Combat Team741st Tank Battalion2nd Ranger Battalion (at Point du Hoc)They were supported by a Navy task force including 2 Battleships, 5 Cruisers, 12 destroyers and 105 other ships.
What damage did the Japanese cause?
Surface warships: Battleships, Cruisers, Destroyers; and US Navy/US Army aircraft.
What did The US in 1964 charged that North Vietnam had attacked American destroyers in the?
Gulf of Tonkin
What is the big box on top of the M48 tank turret?
The is no box on the Vietnam War Patton tank. There is a cupula, a small turret atop the big (main) turret which was designed to house the .50 caliber machinegun. The ONLY box appearing object topside the M48 Patton tank is the Television (TV) shaped device sitting atop the gun barrel (cannon barrel) where it meets the turret: that's the search light (Xenon Searchlight). During the war, US tanks had no night seeing capability, other than some experimental "pink lights" and "specially mounted" NOD systems (Night Observation Devices). When the tank fired in the dark...crewmen turned on the big flash light! Commonly called the "RPG magnet" for obvious reasons; crewmen in Vietnam "really disliked" turning the device on during the night. Once turned on, tank crewmen would grit their teeth and nearly shut their eyes just waiting for some big explosion to strike their tank (return fire). A good day of firing with the 90mm gun often broke the searchlights screen, and sometimes even the lamp inside. Today's M1 Abram's MBT (Main Battle Tank) can see in the dark...and needs no such device attached to it.
Why was the lend-lease act important to Britain?
Britain needed destroyers to defend its shipping against German U-boats. The US had dozens of overage destroyers from WW1 that were not being used. The US 'lent' 50 destroyers to Britain, and Britain 'leased' naval and air bases in eight of its Atlantic-coast possessions from Newfoundland to the Caribbean to the US for its own defense. This was in 1941 before the US got into the war but it was selling supplies to Britain.
How much does and army tank weigh?
The Vietnam War M551 Sheridan tank, which had an aluminum hull, steel turret and steel 152mm main gun, weighed about 17 tons combat loaded. The tank served in Vietnam from January 1969 until about April 1972. It served with all US Armored Cavalry units in South Vietnam, and had a complement of 4 crewmen.
