#OTD in 1944 the order was given to build and test the SU-57 tank destroyer based on the SU-76M chassis. It would have gone into production in the fall of the same year if not for opposition from the GBTU. #tanks #history #WW2 #WWII

Demonstration of the first mass produced Medium Tank M3, Detroit Arsenal, taken #OTD in 1941. The M3 was supposed to be a stopgap built in limited numbers until a successor could be put into production, but over 6000 were built in the end. #tanks #History #WW2 #WWII

The first ever tank on tank battle took place #OTD in 1918. German A7V tanks armed with cannons showed that they could destroy British tanks armed only with machine guns with impunity. Even so, machine gun tanks remained popular for decades after. #tanks #history #WW1 #WWI

#OTD in 1942 an alternative variant of the Pz.Kpfw. Löwe with a Porsche diesel power plant was proposed. Two engines would put out a total of 840 hp. The tank was never built and Porsche continued to pitch diesels for heavy tanks with limited success. #tanks #history #WW2 #WWII

The first six LT vz.34 were delivered to their end users #OTD in 1934. This tank helped form the structure of the Czechoslovakian armoured force, but it was quickly phased out in favour of the superior LT vz.35. #tanks #history

Instructions regarding behaviour when meeting British or American troops were issued by the Stavka #OTD in 1945. Soviet troops were could accept invitations to visit Allied camps, but could only invite their allies with permission from senior commanders. #history #WW2 #WWII

As requirements for a new tank climbed, the T-43 became nonviable. A decision was made in the fall of 1943 to install its turret on the chassis of the T-34 tank. This hybrid paved the way for the T-34-85. #tanks #history #WW2 #WWII www.tankarchives.com/2026/04/the-...

This is not wrong.

Characteristics of the Ferdinand tank destroyer provided by the Red Army were published in Tactical & Technical Trends #OTD in 1944. By this point the vehicle already transformed, gaining a commander's cupola and a hull machine gun. #tanks #history #WW2 #WWII

#OTD in 1941 the Kirov factory was allowed to cease producing spare parts for the KV-1 to focus on setting up KV-3 production. This decision backfired two months later when the Germans invaded and the KV-3 was not even close to completion. #tanks #history #WW2 #WWII

Competition between Soviet tank factories was fierce and secrecy reached ridiculous levels. #OTD in 1944 military representatives complained to the head of the GBTU that development of new tanks at factory #100 was being kept secret even from them. #tanks #History #WW2 #WWII

Momentum was key to the successful assault on Berlin. #OTD in 1945 Zhukov ordered the formation of assault squads that were specially trained to fight at night in order to ensure that the city's garrison did not have a minute to catch their breath. #history #WW2 #WWII

#OTD in 1945 the Red Army captured the hulk of the sole complete Maus tank which the Germans demolished because it broke down during their retreat. The tank sat there for months until someone realized it didn't look like any known type of German tank. #tanks #history #WW2 #WWII

Mobility trials of an M24 Chaffee tank began at Kubinka #OTD in 1945. Soviet testers noted that it was slower than the Light Tank M5A1 tested previously, but faster than the Soviet SU-76M that it was racing against. #tanks #history #WW2 #WWII

#OTD in 1942 the People's Commissar of Tank Production announced considerable rewards for anyone who could increase the lifespan of the T-34's engine. The top prize aimed at a lofty goal of 350 hours of service with lesser awards for 300 and 250 hours. #tanks #history #WW2 #WWII

The Zrínyi II SPG was the Hungarian equivalent of a StuH 42 built on the chassis of the Škoda T-21 medium tank produced in Hungary under the name Turán. The Zrínyi first saw battle #OTD in 1944. #tanks #history #WW2 #WWII

Trials of a Ram tank with a 75 mm gun began #OTD in 1943. The program was cancelled with only 40 out of the planned 700 tanks converted, as Sherman tanks were available in sufficient numbers and there was no need to use Rams. #tanks #history #WW2 #WWII

Trials of a Ram tank with a 75 mm gun began #OTD in 1943. The program was cancelled with only 40 out of the planned 700 tanks converted, as Sherman tanks were available in sufficient numbers and there was no need to use Rams. #tanks #history #WW2 #WWII

The first concrete step towards the KV-1S tank was taken #OTD in 1942. Two KV-1 tanks with modified components, including a new 8-speed gearbox, entered trials. These tanks also had new cooling systems and supercharged V-2KF engines. #tanks #history #WW2 #WWII

The front armour of the T-44 prototype tank was at the level of its predecessor at 75 mm. #OTD in 1944 a request was made to make it 90 mm thick to resist the latest German heavy anti-tank guns. #tanks #history #WW2 #WWII

The Medium Tank T5E2 entered trials #OTD in 1939. The position of a howitzer in the hull and a single machine gun in the turret seemed archaic, but a greatly improved version of this layout was used on the Medium Tank M3. #tanks #history #WW2 #WWII

As the USSR and the Western Allies closed in on Germany, friend-or-foe identification became very important. #OTD in 1945 orders were given to apply a white cross to the top of the turret and a white stripe running around the perimeter. #tanks #history #WW2 #WWII

The Battle of Moscow ended #OTD in 1942. The Germans were thrown back hundreds of kilometers from the Soviet capital. The German army was in no shape for another offensive in this sector, choosing to redirect their attention to the south for the summer 1942 campaign. #history #WW2 #WWII

The IS-3 tank entered production #OTD in 1945. Despite some rumours, the tank came far too late to fight against Germany in the Second World War, nor was it used to fight against Japan in August of 1945. #tanks #history #WW2 #WWII

The NIBT Proving Grounds at Kubinka had quite a large collection of experimental armoured vehicles on hand. #OTD in 1938 a decision was made to gather them into a museum. Today, it remains one of the largest and most impressive tank museums in the world. #tanks #history

The first contract to build LT vz.34 tanks was signed #OTD in 1933, ending a decade-long search for a Czechoslovakian tank. The LT vz.34 was followed by the LT vz.35 and LT vz.38, which were among the best light tanks of their generation. #tanks #history

By the time trials of the IS-1 (#233) concluded #OTD in 1943 requirements for heavy tanks had changed. Soviet heavy tanks now needed an 85 mm gun. The tank that went into production under the name IS-1 later that year was a very different vehicle. #tanks #history #WW2 #WWII

A T-60 tank equipped with a high velocity 37 mm ZIS-19 gun in an enlarged turret entered trials #OTD in 1942. This was a considerable upgrade to the T-60 tank, but entirely unnecessary, as the T-70 was already replacing it in production. #tanks #history #WW2 #WWII

Two Heavy Tank T32 prototypes arrived at the Aberdeen Proving Grounds #OTD in 1946. This vehicle was based on the Pershing tank to accelerate development, but it was still too late to fight in the war it was designed for. #tanks #history #WW2 #WWII

#OTD in 1934 APX presented the APX R turret. This one man turret carried a 37 mm SA 18 gun and a MAC Mle. 1931 machine gun. Later, the more powerful 37 mm SA 38 gun was installed in the same turret. It was used on several French light tanks. #tanks #history

Valentine tanks with 2-pounders continued to arrive in the USSR long after the 2-pounder became ineffective against German armour. #OTD in 1944 a proposal was made to replace it with an 85 mm ZIS-S-53 gun. This replacement was never performed. #tanks #history #WW2 #WWII

Since tank riders were a common tactic used by the Red Army, the tanks were adapted to support them. For instance, #OTD in 1942 heat shields were added over the exhaust pipes on the T-70 to the infantry wouldn't burn themselves. #tanks #history #WW2 #WWII

Orders were given #OTD in 1941 to develop powerful new 107 mm anti-tank guns to defeat German super-heavy tanks. The guns were built and tested, but by the time German heavy tanks showed up the 107 mm caliber was no longer in use. #artillery #tanks #history #WW2 #WWII

Development of the successor to the Medium Tank M3 began #OTD in 1941, shortly after it entered into production. The resulting tank was called Medium Tank T6, which evolved into the Medium Tank M4, the legendary General Sherman. #tanks #history #WW2 #WWII

Assembly of the Porsche Tiger was completed #OTD in 1942. 10 more tanks were supposed to be delivered in May, but defects with the cooling system causing rapid engine failure that were discovered during testing delayed the start of production. #tanks #History #WW2 #WWII

Negotiations between Christie and Soviet representatives took place #OTD in 1930. Despite what is often claimed, the Soviet side insisted on obtaining explicit permission from Washington to export Christie tanks to the USSR. #tanks #history

After shopping around for an export tank, Switzerland picked the Czechoslovakian LTL-H over the German LKA/LKB and Swedish Landsverk L-60. The LTL-H consisted of the Praga THN chassis adapted to Swiss requirements. This tank served under the designation Panzerwagen 39. #tanks #history

An order for 100 Covenanter tanks was made #OTD in 1939. No prototype would be built. As a result of this haste, the design was unpolished and the tank never saw combat, as by the time its defects were corrected it was already obsolete. #tanks #history #WW2 #WWII

Trials of Soviet heavy artillery against armour began #OTD in 1941. It turned out that 122 and 152 mm guns made fine anti-tank weapons in a pinch. This knowledge that came in handy when powerful guns were needed urgently in 1943. #artillery #history #WW2 #WWII

#OTD in 1943, after more than a year of using British tanks, the Red Army composed a report on its experience. These tanks were slow moving and hard to service. A recommendation was made to only use them in the south, as they were unsuitable for winter. #tanks #history #WW2 #WWII

The Germans committed considerable resources to trying to break through to the encircled garrison at Tarnopol, including Tiger tanks of the s.Pz.Abt.507. Those tanks fell victim to Soviet 152 mm guns #OTD in 1944. #tanks #History #WW2 #WWII

#OTD in 1943 a contract for 135 SU-76I SPGs was signed. Such a small number was caused by a shortage of StuG III and Pz.Kpfw.III chassis captured in a condition suitable for refurbishment. Only 200 vehicles of this type were built. #tanks #history #WW2 #WWII

T-44 prototypes were shot up on April 4-5th, 1944. A hull that corrected the discovered defects was due #OTD in 1944. However, the concept of the T-44 was reworked as a whole, and so not a single tank was ready on time. #tanks #history #WW2 #WWII

The T-50 tank was accepted into service #OTD in 1941. It had the potential to replace the T-26 as the Red Army's infantry tank, but the war started before any growing pains could be ironed out or production optimized to reduce costs. #tanks #history #WW2 #WWII

A Heavy Tank T26E3 with registration number 30119961 departed for the USSR #OTD in 1945 with convoy JW-66. The Soviets were disappointed, as neither its armour nor armament were sufficient for a heavy tank. #tanks #history #WW2 #WWII

The Berlin Operation began #OTD in 1945. Even in their death throes, the Nazis were going to put up a fight. Intelligence estimated that a million Germans dug in on the way to Berlin and inside the city. It took two weeks before the garrison capitulated. #history #WW2 #WWII

The American 57 mm Gun M1 was a copy of the British 6-pounder, a potent anti-tank weapon. #OTD in 1942 a decision was made to put this gun in a halftrack to make the GMC T48 tank destroyer. #tanks #history #WW2 #WWII

The Ordnance Committee recommended the development of the Medium Tank T23E3 #OTD in 1942. This tank had a torsion bar suspension which proved more troublesome than the VVSS suspension used on earlier medium tanks, but came in handy for the future T26. #tanks #history #WW2 #WWII

Light tanks weren't particularly useful in Europe by the end of the war, but were still quite effective in the Pacific. New variants were still being developed for this theater. The first M3A1 Satan, a flamethrower tank, was tested #OTD in 1944. #tanks #history #WW2 #WWII

Starting #OTD in 1944 T-34 tanks and vehicles on the T-34 chassis started carrying spare track links on the front of the hull. This reduced the maximum range of penetration for the 75 mm Pak 40 from 1000 to 800 meters. #tanks #history #WW2 #WWII