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Amphibious armour

Discussion in 'Armor and Armored Fighting Vehicles' started by Spartanroller, Oct 15, 2010.

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If you need an amphibious tank, what do you think is the best type?

  1. Buoyant Hull

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  2. Strap on Pontoons

    75.0%
  3. Flotation Screens

    16.7%
  4. Snorkel

    8.3%
Multiple votes are allowed.
  1. T. A. Gardner

    T. A. Gardner Genuine Chief

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    The tracks on that M5 are fitted with grousers like the LVT has to use the tracks for swimming. That is why they look odd. I doubt that an M5 without some sort of DD or pontoon arrangement would float so there must be such a system not shown in the picture.
     
  2. Spartanroller

    Spartanroller Ace

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    It seems like an obvious vehicle to try this sort of thing on, but there's no other info I can find anywhere, even mentioning trials. My guess is it had a pontoon that fitted fairly snugly on the front at least - there seems to be some sort of tie-rods/bolts there that i don't see on other models.
     
  3. T. A. Gardner

    T. A. Gardner Genuine Chief

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    There are added eyes for something on the glacis so a pontoon is likely.
     

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  4. formerjughead

    formerjughead The Cooler King

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    Looks like it's missing the coaxial machinegun too.

    [​IMG]
     
  5. Spartanroller

    Spartanroller Ace

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    that would make sense - no BMG means easier to block the hole and you can clip a pontoon over it.
     
  6. Spartanroller

    Spartanroller Ace

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    Just found another prototype Russian vehicle from 1934, The PT-1/PT-1a;
     

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  7. Spartanroller

    Spartanroller Ace

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    and another showing the alternative twin prop/twin rudder version (believe is the PT-1, the single prop/rudder being the 1A;
     

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  8. Spartanroller

    Spartanroller Ace

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    Just found a mystery amphibian about which I can find no information.

    This is the only photo I have ever seen of it (apologies for poor quality).

    It may possibly be American.

    It appears to be a prototype and not an emergency modification.

    It has some similarities to Carden Loyd designs but doesn't appear identical

    I am over 99% certain that it never saw service.

    ANYONE HAVE ANY IDEAS?
    :confused::confused::confused::confused::confused::confused::confused:
     

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  9. T. A. Gardner

    T. A. Gardner Genuine Chief

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    Got a bigger picture of it?
     
  10. Spartanroller

    Spartanroller Ace

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    sorry that's it - blowing it up doesn't help. haven't tried enhancing yet.
     
  11. Spartanroller

    Spartanroller Ace

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    think it must be a prototype with slightly modified suspension of the VCL IV amphibians;

    maybe related to the light tank mk iv suspension trialled in this (last photo)
     

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  12. dazzerjeep

    dazzerjeep Member

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    I have a book writen by George Foorty in 1984 and at that time he was curator at Bovinton tank museum. He did alot of the research for the book in the library at Bovington and the picture you have shown is ubelievably similar to one emerging from the water.

    The tank I believe is the Vickers light amphibious tank developed in the 1930's, It was very successful amphibious tank weighing just over 2 tons, it was not adopted by the British but was brought by many countries overseas. Its top speed was over 25 mph on land and 3.5 mph in the water.

    I hope this is of some help :)
     
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  13. Spartanroller

    Spartanroller Ace

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    Thanks Dj I'm pretty sure is a VCL IV as well, just it has a slightly modified suspension with a beam - probably just a 1-off test prototype.

    I love George Forty's books - he had access to such good material and writes superbly.
     
  14. dazzerjeep

    dazzerjeep Member

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    Than you :eek:
     
  15. Spartanroller

    Spartanroller Ace

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  16. sonofacameron

    sonofacameron Member

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    Video of Amphibious (DD Tanks) crossing the Rhine, March 1945
    [​IMG]
     
  17. Spartanroller

    Spartanroller Ace

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    Thanks SoaC :)

    Also I just found these interesting Universal Carrier amphis;

    with pontoons
    with kapok floats
    and fitted for deep wading
     

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  18. Spartanroller

    Spartanroller Ace

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    And the T34 - apparently all prototypes and not used;
     

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