The Hungarians were developing a modern heavy tank/tank destroyed combination, called the "Tas". It used 2x260 hp Turan engines, a solution also seen in the Sherman M4A2. From what I have gleaned from the Internet, it was supposed to have welded armor of up to 130 mm. The chassis had six roadwheels on semi-epiliptical springs. Envisioned armamanet for the tank would be the German 75 mm L/70 and a 88 mm L/71 for the tank destroyer. The soft-steel prototype was destroyed by an American bombing raid in 1944, though.
It looks like a very good design for WW2 standards to me, better than the Panther and the Sherman in terms of profile.
I know. A 75mm L/70 gun makes it a match for the Panther, and that 88 could blow up a Tiger. But the Hungarians gave up on it! I can't believe it! They could have at least sold some to other countries (like America, whom's WW2 tanks were somewhat outclassed) and get some spare change.
The [Panthers] 75 mm L/70 does not automatically make it a match for a Panther in itself... Also, 88 mm is no minimal projectile diameter necessary for blowing up Tigers (or penetrating 80 mm of armor). I don't think they gave up so much as that development was halted by events. One cannot just start full-scale production like that. Designs need to be proved, tested, tinkered with, factory tooling set up, et cetera. Why would Hungary sell tanks to their enemy, America anyway? They were on the Axis side, except towards the very end, and then the development had stopped. :-?
All the various designs being developed / produced in Eastern Europe (Hungary, Romania, etc) were all stopped immediately when they were 'liberated' by the USSR.
"Liberated"? They cooperated with Germany.. "Sure, I will join any actions against the Russians!" Ion Antonescu, 1941, before the start of Barbarossa
Ion Antonescu was Romanian not Hungarian! (and IIRC he got arrested by King Michael in 1944 and at that time Romania switched sides)
