Posted on 02/28/2010 7:50:56 PM PST by bruinbirdman
Well, that settles it. Now we know the truth.
yitbos
Are they listed on eBay? Or perhaps Craig list?
American tanks have had steering wheels since right after WWII(don't know about the M1, but would imagine they do also), maybe Russia kept the old joysticks but I would think they didn't. The PCs we had when I was in the military had the sticks, but every thing else had a steering wheel, or something that passed as one.
Some Russian machine guns use ammo belts which are not disintegrating link. I believe the PK series were used as coaxial guns on some of their tanks and use such belts.
M1s use a handlebars and throttle setup, kind of like a motorcycle for steering.
The M-48 and M-60 series tanks had a steering T-bar.
For quality reasons I would take the M1 fleet. But if I don’t have an M1 fleet, then I would use what I have. A Bradley ambushed at close range by a T-34/85 is just as dead as one ambushed by a T-90 upgrade.
I can understand your point of view, but I think you are ‘mirror imaging’ here. The careless use of troops is still endemic in the Russian army due to mediocre leadership and the fact that the bulk of their army is still made up of draftees. Also remember that the Russians are only partly westernized. They are still strongly influenced by the past (think Mongols) and although they lost 25-35,000,000 in WW II, THEY WON. This point is driven home to all officers in the Russian army. You don’t waste your soldiers needlessly, but you expend them when you need to.
Uh, they're in the shop sir.....getting their oil changed.
“...and the keys to the tanks’ ignitions...”
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I have driven quite a few armored vehicles; none of which required ignition keys.
In battlefield conditions, you don’t want anyone wondering,
“Now, where did I put my tank keys?”
The Russians have always been very spend thrift with their troops.
It wouldn’t be unreasonable to pre-deploy armored assets to various locations for future access in keeping with the defense strategy of the nation. Other than depot level fluids preservation, it might be better than prestaging in a logistical camp that is obvious.
≤]B^)
You can also feed something more volatile than diesel fuel into the air intake. Usually it's ether, but I've also seen a gasoline soaked rag held up to the air intake, and I've heard of propane being used.
Much easier than hot-wiring a helicopter, and I know how to do that.
bttt
Imagine you are in the heat of battle and YOU LOST YOUR G.D. KEYS AGAIN!!!! "Mary!! Where did I put my TANK KEYS??!?!"
Met up with a couple of grizzled old prospectors on a mountain in Arizona once. Their diesel Land Rover was partly slid off the road, and they were having trouble starting it. They finally got it running with a can of ether spray. After that, my friend with the Bronco helped wich them back up onto the road.
With the latest designs, it’s probably “WHAT’S THE G— D—— PASSWORD????”
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