I once read the British referred to the post WWII series of the US tank designs that began with the M-46 Patton (the improved Korea era Pershing) and essentially ended with the M-60A3 (or M-60/2000 if you count the Israeli upgrade) was a (I believe) a “pussy tank.” Presumably they did so because the armor on the Centurion was much thicker with the same (or better) relative firepower and mobility…
Anyone have any more info on this?
At the end of the war, the British were determined not to allow any European/Soviet power out-gun them in the tank league. The Centurion squadrons were boosted by the Conqueror, but once the Chieftain came on line it covered both roles.
Not heard about the ‘Pussy’ tanks - it sounds a rather crass description and not very British?
Pussy isn’t a British word, unless you mean in relation to one of these…
Don’t know why the American Tanks would be frowned upon, but I doubt this word would be used to describe them. Especially at that time.
Pussy isn’t a British word, unless you mean in relation to one of these…
Don’t know why the American Tanks would be frowned upon, but I doubt this word would be used to describe them. Especially at that time.
Well, I’ll try to track it down. It may have been from Wiki, or that may have been my loose translation of the statement…
The Aussies seem to be using that word along the same vein in the time period.
SOUTH VIETNAM. 1971. CENTURION TANK 3C, “PUSSY EATER”, OF 3 SQUADRON, 1ST ARMOURED REGIMENT,
from http://cas.awm.gov.au/photograph/P00966.067
Or ask this guy
from http://www.battlefront.com/cgi-bin/bbs/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=46;t=000461;p=0