2-1 to the Crusader then, since it’s close I’ll give this one more night before doing the next one.
Apparently I’ll actually give it three nights :oops:
New one will be done this evening. Last tie of the first round.
Fiat M13/40 (Italy) vs Char B-1bis (France)
M13/40
Max Speed: 20mph (37km/h) (ROAD)
Range: 125 miles (200km)
Vertical Obstacle: 2’8’’ (0.8m)
Trench: 6’11’’ (2.1m)
Length: 16’2’’ (4.92m)
Width: 7’3’’ (2.2m)
Height: 7’10’’ (2.38m)
Weight: 30,865lb (14,000kg)
Ground Pressure: 13.2lb/sq in (0.92kg/sq cm)
Armour: 0.24’’ - 1.65’’ (6mm - 42mm)
Armament: 1x 47mm gun, 1x 8mm MG coaxial with main gun, 1x 8mm anti-aircraft MG, twin 8mm MG in hull front
Ammunition: 104x 47mm, 3,048x 8mm
Service History: Entered service with the Italian army in 1940, phased out of service in 1942.
Developed from the short lived M11/39, the M13/40 retained the M11/39 chassis but had a redesigned hull. With only four men in the crew (driver, bow machine gunner, commander and loader) the M13/40 suffered the same problems as all other tanks with a two man turret crew - the commander had to aim and fire the main gun as well as his usual duties, meaning that either the weapon was fired slower than in a tank with a dedicated gunner or that the tank was not properly commanded.
When used against the British in North Africa, the M13/40 was found to prone to breakdown due to not being designed for desert conditions. The M13/40 also suffered from a break down in Italian logistics, meaning that many were captured after running out of fuel. So many were captured that two Allied units were equipped with them for a short time in 1941 due to a shortage of British tanks (6th Royal Tank Regt and Australian 6th Cavalry).
Char B1-bis
Max Speed: 17mph (28km/h) (ROAD)
Range: 93 miles (150km)
Vertical Obstacle: 3’1’’ (0.93m)
Trench: 9’ (2.75m)
Length: 21’5’’ (6.52m)
Width: 8’2’’ (2.5m)
Height: 9’2’’ (2.79m)
Weight: 70,548lb (32,000kg)
Ground Pressure: 19.7lb/sq in (1.39kg/sq cm)
Armour: 2.36’’ (60mm) maximum
Armament: 1x 75mm gun in hull, 1x 47mm gun in turret, 1x 7.5mm MG coaxial with 47mm gun, 1x 7.5mm MG in hull
Ammunition: 74x 75mm HE, 50x 47mm (HE & AP), 5,100x 7.5mm
Service History: Entered service with the French army in 1936, served until the fall of France in 1940. Also saw some service with Germany after 1940.
Developed from the Char B-1, the B-1bis had an improved engine and heavier armour. The B-1bis had excellent armour which could withstand attack from any German anti-tank gun other than the 88mm Flak, although anti tank gunners soon learned that the radiator grille on the right side of the tank was a serious weak point.
The 75mm was aimed by the driver swinging the whole tank on its axis. It also had an air compressor to blow the fumes from the 75mm gun out of the barrel of the gun, rather than having them escaping into the crew compartment. The B-1bis also only had a 4 man crew, meaning that the commander also had to aim, load and fire the 47mm gun as well as command the tank, causing all the problems described in the M13/40 entry.
The Germans used captured B-1bis’ for a variety of roles (although not as battle tanks). Most were used either as driver training vehicles or flamethrower carriers. There was also a self propelled gun version developed, with the hull gun and turret removed and a standard German 105, howitzer mounted.
:oops: :oops: :oops: Almost forgot!!!
As soon as possible I’ll post!
Been busy all week with work anyway Dani, forgot about it myself :lol:
It’s open until saturday at least, got a lot of project work to do tonight and friday.
Another slightly unjust pairing I feel. Blind chance is a cruel mistress!
Char B all the way for me. Only a tadge slower, armour half as thick again, similar turret main armament, but a much bigger gun as well for HE.
The range isn’t as good, but then the Char B was more in the spirit of the Infantry tank than the Cruiser, which I posit is where the Italian tank was.
However, in common with all Italian tanks of that era, it does have more reverse gears 
Apologies - an old joke
I have to go with the Char as well, an all round more survivable Tank I think, well for 1940 that is, not 44.
Column of M 13/40. The crews often added sand bags in front of the hull to improve the insufficient protection of the armor plates.
Char B1 bis:
My vote goes to Char. Far better armed and protected. In fact belongs to other tank class than M13/40.
3-0 to the Char B1-bis at the moment. As this is the final match up of the first round, I’ll try and get the draw for the second round done tonight.
edit - voting now closed for the first round, will post the second round draw up shortly
The entries for the second round are:
Pzkpw V Panther
Pzkpw VI Tiger
Pzkpw VI Tiger II
Sherman Firefly
Comet
M26 Perishing
T-34
JS-2
Churchill
Pzkpw III
Pzkpw IV
Matilda
KV-1
Cromwell
Crusader
Char B1-bis
Second Round:
KV-1 v JS-2
Churchill v T-34
Matilda v Pzkpw III
Char B-1bis v Pzkpw VI Tiger II
M25 Perishing v Cromwell
Pzkpw IV v Pzkpw VI Tiger
Pzkpw V Panther v Crusader
Comet v Sherman Firefly
some interesting match ups there, some that should be foregone conclusions.
The first will be done tomorrow - I’m watching the Liverpool match at the moment.
KV-1 (USSR) vs JS-2 (USSR)
KV-1 (USSR)
Max Speed: 22mph (35km/h) (ROAD)
Range: 156 miles (250km)
Vertical Obstacle: 3’8’’ (1.2m)
Trench: 8’6’’ (2.8m)
Length: 20’7’’ (6.27m)
Width: 10’2’’ (3.1m)
Height: 7’11’’ (2.41m)
Weight: 104,719lb (47,500kg)
Ground Pressure: 10.68lb/sq in (0.75kg/sq cm)
Armour: 2.95’’ - 3.94’’ (75mm - 100mm) (Dependant on version)
Armament: 1x 76.2mm gun, 3x 7.62mm MGs
Service History: Served with the Soviet Army from 1940 to 1945
At the outbreak of World War 2, the Soviet Army was practically the only one in the world equipped with heavy tanks. The first of these was the KV-1 which was accepted for sevice on December 1st 1939.
Production began in February 1940 and 243 tanks were produced in that year. A platoon on KV-1s was also sent to Finland for combat testing, taking part in the breakthrough of the Finnish main position. Not a single KV-1 was lost, although the earlier multi-turretted tanks with them suffered heavy losses. The KV-1 also caused a great shock to the German troops invading the Soviet Union in 1941, proving almost invulnerable to the standard 37mm anti tank gun then in service with the German Army as well as being able to destroy any tank in service with the Whermacht.
Other tanks in the KV- range included the KV-2, introduced after combat experience against the Mannerheim Line in Finland. Armed with a 152mm howitzer in a very high turret, the KV-2 was eventually dropped from production because of poor performance. The KV-3 was a prototype when the Germans invaded in 1941, and the invasion interrupted plans for mass production. Combat experience against the Germans showed that the KV-1 was becoming too slow to remain in front line service, so a new lighter, faster version, the KV-1s, was introduced in the second half in 1942. The final version was the KV-85, armed with an 85mm gun adopted in 1943. After this, the KV- series was eventually replaced with the JS- series of tanks.
JS-2 (USSR)
Max Speed: 23mph (37km/h)
Range: 94 miles (150km)
Vertical Obstacle: 3’3’’ (1m)
Trench: 8’2’’ (2.86m)
Length: 32’9’’ (10.74m) (INCLUDING GUN)
Width: 10’6’’ (3.44m)
Height: 8’1’’ (2.93m)
Weight: 101,963lb (46,250kg)
Ground Pressure: 11.25lb/sq in (0.79kg/sq cm)
Armour: 0.75’’ - 5.2’’ (0.75mm - 132mm)
Armament: 1x 122mm D-25 gun, 1x 12.7mm DShK MG, 1x 7.62mm MG
Service History: In service with the Soviet Army from 1943 to the late 1970s. There are also reports of the JS-2 serving with the North Vietnamese, North Koreans and Cubans
In August 1942 the Soviet high command became aware that the Germans were developing new heavy tanks with thicker armour and better armament than their current tanks. Work therefore began on a new heavy tank, based on experience gained with the KV- series of vehicles. The new design was succesfully trialled and mass production was begun in October 1943.
The new tank weighed little more than the KV-1 (or the German Panther) but had very thick, well shaped armour which gave excellant ballistic protection. It was armed with an 85mm gun in the same cast turret as carried by the KV-85. It was considered inappropriate that the IS- series of heavy tanks should carry the same weapon as the T-34/85 medium tank, so the JS-1 was replaced with the JS-2 carrying the 122mm weapon with 28 rounds.
The JS- tanks were first used in February 1944 at Korsun Shevkenskovsky. During these battles, General Kotin personally observed the JS-2s in action and noted their performance and short comings. These observations led to the JS-3 being introduced in late 1944, with even thicker armour and better shape. Despite these improvements, the weight of the JS-3 still did not exceed that of the German medium tanks.
After the war, the JS- series of tanks stayed in service with the Soviet Army until the late 1970s, although the JS- prefix of the name was dropped after the ‘de-Stalinisation’ of the Soviet Union in the 1950s.
Max Speed:
Range:
Vertical Obstacle:
Trench:
Length:
Width:
Height:
Weight:
Ground Pressure:
Armour:
Armament:
Ammunition:
Service History:
Max Speed:
Range:
Vertical Obstacle:
Trench:
Length:
Width:
Height:
Weight:
Ground Pressure:
Armour:
Armament:
Ammunition:
Service History:
Ignore this - leaving myself a template of the layout because I’m sick of typing it out every time.
KV 2
According to the Wiki page, the IS series were in fact developments of the KV series as opposed to a new design as such. The desigantion was changed from Klimentei Voroshilov to Josef (Iosef) Stalin when KV fell from favour.
Taking that line, we’re sort of comparing the the Mk 1 and Mk 5 Ford Escorts here . . . . . .
From what I’ve read, they developed from experimental models of the KV, plus combat experience with the KV-1 & 2. It was a new design heavily influenced by the experience of the KV.
(if anyone can confirm, feel free)
Whichever it was, it’s a poor do if the JS/ IS 2 wasn’t better all round than the KV then!
I know I’m interfering a bit late here, but should we consider rematching the opponents at this stage to even things up a bit? Perhaps using the same tank more than once? I suggest this because I’m struggling with a match for Char B and Crusader if I’ve already used up Pz 3. . . .
Perhaps on the basis of tanks of a similar generation & class?
KV-1 v JS-2
Churchill v T-34
Matilda v Pzkpw III
Char B-1bis v Pzkpw VI Tiger II
M25 Perishing v Cromwell
Pzkpw IV v Pzkpw VI Tiger
Pzkpw V Panther v Crusader
Comet v Sherman Firefly
could become, perhaps
JS 2 vs Tiger 2
KV 1 vs Tiger
Char B vs Pz 3
Panther vs T 34
Crusader vs fcuk only knows . . .
edited to correct an insult to the English language 
I’ll have a play round and see what I can come up with
DON’T VOTE ON THE KV-1 VS JS-2 - will post a new draw tomorrow
Ok then, a new more balanced draw:
Char B1-bis v Matilda
Pzkpw III v Crusader
T-34 v Pzkpw V Panther
KV-1 v Churchill
Pzkpw IV v Sherman Firefly
JS-2 v Pzkpw VI Tiger II
M26 Perishing v Comet
Pzkpw VI Tiger v Cromwell
Seems a bit more balanced then before. Not ideal, but should be a bit more equal than last time. Will do the first match up asap.
editted to keep Torpor happy :lol:
The only thing I would alter in the latest list would be to pit the Pzkpw III against the Crusader & the KV1 against the Churchill - the latter being politically apt 
I’ve editted mate
First second round match up is inbound as fast as I can type
[b]Char B1-bis (France) vs Matilda II (UK)
Char B1-bis
Max Speed: 17mph (28km/h) (ROAD)
Range: 93 miles (150km)
Vertical Obstacle: 3’1’’ (0.93m)
Trench: 9’ (2.75m)
Length: 21’5’’ (6.52m)
Width: 8’2’’ (2.5m)
Height: 9’2’’ (2.79m)
Weight: 70,548lb (32,000kg)
Ground Pressure: 19.7lb/sq in (1.39kg/sq cm)
Armour: 2.36’’ (60mm) max
Armament: 1x 75mm gun in hull, 1x 47mm gun in turret, 1x 7.5mm MG coaxial with 47mm gun, 1x 7.5mm MG in hull
Service History: Served with the French Army from 1936 to 1940. Also used by the German Army.
The standard heavy tank of the French Army in the late 1930s and early 1940s, the Char B1-bis was very well armoured and virtually invulnerable to all German anti tank guns other than the 88mm Flak, although there was a weak spot on the right hand side, where there was a large radiator grille.
The tank had a crew of four - driver/gunner, wireless operator, loader and commander (who also had to load, aim and fire the 47mm gun on top of his usual duties). The loader was also overworked, having to load the hull mounted 75mm gun as well as passing 47mm ammunition to the commander.
A further version (the Char B1-ter) was developed, with a mechanic being added to the crew, but only 5 had been completed before the German invasion in 1940. The Char B1-bis was used by the German Army after the French surrender, both as a driver training model (with weapons removed) and as a flamethrower tank (PzKpfw B1 (Flamm)) with the 75mm gun replaced with a flamethrower and the 47mm gun retained to give it some defence against other tanks. There was also a self propelled gun version with the hull gun and turret removed and a German 105mm howitzer mounted on the top of the vehicle.
A few Char B1-bis were also used by the French when they liberated the port of Royan in 1944.
Matilda
Max Speed: 15mph (24km/h) (ROAD) 8mph (12.8km/h) (CROSS COUNTRY)
Range: 160 miles (256km)
Vertical Obstacle: 2’ (0.61m)
Trench: 7’ (2.13m)
Length: 18’5’’ (5.61m)
Width: 8’6’’ (2.59m)
Height: 8’3’’ (2.51m)
Weight: 59,360lb (26,926kg)
Ground Pressure: ???
Armour: 0.55’’ - 3’’ (14 - 78mm)
Armament: 1x 2pounder gun, 1x 7.7mm or 7.92mm MG
Service History: Served with the British Army from 1939 to 1945. Also used by the Australian and Soviet armies.
The Matilda II (called the Matilda after the very disappointing Matilda I was withdrawn after Dunkirk) was the first result of a change in approach to Infantry tanks calling for a shell firing gun rather than a machine gun which had previously been considered heavy enough armament for Infantry tanks. At first it was hoped that the Matilda I would be able to be upgunned, but in the end the turret ring was far too small to handle the larger turret and the Matilda II was developed. The tank first went into battle in France in 1940, where the armour proved thick enough to defeat all German anti tank weapons other than the 88mm Flak. It was also used for most of the early battles in North Africa, where it proved as hard for the Italians to destroy as it was for the Germans. The main drawback of the Matilda was the inability of the 2 pounder gun to fire a high explosive shell, which meant that the Matilda could not engage unarmoured targets such as machine gun nests or pill boxes. Attempts to up gun the Matilda with the 6 pounder were unsuccesful and the first battle of El Alemain saw the last use of the Matilda as a gun tank.
Other versions of the Matilda included a Close Support version armed with a 3inch howitzer to provide the HE shells that the battle tank version could not fire. After the withdrawal of the Matilda from front line service the Matilda was considered ideal for special applications, thanks to its reliability and thick armour. These special versions included a flail tank to detonate minefields, anti mine rollers, demolition charge carriers, bridge carriers, Canal Defence Light (carrying a large flickering searchlight to blind the enemy - Canal Defence was a cover name), flamethrowers and even an experimental radio controlled version.
The Australian army used the Matilda in the Pacific campaign and kept them in use for driver training as late as 1953. The Soviets also used it and although they liked the thick armour they despsied the 2 pounder as far too small and there are also reports that the suspension could become clogged with snow.
Although not in use as a gun tank in 1945, the Matilda can lay claim to being the only British tank that served from 1939 through to the end of the war.