There was no declaration of war on Poland, France or the USSR apparently (there was on one on the USSR, but since the leading Panzers were already 20 or 30 miles inside the USSR at the time, I don’t think it counts).
T 44
That is correct 
. You can do the next one.
At last. I got one correct!
Give me a few hours to sort something out.
Fluffy
This development vehicle is slightly post WW2 but based on work carried out during WW2, so I’ve put it in.
The questions:
-
What tank is underneath all that scaffolding & junk?
-
What was this vehicle developed to do?
Kind regards
Fluffy
Valentine?
Flying tank?
BDL Correct on the VALENTINE, but what sort of lunatic would strap, say, half a dozen JATO units to a AFV to get it to jump over obstacles?
I mean, that would be ludicrous wouldn’t it?
Imagine what might happen . . . . .
Jumping / flying Bren carrier. This was also tried with a turretless VALENTINE, but there was no way of controlling stability during its (short) flight.
But that isn’t what the tank in my question was for.
It was, however, the same set of lunatics who did the flying Bren carrier.
It’s not some mad idea for melting tarmac is it?
I know Fluffy, it’s the Dan Dare version of Wheelbarrow.
That’s one hell of a disrupter :lol:
Getting warmer . . . .
As of course you would stood in front of that particular VALENTINE variant . . . . .
So it is a sort of FOGB Wheelbarrow ?
The object bolted to it is a Whittle type jet engine, probably a Goblin, though IFIIK why :?
The mother of all flamethrowers?
The missus tells me that I should be receiving a Goblin soon…
Oh, you lucky, lucky man
Guys
It’s not a BFO WHEELBARROW, although it is faintly in the same line of work.
I can’t believe you are all still flailing around trying to find an answer to this?
The bloody Crabs would do better!
Take the bull’s horns and get a grip on the question.
Perhaps you think I’m a sadeist, or trying to be funny? That’s abcird.
You might find the answer in a mag somewhere, or possible even in Mine Kampf.
Kind regards, (and that’s enough clues!)
Fluffy
The jet detonates mines
Close enough for me.
After the War, Maj-Gen Percy Hobart was asked to set up a Specialised Armour Development Establishment (SADE) to take over the work of the 79th Armoured Division (“the funnies”).
The SHERMAN CRAB flail mine clearing tanks had been a fair success during WW2, as had the BULLSHORN plough (still effectively in use, for example by US Forces stuck to the front of ABRAMS). Devices such as rollers, including the Canadian Indestructable Roller Device (CIRD) were not such a hit.
However, the problem with flail tanks was that of blast damage to the flails (not usually a problem with the plough) and the developing German practice of linking mines in pairs to catch the flail tank.
Among other options considered by SADE were clearing mines by rocket blast. The initial trials were with JATO units fixed to the front of tanks singly, then in threes, finally with a CHURCHILL MkIV with twelve.
They cleared the mines, but burnt out too quickly.
The VALENTINE in the picture was fitted with a W2/700 gas turbine, clearing a shallow trench. Mines were thrown a distance of about 8 metres without detonation, but results were variable and the idea was shelved.
All the above (including pictures) from “Vanguard of Victory”, David Fletcher, HMSO, ISBN 011290422.
A very good book for those interested in the more unusual developments in armour used by the Brits in WW2.
BDL - the floor is yours, sir!
Will return with a question shortly