Tanks: Steel Juggernauts

Tanks have been very influential in warfare ever since the first Great War. They started out as a way to cross the muck filled trenches of the first World War to one of the most powerful ways to attack the enemy.

Tanks - The Evolution of Tank Tank Technology

The tank has developed in many different areas since its introduction during WWI. The speed, range, lethality, survivability, and the ability to communicate with or control a tank on the battlefield have all improved greatly.

The View From The Turret: The 743rd Tank Battalion During WWII

Book review of The View From The Turret: The 743rd Tank Battalion During WWII.

M1 Abrams Tank

The Main Battle Tank of the U.S. Army

Stryker

U.S. Army Infantry Carrier Vehicle (ICV) and Mobile Gun System (MGS).

World War 2 Tanks

Analysis of the use of tanks in the second world war.

Other Web Pages on Military Vehicles

Books on Military Vehicles

Modern U.S. Tanks and AFVs
Modern U.S. Tanks and AFVs

Conceived during WWI, tanks still play a crucial role on the modern battlefield providing excellent mobility, sophisticated communications, lethal firepower, and effective armor protection. Together, these assets provide the shock effect necessary to close with and destroy the enemy in most any condition.

Modern U.S. Tanks & AFVs examines the development, capabilities, and service histories of some of the most important and interesting tanks, armored fighting vehicles (AFVs), wheeled armored firepower, and indirect armored fire-support vehicles used by the U.S. military today, including: amphibious assault vehicles (AAVP), the full range of M1 Abrams tanks, Bradleys, armored Humvees, and Strykers. In typical ECS fashion, color photographs depict each type in training exercises. There will also be discussions of how the 1999 “Army Vision” transformation strategy calling for lighter and more maneuverable armed forces precipitated the development of some of the weapons covered.

Jane's Tanks and Combat Vehicles Recognition Guide, 3e (Jane's Tank & Combat Vehicle Recognition Guide)
Jane’s Tanks and Combat Vehicles Recognition Guide, 3e (Jane’s Tank & Combat Vehicle Recognition Guide)

The Essential Guide to All the World’s Tanks and Combat Vehicles. A fully illustrated encyclopaedia of all modern military vehicles in service today. Includes tanks, personnel carriers, reconnaissance vehicles; self-propelled guns and self-propelleled anti-aircraft systems.

The Encyclopedia of Tanks and Armored Fighting Vehicles: The Comprehensive Guide to over 900 Armored Fighting Vehicles from 1915 to the Present Day
The Encyclopedia of Tanks and Armored Fighting Vehicles: The Comprehensive Guide to over 900 Armored Fighting Vehicles from 1915 to the Present Day

Warriors have long sought to combine protection and mobility in combat, from ancient chariots to medieval knights and armored wagon. It was the development of the internal combustion engine that allowed a vehicle to possess both features on the battlefield. The Encyclopedia of Tanks and Armored Fighting Vehicles is a definitive guide to over 1500 armored vehicles that have emerged from the first gasoline engine to the present day. In 1916, during WWI, the tank made its debut on the Western Front for the British, and the face of warfare changed almost overnight. In each nation’s quest for battlefield dominance, many different types of armored vehicles have been produced, some more successful than others, all of which are covered in the encyclopedia, with each entry being accompanied by a photograph or artwork, full specifications and a development and career history. The book is divided into sections by country, with entries arranged chronologically. A detailed index is provided for easy cross-referencing. With such in-depth coverage of the subject, The Encyclopedia of Tanks and Armored Fighting Vehicles is an essential reference guide for anyone interested in the history of military vehicles.

The Illustrated Directory of Tanks of the World
The Illustrated Directory of Tanks of the World

Over the last century, tanks and armored vehicles have developed into highly mobile and mightily armed vehicles common to the inventores of nearly every army in the world. This huge, comprehensive reference provides historians and modelers with an accurate and detailed directory chock full of technical specifications, development and service histories, specially commissioned color plates, and action photography illustrating more than 150 tanks and fighting vehicles from WWI to present. The hardware is arranged chronologically within national entities that represent all the world’s major armies. Readers will clearly witness the tank’s development and their performances during all of the century’s major wars and minor conflicts, from the muddy battlefields of WWI to the harsh desert campaigns of WWII, and from the “turkey shoot” in the sands of Iraq to the mountainous terrain of the Balkans.

Armored Fighting Vehicles: 300 of the World's Greatest Military Vehicles
Armored Fighting Vehicles: 300 of the World’s Greatest Military Vehicles

Starting with the crude and unreliable tanks that clashed on the Western Front in WWI, roll through years and on to the vehicles of WWII, such as the Panzer IV, Panther, Tiger, Sherman, and T-34, and right up to the most recent fighting machines, including the Abrams and Challenger, and Bradley and Warrior infantry tanks. 300 in all.

Tracked Firepower: Today's Armored Fighting Vehicles
Tracked Firepower: Today’s Armored Fighting Vehicles

Lethal firepower and an impressive array of modern capabilities take you into the front lines of battle! The spearhead of today’s battle groups, tracked vehicles are fully equipped with global positioning systems, inertial position navigation systems, and single channel ground/airborne radio systems to allow them to respond rapidly to ever-changing tactical situations. See these sophisticated systems on full alert commanding today’s fighting tanks and infantry vehicles.

Modern Israeli Tanks & Infantry Carriers 1985-2004
Modern Israeli Tanks & Infantry Carriers 1985-2004

T-54 and T-55 Main Battle Tanks 1944-2004
T-54 and T-55 Main Battle Tanks 1944-2004

Centurion Universal Tank 1943-2003
Centurion Universal Tank 1943-2003

New Vanguard 80: Chieftain Main Battle Tank 1965-2003
New Vanguard 80: Chieftain Main Battle Tank 1965-2003

The concept of the Main Battle Tank emerged from the Centurion Universal tank that was developed at the end of WWII. Development of its successor began as early as 1951. The Chieftain incorporated significant innovations including a reclining driver position and two-piece ammunition for greater survivability. The tank entered service in 1967 and was the heaviest armed and armored MBT within the NATO alliance. The Chieftain saw combat during the Iran-Iraq War, with the Kuwaitis during the 1990 Iraqi invasion and with the British Army during the Gulf War of 1990-91 as special-purpose variants. This book explores the design, development and operation of one of the most influential vehicles used in modern warfare.

Merkava Main Battle Tank: Mks I, II and III: Chariot of Steel
Merkava Main Battle Tank: Mks I, II and III: Chariot of Steel

Tank: The M1A1 Abrams
Tank: The M1A1 Abrams

Marines Under Armor: The Marine Corps and the Armored Fighting Vehicle, 1916-2000
Marines Under Armor: The Marine Corps and the Armored Fighting Vehicle, 1916-2000

In this story of men, machines and missions, Kenneth Estes tells how the U.S. Marine Corps came to acquire the armored fighting vehicle and what it tried to do with it. The longtime Marine tank officer and noted military historian offers an insider’s view of the Corps’s acquisition and use of armored fighting vehicles over the course of several generations, a view that illustrates the characteristics of the Corps as a military institution and of the men who have guided its development. His book examines the planning, acquisition, and employment of tanks, amphibian tractors, and armored cars and explores the ideas that led to the fielding of these weapons systems along with the doctrines and tactics intended for them, and their actual use in combat.

Drawing on archival resources previously untouched by researchers and interviews of both past and serving crewmen, Estes presents a unique and unheralded story that is filled with new information and analysis of the armored vehicles, their leaders, and the men who drove these steel chariots into battle. Such authoritative detail and documentation of the decisions to acquire, develop, and organize armored units in the U.S. Marine Corps assures the book’s acknowledgement as a definitive reference.

Warmachines No.1 : M108-M109-M109 A1/A2
Warmachines No.1 : M108-M109-M109 A1/A2

An excellent reference source for the U.S. Army’s self propelled artillery piece, this book gives a history of the vehicle and its service in many of the world’s militaries. Geared toward the serious military scale modeler, each detail photograph is captioned with detailed descriptions, covering such details as differences between variants, interior details, exterior details, power plant, armament, ammunition, maintenance, stowage, service, etc. This volume set the standard for comprehensive detailed coverage that would become legendary in the military scale modeling world.

Warmachines No.2 : M113/A2-M106 A1/A2-M5777 A1/A2
Warmachines No.2 : M113/A2-M106 A1/A2-M5777 A1/A2

The second installment of the War Machines series, this edition is part one of two that cover the M113 Armored Personnel Carrier and its variants. With amazing detail color photos, part one covers in-depth the M113 A1 and A2 Armored Personnel Carrier, the M113 Medevac Vehicle, the M106 A1 and A2 107mm Mortar Carrier, and the M577 Armored Command Post. Such features as full interior and exterior details, powerplants, suspension, tools & equipment, stowage, armament, ammunition, and more are meticulously displayed and described.

Warmachines No.3 : M60 A3
Warmachines No.3 : M60 A3

The third installment of the War Machines series, this edition covers in depth the M60 A3 “PATTON” Main Battle Tank of the U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps. Such features as the fighting compartment, driving compartment, powerplant, suspension, auxiliary equipment, armament, ammunition, stowage, add-on armor, and more are beautifully photographed and described in detail.

Warmachines No.4 : Israeli M4 Sherman and Derivatives
Warmachines No.4 : Israeli M4 Sherman and Derivatives

The fourth installment in the War Machines series, this edition covers the versions of the M4 “SHERMAN” tank in Israeli service. Versions covered include the following: M4A2, M4A1 105mm Howitzer, M50 “SUPER SHERMAN,” M51 “ISHERMAN,” M4 Armored Engineer Vehicle with M1 bulldozer blade, M4 “CRAB” Mine Clearing Tank, both early and late types M4 “SHERMAN” Ambulance, M74 Recovery Vehicle (M32 modification), M4 “SHERMAN,” “LIVE TARGET,” “EYAL” Observation Tank, 290mm Rocket Launcher, “SHERMAN” with 75mm AMX-13 Turret, M4 Personnel Carrier/Command Vehicle, and the 155mm M50 Self Propelled Artillery Vehicle. Along with detailed description captions, this book covers the history of the “SHERMAN” in service with the IDF.

Warmachines No. 5 : M2/M3 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle, Cavalry Fighting Vehicle
Warmachines No. 5 : M2/M3 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle, Cavalry Fighting Vehicle

This fifth installment in the War Machines series deals with the M2/M3 “BRADLEY” Armored Fighting Vehicle, including the M3A2 Cavalry Fighting Vehicle. Used in the Gulf War by U.S. Forces, the “BRADLEY” is extensively photographed and described in-depth in this valuable photo reference. The history of the vehicle is covered, as well as such details as suspension, powerplant, armament, ammunition, interior fighting compartment, stowage, camouflage, and exterior hull details.

Warmachines No.6: M1 - M1IP - M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tank
Warmachines No.6: M1 - M1IP - M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tank

The sixth installment in the War Machines series, this volume covers in depth the details of the formidable M1 “ABRAMS” Main Battle Tank. Along with a history of the vehicle, such features as the suspension, tracks, armor protection, powerplant, armament, ammunition, fighting compartment, driving compartment, maintenance, stowage, exercises, and more are all covered with amazing detail photographs and drawings.

Warmachines No.7: M998 HMMWV Hummer and Derivatives
Warmachines No.7: M998 HMMWV “Hummer” and Derivatives

This is the seventh installment in the War Machines series, covering details of the M998 “HUMMER” Cargo/Troop Carrier, the M1025 & M1026 Armored Armament Carrier, the M966 Armored TOW Carrier, the M996 2 Litter Armored Ambulance, the M997 4-Litter Armored Ambulance, the M1037 Shelter Carrier, and the M998 “STINGER” Carrier. Used extensively in the 1991 Gulf War, this vehicle is well documented in this publication with excellent photographs of details such as radio equipment, powerplant, suspension, driver’s controls, cargo bed, armament, ammunition, stowage, field exercises, and field conversions. Includes wartime photos from the Persian Gulf.

Warmachines No.8: a Gulf War Eyewitness Report
Warmachines No.8: a Gulf War Eyewitness Report

The eighth installment in this series, this special edition deviates from the regular format by focusing entirely on various vehicles and equipment utilized by U.S. Forces serving in the Persian Gulf during Operation Desert Storm. All of the photographs in the book were taken by members of the U.S. Army serving with the 131st Engineers, a combat support equipment company of the Vermont Army National Guard. The photographs vividly portray the unique atmosphere experienced by U.S. Armed forces in the desert war. Unique depictions of the fighting men and their equipment are portrayed in combat service, showing such details as camouflage, maintenance, weathering, battle damage, and captured equipment. Some of the fighting vehicles covered include M577 Forward Control Vehicles, M113 Armored Personnel Carriers, M3 Bradley Armored Cavalry Vehicles, M1 Abrams Main Battle Tanks, Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Trucks (HEMTT), M109 Self Propelled Howitzers, M270 Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS), M88 Armored Recovery Vehicles, and damaged, destroyed, and captured Iraqi equipment like the Russian-built T-72 and T-55 tanks.

Warmachines No. 9 : M163 A1/A2 Vulcan, M901 A2 Tow, M48 A2 Chaparral
Warmachines No. 9 : M163 A1/A2 Vulcan, M901 A2 Tow, M48 A2 Chaparral

This ninth installment in the very insightful War Machines series is the second volume dedicated to variants of the prolific M113 family of armored vehicles. Carrying on the Verlinden tradition of presenting high quality color detail photographs, this book takes a close look at the details of the M163 Vulcan Air defense Artillery Gun, the M901 Hammerhead Improved TOW Vehicle, and the M48 Chaparral Improved Air Defense Guided Missile System.

Warmachines No.10 : IDF T54, T-55, T-62
Warmachines No.10 : IDF T54, T-55, T-62

This tenth edition of the War Machines series initiates the special 24 page mini-file, which utilizes the comparatively fewer available photographs to document a worthy subject. Following the many wars fought by the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF), large quantities of captured enemy equipment were pressed into Israeli service following extensive modifications. The vehicles in question covered in this unique publication include the Soviet-built T-54, T-55, and T-62 Main Battle Tanks, which, after modifications by the IDF Ordnance Corps, were designated as the Tiran 4, Tiran 5, and Tiran 6, respectively. Such modifications included communications equipment upgrades, stowage modifications, armament replacement, and of course, new painting and markings. Most of the photographs in this book were taken at the Armored Corps museum at Latrun in Israel.

Warmachines No.11 : Merkava MK2/MK3, Israeli Defense Force
Warmachines No.11 : Merkava MK2/MK3, Israeli Defense Force

Warmachines No.12: MLRS: Multiple=
Warmachines No.12: MLRS: Multiple Launch Rocket System

This twelfth installment in the War Machines series takes a revealing look at the details of the Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS). The beautiful full color photography contained in this book captures details such as suspension, cab interior, access panels, rocket cage assembly, hoist mechanism, launcher drive system, rocket pods, tilting cab, and field maintenance scenarios. The MLRS in German service, as well as those serving with the U.S. Army in the Persian Gulf during Operation Desert Storm are photographed in stunning detail to ensure comprehensive coverage of this very reliable and cost-effective artillery weapon.


Warmachines No.13 : On the Road to Kuwait, Marines in the Gulf

This special thirteenth installment in the War Machines series takes a look at Operation Desert Storm through the camera lenses of members of 3rd Platoon, Alpha Company, 8th Marine Tank Battalion. In these pages we see the life experienced by U.S. Troops while pushing their way into Iraqi-occupied Kuwait in 1991. We see how they ate, slept, showered, played, and fought in the desert. Many useful photographs appear of U.S. equipment in action and undergoing maintenance, as well as the rare U.S. casualty, and captured and destroyed Iraqi equipment.

Warmachines No.14 : 1/4 Ton M151 Mutt
Warmachines No.14 : 1/4 Ton M151 Mutt

This fourteenth installment in the War Machines series is the third of the special 24 page mini-files which utilizes the comparatively few available photographs to document a worthy subject, in this case the 1/4 ton M151 Mutt. This book benefits the reader by providing detailed color photographs of the Mutt in field conditions, from the barracks parking lot, to deplaning from a C-130 Hercules, to undergoing an engine change, to serving with the IDF (Israeli Defense Forces). Many details are revealed in the photographs, including engine, radios, batteries, hard-top kits, soft tops, trailers, and more. This book is extremely useful to scale modelers wishing to improve the Tamiya and Academy kits, as well as to military enthusiasts.

Warmachines No.15: 3/325 ABCT Airorne Battalion Combat Team Blue Falcons in Action
Warmachines No.15: 3/325 ABCT Airorne Battalion Combat Team “Blue Falcons” in Action

This fifteenth installment in the War Machines series focuses on the operations of the paratroopers of the 3rd/325th ABCT (Airborne Battalion Combat Team Blue Falconsduring practice exercises. This book provides a rare glimpse of such operations with beautiful full color photography. Excellent coverage of such things as parachuting, air-drops of vehicles and equipment, securing landing zones., concealment, ambush positions, and much more. Excellent details of vehicles and equipment, like the M102 105mm Field Howitzer, the M998 hummer, TOW missile launchers, and more, abound, and make for handy reference.

Tracked Firepower: Today's Armored Fighting Vehicles
Tracked Firepower: Today’s Armored Fighting Vehicles

Lethal firepower and an impressive array of modern capabilities take you into the front lines of battle! The spearhead of today’s battle groups, tracked vehicles are fully equipped with global positioning systems, inertial position navigation systems, and single channel ground/airborne radio systems to allow them to respond rapidly to ever-changing tactical situations. See these sophisticated systems on full alert commanding today’s fighting tanks and infantry vehicles.

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