Advice:- good literature to compare Russian and Western Tank

[Destraex]

I would like recommendations on good literature that compares Russian tanks to western ones in detail. Real survivability stats, no propaganda please.

I have janes pocket guide to tanks and have read Thunder Run. I have various Osprey and asorted books on the subject too. But most are ww2

Nothing I have really attempts to make a comparison between all the different tanks and how they would fare in all tactical situations against each other.

I guess I would like to see the Black Eagle VS the M1A2 VS challenger3 sort of things. I guess most would be classified but their must be some ok sources out their. Especially for the older models of the current tank families.

Comparing data just does not add up to real experiences and an expert narrating how it could be done and the likely outcomes due to a whole host of things data just cannot let you in on. for instance some tanks are perfect on paper but have mechanical bugs or practical problems which make them poor combatants in realitiy

In short I would like to believe that some Russian models would come closer to a match of western tanks than most people would think. I want to release the propaganda veil if their is one.

I know how misleading military training can be or even experiences vs armies like the iraqis.

Anyone??

[mbv]

You do have the Osprey New Vanguard titles on the tanks used in SB Pro PE right ?? The T-72, M1A1 and Leopard 2 volumes all have a chapter on Operational Use towards the rear that discusses actual use in combat/training with comparisons between tanks. For example, there is good discussion of the M1A1 v T-72M1 in the Gulf War in the M1A1 and T-72 volumes. It would be interesting to know how the latest T-80 stacks up against the M1A2, Leopard2 and Challenger2 but I have not seen any good literature which compares these.

The info. at the rear of the SB Pro PE manual on weaponry is also useful for comparison.

[Destraex]

I only have the osprey book thats set in the cold war and at the back has a story telling what it would be like for NATO tankers to be rushed by Russian tanks.
I also have one on the challanger and perhaps the t72 somewhere
To be honest though the AFV Osprey books are always far too brief and concentrate on development more than operational use most of the time

I just remembered I also have that Tom Clancy book on the American army somewhere.

[Ssnake]

If you can read German, try

Rolf Hilmes:
"Kampfpanzer - Technologie heute und morgen"

[Destraex]

unfortuneatly not :( perhaps its translated somewhere

[Kamatz]

I have The Encyclopedia of Tanks and Armoured Fighting Vehicles by Christopher Foss. I think this is a good book - and I've read it from start to finish. Whether it's really a good encyclopedia or just a mediocre book I can't really tell. But it's for the most part very informative. Though it doesn't do a deep study of any tank in special. Good read to see the development and history of tanks, armoured cars, PCs, etc and tank warfare, though. It's quite interesting to see how the tank world has evolved since the earliest armoured cars, via some of the gigantic projects like E-100 and up until modern day tanks.

[stuart666]

The first book I ever picked on tanks (and perhaps still one of the finest) is Kenneth Mackseys 'Tank Vs Tank', about the development of tank combat since 1916. Whilst it is a little light on detail, it gives a good sketch of the important developments. In fact, the best section is that on the Arab israeli wars, and the cold war in the 1980s. It gives a good overview of all the technologies in both periods, and importantly the doctrine on how they were to be used. The watercolours inside would also make nice wallpapers. :wink:

For Russian machines, I think the best English language book is Zalogas (and others) Soviet/Russian armor and artillery design practices. Cost me nearly 50 quid and ive never regretted it. Some of the text is replicated from the Osprey books, but its all together in one volume with some excellent bits in soviet artillery systems, and its not to be missed. Light on combat history, facinating in tech development.

Not much on British armour, aside from what looked like a pretty light tome on Vickers tanks since the war. The only two I can really recommend are by Bob Griffin who wrote one on Conqueror and one on Chieftain. Both contain sections on what the crews thought of it and how well it would have stacked up against the opposition. Rumour has it he is going to work on one on Challenger2 and we live in hopes...

Lots of good books on the German amazon. I dont speak German either but most of them have easily accessible tech information (It is metric after all) so its not as difficult as it would appear. If you want a real challenge, try getting the Russian language (the only edition sadly) version of the T64 book by Vasiliy Chobchok. Well the tech drawings and photos are nice anyway. :lol:

[Destraex]

I have the book tank VS tank
Its great for ww2 but not much else

good advice though stuart! but I want the modern tanks that are in service