Designing the T-34 Second Edition

The second edition of my first book is now available! As a bonus, Designing the T-34 now comes with a new chapter exploring the evolution of the T-34 tank in production in 1941 and 1942 during the most turbulent period for the Soviet tank industry. Grab a copy directly from the publisher here.

Designing the T-34 second edition, now a part of the Tank Archives quarterly bookazine series.

Video: Lend Lease Complaints: M4A4 Sherman

Both the Soviets and the British tested the Medium Tank M4A4 (Sherman V). One of them rejected the tank, the other became a prolific user despite initial hesitation. See what experiences they had in common in my latest video.

Video: How well did the Red Army pay?

Despite popular belief, the issue of finance was a pressing one for the Soviet Union. In this video I talk about how much were troops of the Red Army's tank paid and where they could make a couple of extra rubles. 

Video: T-34 vs Sherman Rate of Fire Trials

Is the T-34 better than the Sherman? Yes. No. Maybe? It depends on how you're measuring it. In my latest video I compare how fast and how effectively these two tanks can strike a target and how a direct comparison might be harder than you might think.

Panzer '46 Ask Historians AMA

My Panzer 46 AMA with AskHistorians is live! Come ask me about "paper panzers", super-powered tank destroyers, progenitors of Main Battle Tanks, and everything else on the drawing board at the end of the Second World War. 

https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1u3vxnc/i_am_peter_samsonov_author_of_panzer46_eastern/ 

Video: Soviet Tank Naming Conventions

We all know that the number in the name of a Soviet tank means the year that it entered service... or does it? I run through the history of Soviet tanks to see which model numbers line up with the year of their debut and which ones miss the mark.

The Hybrid Tank that Led to the T-34-85

There are many cases in history where a tank that remained a prototype helped out another one that went into mass production. In part, this happened with turrets which lost their chassis but found a new home on another tank. Sometimes whole new tanks grew out of the turret, like the Pz.Kpfw.IV. These "centaurs" often grew into true workhorses that were built in huge numbers and remained in service for decades.

A T-34 tank with the T-43 turret, fall 1943.

Two such turrets came into being in 1943. One was the result of work on the Medium Tank T23, a prospective vehicle that was supposed to replace the Medium Tank M4. The replacement didn't pan out for a number of reasons but the turret came in handy when developing the Medium Tank M4(76). A similar thing happened in Soviet tank building. Trials of the turret taken from the second T-43 variant and transplanted on top of a T-34 tank led to the creation of the T-34-85.

Video: Lend Lease Complaints - M4A2 Sherman

The Sherman was a great tank, but it was far from perfect. In my latest video, I discuss the complaints that the British and Soviets had about the M4A2, where they agreed, and where their assessments of the tank's features differed.

Video: Tigers and Panthers in Mud

 The Tiger and Panther had wide tracks and powerful engines that should, at least in theory, have given them good performance in heavy mud and other difficult terrain. I look at whether or not this was actually the case in my latest video. 

Video: Spring Awakening/Balaton Defensive Operation

Operation Spring Awakening began on March 6th, 1945. After three failed attempts to relieve the besieged garrison of Budapest, the German and Hungarian armies launched a massive offensive aimed at eliminating the 3rd Ukrainian Front and a stabilizing the front line. Learn about how the operation came together and why it failed in my latest video.