Introduction

This magazine is printed on high quality glossy paper, and this issue continues to provide the reader with well researched articles on a variety of interesting vehicles. I think it is the best issue yet.

Review

“Busting the Mythbuster” by Peter Samsonov
This is a very useful article written by Peter Samsonov, challenging the claims made in an article written by “Christo’s Intel Corner” in 2012, which has spread rapidly on the internet, and has been taken at face value as correct by many. The article challenges claims made concerning T-34 construction, performance, and quality in the Intel Corner article. Peter has evidently thoroughly researched the claims made in the article, and comes up with logical and factual reasons why they do not stand up to scrutiny. A very good research based article, which destroys many myths concerning the T-34.

“Digging for History” by Craig Moore.
This article describes the discovery and recovery of Covenanter Tank T18656 from Denbies Vineyard Estate, Dorking, UK. This was one of two training tanks considered to be scrap, and buried in a chalk pit by the Canadians in 1944. The article describes how the first tank was recovered in the 1970s, and how it has now been restored and exhibited at Bovington Tank Museum. This was no easy task, and the article describes the problems encountered.

The second Covenanter was recovered during May 2017, and this article gives an extensive description of the recovery, as well as good quality photographs. This is an excellent article which goes into great detail about the history, markings, and recovery of these tanks, with the main focus being on the recovery of the second tank in 2017. The article serves as essential background reading for those that wish to know more about the recovery and restoration of this tank, which is being documented on the Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/T18656/

“90mm Anti-Tank Terror on Treads” by Joshua Collins
This article describes the USA’s development of large calibre mobile anti-tank guns, which culminated in the production of the M36 Gun Motor Carriage “Jackson”. Vehicles mentioned in the article are; M6 Gun Motor Carriage (GMC), M3 GMC, M10 Wolverine and M18 Hellcat. The main focus is the M36 Jackson, and a detailed account of its development is given. This is supplemented by war time photos, and good quality photographs of a preserved ex Yugoslavian example which is currently in Orlando, Florida, USA.
A very enjoyable and well researched article.

Book Reviews, by Alex Zaretser
4 very descriptive reviews of books by the Pen and Sword Military book company, who are based in Barnsley, UK. Worth a read.

“Tracked Vehicles Schneider” by Yuri Morozov, translated by Alex Zaretser.
This article, for me, was the highlight of issue 6; the center spread photograph is an A3 sized colour photograph of a Schneider CA 1 ( char d’assaut-1 “assault tank of the first model”) preserved in France. The article itself tells how General Jean Baptiste Eugene Estienne’s enthusiasm and initiative led to France developing and producing tanks. It covers the history and products of the company Schneider & Cie du Creusot, and tells how in February 1916 the first order for 100 CA 1 was placed. The main focus of the article is the CA 1 tank; there is a thorough description of its construction and mechanical details, including descriptions of how it was modernized during its’ service life. The article has very high quality drawings by the author, and reproductions of factory drawings and contemporary photographs. It is a really well researched article, and has sparked a new interest for me.

“Turretless Alternative To The T-60” By Yuri Pasholok, translated by Alex Zaretser
This is a thoroughly researched article, which details the story of the proposed turretless alternative to the T-60 Soviet light tank, the NII-48 project, which was essentially a miniature self propelled gun. The article describes how the highlight of the proposed design was the construction of the hull, which was designed to have the maximum armour thickness whilst keeping the minimum weight and size. Throughout the article is illustrated with reproductions of design bureau drawings, which are of very good quality, and which have sufficient detail to enable a keen modeler to scratch build a replica of this interesting vehicle, which actually never got to prototype stage.