Intro
Discover the Soviet Unions most extreme tank creations, from the massive T-35 to the bizarre Object 279. Explore the 7 most insane Soviet tanks ever built, featuring innovative designs, advanced armor, and intimidating firepower. Uncover the engineering marvels and historical significance of these unusual armored vehicles.
The Soviet Union was known for its impressive array of military hardware, and its tanks were no exception. From the early days of the Red Army to the height of the Cold War, the Soviet Union designed and built some of the most formidable and innovative tanks in history. However, not all of these tanks were successful, and some were downright insane. In this article, we'll take a look at seven of the most bizarre and ambitious tank designs to come out of the Soviet Union.
The Object 279: A Tank Designed to Survive Nuclear War
The Object 279 was a tank designed in the 1950s with one primary goal in mind: to survive a nuclear war. This massive tank was built with a rounded, elliptical shape to deflect radiation and shrapnel, and was equipped with a filtration system to keep the crew safe from radioactive fallout. The Object 279 was also designed to be highly mobile, with a top speed of over 55 miles per hour.
Key Features:
- Rounded, elliptical shape to deflect radiation and shrapnel
- Filtration system to keep the crew safe from radioactive fallout
- Top speed of over 55 miles per hour
- Crew of four, including a commander, gunner, loader, and driver
The T-35: A Multi-Turreted Monster
The T-35 was a massive tank designed in the 1930s, with not one, not two, but five turrets. This behemoth of a tank was intended to be a breakthrough vehicle, capable of taking on enemy fortifications and infantry positions with ease. However, the T-35 proved to be a cumbersome and unreliable beast, and was eventually phased out in favor of more conventional designs.
Key Features:
- Five turrets, each equipped with a different type of gun or machine gun
- Crew of ten, including a commander, gunners, loaders, and drivers
- Top speed of around 20 miles per hour
- Weighed over 45 tons, making it one of the heaviest tanks of its time
The IS-7: A Heavy Tank with a 130mm Gun
The IS-7 was a heavy tank designed in the 1940s, with a massive 130mm gun and a crew of six. This tank was intended to be a game-changer on the battlefield, capable of taking on even the most heavily fortified enemy positions. However, the IS-7 proved to be too complex and unreliable, and was eventually cancelled in favor of more conventional designs.
Key Features:
- 130mm gun, one of the largest tank guns of its time
- Crew of six, including a commander, gunner, loader, and drivers
- Top speed of around 35 miles per hour
- Weighed over 68 tons, making it one of the heaviest tanks of its time
The Object 490A: A Nuclear-Powered Tank
The Object 490A was a tank designed in the 1960s, with a nuclear reactor powering its propulsion system. This tank was intended to be a breakthrough vehicle, capable of operating for extended periods of time without the need for refueling. However, the Object 490A proved to be too complex and unreliable, and was eventually cancelled in favor of more conventional designs.
Key Features:
- Nuclear reactor powering its propulsion system
- Crew of four, including a commander, gunner, loader, and driver
- Top speed of around 40 miles per hour
- Weighed over 50 tons, making it one of the heaviest tanks of its time
The SU-100Y: A Tank with a 130mm Naval Gun
The SU-100Y was a tank designed in the 1940s, with a massive 130mm naval gun and a crew of five. This tank was intended to be a breakthrough vehicle, capable of taking on even the most heavily fortified enemy positions. However, the SU-100Y proved to be too complex and unreliable, and was eventually cancelled in favor of more conventional designs.
Key Features:
- 130mm naval gun, one of the largest tank guns of its time
- Crew of five, including a commander, gunner, loader, and drivers
- Top speed of around 30 miles per hour
- Weighed over 60 tons, making it one of the heaviest tanks of its time
The IT-1: A Missile Tank with a 3M7 Drakon Missile System
The IT-1 was a missile tank designed in the 1960s, with a 3M7 Drakon missile system and a crew of three. This tank was intended to be a breakthrough vehicle, capable of taking out enemy tanks and fortifications with ease. However, the IT-1 proved to be too complex and unreliable, and was eventually phased out in favor of more conventional designs.
Key Features:
- 3M7 Drakon missile system, capable of firing up to 15 missiles per minute
- Crew of three, including a commander, gunner, and driver
- Top speed of around 40 miles per hour
- Weighed over 35 tons, making it one of the lightest tanks of its time
The 2B1 Oka: A Tank with a 420mm Nuclear Gun
The 2B1 Oka was a tank designed in the 1950s, with a massive 420mm nuclear gun and a crew of four. This tank was intended to be a game-changer on the battlefield, capable of taking out even the most heavily fortified enemy positions with a single shot. However, the 2B1 Oka proved to be too complex and unreliable, and was eventually cancelled in favor of more conventional designs.
Key Features:
- 420mm nuclear gun, one of the largest tank guns of its time
- Crew of four, including a commander, gunner, loader, and driver
- Top speed of around 25 miles per hour
- Weighed over 55 tons, making it one of the heaviest tanks of its time
Soviet Union Tank Image Gallery
What was the largest tank ever built by the Soviet Union?
+The largest tank ever built by the Soviet Union was the IS-7, which weighed over 68 tons and was equipped with a 130mm gun.
What was the most advanced tank designed by the Soviet Union?
+The most advanced tank designed by the Soviet Union was the Object 279, which was designed to survive a nuclear war and was equipped with a filtration system to keep the crew safe from radioactive fallout.
What was the fastest tank built by the Soviet Union?
+The fastest tank built by the Soviet Union was the IT-1, which had a top speed of around 40 miles per hour.
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