Leopard 2 Main Battle Tank 1979–98

by Michael Jerchel

Author	: Michael Jerchel
Publisher	: Bloomsbury Publishing
Total Pages	: 111
Release	: 2012-11-20
Genre	: History
ISBN	: 1782006958

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In 1963 West Germany and the United States signed an agreement to develop the best tank in the world the MBT/KPz-70. Though by 1970 this project was stopped, West Germany used the components created for the MBT/KPz-70 to develop a new main battle tank the Leopard 2. Since 1979, when the first Leopard 2 rolled off the production line, the Leopard 2 has undergone various modifications, and has been exported to various European countries. Enhanced by Osprey's signature colour plates and cutaway artwork, this book examines the development of the Leopard 2 from the first batch to its evolution into the improved Leopard 2 A5, detailing its features and variants.

M1 Abrams Main Battle Tank 1982–92

by Steven J. Zaloga

Author	: Steven J. Zaloga
Publisher	: Osprey Publishing
Total Pages	: 0
Release	: 1993-01-28
Genre	: History
ISBN	: 9781855322837

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The M1 Abrams was the most radical departure in US tank design since World War II. Until the advent of the M1 in the early 1980s, the US Army had relied on the steady evolution of the M26 Pershing tank, through the M46, M47, M48 and M60. The M1 design came at a time when there were a host of important new tank technologies coming to fruition, in terms of structure and weaponry: these were integrated into it. This book details the design, development and operational use of one of the world's best main battle tanks.

T-72 Main Battle Tank 1974–93

by Steven J. Zaloga

Author	: Steven J. Zaloga
Publisher	: Bloomsbury Publishing
Total Pages	: 108
Release	: 2013-08-20
Genre	: History
ISBN	: 1472805372

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The Russian T-72 Ural tank is the most widely-deployed main battle tank of the current generation. Used by the armies of the former Warsaw pact and Soviet Union, it has also been exported in large numbers to many of the states in the Middle East. This book reveals the previously secret history behind the tank. Steven J Zaloga examines the conditions under which the T-72 was designed and produced. Technical aspects of the weapon are also discussed, including its EDZ reactive armour which, when it first appeared in December 1984, gave NATO a nasty shock.

Merkava Main Battle Tank MKs I, II & III

by Sam Katz

Author	: Sam Katz
Publisher	: Osprey Publishing
Total Pages	: 0
Release	: 1997-05-15
Genre	: History
ISBN	: 9781855326439

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The Merkava, or Chariot, was the first tank entirely designed and built by the Israeli Army. The IDF had previously been using a variety of vehicles, acquired from various sources, including in particular the Sherman and Centurion. The Merkava was designed specifically for the type of warfare and opponents that Israel faced. The resulting tank was heavily armoured and packed a powerful 105mm main gun backed up with a digital fire control system and laser range-finder. This title examines the development and deployment of the Merkava, investigating the changing technical aspects of the various marks, creating a useful and comprehensive study of Israel's most formidable tank.

Modern Israeli Tanks and Infantry Carriers 1985–2004

by Marsh Gelbart

Author	: Marsh Gelbart
Publisher	: Bloomsbury Publishing
Total Pages	: 113
Release	: 2012-05-20
Genre	: History
ISBN	: 1780967837

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Over the last two decades, the Israel Defence Force (IDF) has introduced a variety of new AFVs. Old models such as the M48 and M60 have been improved beyond recognition, in the form of the Magach 7. The performance of Israel's indigenous Merkava tank has been similarly enhanced with new variants and the new Merkava 4 MBT has recently entered service. Israeli infantry have also received machines such as the Achzarit assault carrier, the Puma combat engineer vehicle and the Nagmachon and Nakpadon (tank-based carriers intended for low intensity conflicts). This book examines the design, modification and combat history of these formidable fighting machines.

Imperial Japanese Navy Destroyers 1919–45 (2)

by Mark Stille

Author	: Mark Stille
Publisher	: Bloomsbury Publishing
Total Pages	: 50
Release	: 2013-09-20
Genre	: History
ISBN	: 1849089892

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During the Pacific War the most successful component of the Imperial Japanese Fleet was its destroyer force. These ships were larger and, in most cases, better-equipped than their Allied counterparts. Armed with a powerful, long-ranged torpedo, these ships proved formidable opponents. Initially, they were instrumental in an unbroken string of Japanese victories, but it was not until the Guadalcanal campaign that these ships fully demonstrated their power. In a series of daring night actions, they devastated Allied task forces with their deadly torpedoes. This volume details the history, weapons and tactics of the Japanese destroyers built just before and throughout the war, including the famous Kagero and Yugumo classes, the experimental destroyer Shimakaze that boasted a top speed of almost 40 knots and 15 torpedo tubes, and the Matsu class that represented the Japanese equivalent to an Allied destroyer escort. These ships were designed to be built quickly and cheaply, but proved to be very tough in combat.

M103 Heavy Tank 1950–74

by Kenneth W Estes

Author	: Kenneth W Estes
Publisher	: Bloomsbury Publishing
Total Pages	: 50
Release	: 2013-03-20
Genre	: History
ISBN	: 1849089833

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The T43 design represented the pinnacle of U.S. Army tank engineering of the late 1940s. The heavy tank proved fairly popular with its crews, who above all respected the powerful armament it carried. The outbreak of war in Korea brought a rush order in December 1950 which led to a complete production run of 300 vehicles. After 1951, the Marine Corps alone retained confidence in the heavy tank program, investing its scarce funds in the improvements necessary to bring about its fielding after a hurried production run in midst of the 'tank crisis' of the year 1950-51. The eventual retirement of the M103 in 1972, over 20 years after manufacture and after 14 years of operational service, demonstrated the soundness of its engineering. It may have been the unwanted 'ugly duckling' of the Army, which refrained from naming the M103 alone of all its postwar tanks. For the Marine Corps, it served the purpose defined for it in 1949 until the automotive and weapons technology of the United States could produce viable alternatives.

M4 (76mm) Sherman Medium Tank 1943–65

by Steven J. Zaloga

Author	: Steven J. Zaloga
Publisher	: Bloomsbury Publishing
Total Pages	: 50
Release	: 2013-08-20
Genre	: History
ISBN	: 1472805577

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The M4 Sherman tank was the mainstay of the Western allies between 1942 and 1945. Fast and modern it was a big success and was transported as far afield as Russia and North Africa. The American Chief of Staff claimed in November 1943 it was 'hailed widely as the best tank on the battlefield today...'. However, by the Normandy invasion of June 1944 this was not the case: the new German heavy tanks such as the Panther and Tiger were completely outclassing the Sherman. This title covers the M4 version armed with the 76 mm gun, examining developments such as the HVSS suspension, using much new archive material.

T-34/76 Medium Tank 1941–45

by Steven J. Zaloga

Author	: Steven J. Zaloga
Publisher	: Bloomsbury Publishing
Total Pages	: 50
Release	: 2013-08-20
Genre	: History
ISBN	: 1472805542

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The T-34 was the most influential tank design of World War 2. When first introduced into combat in the summer of 1941, it represented a revolutionary leap forward in tank design. Its firepower, armour protection and mobility were superior to that of any other medium tank of the period. This superiority did not last long. While the T-34 underwent a series of incremental improvements during 1943, it was being surpassed by new German tank designs, most notably the Panther. This title traces the life of the original T-34 through all its difficulties to eventual success.