Armored Resistance: Soviet Storm

[Garinovitch]

Team: Echo

Nationality: France

Crew: 5 (Consisting of Driver, Radio Operator, Loader, Gunner & Commander)

Experience: Team Echo is a military unit formed off of the Free French Commandos during the Second World War. Echo Team began their career by assisting in the Battle of Britain, conducted surgical raids and intelligence warfare in Normandy and eventually helped during the invasion of Europe in 1944. After the Free French Commandos were dissolved after the recapture and liberation of France, Echo Team was then reassigned to an ad-hoc mechanized company, where the team learned how to crew and drive the 76mm armed, M4A3E8. (Also known as the "Easy 8") and had experience in the American M18 "Hellcat" and also the Mk IV "Churchill" respectively.

After the defeat of Nazi Germany in 1945, France sought to regain its military might and become a world power once again. Unfortunately for France, many years of tank development rendered many of the French designs useless. Although France accepted much help and equipment from the United States and Britain, France wanted to self-support itself and provide it's own military equipment. Thus, hundreds of unfielded German Panther tanks were assigned to the 501st and 503rd French Armored Regiments. Both of these French Armored Regiments fielded somewhere between 50 and 100 Panther Tanks exclusively, (Double that of any German formation during WW2.) Because of this, the French quickly became masters of the German Panzerkampfwagen V "Panther", and made many modifications and upgrades to keep the tank combat effective until they would develop the AMX 30 in the early 1960's.

Tank: Modified Panzerkampfwagen V "Panther"
[Ordnance Inventory Designation: "Sd.Kfz. 171"]

Tank Description/Modifications: The Panzerkampfwagen V Panthers that the French military used were upgraded and reinforced models. The Panther was notorious for short engine and suspension life, along with the problem that the Panther could not fire on any sloped terrain due to the engine not being able to hold the turret in place, (The French figured out if the tank was sloped 20 degrees or more, the turret would begin falling towards the ground.) These problems were addressed by the French Military, and Team Echo was able to salvage a prototype Schmalturm turret from the captured German Rheinmetall facilities. The Schmalturm was a lighter, better armored turret with reinforced frontal, side and top armor. This effectively upgraded the Panther into the planned "Ausf. F" Model that was never officially produced in Nazi Germany (Though planned.)

The Panther is an excellent combination of firepower, mobility and protection, often regarded as among the best tanks of World War II with frontal armor superior to the Tiger I's. The Panther was the design basis for many post war and modern tanks, and served as an entry point design wise for the upcoming Main Battle Tanks.

Armament & Basic Specifications:

• Main Armament: 1 × 7.5 cm KwK 42 L/70 (Though the Schmalturm is fully capable of arming the deadly, 88 mm L/71 gun)
• Secondary Armament(s): 2 × 7.92 mm Maschinengewehr 34
• Armor: 15–120 mm (0.59–4.7 in)
• Speed: 46 km/h (29 mph) (later models)
• Misc: Additional side skirts attached to chassis

[demspec]

Allright, looks like the panther ausf. F parts were there, but not yet constructed. It's okey to use the Ausf. F, but that will only mean that the turret will be modified, right? And the SU-14 was indeed meant for fortifications, but this RP won't only have tanks as enemy. There will be infantry and structures to.

And Slypheed, do you mean the T95 (WoT tank destroyer), or the T95 main battle tank?

[Slypheed]

T28/T95 Super Heavy Tank
The one that WoT uses a TD

[demspec]

Do you want to have a assault, or support role? The T28/T95 was extremely slow and it probably won't be able to hit a fast moving tank. If you want to use the T28 that's okey, but it won't be a real battle tank. For a support role i can see the it being usefull.

[Slypheed]

I was thinking Assault role, and maybe a fire support role. Although it would be able to engage a tank all by itself, it would have to see the tank first and from far away.

---Made the Team---

Team : Kilo

Nationality : American

Crew : 8 (Commander, 5 gun crew, Driver, Co-Driver)

Experience : Crew has only trained in their tank. They have not seen action, nor has the tank. Have trained for assaulting fortifications and defensive lines, as well as providing fire support when and if needed.

Tank : T28/T95

(Tell me if this is acceptable or not)

[Garinovitch]

Allright, looks like the panther ausf. F parts were there, but not yet constructed. It's okey to use the Ausf. F, but that will only mean that the turret will be modified, right? And the SU-14 was indeed meant for fortifications, but this RP won't only have tanks as enemy. There will be infantry and structures to.

The Panther Ausf. F was supposed to be a Panther base with the Schmalturm turret, along with an upgrade to the 88mm L/71 gun. So yes, all of the parts were there but production of the Ausf. F never began. The Ausf. F was also supposed to feature slightly thicker frontal armor, several of the hulls were made but never put together. I'm not using one of these hulls anyways, though. So technically my Panther is not a complete Ausf. F.

[BloodWolveNL]

Well...
this still going anywhere?