Developers posts on forum

MrVic: HMS Dudley (Formerly RN1-Tank)

(Nicknamed "Admiral Pound's Kraut Pounder")



HMS Dudley History

HMS Dudley's origin starts in 1938.  A conversation between Robert Warwick and
Admiral Sir Dudley Pound in a local London pub. Robert Warwick being a Engineer
working for Vickers-Armstrongs, the same company responsible for the creation of
the Valentine II British Tank. Admiral Sir Dudley Pound was previously the CinC
of the Mediterranean and was promoted to Admiral of the Fleet and First Sea Lord 1939-1943.
During this chance meeting in a London pub where Admiral Pound supposedly said to
Warwick in Late 1938... " If these recent events boil over into a war with Germany,
those krauts will be lucky that my ships cannot walk on land. For no enemy can stand
against the guns of The Royal Navy" That conversation stuck with Warwick for some weeks.
Consumed with the ideas from his conversation that fateful night floating around his head,
Warwick approached the British War Office with his ideas. After a short deliberation
and some pressure from the Royal Navy and a determined Admiral they cleared project
designated "RN1-Tank"

     Now Warwick started to wonder if he really could effectively mount a large naval
gun onto a land based  mobile platform.  As the weeks passed he began to put the pieces together.
First he needed a naval gun to base his design on.  The choice was simple
the Navy's 4.7"/45 (12 cm) QF Mark XII.  The 4.7"/45   had seen some improvements from
powder bag charges to utilizing a cartridge some years before. This combined with a
50 Lbs (22.68 kg) round (HE and AT) a muzzle velocity of 2,650 fps (808 mps) with a
range of 15,800 yards (14,450 m) and still maintaining the ability to penetrate 2.5" (76 mm)
of armor  at 6,500 yards (5,950 m) Meant there was no armored target the RN1-Tank could not defeat.

     The original idea was to use the RN1-Tank in a indirect fire mode, but with the speed of
German tanks and tactics used, Warwick decided to plan for a direct fire role as well.  This meant
increasing its frontal armor and improving the traverse range of his hull mounted main gun.
The major drawback quickly became keeping the size of the RN1-Tank’s foot print as small as
possible and still provide adequate firing platform and room to operate the large main gun.
This resulted in increase in weight and width being the two biggest issues Warwick had to address.
Seeing as the war in Europe means traveling on narrow roads and even narrower streets in the
cities usually the increased width of 3.65 m (12' 2") meant travel challenges for the RN1-Tank
were unavoidable.  The second challenge the weight, Warwick had to find a engine capable of moving
his Tank at speeds that would enable it to keep up with a advancing force or to retreat in the
threat of a sudden break through. The solution was found with the recent purchasing of a newly
modified Russian aircraft engine the GAM-34BT by the War office to be reverse engineered for
possible use in their newer tank designs.  The engine had the sufficient power and was quickly
adapted to the two RN1-Tank prototypes.  Due to the engine being gas powered Warwick decided to
isolate the engine in a rear armored compartment so that even if the RN1-Tank took a hit to its
engine compartment the damage could be contained.  Since his main gun was not driven by electric
the loss of a engine did not mean the tanks total combat effectiveness would be lost.  
With no engine power the RN1-Tank with its increased armor could act as a fixed Artillery position
or a defensive AT bunker.  With a 20 degree R/L traverse due to the extra wide hull and crew
compartment layout his tank would maintain a rather respectable field of fire even immobile.
Warwick's last few improvements were focused on crew operations and a newly acquired
TZF5a German sight that was easily duplicated. The improvements to the crew operations mainly
focused on the operation of the 4.7"/45 (12 cm) QF Mark XII main gun.  Due to the size of the
rounds fired it was decided that two loaders assisted with mechanical load assist equipment would
be a much needed addition.  This combined with a rear hatch to eject spent casings greatly
increased the rate of fire of the RN1-Tank. In honor of The Royal Navy's help and contributions
and Admiral Sir Dudley Pound's words of enlightenment the RN1-Tank became the HMS Dudley. After
its first combat action the Germans quickly learned to fear the distant bang of the HMS Dudley
for truly the Royal Navy could now reach them anywhere!





General Specifications
Formal Designation......HMS Dudley
Manufacturer(s).........Factory No.9 Ural Heavy Machinery Factory (UTZM or Uralmash)
Production Quantity.....2 (110 Ordered)
Production Period.......March 1940 - ?
Type....................Heavy Tank
Crew....................6
Length overall..........9.45 m (31' 0")
Width...................3.65 m (12' 2")
Height..................2.13 m ( 7' )
Barrel Overhang.........0.762 m (2.5')
Combat Weight...........55000 kg (121000 lbs)
Radio Equipment.........No.19

ARMAMENTS
Primary Armament........4.7"/45 (12 cm) QF Mark XII (Naval)
Ammunition Carried......76
Traverse (degrees)......Manual (20°L - 20°R)
Elevation (degrees).....-3° to +30°
Traverse speed (360°)...NA
Sight...................TZF5a
Secondary Armament......1 x 7.92mm Besa MG (Hull)
Ammunition Carried......4350

ARMOR
-------------------------Front------------------Side-------------------Rear-----------------Top/Bottom
Upper Hull...........60mm@35°..........60mm@70°.........45mm@80°.......20mm@0°
Lower Hull...........70mm@55°.........60mm@90°.........50mm@60°.......20mm@0°
Mantlet..............75mm@round.......NA......................NA....................NA


MOBILITY
Engine Make & Model.....GAM-34BT
Type & Displacement.....V12, 45.8 liters
Horsepower (max.).......850hp@1850rpm
Power/Weight Ratio......15.5 hp/tonne
Gearbox.................5 forward, 1 reverse
Fuel....................Gasoline (Petrol)
Range on/off road.......220/160 km
Mileage on road.........600 l/100km
Fuel Capacity...........about 1320 l
Speed on/off road.......35 km/h
Track Links.............120/track
Track Width.............70.0 cm (28")
Track Ground Contact....585 cm (230")
Ground Pressure.........0.67 kg/cm2 (9.6 psi)
Ground Clearance........0.50 m (1' 8")
Gradient................30°+
Vertical Obstacle.......1.2 m (3' 11")
Fording.................1.7 m (5' 7")
Trench Crossing.........3.0 m (9' 10")


Designer Notes

Well this orginally started as a Multi main gun tank or Possibly 2 turrets. Then the "ideal" part came to mind and I went off course!
I think it went off course in a good direction tho. Due to having to balance my weight as I add and remove things from the tank I have
found I now have to keep a large data base of materals and data for reference LOL.  I started out with a hull mounted main gun with a
smaller turret topside. Sadly to scale the hull weapon up to the size I wanted it would of had issues in its traverse.  As the breach
ect extends a rather large distance into the tank.  Bigger the gun the longer its "rear".  So mounting anything to the size I wanted
in the hull and having a turret I ran into problems. Turrets tend to operate with a basket underneath that traverses as the turret does
So the larger gun in the hull would come into conflict as I try to traverse the hull mounted weapon. another option was to do away with
turret basket and have the commander/gunner shift or move or even help with the main gun operations when it was in use. But in the end
I was wasting Tonnage on only being able to utilize one weapon system at a time in that layout.  Sigh I think I am thinking to hard about
engineering side of this lmao

Jeremy Taylor: By the way ther are some really nice things in World of Tanks gameplay that can make you forget about the warfare for a while . Such details as butterflies, birds' trills and crease marks on water caused by the shot misses contribute much to the splendid landscape views.

Jeremy Taylor: We are working on decreasing the system requirements for World of Tanks. For the moment the recommended requirements are the following:
CPU 2.0 GHz
RAM 1Gb
Video GF 8600GT 512M

Jeremy Taylor: M41 will have 155mm gun modification. I think it is even much niiiicer

MrVic: Thanks! Yeah I orginally worked up a Word Document and excel spreadsheet into a "publication" to look like a German intelligence briefing on the T-57A
After realizing submitals were to be on the forums. I had to scrap that after it was 80% complete. Also due to not truly trying to overload the backstroy with facts ect I had to trim the fat to try and keep it more concise and not a 3 page rant haha.
Another interesting tid bit for the 6 pdr was due to the pre-exsisting order for the 2pdr they kept production focused on it to "complete" its orginaly ordered run quantity. Under the notion once the 2pdr run was completed the could move more production capacity to the 6pdr. Yeah the British then sometimes did things in their own way
Thanks for noticing! Glad that others dig thru the history as well.

MrVic:
Thanks!   Yeah I orginally worked up a Word Document and excel spreadsheet into a "publication" to look like a German intelligence briefing on the T-57A
After realizing submitals were to be on the forums. I had to scrap that after it was 80% complete.  Also due to not truly trying to overload the backstroy with facts ect I had to trim the fat to try and keep it more concise and not a 3 page rant haha.

Another interesting tid bit for the 6 pdr was due to the pre-exsisting order for the 2pdr they kept production focused on it to "complete" its orginaly ordered run quantity. Under the notion once the 2pdr run was completed the could move more production capacity to the 6pdr. Yeah the British then sometimes did things in their own way

Thanks for noticing! Glad that others dig thru the history as well.

MrVic:
Thanks!   Yeah I orginally worked up a Word Document and excel spreadsheet into a "publication" to look like a German intelligence briefing on the T-57A
After realizing submitals were to be on the forums. I had to scrap that after it was 80% complete.  Also due to not truly trying to overload the backstroy with facts ect I had to trim the fat to try and keep it more concise and not a 3 page rant haha.

Another interesting tid bit for the 6 pdr was due to the pre-exsisting order for the 2pdr they kept production focused on it to "complete" its orginaly ordered run quantity. Under the notion once the 2pdr run was completed the could move more production capacity to the 6pdr. Yeah the British then sometimes did things in their own way

Thanks for noticing! Glad that others dig thru the history as well.

MrVic:
Thanks!   Yeah I orginally worked up a Word Document and excel spreadsheet into a "publication" to look like a German intelligence briefing on the T-57A
After realizing submitals were to be on the forums. I had to scrap that after it was 80% complete.  Also due to not truly trying to overload the backstroy with facts ect I had to trim the fat to try and keep it more concise and not a 3 page rant haha.

Another interesting tid bit for the 6 pdr was due to the pre-exsisting order for the 2pdr they kept production focused on it to "complete" its orginaly ordered run quantity. Under the notion once the 2pdr run was completed the could move more production capacity to the 6pdr. Yeah the British then sometimes did things in their own way

Thanks for noticing! Glad that others dig thru the history as well.

Jeremy Taylor: Please read the content of the initial news: "The development tree represents those US tanks that will be available in the World of Tanks release.
After the release, such vehicles as Stewart, Pershing, and many others will be added to the tree."

Jeremy Taylor: Haven't seen any comments from US tank-lovers yet

MrVic: I bow my hat to you sir! I have stick person level of skill in that kind of art/drawing.
I deal with Blue prints all day so making things in black and white and from more then one angle is about my only skill lol

MrVic:
I bow my hat to you sir!  I have stick person level of skill in that kind of art/drawing.
I deal with Blue prints all day so making things in black and white and from more then one angle is about my only skill lol

MrVic:
I bow my hat to you sir!  I have stick person level of skill in that kind of art/drawing.
I deal with Blue prints all day so making things in black and white and from more then one angle is about my only skill lol

MrVic:
I bow my hat to you sir!  I have stick person level of skill in that kind of art/drawing.
I deal with Blue prints all day so making things in black and white and from more then one angle is about my only skill lol

MrVic: I like your Drawing Syllas. Tho I was thinking if I had to try and do those geometric lines
by hand I think I would lose my mind! haha

MrVic: I like your Drawing Syllas. Tho I was thinking if I had to try and do those geometric lines
by hand I think I would lose my mind! haha

MrVic: I like your Drawing Syllas. Tho I was thinking if I had to try and do those geometric lines
by hand I think I would lose my mind! haha

MrVic: I like your Drawing Syllas. Tho I was thinking if I had to try and do those geometric lines
by hand I think I would lose my mind! haha

MrVic: [quote name='Syllas' date='11 March 2010 - 03:30 AM' timestamp='1268274654' post='2628']
[quote name='MrVic' date='11 March 2010 - 03:04 AM' timestamp='1268273043' post='2625']
very very nice!
[/quote]
Thanks I am hoping I get a few done I have on a notepad done soon.
If I get get the time (grumbles at 14 hour work days right now)
I was hoping to help some others get their ideas drawn out for them.

MrVic: [quote name='Syllas' date='11 March 2010 - 03:30 AM' timestamp='1268274654' post='2628']
[quote name='MrVic' date='11 March 2010 - 03:04 AM' timestamp='1268273043' post='2625']




very very nice!
[/quote]

Thanks   I am hoping I get a few done I have on a notepad done soon.
If I get get the time (grumbles at 14 hour work days right now)
I was hoping to help some others get their ideas drawn out for them.

MrVic: [quote name='Syllas' date='11 March 2010 - 03:30 AM' timestamp='1268274654' post='2628']
[quote name='MrVic' date='11 March 2010 - 03:04 AM' timestamp='1268273043' post='2625']




very very nice!
[/quote]

Thanks   I am hoping I get a few done I have on a notepad done soon.
If I get get the time (grumbles at 14 hour work days right now)
I was hoping to help some others get their ideas drawn out for them.

MrVic: [quote name='Syllas' date='11 March 2010 - 03:30 AM' timestamp='1268274654' post='2628']
[quote name='MrVic' date='11 March 2010 - 03:04 AM' timestamp='1268273043' post='2625']




very very nice!
[/quote]

Thanks   I am hoping I get a few done I have on a notepad done soon.
If I get get the time (grumbles at 14 hour work days right now)
I was hoping to help some others get their ideas drawn out for them.

MrVic: First attempt Tried to stick to technologies and systems in place by June-July 1940.
Most fun part was thinking about away this Tank could have come into being. While
doing the research required I stumbled upon many things I did not know which was quite nice.

T-57A History
The T-57A’s Creator was Mikhail Koshkin’s senior apprentice, Adrik Vasilev.
Vasilev who worked under Koshkin for a few years prior to the A-32 (T-34) project being assigned to Koshkin’s Engineering Team.
The start of the T-57A project began with a single Russian spy operating in France during the German advance to
the English Channel the spy stumbled upon design and specifications for the Britsh Ordnance Quick-Firing 6-pounder 7 cwt
or usually called the 6 pdr. The British had developed the 6 pdr and were working to setup a manufacturing plant in France
to bolster the need for anti-tank guns. Due to the unexpected rapid advance of the Germans the factory was abandoned in
haste as the workers and engineers fled to Britain. In the chaos the unnamed spy quietly acquired them and fled the Moscow.
From there the plans were presented to Koshkin in hopes they could be used in his project.
Koshkin tasked Vasilev with overseeing the production of the 6 pdr in Moscow. The production began
immediately and Vasilev had already modified the production run to fit it into a armored platform.
Vasilev presented the completed 6 pdr variant to Koshkin, but Koshkin was already commited to using
the F-32 gun in his design.
Koshkin decided to have Vasilev work on a parallel project utilizing the 6 pdr variant. Upon the
completion of the 2 prototype T-34’s in January 1940 by Koshkin, Vasilev had completed his turret variant
and mounting the 6 pdr along with adding minor improvements to armor and crew radio operations. With
Koshkin doing the brunt of the work on the T-34 Vasilev focused more on improvements and combat ideas of
his own tank design. Basing his tanks chassis off the T-34 chassis with minor changes sped the process from
design to prototype. Vasilev turret design provided more room for a loader and enabling the crew to
achieve the high rate of fire the 6 pdr was designed for. In addition the storing of ordnance in
protected armored compartments helped in protecting the tank from enemy fire hitting the ammunition
compartments on board and destroying or crippling the T-57A. Final changes were in place and the
first 2 prototypes were completed by March 1940. Ironically the Britsh ran into design issues with
the carriage for their 6pr and due to the 2pdr still being produced well into 1942 limiting the
production opportunity for the British 6pdr, its possible the Russians utilized the British designed
weapon before even the British.
General Specifications
Formal Designation......T-57A Model 1940
Manufacturer(s).........Factory No.181 Kharkov Locomotive Works (KhPZ, Stalingrad Tractor Factory (STZ)
Production Quantity.....6 (400 Ordered)
Production Period.......Early 1940 - ?
Type....................Medium Tank
Crew....................5
Length overall..........5.92 m (19' 5")
Width...................3.00 m (9' 10")
Height..................2.43 m (8’3”)
Barrel Overhang.........0.61 m (2’)
Combat Weight...........26300 kg (58000 lbs)
Radio Equipment.........71-TK-32
ARMAMENTS
Primary Armament........Ordnance Quick-Firing 6-pounder 7 cwt (57mm Gun M1)
Ammunition Carried......112
Traverse (degrees)......Electric (360°)
Elevation (degrees).....-8° to +33°
Traverse speed (360°)...10 sec.
Sight...................TOD-6, PT-6
Secondary Armament......2 x 7.62mm DT MG (coaxial/bow)
Ammunition Carried......3122/4851
ARMOR
-------------------------Front------------------Side-------------------Rear-----------------Top/Bottom
Hull..................50mm@30°..........45mm@90°.........45mm@45°.......20mm@0°
Superstructure...45mm@30°.........45mm@50°.........45mm@48°.......20mm@0°
Turret................45mm@round......45mm@60°.........45mm@60°.......20mm@0&6°
Mantlet.............50mm@30&90°......NA......................NA....................NA
MOBILITY
Engine Make & Model.....V-2-34
Type & Displacement.....V12, 38.9 liters
Horsepower (max.).......500hp@1800rpm
Power/Weight Ratio......19.2 hp/tonne
Gearbox.................4 forward, 1 reverse
Fuel....................Diesel
Range on/off road.......300+/225+ km
Mileage on road.........140 l/100km
Fuel Capacity...........420 (+ 140 external) l
Speed on/off road.......55/40 km/h
Track Links.............74/track
Track Width.............55.0 cm (22")
Track Ground Contact....372 cm (146")
Ground Pressure.........0.64 kg/cm2 (9.1 psi)
Ground Clearance........0.4 m (1' 4")
Turning Radius..........7.6 m (24' 11")
Gradient................35°
Vertical Obstacle.......0.8 m (2' 7")
Fording.................1.3 m (4' 3")
Trench Crossing.........2.5 m (8' 2")

MrVic: First attempt   Tried to stick to technologies and systems in place by June-July 1940.
Most fun part was thinking about away this Tank could have come into being. While
doing the research required I stumbled upon many things I did not know which was quite nice.







T-57A History

     The T-57A’s Creator  was Mikhail Koshkin’s senior apprentice, Adrik Vasilev.  
Vasilev who worked under Koshkin for a few years prior to the A-32 (T-34) project being assigned to Koshkin’s Engineering Team.

     The start of the T-57A project began with a single Russian spy operating in France during the German advance to
the English Channel the spy stumbled upon design and specifications for the Britsh Ordnance Quick-Firing 6-pounder 7 cwt
or usually called the 6 pdr. The British had developed  the 6 pdr and were working to setup a manufacturing plant in France
to bolster the need for anti-tank guns. Due to the unexpected rapid advance of the Germans the factory was abandoned in
haste as the workers and engineers fled to Britain. In the chaos the unnamed spy quietly acquired them and fled the Moscow.

     From there the plans were presented to Koshkin in hopes they could be used in his project.  
Koshkin tasked  Vasilev with overseeing the production of the 6 pdr in Moscow.  The production began
immediately and Vasilev had already modified the production run to fit it into a armored platform.
Vasilev  presented the completed 6 pdr variant to Koshkin, but Koshkin was already commited to using
the F-32 gun in his design.

    Koshkin decided to have Vasilev  work on a parallel project utilizing the 6 pdr variant. Upon the
completion of the 2 prototype T-34’s in January 1940 by Koshkin, Vasilev had completed his turret variant
and mounting the 6 pdr along with adding minor improvements to armor and crew radio operations. With
Koshkin doing the brunt of the work on the T-34 Vasilev focused more on improvements and combat ideas of
his own tank design. Basing his tanks chassis off the T-34 chassis with minor changes sped the process from
design to prototype. Vasilev turret design provided more room for a loader and enabling the crew to
achieve the high rate of fire the 6 pdr  was designed for. In addition the storing of ordnance in
protected armored compartments helped in protecting the tank from enemy fire hitting the ammunition
compartments on board and destroying or crippling the T-57A. Final changes were in place and the
first 2 prototypes were completed by March 1940. Ironically the Britsh ran into design issues with
the carriage for their 6pr and due to the 2pdr still being produced well into 1942 limiting the
production opportunity for the British 6pdr, its possible the Russians utilized the British designed
weapon before even the British.

General Specifications
Formal Designation......T-57A Model 1940
Manufacturer(s).........Factory No.181 Kharkov Locomotive Works (KhPZ, Stalingrad Tractor Factory (STZ)
Production Quantity.....6 (400 Ordered)
Production Period.......Early 1940 - ?
Type....................Medium Tank
Crew....................5
Length overall..........5.92 m (19' 5")
Width...................3.00 m (9' 10")
Height..................2.43 m (8’3”)
Barrel Overhang.........0.61 m (2’)
Combat Weight...........26300 kg (58000 lbs)
Radio Equipment.........71-TK-32

ARMAMENTS
Primary Armament........Ordnance Quick-Firing 6-pounder 7 cwt (57mm Gun M1)
Ammunition Carried......112
Traverse (degrees)......Electric (360°)
Elevation (degrees).....-8° to +33°
Traverse speed (360°)...10 sec.
Sight...................TOD-6, PT-6

Secondary Armament......2 x 7.62mm DT MG (coaxial/bow)
Ammunition Carried......3122/4851

ARMOR
-------------------------Front------------------Side-------------------Rear-----------------Top/Bottom
Hull..................50mm@30°..........45mm@90°.........45mm@45°.......20mm@0°
Superstructure...45mm@30°.........45mm@50°.........45mm@48°.......20mm@0°
Turret................45mm@round......45mm@60°.........45mm@60°.......20mm@0&6°
Mantlet.............50mm@30&90°......NA......................NA....................NA


MOBILITY
Engine Make & Model.....V-2-34
Type & Displacement.....V12, 38.9 liters
Horsepower (max.).......500hp@1800rpm
Power/Weight Ratio......19.2 hp/tonne
Gearbox.................4 forward, 1 reverse
Fuel....................Diesel
Range on/off road.......300+/225+ km
Mileage on road.........140 l/100km
Fuel Capacity...........420 (+ 140 external) l
Speed on/off road.......55/40 km/h
Track Links.............74/track
Track Width.............55.0 cm (22")
Track Ground Contact....372 cm (146")
Ground Pressure.........0.64 kg/cm2 (9.1 psi)
Ground Clearance........0.4 m (1' 4")
Turning Radius..........7.6 m (24' 11")
Gradient................35°
Vertical Obstacle.......0.8 m (2' 7")
Fording.................1.3 m (4' 3")
Trench Crossing.........2.5 m (8' 2")

MrVic: First attempt   Tried to stick to technologies and systems in place by June-July 1940.
Most fun part was thinking about away this Tank could have come into being. While
doing the research required I stumbled upon many things I did not know which was quite nice.







T-57A History

     The T-57A’s Creator  was Mikhail Koshkin’s senior apprentice, Adrik Vasilev.  
Vasilev who worked under Koshkin for a few years prior to the A-32 (T-34) project being assigned to Koshkin’s Engineering Team.

     The start of the T-57A project began with a single Russian spy operating in France during the German advance to
the English Channel the spy stumbled upon design and specifications for the Britsh Ordnance Quick-Firing 6-pounder 7 cwt
or usually called the 6 pdr. The British had developed  the 6 pdr and were working to setup a manufacturing plant in France
to bolster the need for anti-tank guns. Due to the unexpected rapid advance of the Germans the factory was abandoned in
haste as the workers and engineers fled to Britain. In the chaos the unnamed spy quietly acquired them and fled the Moscow.

     From there the plans were presented to Koshkin in hopes they could be used in his project.  
Koshkin tasked  Vasilev with overseeing the production of the 6 pdr in Moscow.  The production began
immediately and Vasilev had already modified the production run to fit it into a armored platform.
Vasilev  presented the completed 6 pdr variant to Koshkin, but Koshkin was already commited to using
the F-32 gun in his design.

    Koshkin decided to have Vasilev  work on a parallel project utilizing the 6 pdr variant. Upon the
completion of the 2 prototype T-34’s in January 1940 by Koshkin, Vasilev had completed his turret variant
and mounting the 6 pdr along with adding minor improvements to armor and crew radio operations. With
Koshkin doing the brunt of the work on the T-34 Vasilev focused more on improvements and combat ideas of
his own tank design. Basing his tanks chassis off the T-34 chassis with minor changes sped the process from
design to prototype. Vasilev turret design provided more room for a loader and enabling the crew to
achieve the high rate of fire the 6 pdr  was designed for. In addition the storing of ordnance in
protected armored compartments helped in protecting the tank from enemy fire hitting the ammunition
compartments on board and destroying or crippling the T-57A. Final changes were in place and the
first 2 prototypes were completed by March 1940. Ironically the Britsh ran into design issues with
the carriage for their 6pr and due to the 2pdr still being produced well into 1942 limiting the
production opportunity for the British 6pdr, its possible the Russians utilized the British designed
weapon before even the British.

General Specifications
Formal Designation......T-57A Model 1940
Manufacturer(s).........Factory No.181 Kharkov Locomotive Works (KhPZ, Stalingrad Tractor Factory (STZ)
Production Quantity.....6 (400 Ordered)
Production Period.......Early 1940 - ?
Type....................Medium Tank
Crew....................5
Length overall..........5.92 m (19' 5")
Width...................3.00 m (9' 10")
Height..................2.43 m (8’3”)
Barrel Overhang.........0.61 m (2’)
Combat Weight...........26300 kg (58000 lbs)
Radio Equipment.........71-TK-32

ARMAMENTS
Primary Armament........Ordnance Quick-Firing 6-pounder 7 cwt (57mm Gun M1)
Ammunition Carried......112
Traverse (degrees)......Electric (360°)
Elevation (degrees).....-8° to +33°
Traverse speed (360°)...10 sec.
Sight...................TOD-6, PT-6

Secondary Armament......2 x 7.62mm DT MG (coaxial/bow)
Ammunition Carried......3122/4851

ARMOR
-------------------------Front------------------Side-------------------Rear-----------------Top/Bottom
Hull..................50mm@30°..........45mm@90°.........45mm@45°.......20mm@0°
Superstructure...45mm@30°.........45mm@50°.........45mm@48°.......20mm@0°
Turret................45mm@round......45mm@60°.........45mm@60°.......20mm@0&6°
Mantlet.............50mm@30&90°......NA......................NA....................NA


MOBILITY
Engine Make & Model.....V-2-34
Type & Displacement.....V12, 38.9 liters
Horsepower (max.).......500hp@1800rpm
Power/Weight Ratio......19.2 hp/tonne
Gearbox.................4 forward, 1 reverse
Fuel....................Diesel
Range on/off road.......300+/225+ km
Mileage on road.........140 l/100km
Fuel Capacity...........420 (+ 140 external) l
Speed on/off road.......55/40 km/h
Track Links.............74/track
Track Width.............55.0 cm (22")
Track Ground Contact....372 cm (146")
Ground Pressure.........0.64 kg/cm2 (9.1 psi)
Ground Clearance........0.4 m (1' 4")
Turning Radius..........7.6 m (24' 11")
Gradient................35°
Vertical Obstacle.......0.8 m (2' 7")
Fording.................1.3 m (4' 3")
Trench Crossing.........2.5 m (8' 2")

MrVic: First attempt   Tried to stick to technologies and systems in place by June-July 1940.
Most fun part was thinking about away this Tank could have come into being. While
doing the research required I stumbled upon many things I did not know which was quite nice.







T-57A History

     The T-57A’s Creator  was Mikhail Koshkin’s senior apprentice, Adrik Vasilev.  
Vasilev who worked under Koshkin for a few years prior to the A-32 (T-34) project being assigned to Koshkin’s Engineering Team.

     The start of the T-57A project began with a single Russian spy operating in France during the German advance to
the English Channel the spy stumbled upon design and specifications for the Britsh Ordnance Quick-Firing 6-pounder 7 cwt
or usually called the 6 pdr. The British had developed  the 6 pdr and were working to setup a manufacturing plant in France
to bolster the need for anti-tank guns. Due to the unexpected rapid advance of the Germans the factory was abandoned in
haste as the workers and engineers fled to Britain. In the chaos the unnamed spy quietly acquired them and fled the Moscow.

     From there the plans were presented to Koshkin in hopes they could be used in his project.  
Koshkin tasked  Vasilev with overseeing the production of the 6 pdr in Moscow.  The production began
immediately and Vasilev had already modified the production run to fit it into a armored platform.
Vasilev  presented the completed 6 pdr variant to Koshkin, but Koshkin was already commited to using
the F-32 gun in his design.

    Koshkin decided to have Vasilev  work on a parallel project utilizing the 6 pdr variant. Upon the
completion of the 2 prototype T-34’s in January 1940 by Koshkin, Vasilev had completed his turret variant
and mounting the 6 pdr along with adding minor improvements to armor and crew radio operations. With
Koshkin doing the brunt of the work on the T-34 Vasilev focused more on improvements and combat ideas of
his own tank design. Basing his tanks chassis off the T-34 chassis with minor changes sped the process from
design to prototype. Vasilev turret design provided more room for a loader and enabling the crew to
achieve the high rate of fire the 6 pdr  was designed for. In addition the storing of ordnance in
protected armored compartments helped in protecting the tank from enemy fire hitting the ammunition
compartments on board and destroying or crippling the T-57A. Final changes were in place and the
first 2 prototypes were completed by March 1940. Ironically the Britsh ran into design issues with
the carriage for their 6pr and due to the 2pdr still being produced well into 1942 limiting the
production opportunity for the British 6pdr, its possible the Russians utilized the British designed
weapon before even the British.

General Specifications
Formal Designation......T-57A Model 1940
Manufacturer(s).........Factory No.181 Kharkov Locomotive Works (KhPZ, Stalingrad Tractor Factory (STZ)
Production Quantity.....6 (400 Ordered)
Production Period.......Early 1940 - ?
Type....................Medium Tank
Crew....................5
Length overall..........5.92 m (19' 5")
Width...................3.00 m (9' 10")
Height..................2.43 m (8’3”)
Barrel Overhang.........0.61 m (2’)
Combat Weight...........26300 kg (58000 lbs)
Radio Equipment.........71-TK-32

ARMAMENTS
Primary Armament........Ordnance Quick-Firing 6-pounder 7 cwt (57mm Gun M1)
Ammunition Carried......112
Traverse (degrees)......Electric (360°)
Elevation (degrees).....-8° to +33°
Traverse speed (360°)...10 sec.
Sight...................TOD-6, PT-6

Secondary Armament......2 x 7.62mm DT MG (coaxial/bow)
Ammunition Carried......3122/4851

ARMOR
-------------------------Front------------------Side-------------------Rear-----------------Top/Bottom
Hull..................50mm@30°..........45mm@90°.........45mm@45°.......20mm@0°
Superstructure...45mm@30°.........45mm@50°.........45mm@48°.......20mm@0°
Turret................45mm@round......45mm@60°.........45mm@60°.......20mm@0&6°
Mantlet.............50mm@30&90°......NA......................NA....................NA


MOBILITY
Engine Make & Model.....V-2-34
Type & Displacement.....V12, 38.9 liters
Horsepower (max.).......500hp@1800rpm
Power/Weight Ratio......19.2 hp/tonne
Gearbox.................4 forward, 1 reverse
Fuel....................Diesel
Range on/off road.......300+/225+ km
Mileage on road.........140 l/100km
Fuel Capacity...........420 (+ 140 external) l
Speed on/off road.......55/40 km/h
Track Links.............74/track
Track Width.............55.0 cm (22")
Track Ground Contact....372 cm (146")
Ground Pressure.........0.64 kg/cm2 (9.1 psi)
Ground Clearance........0.4 m (1' 4")
Turning Radius..........7.6 m (24' 11")
Gradient................35°
Vertical Obstacle.......0.8 m (2' 7")
Fording.................1.3 m (4' 3")
Trench Crossing.........2.5 m (8' 2")

Jeremy Taylor: This is a really nice start! Waiting for more of your ideas.

Jeremy Taylor: No chance for dice roll to appear in World of Tanks. The leveling system is totally under the player's control.

Jeremy Taylor: You can submit as many drawings and layouts as you wish. Use this exact thread for your entries. However, I would advice to focus and spend more time on a single model to make it as good as possible.

Jeremy Taylor: Please use this thread for your entries.

Jeremy Taylor: We have no limitation on the number of testers for the upcoming US/EU closed beta testing. Everyone who will send us their applications will be allowed to join the testing. The single requirement is the application form filled in properly. We want you not only to test our game but to have fun as well , so there are no considerable restrictions or limitations on taking part in the closed beta.

Jeremy Taylor: You may use any program you find appropriate.

Jeremy Taylor: You are allowed to mix-n-match different parts of different fighting vehicles to construct your ideal tank. You are allowed to design original pieces, just bear in mind the limitation on the ages. You may consult with us whenever you find appropriate.
Images and layouts will be treated as the advantage in the contest.

Jeremy Taylor: Please refer to http://forum.worldof...topic/92-beta/.

Jeremy Taylor: In beta version you will hear basic English language voice effects. Closer to the release date we will arrange the voice recording session involving professional actors of different nations.

Jeremy Taylor: ANNOUNCEMENT:
In order to avoid some misunderstandings that may occur among newcomers I will repeat myself: the closed beta test for the EU/US audiences has not been launched yet and we'll start it a bit later. However, this is not a secret anymore, the closed beta for the Russian audience is already out. There's a specific group of enthusiasts on these forums who have joined the ongoing Russian closed beta notwithstanding the language barrier, and we do appreciate their interest in the game. However, due to some misunderstandings that have already occurred, I will start the closed forum section for such forum members where they can share their experience about the Russian closed beta testing. This exact thread will be closed from here on. Forum members who are already beta testers of the Russian closed beta version may contact me privately so I could give them the corresponding invisible status and rights to socialize on the closed forum section dedicated to the Russian closed beta.
regards

Jeremy Taylor: The system of upgrading, costs and XP rates are at their closed-beta testing just the same as the game itself. Beta testers who take part in closed beta are helping us reveal some drawbacks and improve the balance. That is why we really appreciate your feedback and we do understand that sometimes it is really difficult to control one's feelings but:
LANGUAGE ABUSE WILL NOT BE TOLERATED UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES . Please don't force me to warn you against such practice again.
regards

Jeremy Taylor: Tree branches affect the visibility factor but have no influence on shooting itself. Breaking small branches by moving a barrel is not possible at that moment from technology standpoint as tracking this type of collision is extremely difficult in MMO games. World of Tanks has already introduced some very cool features in its gameplay that have never been offered in other MMO games before.

Jeremy Taylor: We are glad to know that your ping is rather good regarding that you're located in Canada. We are planning to launch the separate server in North America to provide smooth game experience for players in the USA, Canada and Latin America. The Russian language version and the English version will not differ as this could hurt the clan war gameplay otherwise. Moreover, we are planning to launch more than two versions of different languages.

Jeremy Taylor: More of Russian fighting vehicles will be added to the tree gradually.