Finland's "Elephant Gun"

Many nations searched for effective anti-tank weapons in the interbellum years. One of the most popular countermeasures was the anti-tank rifle. These rifles ranging in caliber from 7.92 to 20 mm were issued to infantry units. Finland also followed this path as it nervously observed the development of armoured vehicles by its eastern neighbour, the Soviet Union.

Tips for an Anti-Tank Rifleman

 Advice for anti-tank riflemen penned by Degtyaryev himself published in the Boyevoy Put' newspaper on May 13th, 1944.

Video: Italian M 14/41 Tank in Action

Aquino Tank Weekend hosted at the Ontario Regiment Museum often has a guest appearance from a vehicle owned by the Base Borden museum. Usually these are static displays, but this year visitors were presented with a running Italian M 14/41 medium tank. 

The First Soviet RPG

Widespread use of anti-tank rocket launchers by both the USSR's allies and enemies starting in 1943 forced it to expedite experimental work on these weapons. The first positive results were achieved in early 1944.

T-34 Rate of Fire Trials

 "March 1st, 1941
Approved by Proving Grounds Chief Colonel Romanov

Report on the experimental driver's observation device, ammunition racks, and commander's and loader's seats of the T-34 tank

...

Program of T-34 ammunition rack and rate of fire trials

1. Purpose of trial

1. To determine the practical rate of fire in various conditions of operation.
2. To determine the convenience of using the new ammunition rack.
3. To test the convenience of loading with the loader's seat folded

Video: T-34-85 in Action at Aquino Tank Weekend 2021

This T-34-85 tank was acquired by the Ontario Regiment Museum in 2019 and first shown in 2020. Since then it has been restored to working order and takes part in demonstrations and reenactments at the museum. This vehicle was originally produced at factory #112 in June of 1945.

On the Way to the Most Numerous American Tank

The Americans met the start of WWII with about a dozen Convertible Medium Tanks T4 and a handful of Medium Tanks M2. Despite this poor state of readiness, American industry made some important steps even before the war that let them make up this gap very quickly. While battles were raging in Europe, the US launched first the Medium Tank M2A1 then the Medium Tank M3 into production. Solutions worked out on these vehicles allowed the development of a new generation medium tank: the Medium Tank T6. This vehicle was standardized as the Medium Tank M4 on September 5th, 1941.

Howitzer T-34

"July 20th, 1942

To the director of Kalinin factory #8, comrade Fratkin
Sverdlovsk

CC: Chief of the NKTP Technical Department, Engineer Colonel Ginzburg
CC: Chairman of the NKTP Technical Council, Satel

RE: conclusion regarding installation of a 122 mm howitzer in a T-34 tank turret

The project of a T-34 tank with a 122 mm howitzer developed on factory #8's initiative that you sent attached to letter #1430s was reviewed by the GAU Artillery Committee.

The project consists of installing an experimental 122 mm tank howitzer into a T-34 tank with the condition of maintaining the existing turret ring.

Video: Hetzer in Action

The Jagdpanzer 38(t) "Hetzer" tank destroyer at the Ontario Regiment Museum has been under restoration for the past several years. This year, the museum crew put the finishing touches on this vehicle and it was finally able to take part in the Aquino Tank Weekend event. Like many Hetzers in museums today, this is a post-war G-13, but thanks to a thorough restoration process it is nearly indistinguishable from the real deal.

Armoured Confusion: Victorious '45

There are many misconceptions about the use of tanks in 1945, same as any other period of the Great Patriotic War. These myths muddle the characteristics of tanks, their application, and sometimes even introduce tanks that were not there at all. The final chapter in the series dedicated to myths on Soviet armour in the Great Patriotic War is dedicated to this period.