#history
Japan purchased the Tiger E (Chassis No. 250455) under the advice of General Hiroshi Ōshima, the Japanese ambassador in Berlin. General Ōshima had visited the Eastern Front, where he saw the formidable Tiger tank. In May 1943, Japan made an offer to acquire either the blueprints or an actual model of the tank. The plan was to ship the tank to Japan by submarine, intending to strengthen Japanese tank forces and serve as valuable research material. However, the transfer was never completed due to the increasing dominance of Allied naval forces. As a result, the Tiger I was loaned "back" to the Germans and subsequently used in the 101st SS Heavy Panzer Battalion in Belgium.
The M1A1 HC tank, developed in the mid-1980s, was a tank built to accommodate changes into the M1 Abrams design for the United States Marine Corp (USMC) to replace their M60A1 tank. Production began in November 1990, incorporating changes like deep-wading adapters and stronger tie-downs. The USMC received 269 units by 1992, with additional transfers and upgrades continuing until 2005. The M1A1 HC saw sterling combat service in the USMC in the Gulf War, Iraq, and Afghanistan.
The Mitsubishi A7M, designated as Reppū (烈風, Strong Wind), was a series of Japanese fighter aircraft designed and built by Mitsubishi Aircraft Company during World War II. The A7M was intended to replace the A6M as the Imperial Japanese Navy's main carrier-based fighter. The A7M had a more powerful engine, a larger wing, and improved manoeuvrability and speed than the Zero. However, the A7M faced many technical difficulties and delays, and only a few prototypes were completed before the end of the war.
The M46 Patton emerged from the modernization of the M26 Pershing to address the evolving needs of the US Army. With significant upgrades in engine power, transmission, and firepower, the M46 would play a crucial role during the Korean War. Despite technical challenges, the M46’s deployment marked a significant advancement in tank technology, bridging the gap between World War II designs and the more modern tanks that followed.
The Yokosuka R2Y, designated as Keiun (景雲, Cirrus Cloud), as a unique prototype reconnaissance aircraft with a twin-engine configuration located in the centre of the fuselage and a single-nose propeller driven by an extended shaft. It underwent two test flights in May 1945, but due to engine problems and other issues, it was unable to achieve the required performance by the end of the war.
Among the T-34s used by the Soviet Army as they marched towards Germany, there ought to be a number of M4A2 Shermans within the inventory. A sign of cooperation between the distant Allies, the M4A2 Sherman was provided to the Soviet Union as part of the Lend-Lease program that led America and Britain to supply critical material and equipment to the Soviets. The M4A2 Sherman helped set-up several significant units for the Soviet Union to use in the Great Patriotic War to fight both the Germans and Japanese to the war's conclusion.
The Yokosuka D4Y, designated as the Suisei (彗星, Comet), was a series of Japanese dive bombers designed and built by Yokosuka Naval Arsenal during World War II. The D4Y was intended to replace the D3A as the Imperial Japanese Navy's main carrier-based dive bomber. Designed with a strong emphasis on high top speed to outrun enemy interceptors, the aircraft was powered by a licensed German DB 601 inline engine, offering performance unmatched by Japanese engines at the time. However, the DB 601's advanced design proved to be a double-edged sword for both Navy and Army air development. The engine's high cost, requirement for advanced machining, and intensive maintenance needs became a significant bottleneck for production.
Among the different tanks provided to the Soviet Union as part of the Lend-Lease program, arguably the most underrated tank was the Valentine tank. An infantry tank that the British eventually phased out for newer tanks like the Churchill, the Valentine had a surprising staying power within the Soviet Army. The Soviet Army received half of all Valentines produced by the British and Canadians and used them all the way to the end of the war against both the Germans and Japanese.
The Type 10 (10式戦車) is a main battle tank (MBT) of the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF). Initially accepted into service in 2010 (with effect in 2012) to complement and replace the existing Type 74 and Type 90 main battle tanks. Compared to its predecessors, there was a bigger emphasis on the C4I system, weight reduction, and modular armour.
