British Heavy Tank TOG 2- in 1941

[43rdRecceReg]

I came across this IWM video in the course of surfing for something else (isn't that often the case ?:D ). Anyway, I thought it worthwhile posting this film of the TOG 2 undergoing field (more like Trench-crossing) trials in 1941. Clearly, its design harks back to the WW1 days, when tanks were expected to cross trenches, and pulp the occupants of said trenches. If you get past the first shots of the gun and muzzle, you'll see the monster lumber into action. It's shape would make a scratch build using styrene sheets a do-able proposition. But...you won't find me undertaking it. Not for a very long time, anyway. The turret is faintly reminiscent of the Russian KV-2, IMO.

phpBB [video]

[Wildboar44]

Amazing turning circle for those times when you get stuck in Sainsbury’s car park! What a bizarre contraption. Thanks for uploading .

[RenoirLV]

Did they earnestly consider putting this on field in 1941?


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[43rdRecceReg]

Did they earnestly consider putting this on field in 1941?

Well, they did put it in a field in 1941; but just one without any Germans in it
Strangely enough, there's something about its lumbering bulk, and ultra-simple lines, I find quite appealing. I suppose it's a bit like the (proposed, but unbuild) German 'Ratte', or even the monster 'Maus'. Early WW2 some British tanks had good enough armour (e.g., Matilda 2) to defeat most of the shells the Germans could lob at them; with the obvious exception of the 88mm bruiser, of course. The TOG 2, with as much as 114mm at the front, would also have been largely impervious to any ordnance of Panzers 1 to IV, in 1941. Even to the Tiger 1, later on. The gun in this video was a dummy; but the initial 6-pounder could have taken out all conterporary German and Italian (don't laugh ) tanks.The prototype was later fitted with the 17-Pounder.
With a top speed of 8.4mph, though, it would even have been outpaced by a Tortoise, or a pensioner with a zimmer (or even Zimmerit) frame. (and no, not the Monster 'Tortoise' tank the Brits would build later). In profile, it bears a slight remblance to a metal snail, with an armoured shell.

Tank Heavy TOG 2 prototype at Bovington

Curiously, from a model tank builder's point of view, the TOG2's transmission actually consisted of two electric motors.






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[43rdRecceReg]

There's some useful information on 'The Old Gang' (TOG) tank on the Tank Museum website, for anyone wishing to read up on this clunky, 80-ton monster.
https://tankmuseum.org//museum-online/v ... t-e1951-49
The tank was almost unique in having no mechanical transmission, or gearbox... and "...The tracks themselves, after passing around the sprocket and idler, drop down below floor level in a tunnel to create more space in the engine and crew compartments - an idea which is virtually unique to this tank..."
It's worth a read.