Originally Posted by godofthunder9010

My main point was, the M1-Abrams was the first US tank design that was a really really great design.

But yeah, the Sherman just screams: "Shoot me, I'll die fast for ya!" High profile, big target, no armor sloping, thinner armor than other mediums of the era and we've already covered the part about it being a Deathtrap.

Not forgetting the artillery piece for a gun and the aircraft radial engine that backfired like Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, immediately giving away the tank's position to grateful Germans.

Originally Posted by godofthunder9010

Huh, some reason I thought the Leopard 2 initially came out a lot later than it did, but apparently it was 1979. Therin lies the problem with me relying on my own memory. I had it at 1989 or so. Only off by ten years, right?? LOL.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leopard_2
M1-Abrams was 1980, and I'd remembered that one correctly. The two designs deriving from MBT70 essentially came out at about the same exact time.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M1_Abrams

On the other hand, the Leapard 1 was the very best of its era of tanks. The M-60 which was the USA's main MBT, really wasn't. Middle of the pack at best.

Leopard 1 --> Leopard 2 = Good progressive move forward in tech and design.


M-60 --> M1 Abrams = A giant leap forward!! <---That was my main point. Also, that the Abrams was the first instance that I am aware of the USA's MBT was among the very best in the world, if not initially the #1 MBT in its own right.

Both of them are top-notch tanks and IMHO belong in any all-time top 10 list.

Its all sortof wandering offtopic anyways.

Actaully the M60A3 TTS was a pretty impressive tank. Was one of the first armed with a Thermal Sight (Best TIS the Army ever produced) and an awesome Ruby Red Laser Rangefinder and a Soild State Ballistic Computer and FCS. The M60 helped some what in design of what a tank should have tech wise. Also coupling the layout and design of the MBT-70.

I think the Army used all it's past lessons learned on what too and what no too put in and on a tank to produce the M1.

Also in 1979 the Germany presented the U.S. Army with a Leopard 2 as a test-bed.

Why not put in the Bionix?

It is a great innovation of IFV and APC!

Originally Posted by zander_0633

Why not put in the Bionix?

It is a great innovation of IFV and APC!

Well the whole discussion is more on Main Battle Tanks.

ops! Sorry! Wad about Centurion?

Originally Posted by zander_0633

ops! Sorry! Wad about Centurion?

You mean the US uses it?

well, no but my country uses it, although no one knows!

my country just developed a Artillery so light,it can be airlifted by the chinook!

Originally Posted by zander_0633

my country just developed a Artillery so light,it can be airlifted by the chinook!

Really, cool! I think the US has three or four that we can do that with.

Nice! Imagine in the middle of the battlefield Artillery comes from the sky, Literally! It would be devastating for the enemy! One moment no artillery, the next they are running away from artillery!