Quote:
Originally Posted by DRG
Quote:
Originally Posted by cbo
PS: The Panzer III could not spin its tracks in opposite directions, as it had a simple clutch-brake steering system just like the Panzer IV and a lot of other tanks of the period. It could block one track and turn over that track like any other clutch-brake steered tank.
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Only the Panther could execute that trick then. |
AFAIK, making a turn in place by counterrotating the tracks ("neutral steering") requires two things:
1. A geared steering system of some sort, which allows power to be distributed to both tracks while turning. That rules out clutch-brake systems, as they turn by cutting power to one track to facilitate the turn.
2. A secondary drive from the gearbox to the steering unit to provide power to the tracks when the tank is in neutral.
The Panther had that - and a clutch-brake steering system on top of that for narrow turns. The Tiger did as well (sans the clutch-brake add-on) and so did the variants built on those two platforms. Earlier German tanks were all clutch-brake while the 38t and variants used a geared system without the secondary steering drive.
Most late-war British tanks could neutral steer - Cromwell and variants, Churchill and Comet.
The US tanks stuck with a geared system without steering drive for the duration of the war, IIRC it wasn't until the M26 was rebuilt into the M46 that a US tank got a neutral steer capability.
AFAIK no Soviet tank had a neutral steer capability in WWII, the T34 and KV were clutch-brake affairs while the IS series used a geared system but without the secondary drive and hence had not ability to counterrotate its tracks.
Claus B