Source: http://yuripasholok.livejournal.com/2753123.html and http://yuripasholok.livejournal.com/2753022.html
Hello everyone,
Yuri Pasholok (no matter what we might think of him personally) posts some pretty interesting stuff occasionally. This time, it’s a couple of photos of the Valentine tanks.
Here, a demonstration of first Valentine VI tanks, created by Canadian Pacific Railway, Angus Shop, Montreal, 17.8.1941
And these are the photos of the Kubinka Valentine II, located outside of the museum under the open sky – and apparently, it’s the only tank of this type, left in Russia. The vehicle is well preserved, including its serial number:
The turret bears the scars, caused by shell impacts, so it is clear this vehicle actually fought in WW2. Thanks to its preserved serial number, it was possible to find out, when the vehicle arrived in Russia and with which unit it fought (apparently, it arrived 12.12.1941 and fought with 171st Tank Battalion)
Yuri Pasholok states that the vehicle in the museum has its specific details – 30mm additional armor plates on the frontal part of the hull as well as a shield around the turret perimeter, welded there to prevent enemy shells jamming the turret by hitting the area under the turret and the hull. This additional armor conversion was done by Russians themselves. Yuri Pasholok posted two photos of the same tank from 1945:
On the upper picture, you can see the serial number written on the left driver’s hatch as well. Now, two pictures I will add myself. To compare – this is how the tank looks today (the same one from Kubinka):
Notice the area below the turret. Got it? Okay, now a photo of a Valentine III tank:
As you can see, the “original” Valentine has the area about turret ring exposed.This was percieved as a problem and there indeed were cases, when a shell jammed the turret, that’s why the Russians welded the shield there. If you compare the two pictures above, you will be able to see it quite clearly.
Why those valentines on first picture haves such short gun? howitzer? what caliber?
They have no guns at all, it’s just a factory trial.
Oh okay, thanks
what a brain fart lol
Well, you still could fire a Bazooka trough it or some other hand weapons.
“…you still could fire a Bazooka trough it…”
Well, yes, you probably *could* assuming the opening was big enough for the rocket. If you didn’t mind Bad Things happening to everyone inside that is.
Backblasts and enclosed spaces don’t play well together AFAIK.
it’s from Yuri.P ? the Anti Pole Nazi, i don’t read it.
Good for you..
The origin of the information doesn’t make it any less interesting.
‘Know your enemy and know yourself and you can fight a thousand battles without disaster.’”
Which Pole he doesnt like?? North Pole or South Pole? I dont like them too, because there is so cold there.
holy mother of….
+1 for the custodian !!
i’d prefer “pole” dancing…. it’s more “Hot” :-) :-)
Oooh, yes, Pole dance can be much more pleasant than North/South Pole..But we still do not know which of poles is hated by Mr Yuri P. Anyway, i hope that Mr Yuri P. is not planning any military action agains any Poles..because it could have terrible influence to life of icebears and penguins :(
Poles
Ethnicity
Poles are a nation of predominantly West Slavic ethnic origin, who are native to East-Central Europe, inhabiting mainly Poland. Wikipedia
….and does not have sense of humor :))))
Burned to the ground!!^^
I still thank WG for the free Valentine I got in that famous bonus code affair ;) As WOT tank it’s kinda crappy, of course, but anyway =)
I kinda like the LL Valentine.
The Valentine was the tank I got for signing up to WoT in beta, when the game was released she was reunited with me, she still holds a permanent spot in my Garage and in my eyes is the Flagship (Well Flagtank) of it. I don’t drive her much but she will always hold a special place in my heart.
It is important to note that Canada produced around 2000 Valentine tanks.
Of those 2000, 1950 were provided to the Soviets as our part of the lend lease program.
Very few survived.