Here’s another batch of questions, fresh from tankarchives@gmail.com! Previous edition can be found here.
Q: Was the 107 mm F-42 based on the M-60? What tank would it be mounted on?
A: The F-42 predated the M-60. It was developed before any tank large enough to fit it, as even the roomy KV-2 could only fit the reduced size ZiS-6.
Q: What is the firing procedure of Russian or German tank crews?
A: I don’t know about German ones, but the Soviet ones would be Ай бля шухер, Ваня ебни по нему бронебойным as follows:
A crewman that spots the target announces its position and range. Position is given in angles (to the right of the tank is plus, to the left is minus). If the target is close and next to a visible landmark, the crewman may give its location relative to the landmark, or, preferably, combine it with the previous method. Direction is given first, then target, then distance. Example: “Plus 30, haystack, left 50 meters, cannon, 500″.
If the tank is in motion, the commander makes a decision whether or not to move after firing. If the tank will move after firing, the command is “Korotkaya” (short). When this command is given, the driver will resume motion immediately after the gunner has fired. If the commander does not wish for the tank to resume motion after firing, he orders “Stoy” (stop) or “Za ukrytiyem, stoy” (behind cover, stop). If the commander wishes to fire on the move, he orders “Menshe hod” (slower speed). In this case, the driver would seek flat terrain, and announce that it is more suitable for firing with “Dorozhka” (road).
If necessary, the commander will mark the target with tracer fire and/or announce its presence on the radio to his platoon.
The commander determines which type of ammunition is more appropriate and signals the loader. This can be done by announcing the type of shell he wants, but in the heat of battle, a hand signal was enough: closed fist for armour piercing, open palm for explosive fragmentation. When the loader completed loading, he replies with the command he was issued, ending it with “Gotov” (ready). When the commander orders “Ogon’” (fire), the gunner will seek out the target and fire when he is ready. The commander observes the target and corrects the fire. In a tank where the commander doubles as the gunner, the driver corrects fire.
After firing, the loader continues loading the same shell type until he hears “Ne zaryazhay” (do not load). That is a signal to clean up spent casings and replenish the ready rack.
Q: There are some Yugoslavian penetration tests on the internet, what is their source?
A: Who knows where the original source is (probably Yugoslavia :P ), but Bojan put up a whole bunch of them here.
That’s it for this time! Well, not all, but there’s a question that’s large enough in scope and interesting enough that it deserves an article all on its own. Stay tuned!
