Winged tanks were the subject of several unsuccessful experiments in the 20th century. It was intended that these could be towed behind, or carried under, an airplane, to glide into a battlefield, in support of infantry forces.
In war, airborne forces use parachutes to drop soldiers behind enemy lines to capture and hold important objectives until more heavily equipped friendly troops can arrive. Military planners have always sought ways to provide airborne troops with combat support equipment in the form of light armored vehicles or artillery which can be dropped by parachute or military glider.
The problem with air-dropping vehicles is that their crews drop separately, and may be delayed or prevented from bringing them into action. Military gliders allow crews to arrive at the drop zone along with their vehicles. They also minimize exposure of the valuable towing aircraft, which need not appear over the battlefield. An improvement would be a tank which could glide into the battlefield, drop its wings, and be ready to fight within minutes. This would allow the crew to immediately begin operation.
Development
J. Walter Christie
The development of the "Winged Tank" by J. Walter Christie represents an innovative yet ultimately unsuccessful attempt to create a tank design with enhanced mobility. J. Walter Christie was an American engineer and inventor known for his unconventional ideas in the field of tank design during the early 20th century. His "Winged Tank" concept, while not widely adopted, contributed to the evolution of tank design principles.
Early Innovations
J. Walter Christie was a pioneer in designing tanks with a focus on mobility. He developed a unique suspension system using large road wheels and a coil spring mechanism, which allowed for better off-road performance compared to traditional tank designs of the time.
Influence on Tank Design
Christie's suspension system was notable for its influence on future tank designs, particularly the Soviet BT series of tanks, such as the BT-5 and BT-7. The BT tanks incorporated his suspension system, which significantly improved their speed and maneuverability.
The Winged Tank Concept
One of Christie's more unusual designs was the "Winged Tank." This concept featured extendable tracks or "wings" that could be deployed to provide additional flotation and mobility when crossing water bodies, essentially turning the tank into a temporary amphibious vehicle. This idea aimed to overcome one of the challenges faced by early tanks – their limited ability to navigate water obstacles.
Limited Adoption
While the "Winged Tank" concept showcased Christie's innovative thinking, it didn't gain widespread acceptance in military circles. The concept faced practical challenges, including the complexity of the design, potential vulnerability of the extended tracks in combat situations, and the need for additional engineering and maintenance.
Legacy
Despite the limited success of the "Winged Tank," J. Walter Christie's contributions to tank suspension design were significant. His work influenced subsequent tank developments, particularly in the Soviet Union. The Christie suspension, which allowed for a combination of speed, maneuverability, and off-road performance, became a key feature in several successful tank designs.
Later Years
J. Walter Christie continued to work on various engineering projects, but his tank designs did not achieve widespread commercial or military success during his lifetime. Nevertheless, his ideas laid the groundwork for future innovations in tank technology.
In summary, the "Winged Tank" concept by J. Walter Christie represents a unique chapter in the history of tank development. While the specific concept did not become a standard feature in tank design, his innovations in suspension systems and mobility left a lasting impact on the evolution of armored vehicles, influencing the design of tanks produced by other nations.
Soviet experiments
Soviets flying tank
In 1930, the Grokhovskiy Special Design Bureau experimented with dropping "air buses" full of troops: the bicycle-wheeled G-45 onto land, and the amphibious "hydro bus" into water. When the hydro bus disintegrated on landing, the chief designer and his assistant were strapped into the G-45 for a test drop; they survived, but the project was cancelled.
Later, the Soviets used heavy bombers to land on the battlefield carrying T-27 tankettes and T-37 tank light tanks, and experimented with air-dropping light tanks (both with and without parachutes). In 1941, airborne units were issued T-40 amphibious tanks.
