Top Ten Post-War Tanks
WWII - a truly pioneering age of thank design. In an era in which the only ground forces capable of multiple-role combat were tanks, these behemoths of steel prospered and flourished in the years of the war. They were the predecessors of post-war tank design, and ultimately, our own.After the war, armies improved their aging tank designs, using them as the basis for new tanks. Thus began the glorious era of the Cold War tank. During the Cold War, the WWII "medium tank" gradually evolved into a multi-role assault tank, fit for a variety of situations - the Main Battle Tank.
So, ultimately, what is the best post-war tank design? Let's find out.
Widely distributed around the world (and still in use today) the centurion should deservedly be the top tank. It went through numerous modifications to keep it level with all of the latest soviet tanks. The Mark I's 20 pounder had twice the penetration as the legendary "88" of WW2 and was the predecessor of the L7a1, one of the most outstanding guns of the 20th century.
The Centurion, introduced in 1945, was the primary British main battle tank of the post-World War II period. It was a successful tank design, with upgrades, for many decades. The chassis was also adapted for several other roles.
The T-62 was produced between 1961 and 1975. It became a standard tank in the Soviet arsenal, partly replacing the T-55, although that tank continued to be manufactured in the Soviet Union and elsewhere after T-62 production was halted. The T-62 was later replaced in front-line service by the T-72.
The Leopard (or Leopard 1) is a main battle tank designed and produced in West Germany that first entered service in 1965. Developed in an era when HEAT warheads were thought to make conventional heavy armour of limited value, the Leopard focused on firepower in the form of the German-built version of the British L7 105-mm gun, and improved cross-country performance that was unmatched by other designs of the era.
One of the fastest and most advanced tanks of the era, early version lacked armour protection. However, this was rectified with later models such as the A5, and had more than adequate armour protection to deal with the vast majority of soviet equipment it would face. Had a pretty bloody lethal gun to boot. Ought to be number 1 even though I do love the Centurion too.
The M48 Patton is a medium tank that was designed in the United States. It was the third and final tank to be officially named after General George S. Patton, commander of the U.S. third Army during World War II and one of the earliest American advocates for the use of tanks in battle. It was a further development of the M47 Patton tank.
The M48 Patton was extremely advanced for it's time. It had thick, well-sloped armor and a powerful gun, up to par with the T-62 tanks it fought at the time.
The T-54 and T-55 tanks were a series of main battle tanks designed in the Soviet Union. The first T-54 prototype appeared in March 1945, just as the Second World War ended. The T-54 entered full production in 1947 and became the main tank for armored units of the Soviet Army, armies of the Warsaw Pact countries, and others. T-54s and T-55s were involved in many of the world's armed conflicts during the late 20th and early 21st century.
My vote has to go with the T-54 and T-55 tanks. This thing was so influential amongst future Soviet and Russian designs. It is the most massed produced vehicle in history, with over 100,000 units of different variations made. Extremely modernized versions still see service today, while older models still see limited service as they are considered adequate in certain environments.
The AMX-30 is a main battle tank designed by GIAT, first delivered to the French Army in 1966. The first five tanks were issued to the 501st Régiment de Chars de Combat (Tank Regiment) in August of that year. The production version of the AMX-30 weighed 36 metric tons (40 short tons), and sacrificed protection for increased mobility.
The M47 Patton is an American medium tank, the second tank to be named after General George S. Patton, commander of the U.S. third Army during World War II and one of the earliest American advocates of tanks in battle. It was a further development of the M46 Patton tank.
The T-10 (also known as Object 730) was a Soviet heavy tank of the Cold War, the final development of the KV and IS tank series. It was accepted into production in 1952 as the IS-10 (Iosif Stalin, Russian form of Joseph Stalin), but due to the political climate in the wake of Stalin's death in 1953, it was renamed T-10.
Decades of successful use throughout the world, totally lopsided kill ratio even against t72, easily upgraded and reliable. Will remain in service for many more years.
The M60 was an improvement of the M48, equipping a more powerful 105mm main gun and having slightly thicker armor. It was upgraded until the M60A3, which served until 2005
True work horse. Combat proven design. Should be higher in list then M47, M48, M103, and T55.
The M103 heavy tank served the United States Army and the US Marines during the Cold War. Until the development of the M1 Abrams in the mid 1970s, it was the heaviest and most heavily armed tank in US service. The M103 was manufactured at the Detroit Arsenal Tank Plant and the first units were accepted in 1957. The last M103s were withdrawn from service in 1974.
Very powerful 105 mm gun capable of penetrating almost all tanks at the time. Also very good armor and good mobility. Has one of the strongest armor penetrating solid shot rounds of any tank at the time. Could go toe to toe and win against Russian heavy tanks or german heavy tanks.
The Type 59 (Chinese industrial designation: WZ120) main battle tank is a Chinese produced version of the Soviet T-54A tank, an improvement over the ubiquitous T-54/55. The first vehicles were produced in 1958 and it was accepted into service in 1959, with serial production beginning in 1963.
But the T90 is still in service. This list is about tanks after WW2, not about modern day vehicles
This things armour was way better than a maus or any other tank at the time, also not to mention it's 120mm boomstick with very high penetration and it's great mobility for it weighing more than 60 tons. This thing could reach speeds of up to 68/h! And the armor was almost impossible to penetrate from the front and the side has annoying spaced armor that will bounce many rounds. this thing had frontal armour more than 300 mm on the mantle and a pike nose hull with armour more than 180mm thick this thing was a beast!
This tank looks really modern. Even though it was put into service in the 1950's, it served in the gulf war and the yugoslav wars, competing with T-72s and T-80 and coming out on top.