Totally Tanked

07/01/2026

Italy pondered upgrading its Ariete tanks, buying Abrams, Merkavas, or even eyeing Challenger 2s. Decision time came in August 2019: upgrade 90 Arietes to C2 version, potentially 35 more. A twenty-year-late upgrade!

06/01/2026

OTO Melara is the go-to for 76mm naval guns. Over a thousand in service! But why can't they make tank turrets? The answer: ship turrets are a small part of the system, while tank turrets are almost the whole ship.

06/01/2026

Behold the dandelion tank:

A Russian T-90 with hundreds of tree-like metal branches may have the best protection yet against Ukrainian drones

06/01/2026

Italy's bridges can't support 70-ton tanks, so a lighter, domestically-produced tank is strategically critical. Depending on foreign suppliers for weapons can backfire. Control your own systems to avoid being stranded.

05/01/2026

The Centauro 2 is the only wheeled vehicle with a 120mm gun, sparking debates about whether tracked tanks are still necessary. Inspired by the Centauro, the American Stryker MGS was a disaster, revealing valuable lessons. Is the Centauro 2 the future?

05/01/2026

Italy tried building its own tank, the OF-40, but things didn't go as planned. It looked like a Leopard, raised German eyebrows, and ultimately…didn't work that well. Only 39 were made, mostly for the UAE. A tank that became an orphan.

04/01/2026

They used Rolls-Royce Merlin aircraft engines, but with parts that failed aviation standards or were dug out of wreckage. This gave Britain a high-power engine without affecting aircraft production. Technology can be tricky!

04/01/2026

A factory promised 66 Spitfires a week, but delivered zero. This disastrous failure nearly cost Britain the Battle of Britain. Was it mere profit-seeking, or something darker?

04/01/2026

The tank's main gun? A 'Franken-bastard' 75mm Royal Ordinance. 64 rounds, Rolls-Royce V12, and could hit 50 mph—if the crew dared. Design quirks made it a wild ride.

02/01/2026

The Cromwell tank had two key selling points: speed and a low profile. From its Rolls-Royce engine to design limitations, discover what made this tank unique. It could reach 50 mph, but it got 'hairy' for the crew!

02/01/2026

The Cromwell tank featured a revolutionary transmission allowing drivers to control direction by managing engine power to the tracks—a leap ahead of the German designs. It even enabled neutral steering for tight spots. A game-changer on the battlefield!

02/01/2026

A bumper year for growth for us, thanks to everyone who's been along for the ride!