Glossary : Différence entre versions
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| {{panel content|title=Hull|content= | {{panel content|title=Hull|content= | |||
| ? | Hull usually houses driving compartment (Driver or driver and assistant driver/radio | + | Hull usually houses driving compartment (Driver or driver and assistant driver/radio operator) and engine compartment, plus of course part of the fighting compartment and ammunition storage. | |
| '''Ammunition Storage''' - usually dubbed Ammo Rack for short, the function is clear: To store and to protect ammunition. However many compromises have to be made with regards to the amount of ammunition, thus ammo rack is always a weak part of any tank. | '''Ammunition Storage''' - usually dubbed Ammo Rack for short, the function is clear: To store and to protect ammunition. However many compromises have to be made with regards to the amount of ammunition, thus ammo rack is always a weak part of any tank. | |||
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| '''Idler Wheel''' - Part of the running gear of tank, idler wheel serves to propel the tracks. Damage to it can immobilise tank (see Wittmann's Villers-Bocage adventure). | '''Idler Wheel''' - Part of the running gear of tank, idler wheel serves to propel the tracks. Damage to it can immobilise tank (see Wittmann's Villers-Bocage adventure). | |||
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| + | '''Periscope''' - Periscopic devices were used to provide visibility with closed hatches without need to have a '''vision slit''' in tank's glacis/walls, thus removing said weak spots. | |||
| '''Schürzen''' - German name for '''Armor Skirts'''. | '''Schürzen''' - German name for '''Armor Skirts'''. | |||
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| '''Tracks''' - Secret of tank's mobility over broken terrain, tracks allow to cross difficult spot better than wheels. On the other hand they are fairly vulnerable to enemy fire. | '''Tracks''' - Secret of tank's mobility over broken terrain, tracks allow to cross difficult spot better than wheels. On the other hand they are fairly vulnerable to enemy fire. | |||
| ? | '''Viewport''' - Means for the crew to see outside the tank with closed hatches. | + | '''Viewport''' - Means for the crew to see outside the tank with closed hatches. Most used methods were '''vision slits''' in earlier vehicles or later '''periscopes'''. | |
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| + | '''Vision Slit''' - '''Viewport''' built directly into vehicle's wall/front armor. Usually very lightly protected and thus vulnerable, moreover a crew member usually sits just behind them and a direct hit will incapacitate him. | |||
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| ? | + | {{panel content|title=Turret/Superstructure|content= | ||
| ? | ' | + | The fighting compartment of AFVs contains vehcle's primary armament and, usually, is located in a distinct fixed superstructure or, in case of tanks, in rotating turret. Usual crew of the fighting compartment includes vehicle commander, gunner and loader, however these functions can be combined - extreme case is for example French Hotchkiss 38H, where Commander also performed the role of gunner, loader and radio operator. | |
| ? | ''' | + | '''Armor''' - Basic attribute of tank, armor grants it protection from enemy fire. Armor has usually varying thickness and slopes and is usually split into front armor (incl. '''mantlet'''), side armor and rear armor. Turret armor is always more exposed than hull armor, especially if vehicle is fighting from hull-down positions. In case of rotating turret it also presents even more compromises than hull armor, as it influences the balance and thus turning of the turret - for example this is the reason PzKpfw IV ended war with just 50mm front turret armor. | |
| ? | ''' | + | '''Cupola''' - Additional small "turret" on top of superstructure/tank turret, usually reserved for commander, providing him with 360° vision. However the downside is that cupolas usually present a rather vulnerable target and their damage means incapacitation of the vehicle's commander. | |
| ? | ''' | + | '''Gun''' - Main armament of AFV. For more detailed description see the '''Armament''' section. May mount a '''Muzzle Brake'''. | |
| ? | ''' | + | '''Gun Shield''' - See '''Mantlet'''. | |
| ? | ''' | + | '''Mantlet''' - Moving part of armor, attached to the gun, protecting the gap in front armor through which the gun passes. Mantlets came in different sizes and shapes - and also functions. Mantlets usually aprtially overlap front armor, though in case of Tiger I, gun shield/mantlet is THE turret front armor, same as with Sherman (76). The second extreme is Sherman (75), where originally narrow gun shied expanded to cover a weaker part of front turret armor with additional layer. | |
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| + | '''Muzzle brake''' - Device redirecting part of propellant gases at the muzzle of the gun to reduce recoil. While muzzle brake can take away as much as 70% of gun recoil, thus enabling for faster target acquisition after shooting and reducing stress on vehicle, it causes other problems connected with the sound volume and muzzle blast magnitude. | |||
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| + | {{panel content|title=Armament|content= | |||
| '''Automatic Cannon''' - Rapid-fire weapon of 20mm or larger caliber. Used in early-war light tanks to give them edge versus their (byy then) machinegun-armed opponents. However, quick shell-vs-armor race left automatic cannons rapidly behind and used only by few specialised German reconnaissance vehicles. However, automatic cannons vastly expanded in the region of anti-aircraft defense. | '''Automatic Cannon''' - Rapid-fire weapon of 20mm or larger caliber. Used in early-war light tanks to give them edge versus their (byy then) machinegun-armed opponents. However, quick shell-vs-armor race left automatic cannons rapidly behind and used only by few specialised German reconnaissance vehicles. However, automatic cannons vastly expanded in the region of anti-aircraft defense. | |||
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| '''Howitzer''' - | '''Howitzer''' - | |||
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| }} | }} | |||
Version du 1 avril 2011 à 10:33
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