AFV Development During World War II

Maximum turret-ring size proved to be a critical factor in making a design viable for the long term. In the T-34, for example, the two-man turrent was replaced by a larger three-man turret and a heavier 85mm main armament in 1943 - giving it performance that was basically comparable to the new German Panther design. The fact that this upgrade was feasible eminently demonstrates the original T-34 design's durability but it also represented an immense saving in terms of research and development as well as enhancing production possibilities. Likewise, the German Panzer IV proved to be capable of accommodating a long 75mm gun and greater armor protection than were originally specified. These improvements made the Panzer IV capable enough to effectively engage enemy armor up to the end of the war.

Many of the other early war designs were eventually withdrawn from service because they lacked the ability to be readily upgraded. The British Matilda II and Crusader, as well as the German Panzer III, all became obsolete very early on because their design limits had already been reached. For the British, in particular, the problem of design obsolescence was acute. No British design of 1939-40 was able to accommodate a main armament capable of defeating German AFVs likely to be encountered in 1944-45. Entirely new models had to be developed. Consequently, the best British-made tank to see service in the war (the Cromwell) was only marginally better than a German Panzer IV and definitely inferior to a Panther.

In the Panzer IV, the Germans actually had a tank that was viable throughout the war. However, rather than concentrating resources on improving this basically sound design, they opted instead to create a brand new vehicle which was intended to be superior to any expected enemy armor. This tank, the Panther, was arguably the best design to emerge during World War II. When it was introduced the Panther was, at least on paper, far superior to anything else on the battlefield but it suffered from a myriad of technical problems because of its short development period. Considering the difficulties inherent in introducing any new weapons systems in the middle of a conflict, the German decision to do so remains a questionable one.

The American Sherman, introduced in 1942, was a generally sound design that proved to be sufficiently durable to survive the war. Much like the Soviets, the Americans elected to concentrate their efforts

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