Novel War Tank Resembles a Rolling Ball (Jul, 1936)
Novel War Tank Resembles a Rolling Ball
ROLLING over the ground like a giant ball, a high-speed “tumbleweed tank” proposed by a Texas inventor is a new addition to modern war machines. A spherical hollow steel driving cab is inclosed by a rotating outer shell consisting of two cup-shaped halves fitted with circular traction cleats. Motor-driven gears, mounted on the inner sphere, rotate the outer shells to roll the tank along the ground. Steering is effected by varying the speed of either of the rotating traction shells. Machine guns are fired from the stationary cab through central firing slots and armored turrets at the sides. The heavy driving motor, centrally placed on the cab floor, gives the tank stability and prevents it from rolling sidewise. The inner shell can be sealed against poison gas, while the power plant is completely inclosed to minimize the danger from exhaust fumes. The inventor states that the tank’s spherical shape presents the smallest possible target for enemy bombs or shells, and all but direct hits would glance off its curved sides. Missiles penetrating the outer shells
would have expended most of their force.
And just think, going down hills would be so easy!
Didn’t they have these in Star Wars?
[...] Modern Mechanix » Novel War Tank Resembles a Rolling Ball (tags: design vintage weapon tank) [...]
how do you see what you’re shooting at? how does the cabin stay upright? only the engine weight? how do you get in the thing?
1936, but effectively describing spaced armour.
Sure. It seems like a great idea until the enemy unleashes their giant steam powered mallet.
[...] der Militarismus für merkwürdige Blüten schon vor 60 Jahren zu treiben wusste, zeigt diese kuriose Idee des Kugelpanzers. ROLLING over the ground like a giant ball, a high-speed [...]