Apparently, COBRA was instrumental in the Allied victory over Nazi Germany.
The nefarious contraption in that photo is most likely the Soviet Progvev-T, a gas-dynamic minesweeper. Weighing in at 37 tons, it consisted of a tank with a MiG-15 jet engine strapped to its roof, which would superheat a kerosene flame that, when pointed at the ground, would ignite and detonate any mines lying in wait. Yes, the Soviets built a tank for the specific purpose of shambling across the countryside and blasting superheated jet flame at the ground until it exploded.
Really, though, this was far from the most ridiculous-looking vehicle on tank treads. Take the German SdKfz 2, for example:
2nd Armored Productions
"Did someone weld two bikes back to back? HOGAN!!"
The SdKfz 2, or Kettenkrad, was an armored motorcycle that saw extensive use on the Eastern front, because it was one of the few things that didn't sink into the gray oceans of mud the Russians called roads. However, this probably didn't stop the Russians from making fun of the Germans for riding around on golf carts like a bunch of assholes.
German Federal Archives
"Ignore them. They're just jealous."
323 Comments