Munitions Empire

Chapter 530 496 - Thick instruction manual

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The concept of tracks isn't technically complex, and practically any industrialized country could manufacture something similar once they understood the principle.

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The technology involved isn't advanced because everyone had produced chain transmissions or similar devices before; just enlarge and reinforce them, and you pretty much have the prototype of a track.

After Gobur had shown off his tanks, Tang Mo no longer felt it necessary to keep his tank troops a secret.

Previously, tank production on Dragon Island was extremely time-consuming and strenuous. Transporting the tanks by ship had been as troublesome as if the Great Tang Kingdom's military were always conducting amphibious landings.

Now, things were better. Tang Mo could proudly produce his own tanks near Tongcheng, substantially reducing the transportation costs.

Unlike 21st-century tanks, the tanks Tang Mo was manufacturing didn't have as many sophisticated electronic devices. The truly delicate components were limited to a few details.

First, to get a tank up and running, a dynamic power system composed of an engine and a gearbox was necessary. This system, now one of the most expensive parts of a tank, proved challenging to industrial capabilities.

Secondly, Tang Mo's tanks had a complete and future-improving optical aiming system. This device was the epitome of precision machining, something other countries couldn't match.

Finally, there was the vehicle-mounted radio communication system that other nations wouldn't even dare to contemplate. It ensured smooth communication within the Armored Corps, allowing for sophisticated coordination—a costly and delicate piece of equipment.

As for the cannon, before the switch to longer-barreled tank guns, the short-barreled, low-pressure 75mm cannons weren't technically complex, so they aren't considered precision systems for the time being.

Tang Mo, or rather, the Great Tang Group, had an absolute lead in automobile manufacturing. The technology of engines and gearboxes, built up over a long period, was profoundly robust.

Advanced engines provided very reliable power, and gearboxes were copied from relatively mature designs. Therefore, in terms of the power system, Tang Mo's No. 4 tank was absolutely trustworthy.

Even in the real World War II, Germany's No. 4 tank was known for its low malfunction rate and manageable maintenance, a balanced design well-liked by the military.

Unlike the delicate and costly Zoo series tanks, the No. 4 tank was affectionately known as the "Military Horse" and was seen by soldiers as a reliable combat partner, attesting to the success of its design approach.

In the field of optical equipment technology, the Great Tang Group also led the world. It remains the largest supplier of cameras, measuring devices for lenses, and optical aiming equipment globally.

About two-thirds of the world's optical lenses were produced by the Great Tang Group, and nearly all warships equipped with long-distance optical aiming were manufactured by them.

Therefore, supplying the most reliable aiming scopes for Tang Mo's tanks was a piece of cake for the Great Tang Group. Tang Mo didn't guarantee his optical aiming scopes to be flawless, but he assured that his troops used the very best ones in the world!

The radio operator was actually under no stress because this was what he had learned at school. After all, the devices were nearly the same, and he could master the operating essentials with just a casual glance.

What really troubled him was not the radio equipment to his left, but the aircraft machine gun installed right in front of him.

Because the training was rushed, he only had very rudimentary shooting training at school, making it somewhat of a stretch for him to kill with this device.

So at this moment, he was staring at the machine gun that used a drum magazine rather than a belt feed, earnestly learning, and repeatedly simulating every step in his mind.

In the confined space, it wasn't an easy task to change the ammunition for the machine gun, especially since he also had to prioritize solving radio issues in the meantime.

The loader was utterly confused—he was just strong and physically robust, having been assigned to the armored corps solely because it came with a position allowance, offering substantially better conditions than the infantry...

Now, his job turned out to be pulling shells from various nooks around him in a confined space to stuff them into the cannon and then closing the breech to complete loading.

The places where the shells were stored were meticulously arranged, some behind the large buttocks of the commander, some to his left, and of course, if the battle was too intense, there were also some rounds stored beside the gunner.

Some shells were placed behind the driver's seat, wrapping the loader around like a coffin...

There was no choice; this was ammunition, and it had to be placed as close as possible to where the loader could quickly reach it!

Just imagine: to his left were shells, to his right were shells, in front of him were shells, behind him, too, were shells, and under his feet lay a large barrel of gasoline...

"At least we don't have to march ourselves, right?" quipped the driver. He, on the other hand, was eager to get a feel of the transmission with its six forward gears and one reverse gear.

Imagine the bliss of the tank drivers in Germany during World War II—every No. 4 tank's engine was made by Maybach. How much would such a thing cost in the twenty-first century?

Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Maybach, Porsche—luxuries nowadays that many can't afford were practically being wasted by WWII German drivers... You know why German officers' uniforms looked so sleek? Because many of the military outfits were tailor-made by BOSS!

It might be hard to believe, but starting in 1942, the drivers of Germany's mass-produced Tiger tanks were using steering wheels! Similar technology wouldn't even be seen on Russia's T-series tanks until 2022... Yes, they were that ostentatious.

The gunner, meanwhile, didn't have much to feel. His job was to aim and fire at targets. The new tank had a clearer and more precise sight, with which he was already familiarizing himself with how to use.

All he had to do was wait for the loader to finish loading the shells and for the commander to give him the firing order. He'd then step on the pedal and obliterate the target.

He was actually quite at ease because he had just seen the thickness of the front armor steel plate of this tank.

Anyone knowing they'll be going to battle would be nervous, as it's a natural human response. However, if a 60mm thick armor steel plate was stacked in front of him, that nervousness would surely be greatly reduced—and that's the very purpose of a tank!