2:48 This AFV had no turret. The gun was mounted inside a fixed armored casemate. All the panzerjägers and jadgpanzers followed this pattern. Eliminating the turret of the tank the "tank hunter" was derived from allowed the vehicle to carry a substantially more powerful gun than could be mounted in a fully-rotating turret. Whether the gun enclosure was a simple open-topped gun shield or a fully-enclosed casemate depended on the base vehicle. Early-war tanks like the Panzer II and the Panzer 38(t) lacked the structural strength or stability to mount an enclosed casemate, consequently, their panzerjäger variants used open-topped gun shields. Even then their stability and usefulness were questionable. Later German tanks were much better foundations for derivative AFVs and typically used casemate mounts. Of course, not having an actual turret imposed tactical limits on the Ferdinand. The gun could only traverse an arc of 28 degrees. To aim at something outside that arc meant moving the entire vehicle. However, the Wehrmacht was confident the range advantage of the PAK 43 L/71 would give the Ferdinand's crew plenty of time to cope with the limited traverse. To fully grasp the concept represented by the Ferdinand and the other tank hunters, one must purge any notion of the Ferdinand or its brethren as "tanks" or tank substitutes. Think of them as self-propelled artillery optimized for direct-fire engagements. Thinking this way will help explain their tactical significance and also why the "tank hunters" were less successful than the assault guns, the StuGs.
"the "tank hunters" were less successful than the assault guns, the StuGs." The Ferdinand had the highest kill ratio of any AFV in WW2, far higher than the Stug.
I find this to be a very flawed video. 1: he went on a tangent about "glass cannons" even though the Ferdinand was incredibly well armored and could stand up to a shot from almost any allied anti tank weapon from the front. 2: he mentions how no one likes glass cannons even though essentially every side of the war operated open top or even in some cases completely unarmored tank destroyers. He also keeps calling it a tank even though it isn't and never was a tank it is a tank destroyer. 3: He keeps calling it a tank even though it isn't and never was a tank it is a tank destroyer. 4: the M26 Pershing is not a heavy tank it is a medium tank. 5: He mentions it having a "ball turret", a ball turret is one found most commonly on bombers in which the crew manning the turret is completely inside of it and rotates with the turret.
Interesting. Old school DnD player here, but I learned "glass cannon" from tabletop wargaming, for the battle cruisers of WW1. By old school, I mean, before 1st edition. Nice video!
good video about the Ferdinand. Little pronounciation help (if you care): The "e" in "Porsche" is not silent. Just imagine saying "Porsche's" (as you do later) and leave out the "s" at the end and you are perfect.
Yep, many served through 1944, with some even making it back to the Berlin fighting. An enormously high kill ratio and losses after Kursk were few and far between.
2:48 This AFV had no turret. The gun was mounted inside a fixed armored casemate. All the panzerjägers and jadgpanzers followed this pattern. Eliminating the turret of the tank the "tank hunter" was derived from allowed the vehicle to carry a substantially more powerful gun than could be mounted in a fully-rotating turret. Whether the gun enclosure was a simple open-topped gun shield or a fully-enclosed casemate depended on the base vehicle. Early-war tanks like the Panzer II and the Panzer 38(t) lacked the structural strength or stability to mount an enclosed casemate, consequently, their panzerjäger variants used open-topped gun shields. Even then their stability and usefulness were questionable. Later German tanks were much better foundations for derivative AFVs and typically used casemate mounts. Of course, not having an actual turret imposed tactical limits on the Ferdinand. The gun could only traverse an arc of 28 degrees. To aim at something outside that arc meant moving the entire vehicle. However, the Wehrmacht was confident the range advantage of the PAK 43 L/71 would give the Ferdinand's crew plenty of time to cope with the limited traverse. To fully grasp the concept represented by the Ferdinand and the other tank hunters, one must purge any notion of the Ferdinand or its brethren as "tanks" or tank substitutes. Think of them as self-propelled artillery optimized for direct-fire engagements. Thinking this way will help explain their tactical significance and also why the "tank hunters" were less successful than the assault guns, the StuGs.
some of the panzerjäger designs known as waffenträger had a fully rotating turret but yea i totally agree with you
"the "tank hunters" were less successful than the assault guns, the StuGs."
The Ferdinand had the highest kill ratio of any AFV in WW2, far higher than the Stug.
how is it a glass cannon it has lots of armor
The "e" in Porsche is pronounced and German soldiers used to call it Ferdinand, even after it had been renamed.
Love the opening graphic of the 1911 pistol “winning the war” as it were.
I find this to be a very flawed video. 1: he went on a tangent about "glass cannons" even though the Ferdinand was incredibly well armored and could stand up to a shot from almost any allied anti tank weapon from the front. 2: he mentions how no one likes glass cannons even though essentially every side of the war operated open top or even in some cases completely unarmored tank destroyers. He also keeps calling it a tank even though it isn't and never was a tank it is a tank destroyer. 3: He keeps calling it a tank even though it isn't and never was a tank it is a tank destroyer. 4: the M26 Pershing is not a heavy tank it is a medium tank. 5: He mentions it having a "ball turret", a ball turret is one found most commonly on bombers in which the crew manning the turret is completely inside of it and rotates with the turret.
Tank destroyer is not a type of armored vehicle, just a role.
This is a SPG/StuG used to hunt tanks.
Interesting. Old school DnD player here, but I learned "glass cannon" from tabletop wargaming, for the battle cruisers of WW1. By old school, I mean, before 1st edition. Nice video!
good video about the Ferdinand.
Little pronounciation help (if you care): The "e" in "Porsche" is not silent. Just imagine saying "Porsche's" (as you do later) and leave out the "s" at the end and you are perfect.
Cool looking vehicle
of the 50, all surviving 48 sent back in November 43 and all 48 upgraded in December 43 .... name change june 44
highest kill per loss ratio
Yep, many served through 1944, with some even making it back to the Berlin fighting.
An enormously high kill ratio and losses after Kursk were few and far between.
Cool thanks
I think the point about ‘glass cannon’ is missed here. It was a very intimidating vehicle, but had some very major flaws.
It's theme song could have been " c'mon baby light my fire " by The Doors ....... 🔥🔥🔥
Its not a glass cannon if nothing in the enemys army can penetrate the front armor lol
That is NOT a tank. That is a tank destroyer
a tank destroyer is still a tank, dum dum
It is ok to not say anything when you have no idea what are you talking about btw.
ferdinand panzerjager also know as a stug and elefant.... no glass jaw it took the 152mm to knock it out
I disagree. The Hornisse is a better example of a glass cannon. Little to no armor with a very powerful gun.
No armour best armour