Steel Soviet Union

After calculating such a complex set of armor changes, how fat can this new IS6 heavy tank be? How many tons did the weight increase?

Malashenko didn't have time to sit here and slowly do mental arithmetic math problems. In fact, when Comrade Ma was in school in his previous life, his math scores were not very good and he often failed the class, so now it is more practical to ask for the answer directly. .

"Comrade Polyshev, what is the total weight of this new improved IS6? I want to know how many tons it is heavier than the original ordinary IS6."

Under the premise that the power remains unchanged, the amount of additional weight gain is directly related to the combat effectiveness of the IS6 heavy tank in actual combat. This is the key to finding the most appropriate balance point between protection and maneuverability. As this new batch of new Malashenko, who is actually a user of the equipment, is now eager to know the answer.

Faced with Malashenko's questioning, Polyshev's immediate answer was very straightforward.

"55 tons, Comrade General. This is the total weight after loading a full set of external composite armor upgrade kits. Comrade Kogin thinks this is acceptable. Compared with the protection it brings, it is worth it. It is as shabby as the Germans' Both Tiger tanks are 1 ton lighter, but their protection is very different. What do you think?”

""

55 tons? Only 55 fucking tons? !

Damn, this is so delicious, okay?

The original ordinary IS6 heavy tank already had a total combat weight of over 50 tons. This additional weight gain of less than 5 tons resulted in a huge improvement in protection. Not only do you not have to worry about the trouble caused by the Iron Fist now, but you don't have to worry too much even if the Germans come out with stronger chemical armor-breaking weapons in the future. For Malashenko, this is simply the best news.

The IS6 heavy tank is the leader in the Stalin heavy tank family after the IS7 in mobility, ranking second in the entire Stalin heavy tank family. In World War II, this was a proper medium tank with mobility. On this basis, less than 5 tons of weight are added, which is completely acceptable. At most, the maneuverability is slightly increased, which is not worth mentioning at all.

"Very good, very good! Ke Jing always surprises me, and this time is no exception!"

Looking at Malashenko's excited and excited expression, Polyshev, who still had something to say, felt that what he was going to say next might not be a good thing.

"Comrade General, there is a question you may need to know."

"Because the process of the new composite armor is more complex and requires several more processes than the original pure homogeneous steel armor. Therefore, even though the cost has not increased much, the man-hours required to build a new modified IS6 heavy tank have still increased by hundreds. Thirty percent."

"This is not only caused by the composite armor of the main armor of the car body, but the more complicated process is actually in the turret part."

"The original turret casting mold can no longer be used. We designed a new composite armor casting mold for this purpose. It is necessary to leave a pouring space for the rubber sandwich on both sides of the main gun on the front of the turret. The homogeneous steel turret needs to be left in advance. After pouring and cooling, a rubber composite armor sandwich is added, and finally the cover is capped to complete the construction of the entire turret.”

"How much impact this will have on large-scale mass production is still unknown. Fortunately, after the mass production of the IS6 heavy tank was launched, the number of heavy tank battle losses on the front line began to plummet, compared with the original mass production stage of the IS2 heavy tank. It’s much better, which greatly reduces the pressure on our rear production.”

"Based on the current situation, Comrade Kojing estimates that the mass production of the IS6 composite armor improved version will be no problem. Our production speed is still enough to support the battle damage rate on the front line, and there is still a surplus to expand new heavy tank units. "

"But Comrade Kejing wants me to remind you that this new improved composite armor design is unlikely to be applied to the more powerful IS4 heavy tank, or that the composite armor modification must be completed on the basis of IS4 production reduction. mass production.”

"It's hard to say exactly what the situation will be. Comrade Kojing has submitted the improved design draft of IS4 composite armor derived from the successful design of IS6 for review. We can only wait patiently until the results come out."

The mass production approval of the IS4 heavy tank has long been passed. Following the usage idea of ​​"special vehicles for elite guards" proposed by Kogin, it has been allowed to carry out small-scale mass production.

However, the IS4, which is already more expensive and complex and consumes more construction hours than the IS6, will inevitably face higher costs and longer construction hours after adopting the new improved composite armor design. This is inevitable. .

A large part of the reason why the small-scale mass production of the IS4 heavy tank was approved was actually due to human problems.

The pair of Malashenko and Kotin have a tacit understanding and perfect cooperation. The design of the IS4 heavy tank itself is remarkable. In addition, Malashenko also attached a frontline actual combat feedback report that "recommends mass production".

This caused the people in Moscow to approve the small-scale mass production and installation plan of IS4 proposed by Kogin even though they knew that IS6 was enough. In fact, they were looking at the combined face of the two.

In addition, the IS4 heavy tank is indeed more powerful. The people in Moscow also want to see how this elite heavy tank will perform after mass production. They are a little curious about this and want to give it a try first. mentality.

But now, IS4, which is already expensive, complex and takes a long time to build, has to go to the next level and become even more "excessive". It is not clear whether the people in Moscow will nod in agreement. Especially when the IS6 has been upgraded in advance, the comprehensive comparison and cost-effectiveness between the two must also be considered. There is a high probability that the improved IS4 will be even less popular.

The opinions of the following group of people also have a great influence on Comrade Father's decision-making. During the war years, you can't expect your father to make the final decision on everything alone. This is unrealistic and impossible. Therefore, what Comrade Kotin sent to Malashenko actually made sense. Malashenko, who understood this after a little thought, did not show too much emotional complexity.

"Well, actual production has to follow the needs of the front line, I understand that."

"If the IS4 heavy tank is indeed too cost-effective and unnecessary, there is no way to stop mass production. In principle, I have no objection. Just tell Comrade Kojing that everything should be based on actual needs, and he will understand me. mean."

The words that Kogin sent to Malashenko had a hint of "only you and I can understand." The same was true in the words that Malashenko sent back to Kogin. The two people, who had a tacit understanding and perfect cooperation, had already arrived. To such an extent.

But Malashenko actually has a small thought that he has not expressed, that is, the IS4 heavy tank is really not that important anymore.

The IS7 project hosted by Shashmulin at the rebuilt Kirov Factory in Leningrad has come to an end. Once it is successfully launched, it is fully capable of replacing the IS4 with the positioning of a "special vehicle for elite Guards forces". The IS4's performance in all aspects will be completely crushed by the IS7. This is an inevitable situation that can be expected now.

Scumbags tend to like the new and dislike the old, and love the latest wife from beginning to end. In a sense, Comrade Ma can indeed be characterized as an out-and-out "armored scumbag."