Early US Armor: Tanks 1916-40

by Steven J. Zaloga, Felipe Rodríguez (Illustrator)

Overview

Between the two world wars, the United States contributed significantly to the evolution of the tank, a weapon invented by the British and the French seeking to break through the lines of German trenches. From the employment of the French Renault FT and British Mark V during their involvement in World War I, the United States branched out with its own indigenous designs, including the M1 Cavalry Car and the M2 Light and Medium tanks, the precursors to the Stuart and Grant tanks of World War II. Tank designers in this period faced unique challenges, and the story of early American armor is littered with failures among the successes.

Featuring previously unpublished photos and fully illustrated throughout, Early American Armor (1): Tanks 1916–40 is essential reading for anyone interested in American armor, or in the development of tank design.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781472818072
Publisher:	Bloomsbury USA
Publication date:	03/14/2017
Series:	New Vanguard , #245
Pages:	48
Sales rank:	863,857
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 9.50(h) x 0.30(d)

About the Author

Steven J. Zaloga received his B.A. in history from Union College and his M.A. from Columbia University. He has worked as an analyst in the aerospace industry for over two decades, covering missile systems and the international arms trade, and has served with the Institute for Defense Analyses, a federal think tank. He is the author of numerous books on military technology and military history.

Felipe Rodríguez Náñez (aka Felipe Rodna) was born in 1976, and he lives with his wife and two sons in Salamanca, Spain, where he works as an architect and computer graphics artist. He combines his experience in CG art and his passion for modelling in his illustrations, where he looks for a good balance between technical detail and craft.

Table of Contents

American Tank Origins 4

The Tank Corps 7

Tank Corps Disbanded 12

Early Christie Tanks 16

Rock Island Arsenal Tanks 18

The Christie Distraction 21

Knox's Light Tanks 29

Combat Cars and Infantry Tanks 30

Cavalry Combat Cars 32

Infantry Light Tanks 34

Increasing Armor and Firepower 35

The M2 Medium Tank 39

Marine Corps Tanks 41

Export Tanks 42

In Retrospect 45

Further Reading 46

Index 48

Editorial Reviews

Steven J. Zaloga provides a good introduction to the topic with previously unpublished photos and new color illustrations. If you are into American armor, or the development of tank design, this is a great reference book that is also a great read. Highly recommended!” —IPMS/USA

From the Publisher