Since the development of the tank in the first world war (1914-18) the British female Mk-1, great strides have been made to reach the level of today's machines. It was during world-war-II (1939-46) that the tank really came into its own. Nazi-Germany built just over 400 Tigers and believed that was a sufficient number to decimate any opposition. At first this seemed to be proved right, opposing the Germans were light machines, such as the British Matilda's and Crusaders, the Polish had ex-British Mark-ones, while Russia still were developing its T-34 in secret and the U.S. had not yet got involved in the war.
But both the U.S. and Russia came up with lighter vehicles such as the Sherman and T-34, which were more manoeuvrable and fast.
After 1945 both super powers entered into supporting other conflicts and an arms race ensued with many improvement being introduced. Today there are a number of what could be described as great machines. The U.S. Abraham's, Israeli Merkava, German Leopard, Russian T-74/82 family, British Chieftain and challenger.
But what does the future hold? Perhaps computer controlled unmanned vehicles will prove better?
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