There have been so many T-72s that have been modified by different countries and released into the wild that they are becoming wildly different from one another; soon speciation will occur and they will lose the ability to interbreed and we may see a decline in some of the migratory populations.
The same can be said for its grandparents the T-54s. At least the T-90s are still mixable. Did you see the Chinese variations on the t-54? Absolutely wild! The type 96, despite having nearly everything completely different, still uses the same T-54 hull dimensions.
I seem to remember something similar on a documentary about the US recognition names given to Japanese WW2 aircraft. Apparently the Betty bomber was named after a US nurse one of the team had met. He was reminded of her by the two very large blisters on the sides. Though I have a feeling that what she had were not blisters
Now I’m Not usually one to point these out, as it’s not that bigger deal - (great video as per usual) but does he keep saying Tizhny Nagil - instead of Nizhny Tagil (which I believe is correct) unless it’s pronounced/interchanged depending on translation. 😀
"A creditable piece of kit" may just be the most British phrase I've ever heard. I've watched many of these "Tank Chats" and I'll watch many more. I'm learning a lot.
Not true… No one has been successfully at blowing her top off like the T-72… She is an Abrams with those massive twin uranium armor plates on the front that never comes off in Public …
Just the same as writing a book, called “M3”. Just try to thing of everything called M3 in the different branches of the US military and you are up for a long count and a big laugh:D
T-55 ended up being in service so long that it was the first tank with a hard kill active protection system (T-55AMV in Soviet Navy service iirc, but remembering T-55 designations is impossible lol). I wonder if T-72 will serve long enough for someone to slap a laser point defense system on it.
So small in comparison to other tanks in the West that the Soviet had a mandated height requirement of 5"4. I heard from a guy that drove a T-72; he was an American and he quoted, "Only midgets could 've drive this tank".
I am from Slovakia. When I was on compulsory military service as an electromechanic of belt and wheel combat technology. T72 was still in the workshop. The cannon's stabilization system often deteriorated. Pressure loss - hydraulic pump failure. But most t72s were hermetically preserved and stored in their garages. Only few pieces was active. It was a long time ago. Nice times.
I got into a T 72 after training on T 55 for months and I was astounded how differently it behaved. Despite the stabilization, you lose sight of the target in a moving T 55. Not so in T 72. I was aslo impressed when I saw these 40 tones machines drifting around like sports cars. T 72 is incredibly fast and the acceleration is unbelivable given its mass. Unfortunatelly, I never had the chance to drive one, but I can imagine it must be a thril given how sensitive and receptive T 55 was. I had a sense of floating while driving a T 55, as though I was on water rathr than on wheels. T 72 must be better. One imagines that it must be hard given that these are heavy tracked machines, but that is not the case. A slight push at the 'crutch' (jargon for the sticks used to turn, I don't know their name in English) and the heavy machine immediatelly changes direction.
@@morning_glorymonster3473 Not really, they had Sagger etc and other NAT wire guided Anti Tank missiles that could crack them open with hollow charge weapons like Swingfire were on the scenre already,. Sometimes when the Israeli´s fired their .50 inch ranging guns on the Centurion Tanks the crews were already bailing out! Just a pity their training is so crap, every tank is only as good as its crew?
@@jimmylight4866 No. T-72 has a more powerful engine and is way faster. Still, T-55 is a pleasure to drive. Its 'cruches' are surprisingly sensitive and easy to operate. Unfortunatelly, I had to drive it only once as I was a gunner. It fealt more like sailing on water than like riding on a bumpy road. Still, this is how it feels low, in the driver's seat. When one is in the turret, the riding is anything but pleasant.
See the AR-15. It was intended as a stopgap until Project SPIW produced something better, but it just didn't and the AR-15 has stuck around for a very long time
Since the various lockdowns, the Tank Museum channel has become one of my favourite channels ever. The presentation is always top deck, the presenters so well informed and enthusiastic it makes for pleasure viewing. Thank you for making 2020 more bearable with garden tank chats, kitchen chats about hats, only the British do this stuff with such effortless ease. Bravo!
I don’t care what you all say, the T-72 is my all time favorite tank. I don’t know what it is about it but I just love this tank! It’s in so many games, you see it in movies, and it’s a real beast on the battlefield, so no matter what happens, keep the legendary T-72 alive for as long as possible
Lol, keep it away from Ukraine then!!! When the Russians lose, you might be able to buy one for cheap from the Ukrainian Farmers Union 🚜 😀, BUT never ask a Ukrainian farmer how he got his tanks 🤔 🙄 💀 😒 🤣
Idk. You ever seen a cutaway of a t-72? The crew literally sits on a carousel of bombs and there's not blast panels. That's why they launch their turrets 300 yards into the sky when they take a hit. I sure wouldn't want to drive one! Can't respawn in real life! 😂
@lil' donnie That's my point. Crew inexperience is a bigger factor than the design of the tank. A Javelin would smoke a T-72 and an Abrams all the same. The ammo going off is just added fireworks. The lack of air and infantry support, and positioning of the tank, is what allows that to happen.
@@tbateman9902Nah instead the M1s get their turrets popped off when they run over an IED. Search up on google; A33, 3-67th Armor October 28th 2003. Click the first link and you'll see a video by U.S. Army Soldiers inspecting a destroyed M1A2SEP in Iraq.
Seeing a lot of these all over the internet right now, and a lot of them seem to use the emergency turret ejection system to get the crew to safety after a direct hit. You sure have to admire those soviet engineers!
Well, if you gave me two options between the US or Soviet tanks back in the 70s: American M60 Patton tank or the T-72; I would've picked the T-72. (between the Centurion or T-72, it's a bit harder to decide and that's sad because the Centurion comes from WW2). The T-72 is like the AK-47, old equipment that's astonishingly still being used today (including by Ukraine). It's like this medieval armour vs early gun test -> ruclips.net/video/ygaSMeTh-f0/видео.html Frankly I'm impressed in this video how many hits that tank took and held up (from the side and rear no less and frankly that shouldn't happen, because you're supposed to have infantry or IFV's protecting each other's flanks etc) -> ruclips.net/video/W9pVEP0AzZ4/видео.html I think it's more a case of doctrine (or in this case many of the commanders and units didn't know they where going to actually attack), so a lot of it was rushed. Tanks running out of supply etc. Also not to mentions this fact -> ruclips.net/video/SVD-nBvSBkw/видео.html And I can't stress doctrine enough. Look at the M1 Abrams tanks in Yemen or Turkey's Leopard tanks in Syria. Tanks are (even from WW2 days) are very vulnerable in Urban or close quarter combat.
You are correct Dennis in the sarcasm . As awful and accurate as it is. The auto loader carousel in many Russian design bode doom for crews if any AT penetrates the turret . Especially the US Javelin top down. The US Abrams has all the rounds in an armoured auto door enclosure to feed it's autoloader am I correct ? Australia has had a 100 of them for past 20yrs as replacement for our old Leopards. Now gone Rheinmetal / MAN for the 8 x8 Boxer light armoured vehicles.
Tanks have always fascinated me. The niche role they fill, but the enormous effort required to counter, defend, and attack them is just amazing. They really are miniature battleships on land.
A few years ago I was lucky enough to visit the KhMDB and have a guided tour of the facilities, we were made very welcome and very well looked after, we even had chicken kiev for lunch.
I just came home from work, switched on my computer - and The Tank Museum delivers :) Yet another great video about a very interesting tank. Keep up the great work, I'm always looking forward to your uploads!
I served my conscript service time as a junior sergeant in finnish tank forces in 1995. At the time the main battle tank indeed was T-72M1. Today we have the more prominent Leopard 2 A4s and A6s.
I think you guys bought the (some of the) Leopards from us (the Netherlands) :) I hope you take good care of them, I think it was a mistake to sell all our tanks tbh.
Tanks are pretty much obsolete in 21st century warfare. They are fine in asymmetrical warfare, but if your opponent has drones and TOW missile defenses then it’s not cost effective to deploy tanks. In Iraq, American’s destroyed more vehicles with IFV equipped with missiles launchers than our main battle tanks.
@@snakedogman I heard that there was a bit of a debate on the NL media about selling A6s to Finland. I also heard that one of the arguments was that they become better use in here :)-
@@EmergencyChannel Tanks are definitely not obsolete. Drones cannot hold positions or operate in all weathers, and IFVs/APCs don't have the protection levels of MBTs. See The Chieftan's comments for someone who knows what they're talking about, I'm just repeating his points.
Outstanding! As a Tanker who served in West Germany, the T72 was our main concern. We heard it was a piece of junk and obviously not so. Autoloader that actually works! Wow I was impressed. Please do an episode on the M60A1 Tank as the T72 opponent in the Cold War! Thank you for your grest work. Former Tanker from the Cold war....
I knew Soviet tanks were small, but not until seeing David standing next to the T72 in the opening of this video did I realise exactly how small they are.
A very well presented, detailed and interesting video. I personally didn't know the early resistance to developing the T72. End result is a very aesthetically pleasing tank. Thank you David and keep up the wonderful work.
This is uralvaganzavod,the world's largest factory...and this is the T-72! My favourite tank of all time, I love all tanks, as you guys say every tank has a story and every story is interesting but the T-72 in my eyes is the tankiest tank!! Thank you for the awesome content...you dropped a spoonerism...it's nizhny tagil...not tizhny nagil haha made me me chuckle!! I hope everything is ok at the museum I visited in the summer to support you and I will again in the new year, my brother is the corporal at the ASG workshops across the road from you so I always have an excuse to visit!! You should do a Haynes manual on the T-72...I would love a hydraulic schematic of the BKP transmission...I can only find them in Russian and rather distorted!! Stay safe and I wish you all well!!thank you again
Polish T-72M. Kinda T-72A but license made in Poland by the Bumar Łabendy Company. I mean not the one in the video. The one from the picture. The one shown in the video is from the Polish Army as well.
When I was stationed in West Germany, we received lectures on how to recognize Warsaw Pact vehicles. The T-72 was brand new then the evaluations were incomplete. I remember that the auto loading gun was not well regarded in its ability to reliably load the gun or eject the spent casings without risk to the crews!
@Neil Rusling Not that short. There were differences Tobe noted. The potential of the T-72 was being taken seriously. We were also advised as to Russian APCs and allied vehicles.
@@fatefinger That's a load of bull, there are guard rails alongside the crew members which make it impossible for that to happen. The Tank Museum employ a former East German soldier who gave a report on the T72 recently on this channel. He drove them regularly, as a training instructor, and answered all the myths and BS that gets spouted out by so many ignoramus's. T72 just recently destroyed a Leopard2 in Ukraine in a rare tank on tank battle, so the Soviet philosophy of tank building is still proving better than the Western concept of buying brand new super expensive 70 ton large targets which can be seen and hit from miles away.
@@TheBigExclusive Well, I sort of got what I wished for. It is relevant to any critique of the T72 that its vulnerability has been dramatically exposed.
Excellent technical and historical material. Armor vehicles regardless of make and model are quintessential items of warfare which have given the armies which utilized them the cutting edge on the battlefield. Keep up the great work. Very Respectfully, Carlos A. Gonzalez.
Auto - loader means one less man to break track and one more thing to maintain. I like the unguarded electric fan between the driver's legs in his compartment. Certainly motivation for controlled breaking. Just follow ur' map to the Fulda gap, Ivan.
The fourth man was still there, he was just in the maintenance company rather than inside the tank. Besides moving one guy out of four out of harm's way (relatively), the reason for the autoloader is clearly explained here - unlike a human loader, it doesn't need to be able to stand up, so the turret can have a lower profile.
Fantastic run down of the mindset behind the T-72 and it’s gun and the reason for the low profile, by the ever versatile Mr David Willey. Brilliant just brilliant story sir!
I went to a military museum in St Petersburg 14 years ago, could have your photo sitting in a t72 commander station, me been 193cm and 100kg didn't fit.... Same issue with the t34 tank you could sit in.
@@akrepiidfiresupportvehicle2289 More of a Missy Elliott, if you ask me :D:D:D But man, I guess that you can place a grand piano inside an M60 or a Leopard 1, if required by the combat doctrine:D
I like his last comment, which is essentially, the T-72 is a good tank if the other side doesn't have tanks. Sounds probable, unless, apparently, they have anti-tank missiles.
@@williamgaston9812 This comes from what? Ukrainian Ministry? Ever heard of Propaganda going both sides? ever heard of edited videos? ever heard that even if a Tank gets hit directly its probably not even disabled? Critical thinking, Massive lack of that today.
I wonder if the gun of a T-72 could penetrate the thick steel on my grandmother's 1975 Cadillac? The suspension systems on the '72 looks to be about the same, and I'd imagine the fuel consumption of the two vehicles is quite close.
In the period until the mid-80s, neither American nor German tanks. They could not withstand the penetration of a projectile from a 125mm cannon, a T-72 tank. Only if your grandmother had a more resistant car to the projectile than a tank of the American and German armies.
I wonder if the Tank Museum is planning on getting a or some "after action" examples of the T62, T64, T72 & T80's etc once the war in Ukraine has finished. While I imagine it would be a huge task to clean, preserve and prepare one for display, that retains its "as destroyed" look but will not deteriorate, i imagine it/they could end up as very valuable artefacts and teaching aids in the long term.
Thx for these excellent educations. Very informative, always a favorite. I envy your detailed knowledge sir. Compliments to the shop and its sevice. 8 marvelous books arrived in 6 days ! You got my support and admiration 👍
David hit the nail on the head. One v one a NATO tank would be superior but Soviet doctrine was for it to be three T72s v one. The T72 didn't need to be totally equal, it needed to be competent enough and then just use weight of numbers.
Twardy is pronounced Tvard'eh, w is a soft wh only in English pretty much, most other languages it's usually an English V. Svir is Shveer. Thanks for the epic effort at condensing 72's story into manageable length. :)
When you look at the export success of the T90, the longevity and numerous versions of the 72, the number of operators; it’s hard to deny it’s arguably the most successful design of all time.
While I love the T-72 a lot, I would absolutely love to hear a tank chat on the T-64 even though you don't actually have one at your museum. It's such a revolutionary and amazing tank, but unfortunately, it doesn't get a lot of attention since it was so secret at the time and never exported in soviet times. The T-64 is my all time favorite tank.
@@vealsubstitute4924 Indeed. Educational note : the original T-72 was an improved yet at first unauthorised development of the T-64 (which was to replace the T-62).
I served as a commander of T-55 (1983-1986). Actually you were not using sights with the T-55 stabilisation if the system was properly set up. Shooting while on the move was easy whenever the mental math (to determinate the target's distance) was done correctly by the gunner. However, it was a stabilizer, forcing you to re-aim whenever the target was moving or the tank was moving towards the target under an angle (which is mostly the case under combat situation), because it operated with a direct electro-mechanical gyro stabilisation system. Todays modern warfare tank systems are different, they "hook" onto their target and with a computer keeping its (laser) finder right there, regardless of the tanks and / or targets movement firing is much easier and fast. Which was the most critical point for firing quick with a T-55: the correct and mental math plus adjusting the gunner's aiming sight correctly (different integrated dials there) to be done before firing. Loading was hard work but could be done very fast. That's why we practised all firing modes: from a defence position (no motion), quick stop to fire, artillery support (indirect fire with tables) and firing in full motion onto targets of unknown nature and distance. The later we practised the most.
We've also seen leopard 2s throwing not only the turrets but also their front glacis off the second they met combat but i suppose that isn't as funny to ignorant people like you. T-64 that ukrainians are trying to operate break turret throwing distance records every week.
He (I guess he since Soviets refer to their machinery as "he's") really came into their own with the T-72B, which finally allowed them to outstrip their predecessor of the T-64 line.
Kid: yo, that girl is stacked
David Wiley: rather well built
And deadly
The tank do be rather stacked tho
Reminds me of lieutenant Gruber from 'Allo 'Allo: "Very well built"
My X was a "rather well built" gal.
Rather healthy. My preferred term
There have been so many T-72s that have been modified by different countries and released into the wild that they are becoming wildly different from one another; soon speciation will occur and they will lose the ability to interbreed and we may see a decline in some of the migratory populations.
The same can be said for its grandparents the T-54s. At least the T-90s are still mixable. Did you see the Chinese variations on the t-54? Absolutely wild! The type 96, despite having nearly everything completely different, still uses the same T-54 hull dimensions.
They're like a male and female mules trying to breed, they desire to breed, but it's to no avail!
@@martentrudeau6948 Serbia made so far best T72 family upgrade, with Yugoslavian version of T72(M84) now named M84AS1 and AS2
What, like pizzly bears?
The tanks are following the evolutionary path leading to different species.
"Well-built American country singer" now that's tact if I've ever heard it
I seem to remember something similar on a documentary about the US recognition names given to Japanese WW2 aircraft. Apparently the Betty bomber was named after a US nurse one of the team had met. He was reminded of her by the two very large blisters on the sides. Though I have a feeling that what she had were not blisters
And in the 50's american cars had "Dagmar bumpers" named after the actress Dagmar (born Virginia Ruth Egnor).
Weapons grade tact
Now I’m Not usually one to point these out, as it’s not that bigger deal - (great video as per usual) but does he keep saying Tizhny Nagil - instead of Nizhny Tagil (which I believe is correct) unless it’s pronounced/interchanged depending on translation. 😀
Timestamp?
"A creditable piece of kit" may just be the most British phrase I've ever heard. I've watched many of these "Tank Chats" and I'll watch many more. I'm learning a lot.
Obsolete or not. The T-72 is one damn aesthetically pleasing vehicle. The quintessential tank.
That would be Abrams for me but I agree. Its very Tanky
@@Masada1911
Abrams is one of the ugliest modern mbts to me, not that it makes a difference to how effective it is.
@@britbong1457 Agreed. It's much less attractive than the Soviet made tanks
I like the T-64 more, just not the autoloader though
@@moritamikamikara3879
Leopard 2, Leclerc and T-80 look cool but nothing beats challenger 2 of course :р
Coincidentally Dolly Parton is now known as the T-72 of country music.
Idk but that made me laugh
Small whit big granades, deadly
@@ljubomirculibrk4097 her age shows but still a nice ride :)
Not true… No one has been successfully at blowing her top off like the T-72… She is an Abrams with those massive twin uranium armor plates on the front that never comes off in Public …
@@CH-pv2rz well said.
Never seen one with the turret on before.
hahahah. Best comment today!
Victory for Ukraine!
Aye!
🤣that’s too true
It's very windy in the Ukraine since February 24th.
Just imagine being tasked with trying to write a definitive reference book on the T-72 and all it variants. Mind suitably boggled
Almost as bad as trying to keep up with all of the various Marks of Spitfire. That's good for starting a headache.
Hell you'd have to keep updating the book, since the tank is still in service with many countries they'll want to keep upgrading them in various ways.
Just the same as writing a book, called “M3”. Just try to thing of everything called M3 in the different branches of the US military and you are up for a long count and a big laugh:D
If you want to know about Soviet variants up to 1991, watch this:
ruclips.net/video/FhXjWagVGF8/видео.html
T-55 ended up being in service so long that it was the first tank with a hard kill active protection system (T-55AMV in Soviet Navy service iirc, but remembering T-55 designations is impossible lol). I wonder if T-72 will serve long enough for someone to slap a laser point defense system on it.
Thank you for not having disturbing music!🙏👍
The T-72 is such a small tank, you really have to see it to appreciate how low the hull is.
So small in comparison to other tanks in the West that the Soviet had a mandated height requirement of 5"4. I heard from a guy that drove a T-72; he was an American and he quoted, "Only midgets could 've drive this tank".
This and the 64, which one is smaller?
I saw that tank in Bovington and I was surprised how small a profile it has. After seeing the Tiger it was even more surprising.
@@BHuang92 Think 5"9' was the limit
@@zxbzxbzxb1 That was the height David quoted.
These low and sleek soviet tanks look too damn nice, almost like a "sportstank".
like a boer, these are trully boxer tanks
But there in lies issues
They are the first Soviet tank was a sport tank, they just upgraded it
I totally read "sportstank" in Jeremy Clarkson's voice.
Being low and sleek doesn't help much when being NLAW'd from above. Mind you it's certainly sporty when it turns into a cabriolet.
Very articulate bloke, speaks at a comfortable speed, really knows his stuff. A pleasure to listen to.
Russian tanks are happy tanks cause they got no depression.
warthunderist?
Nice...lol
Very funny but true.
Oh God that awful
And no retreat comrade, reverse is not the way
WOT
I am from Slovakia. When I was on compulsory military service as an electromechanic of belt and wheel combat technology. T72 was still in the workshop. The cannon's stabilization system often deteriorated. Pressure loss - hydraulic pump failure.
But most t72s were hermetically preserved and stored in their garages.
Only few pieces was active.
It was a long time ago. Nice times.
A brilliant breakdown on a fascinating tank
Impressive to talk for twenty minutes with a coral snake wrapped around your neck without sweating. Nicely done Wiley
The T-72 at 22:10 looks so cool, I always loved when they jam some bushes on tanks.
I got into a T 72 after training on T 55 for months and I was astounded how differently it behaved. Despite the stabilization, you lose sight of the target in a moving T 55. Not so in T 72. I was aslo impressed when I saw these 40 tones machines drifting around like sports cars. T 72 is incredibly fast and the acceleration is unbelivable given its mass. Unfortunatelly, I never had the chance to drive one, but I can imagine it must be a thril given how sensitive and receptive T 55 was. I had a sense of floating while driving a T 55, as though I was on water rathr than on wheels. T 72 must be better. One imagines that it must be hard given that these are heavy tracked machines, but that is not the case. A slight push at the 'crutch' (jargon for the sticks used to turn, I don't know their name in English) and the heavy machine immediatelly changes direction.
They blow up well too
@@astralwerks4 The Javelines did not exist when T-72 and T-64 were designed. They were excellent for the times.
@@morning_glorymonster3473 Not really, they had Sagger etc and other NAT wire guided Anti Tank missiles that could crack them open with hollow charge weapons like Swingfire were on the scenre already,.
Sometimes when the Israeli´s fired their .50 inch ranging guns on the Centurion Tanks the crews were already bailing out!
Just a pity their training is so crap, every tank is only as good as its crew?
Actually a T-55 drives much better than a T-72.
@@jimmylight4866 No. T-72 has a more powerful engine and is way faster. Still, T-55 is a pleasure to drive. Its 'cruches' are surprisingly sensitive and easy to operate. Unfortunatelly, I had to drive it only once as I was a gunner. It fealt more like sailing on water than like riding on a bumpy road. Still, this is how it feels low, in the driver's seat. When one is in the turret, the riding is anything but pleasant.
8:50 - there's nothing more permanent than a temporary solution.
See the AR-15. It was intended as a stopgap until Project SPIW produced something better, but it just didn't and the AR-15 has stuck around for a very long time
Since the various lockdowns, the Tank Museum channel has become one of my favourite channels ever. The presentation is always top deck, the presenters so well informed and enthusiastic it makes for pleasure viewing. Thank you for making 2020 more bearable with garden tank chats, kitchen chats about hats, only the British do this stuff with such effortless ease. Bravo!
I don’t care what you all say, the T-72 is my all time favorite tank.
I don’t know what it is about it but I just love this tank!
It’s in so many games, you see it in movies, and it’s a real beast on the battlefield, so no matter what happens, keep the legendary T-72 alive for as long as possible
Lol, keep it away from Ukraine then!!!
When the Russians lose, you might be able to buy one for cheap from the Ukrainian Farmers Union 🚜 😀,
BUT never ask a Ukrainian farmer how he got his tanks 🤔 🙄 💀 😒 🤣
@@Craig-wp3pz Ukrainian farmer will say that he went to the forest for mushrooms and our tank
Idk. You ever seen a cutaway of a t-72? The crew literally sits on a carousel of bombs and there's not blast panels. That's why they launch their turrets 300 yards into the sky when they take a hit. I sure wouldn't want to drive one! Can't respawn in real life! 😂
This is what I picture when I hear the word “tank”
I picture a fish tank.
So iconic.
I see the Centurion.
I picture the t-55
Maybe it's been flashed across the world's TV screens back when the anti communist revolutions in Europe and Tiannamen etc. Took place.
9:15 "For T-72 we put propeller in driver crotch, very nice, yes?"
Extra encouragement to watch where your driving!
And they say the Soviets didn't care about crew comfort
Its soft rubber for a fan :)
In soviet Russia you blow fan
get's hot in a metal box in Afghanistan
T-72 tanks are amazing.... especially when a javelin enters through the top and the crew really lights up with smoking excitement
Pretty similar things happen to Abrams and Leopards when hit by ATGMs. Have a look at Yemen or Syria.
@@thomasp506 yes abrams have been taken out but not like t-72 ....
@@tbateman9902 They don't blow up as spectacularly, but they get taken out all the same. ATGMs just hard counter tanks, period.
@lil' donnie That's my point. Crew inexperience is a bigger factor than the design of the tank. A Javelin would smoke a T-72 and an Abrams all the same. The ammo going off is just added fireworks. The lack of air and infantry support, and positioning of the tank, is what allows that to happen.
@@tbateman9902Nah instead the M1s get their turrets popped off when they run over an IED.
Search up on google; A33, 3-67th Armor October 28th 2003. Click the first link and you'll see a video by U.S. Army Soldiers inspecting a destroyed M1A2SEP in Iraq.
Seeing a lot of these all over the internet right now, and a lot of them seem to use the emergency turret ejection system to get the crew to safety after a direct hit. You sure have to admire those soviet engineers!
😃
You mean more easily retrieve the charred bodies.
It works for them.
Well, if you gave me two options between the US or Soviet tanks back in the 70s:
American M60 Patton tank or the T-72; I would've picked the T-72.
(between the Centurion or T-72, it's a bit harder to decide and that's sad because the Centurion comes from WW2).
The T-72 is like the AK-47, old equipment that's astonishingly still being used today (including by Ukraine).
It's like this medieval armour vs early gun test -> ruclips.net/video/ygaSMeTh-f0/видео.html
Frankly I'm impressed in this video how many hits that tank took and held up (from the side and rear no less and frankly that shouldn't happen,
because you're supposed to have infantry or IFV's protecting each other's flanks etc) -> ruclips.net/video/W9pVEP0AzZ4/видео.html
I think it's more a case of doctrine (or in this case many of the commanders and units didn't know they where going to actually attack), so a lot of it was rushed. Tanks running out of supply etc. Also not to mentions this fact -> ruclips.net/video/SVD-nBvSBkw/видео.html
And I can't stress doctrine enough. Look at the M1 Abrams tanks in Yemen or Turkey's Leopard tanks in Syria.
Tanks are (even from WW2 days) are very vulnerable in Urban or close quarter combat.
You are correct Dennis in the sarcasm . As awful and accurate as it is. The auto loader carousel in many Russian design bode doom for crews if any AT penetrates the turret . Especially the US Javelin top down. The US Abrams has all the rounds in an armoured auto door enclosure to feed it's autoloader am I correct ? Australia has had a 100 of them for past 20yrs as replacement for our old Leopards.
Now gone Rheinmetal / MAN for the 8 x8 Boxer light armoured vehicles.
I was sat in the 'FULDA GAP' (After laying thousands of cardboard bar mines) on many exercises listening to Ruperts telling us about the Fulda gap.
You were expendable unfortunately.
Another great video from an excelent communicator on a superb museum. Only Finn is missing. Thank you David.
Tanks have always fascinated me.
The niche role they fill, but the enormous effort required to counter, defend, and attack them is just amazing.
They really are miniature battleships on land.
A few years ago I was lucky enough to visit the KhMDB and have a guided tour of the facilities, we were made very welcome and very well looked after, we even had chicken kiev for lunch.
I just came home from work, switched on my computer - and The Tank Museum delivers :) Yet another great video about a very interesting tank. Keep up the great work, I'm always looking forward to your uploads!
19:09 - "We've got a number of T72 heres".
Funny inversion, lovely man.
Ah, my favorite tank. It’s always good to see a T-72 being discussed. Glad to see it on this channel
Same here My favorite of Modern MBT's. Tiger is #1 all time though.
I served my conscript service time as a junior sergeant in finnish tank forces in 1995. At the time the main battle tank indeed was T-72M1. Today we have the more prominent Leopard 2 A4s and A6s.
Leo 2 is probably the only thing that comes close to t72 in terms of export numbers
I think you guys bought the (some of the) Leopards from us (the Netherlands) :) I hope you take good care of them, I think it was a mistake to sell all our tanks tbh.
Tanks are pretty much obsolete in 21st century warfare. They are fine in asymmetrical warfare, but if your opponent has drones and TOW missile defenses then it’s not cost effective to deploy tanks. In Iraq, American’s destroyed more vehicles with IFV equipped with missiles launchers than our main battle tanks.
@@snakedogman I heard that there was a bit of a debate on the NL media about selling A6s to Finland. I also heard that one of the arguments was that they become better use in here :)-
@@EmergencyChannel Tanks are definitely not obsolete. Drones cannot hold positions or operate in all weathers, and IFVs/APCs don't have the protection levels of MBTs. See The Chieftan's comments for someone who knows what they're talking about, I'm just repeating his points.
Outstanding! As a Tanker who served in West Germany, the T72 was our main concern. We heard it was a piece of junk and obviously not so. Autoloader that actually works! Wow I was impressed. Please do an episode on the M60A1 Tank as the T72 opponent in the Cold War! Thank you for your grest work. Former Tanker from the Cold war....
I knew Soviet tanks were small, but not until seeing David standing next to the T72 in the opening of this video did I realise exactly how small they are.
When you're talking about how small the T-72 is, it's slightly undermined by you having the Ferret right behind it that is a truly small vehicle
Oh. So that's the name of «hunter car», so-called modification of the vehicle from Xenonauts?
Another great learning day.
Something I never knew I really wanted to understand explained in a measured and informed manner.
For a good price on used T72's call Igor in Ukrain.
Only one previous owner.
Some are slightly burned.
And a few of them even come with turrets attached!
A very well presented, detailed and interesting video.
I personally didn't know the early resistance to developing the T72. End result is a very aesthetically pleasing tank.
Thank you David and keep up the wonderful work.
Great video, I bought the tamiya 1/35 T-72M1 when visiting Bovington Tank Museum 6 years ago and somehow I only started building it now.
There definitely innovative when it comes to that turret ejection system.
One of my favorite tanks, great to see a tankchat on it
20,000 of these have been produced. Amazingly large number.
This is uralvaganzavod,the world's largest factory...and this is the T-72! My favourite tank of all time, I love all tanks, as you guys say every tank has a story and every story is interesting but the T-72 in my eyes is the tankiest tank!! Thank you for the awesome content...you dropped a spoonerism...it's nizhny tagil...not tizhny nagil haha made me me chuckle!! I hope everything is ok at the museum I visited in the summer to support you and I will again in the new year, my brother is the corporal at the ASG workshops across the road from you so I always have an excuse to visit!! You should do a Haynes manual on the T-72...I would love a hydraulic schematic of the BKP transmission...I can only find them in Russian and rather distorted!! Stay safe and I wish you all well!!thank you again
Polish T-72M. Kinda T-72A but license made in Poland by the Bumar Łabendy Company. I mean not the one in the video. The one from the picture.
The one shown in the video is from the Polish Army as well.
When I was stationed in West Germany, we received lectures on how to recognize Warsaw Pact vehicles. The T-72 was brand new then the evaluations were incomplete. I remember that the auto loading gun was not well regarded in its ability to reliably load the gun or eject the spent casings without risk to the crews!
@Neil Rusling Not that short. There were differences Tobe noted. The potential of the T-72 was being taken seriously. We were also advised as to Russian APCs and allied vehicles.
The auto loader has been known to actually eat crewmembers arms.
@@fatefinger The instructors were making jokes about the Red Army Choir's soprano section!
@@fatefinger That's a load of bull, there are guard rails alongside the crew members which make it impossible for that to happen. The Tank Museum employ a former East German soldier who gave a report on the T72 recently on this channel. He drove them regularly, as a training instructor, and answered all the myths and BS that gets spouted out by so many ignoramus's.
T72 just recently destroyed a Leopard2 in Ukraine in a rare tank on tank battle, so the Soviet philosophy of tank building is still proving better than the Western concept of buying brand new super expensive 70 ton large targets which can be seen and hit from miles away.
@@rightiswrongrightiswrong806 hello Russian propaganda troll.
Love to see a remake of this video, in the light of recent events.
No thank you. This video is just fine. This channel says they stay out of politics, and current events. They are only here to educate and teach.
@@TheBigExclusive Well, I sort of got what I wished for. It is relevant to any critique of the T72 that its vulnerability has been dramatically exposed.
David Willey really knows his stuff and is very interesting to listen to great vids guys
Excellent technical and historical material. Armor vehicles regardless of make and model are quintessential items of warfare which have given the armies which utilized them the cutting edge on the battlefield. Keep up the great work.
Very Respectfully,
Carlos A. Gonzalez.
I can't beleve that I've been watching every Chats since episode 3. Gee.
Auto - loader means one less man to break track and one more thing to maintain. I like the unguarded electric fan between the driver's legs in his compartment. Certainly motivation for controlled breaking. Just follow ur' map to the Fulda gap, Ivan.
isn that autoloading mechanizm heavier than loader itself? :-)
@@Bynk333 yes but it still allows the tank to be smaller and if maintenance is done proper and it doesn’t fail the machine won’t get tired.
The fourth man was still there, he was just in the maintenance company rather than inside the tank. Besides moving one guy out of four out of harm's way (relatively), the reason for the autoloader is clearly explained here - unlike a human loader, it doesn't need to be able to stand up, so the turret can have a lower profile.
Good thing for Soviets is it's one less man to get cooked.
In this case it also means your track can be a third lighter or resilient - Abrams is now almost at Tiger II weight and Chally 2 is well beyond.
I have a great picture somewhere of a T72 next to a King Tiger and it is amazing the height and size difference.
Fantastic run down of the mindset behind the T-72 and it’s gun and the reason for the low profile, by the ever versatile Mr David Willey. Brilliant just brilliant story sir!
The latest upgrade adds tow bars for tractors to latch on and a grill for a cook off.
16:16 The T-72S is the export model of the T-72B(and B1), while the export model of the T-72A is the T-72M1.
I went to a military museum in St Petersburg 14 years ago, could have your photo sitting in a t72 commander station, me been 193cm and 100kg didn't fit.... Same issue with the t34 tank you could sit in.
My mind is still boggling about a Super Dolly Parton 😯
Definitely an imagination overload.
That means M60 is Super dolly T-72 or what?
@@akrepiidfiresupportvehicle2289 More of a Missy Elliott, if you ask me :D:D:D But man, I guess that you can place a grand piano inside an M60 or a Leopard 1, if required by the combat doctrine:D
The Super Dolly Parton armor is a silicone composite 🤣
This is really high quality content, RUclips at its very, very best! Thank you, Sirs!
That Soviet film footage at the start, man! that is a whole lot of tanks!
Really enjoying these Soviet era tank chats.
I like his last comment, which is essentially, the T-72 is a good tank if the other side doesn't have tanks. Sounds probable, unless, apparently, they have anti-tank missiles.
They have plenty of tanks now thanks to farmers with tractors
@@Extraordinarylurker "they have been doing surprisingly well" got any proofs beyond twitter screeching?
@@Klovaneer you are a clown if you don't know that Russia has lost 500 tanks in combat.
@@williamgaston9812 This comes from what? Ukrainian Ministry? Ever heard of Propaganda going both sides? ever heard of edited videos? ever heard that even if a Tank gets hit directly its probably not even disabled? Critical thinking, Massive lack of that today.
@@littledeath6432 Actually Ukrainian numbers seem to be close to reality. They are doing good job, no need to lie
Love a nice tank chat first thing in the morning
Interesting to see one with the turret still attached
Thanks for you videos, they brighten my depressed winter evenings
Excellent presentation on what someone once said was the tank version of the AK 47 rifle. This was fascinating.
Id say tbe T54/55 is the AK47, and this is more of the AK74 ;)
@@andrewreegs6319 agreed. Good call.
Excellent video
One of my favs
Soviet WW II Armor , Cold War Armor
Outstanding !!!
16:50 A tank based export economy.
Don't forget the slave-based food import economy from the occupied countries to keep those tank factory workers alive...
Now a burned tank export economy.
I wonder if the gun of a T-72 could penetrate the thick steel on my grandmother's 1975 Cadillac? The suspension systems on the '72 looks to be about the same, and I'd imagine the fuel consumption of the two vehicles is quite close.
@mandellorian
That and the number of 8 -track cassettes stuck in the door pockets 😉
Is the steel of your grannys car about 650-800mm (ATGM) or 500mm (APFSDS) of high hardness steel?
@@zentralratderfliesentischb660 That sounds about right. Detroit didn't hold back in that era. :)
In the period until the mid-80s, neither American nor German tanks. They could not withstand the penetration of a projectile from a 125mm cannon, a T-72 tank. Only if your grandmother had a more resistant car to the projectile than a tank of the American and German armies.
@@SRB.4S Detroit didn't hold back in those days. Soviet munitions would bounce off my grandmother's car. It was made for the Fulda Gap.
0:55 - I rarely see these shots without Red Alert Hell March playing in the background.
I don't know if the world could handle a "Super" Dolly Parton. Especially in her prime.
Be fun to try !
I wonder if the Tank Museum is planning on getting a or some "after action" examples of the T62, T64, T72 & T80's etc once the war in Ukraine has finished.
While I imagine it would be a huge task to clean, preserve and prepare one for display, that retains its "as destroyed" look but will not deteriorate, i imagine it/they could end up as very valuable artefacts and teaching aids in the long term.
Yes..the ukenazis have plenty of their destroyed wrecks to offer
I have been this museum. It is amazing!!!
The V bullet stopper is also seen on medieval armour. It was used to stop arrows and glancing blows with the sword or pikes.
I had a chance of geting into a PT-91 Twardy. As a 190cm tall guy i can tell... it's not ideal but possible
the purpouse of this thing is to be blown up, and it's damn good at this
This Tank is a masterpiece. I love it ❤💖
Absolutely gorgeous tank. So small too
I've never been near a tank and probably will never be near a tank but i love watching these videos.
Excellent as all of these videos. Love if you still did one on the T-64 even if you do not have one. You should have pictures you can use.
The T-72 is really the tankiest looking tank. It's my second favorite tank after the Leo 2 (from the A5 onwards). Esepecially with the reactive armor.
Thx for these excellent educations. Very informative, always a favorite. I envy your detailed knowledge sir. Compliments to the shop and its sevice. 8 marvelous books arrived in 6 days ! You got my support and admiration 👍
These videos are always fantastic. Thanks so much.
As ever good chat about an interesting tank bitter sweet seeing you back because it means Lock down 2 Electric Boogaloo.
Electric Avenue?
David hit the nail on the head. One v one a NATO tank would be superior but Soviet doctrine was for it to be three T72s v one. The T72 didn't need to be totally equal, it needed to be competent enough and then just use weight of numbers.
If their current logistics problems are anything to go by, the chances of them getting three T-72's in the same place aren't that great.
Competent enough?
That moment when those 3 T-72s run up on a company of NATO troops armed with javelins
I was wondering as each T model is introduced, does the turret fly higher when exploding?
Thats the selling point!
I really enjoy your talks. Interesting and yet calming at the same time.
Twardy is pronounced Tvard'eh, w is a soft wh only in English pretty much, most other languages it's usually an English V. Svir is Shveer. Thanks for the epic effort at condensing 72's story into manageable length. :)
I'm sure Russians don't pronounce every English word correctly either. Don't get your knickers in a twist old chap.
@@JohnyG29 those who know English, actually do. Well, if you ignore the accent.
Also, you got the missile wrong. It's "sveer", with r as in read, not as in riot, not shveer.
@@JohnyG29 To be fair Twardy is a polish word, not russian...
The polish w is spelled like in whiskey! And the y like an german e.
Yes, we have seen many great examples of that auto loader system blowing turrets into space...
Some say a few have made it as far as Uranus 😁
No different than a Leo 2
When you look at the export success of the T90, the longevity and numerous versions of the 72, the number of operators; it’s hard to deny it’s arguably the most successful design of all time.
So you never heard about T-54/55?
The most successful at burning or having the turret pop off.
Why does it get blown up buy everything
The bit at 0:47 where he actually spoke about history in the past tense for a bit was so refreshing.
In Ukraine, I'm seeing a lot of these tanks in various stages of disassembly right now.
good to hear
They are poppig like a teenagers acne
They seem to be preferring the 'Cabriolet' variant as the nights are getting warmer 💙💛🇺🇦
A lot of them are yours as well so don't be too harsh on them.
you're seeing what they are showing you
the same few tanks filmed from a hundred angles.
The Soviet Tanks of the 50s, 60s, and 70s had some sleek designs.
While I love the T-72 a lot, I would absolutely love to hear a tank chat on the T-64 even though you don't actually have one at your museum. It's such a revolutionary and amazing tank, but unfortunately, it doesn't get a lot of attention since it was so secret at the time and never exported in soviet times. The T-64 is my all time favorite tank.
There should be second hand T-64s for sale now, ask any Ukranian farmer.
Russia doesn't use T-64 anymore, Ukraine uses them 😂
@@vealsubstitute4924 Indeed.
Educational note : the original T-72 was an improved yet at first unauthorised development of the T-64 (which was to replace the T-62).
@@flitsertheo i do love the T-64 though especially the T-64BV, wasn't the T-72 also designed to be more cost effective?
@@flitsertheo Ukraine is also using Soviet era tanks…
Top quality lecture by Willey again. The T-72 is a brilliant tank and will be around for decades yet.
Especially the dozens of burnt out hulks sitting in the Iraqi desert. Bwahahahaba!
@@videodistro Next to the iraqi, Saudi M1's
i love russian and soviet tanks so nice to see The Tank Museum making video of one of my favourite tanks!
I served as a commander of T-55 (1983-1986). Actually you were not using sights with the T-55 stabilisation if the system was properly set up. Shooting while on the move was easy whenever the mental math (to determinate the target's distance) was done correctly by the gunner. However, it was a stabilizer, forcing you to re-aim whenever the target was moving or the tank was moving towards the target under an angle (which is mostly the case under combat situation), because it operated with a direct electro-mechanical gyro stabilisation system. Todays modern warfare tank systems are different, they "hook" onto their target and with a computer keeping its (laser) finder right there, regardless of the tanks and / or targets movement firing is much easier and fast.
Which was the most critical point for firing quick with a T-55: the correct and mental math plus adjusting the gunner's aiming sight correctly (different integrated dials there) to be done before firing. Loading was hard work but could be done very fast. That's why we practised all firing modes: from a defence position (no motion), quick stop to fire, artillery support (indirect fire with tables) and firing in full motion onto targets of unknown nature and distance.
The later we practised the most.
Actually you were not LOSING sights with the T-55 stabilisation if the system was properly set up. [Sorry, I could not correct my typo after sending]
They nicknamed it after the "rather well built" American country musician. 😂😂😂
"Jolene, Jolene, Jolene Joleeeeene, I'm begging of you please don't take my tank"
Always enjoy Mr. Willey's Tank Chats. Thank you!
Ukrainians are popping off those turrets like bottle caps.
Thanks to the ammo storage in the auto loaders.
We've also seen leopard 2s throwing not only the turrets but also their front glacis off the second they met combat but i suppose that isn't as funny to ignorant people like you. T-64 that ukrainians are trying to operate break turret throwing distance records every week.
@@Klovaneer - "i" by itself should be capitalized.
You're showing off your ignorance.
Even after editing your response.
@@BA-gn3qb Thankfully the subject of the video isn't grammar. I suppose you don't have a reasonable explanation for the leopard debacle then.
@@Klovaneer - Since the subject of the video is the T-72, your ignorance is even more amazing.
That old saying is true. You can't fix stupid.
as if ukrainians arent using the same sort of tanks
I appreciate the authenticity of the documentarians at this museum
He (I guess he since Soviets refer to their machinery as "he's") really came into their own with the T-72B, which finally allowed them to outstrip their predecessor of the T-64 line.
not all machinery, but tank is a word of masculine gender
A condom is he or she? :)
@@ldkbudda4176 its a masculine word, also a degragatory name for someone