Busting Tank Myths: Engines

I've made videos talking about and busting tank myths in the past, but there wasn't an overall theme. I've recently decided to do more topical myth videos. For this one, we're going to be focusing on tank engines. You wouldn't think that there would be a ton of myths surrounding just one component, but you have to remember that the engine is essentially the heart of the tank.

Check the channel "About" section for the link to the creator of my profile picture.

Sources:
Department of Defense Appropriations for 1994: Procurement programs
T-34 In Action by Artem Drabkin, Oleg Sheremet
Sherman: A History of the American Medium Tank by R.P. Hunnicutt
Data on World War II Tank Engagements Involving the U.S. Third and Fourth Armored Divisions by Ballistics Research Laboratories

Songs used (in order from first to last):
Subnautica - Into the Unknown
Halo 3: ODST - Rain (Deference for Darkness)

Sound mods:
Epic Thunder (Pre-release)

Reddit: /u/spookston
Discord: See my Patreon page.

#warthunder​​​​​​​​​​​​ #tanks​​​​​​​​​​​​ #tankhistory

[johnemmert]

I've actually heard museum volunteers repeat the "German tanks used diesel" myth at a recent event. Had to explain the Maybach family on the Panzer IV, V, and VI, were in fact gasoline engines.

[radonsider]

In 1998/9, Turkey held the Tank-2000 trials for choosing the future tank, the M1A2 with diesel was proposed but later dismissed as the crew was not able to start it.
Edit: Lots of people thought that the crew was Turkish
Crews were not Turkish, not only for the M1A2 but for every tank that was competing

[ODST_Parker]

U.S. Army - **makes diesel engine Sherman** "Well this is pointless, who would ever use this?"
Red Army - "Is for me, comrade?"

[TheEvilFoxy]

On the subject of engine complexity. Most modern MBTs have modular engine blocks. So you can just yoink out the engine regardless of its type and replace it quickly. Unless you're running out of replacement engines, the type of engine doesn't really influence repair times required to make the vehicle combat capable again.

[blackegret]

Could busting tank myths regarding armored cars/IFVs? Love your work!

[MidnightWyvern]

Your last point is also part of why turbines are so highly regarded in aviation. The limited number of moving parts all turning in the same direction results in very little vibration, and most importantly a turbine will pretty much run as long as fuel is in it even in a wide range of malfunctions affecting other parts of the aircraft.

[gustiwidyanta]

I think people mistook the "Diesel engined M1" for the K1-88, which is a similar (it was derived from the XM1 prototypes) tank to the Abrams (albeit smaller, diesel powered, and has hydropneumatic suspension.)

[Bready]

The thing about diesel is that diesel engines use compression ignition rather than spark ignition, and you could assume that a tank shell would absolutely be able to deliver the amount of pressure and heat required to ignite diesel fuel
EDIT: This isn't necessarily me arguing against diesel (infact I love diesel engines and am aspiring to be a diesel technician), it's just that there are certain things that need to be said when it comes to this

[samgreenwood]

I think the myth about turbines being more complex probably stems from the fact that they are more complex/expensive (usually) to manufacture, but once you have the ability to replace parts and such, maintenance/operation is about on par with, or slightly better than, a diesel, all other things being held equal

[Chevsilverado]

Another thing is about some multi fuel engines. Many people assume you can run any fuel in a multi fuel engine with no adverse effects other than maybe less power (diesels running on gasoline, olive oil, etc.), but many multi fuel engines will only be able to limp home under very little engine load when using most other fuels it’s not designed for.

It depends on the specific engine, but multi fuel generally is not for allowing all vehicles to run on whatever fuel is most available/running all vehicles on one type of fuel, it’s meant to allow vehicles to run alternative fuel in emergency situations travelling slowly for <100km. Running gasoline in a Diesel engine for 100km is an amazing engineering feat, but it doesn’t change the fact that it will completely mess the engine up eventually.

Having a multi fuel Russian tank isn’t for simplifying logistics, it’s to help the tank get home after it runs out of fuel in the battlefield.

[MrSaNF]

German tanks in WW2 used gazoline, because it can be chemically created from coal, unlike diesel.

[cookiecracker]

I'd like to know how some of these myths started. Like some of them are so polar opposite from the truth it's like HOW did you come up with that?!

[RatschbumUnica]

Can we get a “historically accurate” video for the VT1-2? I know it’s a somewhat niche tank but there are a couple big things Gaijin got wrong.

[hamishneilson]

I love that your sponsorship plug is literally just 5 seconds of saying “hey, use this code, anyways back to the video.”

[Sturmgechu]

Another fun fact, gasoline engines have a high pollutant from diesel. Gasoline emits almost 60% of its original use after combustion while Diesel engines emit around 40 to 30% of its original usage after combustion making diesel combustion itself more efficient. However, turbine engines have only around 10% of its original fuel emitted making turbine engines, strangely, environmentally friendly. On the other hand, a turbine will consume more fuel over time.

[badmouth]

And another excellent video from the tank furry (lol), keep it up man, these are always a great part of my week!

[jaxrammus]

bro its amazing how many times you have to debunk the m1's turbine stuff. great video as always man.

[goodgameproductions]

Hi Spookston, I just wanted to note that as someone who works with diesel powered trucks a lot, the Australian turbines do sound quite similar to a lot of simalirly sized diesel engines. That whine can be quite present on diesel engines too.

Anyway, good video! Keep it up!

[bce]

Military JP-8 is closest to kerosene. It's also the equivalent of Jet-A.

[flare]

Wasn’t the diesel Sherman the M4A3? I was under the impression the A2 was a combination cast/welded hull with a more compact gasoline engine.
Edit: I got them mixed up. The A2 has the diesel and A3 has the improved V8 gasoline engine