The M1 Abrams Scandal

While the American M1 Abrams main battle tank is generally regarded as a well-designed machine today, it was the center of a lot of controversy when it was developed and first produced. In this essay, we'll take a look at the common theories to see just how true to history they are.
Sources: pastebin.com/UbGeyR2Z
Check the channel "About" section for the link to the creator of my profile picture.
Songs used:
GHPC Original Soundtrack by Majoris
Second channel: / @spookstoon
Patreon: / spookston
#tanks​​​​​​​​​​​​ #tankhistory #warthunder
The M1 Abrams Scandal

Пікірлер: 1 900

  • @Spookston
    @Spookston5 ай бұрын

    This was in the making for a while, so I hope you guys like it and have a Merry Christmas 🎄

  • @gmg6863

    @gmg6863

    5 ай бұрын

    Merry Christmas

  • @chiefpapos

    @chiefpapos

    5 ай бұрын

    You too, friend!

  • @thomashyde9208

    @thomashyde9208

    5 ай бұрын

    Day #6 Italian M15/42. It's horrible when it get uptier

  • @JTJSSG

    @JTJSSG

    5 ай бұрын

    Merry Christmas everyone

  • @fastfirefox1475

    @fastfirefox1475

    5 ай бұрын

    Merry Christmas Spookston.

  • @Mean_Beans_
    @Mean_Beans_5 ай бұрын

    I’m so glad to see you doing another historical video, hope you do more ❤

  • @mainframe8962
    @mainframe89625 ай бұрын

    Your sourcing and reliance on academically sourced primaries is exemplary, thorough, linear, and concise. You draw a clear image of the developmental arc of each program that is simple to follow. This is easily one of your best educational efforts, and it is to be commended. Well done.

  • @mainframe8962

    @mainframe8962

    5 ай бұрын

    Also the background music slaps.

  • @aus_geoff8668

    @aus_geoff8668

    5 ай бұрын

    If I am not mistaken some if not all of it was from "Gunner, Heat, PC" which is a great game and a good choice for the topic.

  • @jdools4744

    @jdools4744

    5 ай бұрын

    Shut up

  • @GAMBANJUJJJ

    @GAMBANJUJJJ

    5 ай бұрын

    Someone please translate this sentence to babby please

  • @hughjohnson2674

    @hughjohnson2674

    4 ай бұрын

    I bet Boeing is involved somehow…….

  • @StealthySpace7
    @StealthySpace75 ай бұрын

    The ammo stowed being in the turret being only 12 rounds for the Leo vs 35 for the M1 to me is a HUGE deal that people tend to gloss over.

  • @Cyrops

    @Cyrops

    5 ай бұрын

    Would be interesting if this was modeled in game.

  • @StealthySpace7

    @StealthySpace7

    5 ай бұрын

    @@Cyrops It is modeled though? The Leo can only fit 12 rounds in the turret, the Abrams holds 35

  • @larshenrik8900

    @larshenrik8900

    5 ай бұрын

    @@StealthySpace7leo2A4 have 15* rounds in the 1st stage ammo rack, Abrams has 17

  • @n8zog584

    @n8zog584

    5 ай бұрын

    ​@@larshenrik8900 to be fair, the extra shells are just on the other side inside the Abrams turret. There are 35 shells that can be easily reached in the turret

  • @lelandcheng9187

    @lelandcheng9187

    5 ай бұрын

    ​@StealthySpace7 well the count is modeled but not the way it has to be loaded. Like mentioned in the video on screen and irl once a leopard2 has fired its first stage ammo the turret needs to be rotated and locked 90° to the right to allow the loader to remove the rounds from the hull. Imagine if that was implemented into the game how annoying that would be

  • @timjim5765
    @timjim57655 ай бұрын

    Spookstoon you should try the American T-34 heavy tank. The thing nukes everything in down tiers and it super fun over all

  • @whohashamburger855

    @whohashamburger855

    5 ай бұрын

    Um ackshually the american T34 doesnt have a hyphen🤓

  • @starisgone

    @starisgone

    5 ай бұрын

    @@whohashamburger855 UMM!1/1/111 ACTUALLL!!!YYy the pee34 is rusain (joke)

  • @Marder_IFV

    @Marder_IFV

    5 ай бұрын

    ​​@@starisgonethe pee34 is actually Soviet not Russian!!11!1!!!11!!!!111!!! 🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓

  • @johndavidson4127

    @johndavidson4127

    5 ай бұрын

    It was my favourite heavy tank until I bought Somua SM.

  • @user-cv5pz7nw1t

    @user-cv5pz7nw1t

    5 ай бұрын

    for i moment i thought there was a American T-34 from the USSR

  • @dankuser8303
    @dankuser83035 ай бұрын

    I thought this was gonna be about the current WT controversy… but this is more fun

  • @brettchadwick4124

    @brettchadwick4124

    5 ай бұрын

    far more interesting

  • @bornonthebattlefront4883

    @bornonthebattlefront4883

    5 ай бұрын

    @@brettchadwick4124a lot more As the current issues with Gaijin is just stupid Tho I wish people would make just as big of a deal as the inaccuracies with the Italian C1 Ariete, which actually is missing nearly the same amount of armor in comparison

  • @mikethespike056

    @mikethespike056

    5 ай бұрын

    same

  • @cybernetic_crocodile8462

    @cybernetic_crocodile8462

    5 ай бұрын

    @@bornonthebattlefront4883 Well, Italy has like 200 mains, so it is no wonder their voices drown among the whining of US mains. Also, Italy mains are already accustomed to suffering.

  • @brettchadwick4124

    @brettchadwick4124

    5 ай бұрын

    @@bornonthebattlefront4883 i find it very interesting how the ariete's are getting heavier but firepower and protection remains identical

  • @daviddeking2676
    @daviddeking26764 ай бұрын

    In the summer of 1984, I was walking down the tarmac at APG when I heard a clank-clank sound behind me. I turned around and saw an M1 creeping up behind me. You couldn't hear any engine sound from the front which was amazing. I was at APG supporting Bradley testing and was accustomed to the sound of the diesel. Every Army tanker I've spoken to love the M1. Thanks for bringing back memories for me.

  • @krunobockaj464

    @krunobockaj464

    4 ай бұрын

    Maybe you don't here him but you see him from space....engine exhaust are toooo hot.... This tank was good 30 years ago maybe

  • @piedpiper1172

    @piedpiper1172

    3 ай бұрын

    @@krunobockaj464Well, considering it was built 30 years ago, that’s a pretty great time for it’s base design to have been good. Your comment strikes me as saying “the Spitfire wasn’t a good fighter because it was easy to spot and shoot down in 1975.”

  • @neilfox3208

    @neilfox3208

    3 ай бұрын

    I was based at APG but in the mid 90s

  • @RandomGuy17768

    @RandomGuy17768

    3 ай бұрын

    As a retired 19kilo, ie .. M1 Abrams crewman. I agree with this comment. IMO choosing Chryslers entry was the best decision made. Loved, loved, loved, loved every Abrams that I ever served on. BTW that 1500h.p turbine won because of longevity! She also had a 6 speed Allison transmission. The turbine was also quieter than a straight diesel, this idiot is only cherry picking!!

  • @daviddeking2676

    @daviddeking2676

    3 ай бұрын

    I was an engineer on the Bradley program and spent quite a bit of time at Aberdeen Proving Grounds supporting the test activities. Later in my career, I worked in a joint venture with GDLS and got to know the M1 engineers fairly well. They are definitely proud of the M1 and all the soldiers I've spoken with, love it.@@RandomGuy17768

  • @jameslovelace8958
    @jameslovelace89583 ай бұрын

    I was a young private in 78 and going to school at APG. I remember marching past the shop and getting a chance to see the XM1. Hell we didn’t even know what the name was at that time. I asked my platoon sergeant and he knew nothing about it. I told him I’d love to drive that thing. Two weeks before graduation I was woken up at 0330 by my PS. Myself and another private were take to the shops. We were give a short 30 min block of instruction on how to drive the XM1. An hour later we were driving the massive tank. We may not have been the first private to drive it but we were one of the first. The next day we return and drove down tank trails to a gun range. There we drove while they fired that main gun. I was hooked for life. At the end of my four year enlistment I re-enlisted as a 19K20 and sent to Fort Knox. I spent 16 years rolling all over the world in my M1. I don’t know if it was better than those others but I do know it took us to the Fulda Gap, Fort Irwin, and in 91 it took me to Baghdad and back. So yes I believe we had the best tank ever seen on the battlefield.

  • @rogerdelillo2394

    @rogerdelillo2394

    3 ай бұрын

    Great story

  • @Sebmundo

    @Sebmundo

    11 күн бұрын

    Did you see any combat

  • @darkhammer2078
    @darkhammer20785 ай бұрын

    As a 19k il say it’s a fine fighting machine but your ability to utilize it determines what happens same as any other weapon platform

  • @AbramsGunner

    @AbramsGunner

    5 ай бұрын

    As a 19K who wrangled an XM1 for a couple of years (later replaced with a brand new M1A1), I agree 100%... 😁 (Also: The Leo 2 has some cool features, but I prefer the M1 crew compartment.)

  • @StrikeWyvern

    @StrikeWyvern

    5 ай бұрын

    ​@@AbramsGunnerWhat does the leo2 do better than the M1 in your opinion? Better ergonomics, handling, etc.?

  • @teaser6089

    @teaser6089

    5 ай бұрын

    @@StrikeWyvern Leo is faster, consumes less fuel and has a slightly longer operational range, whilst carrying less fuel

  • @cnnr441

    @cnnr441

    5 ай бұрын

    ⁠@@teaser6089 Yea but the US military is perfectly with that, plus the turbine just works better for the US needs

  • @indyfist9466

    @indyfist9466

    5 ай бұрын

    ft bliss first armor brig 4/70th batt. treat em rough

  • @jacksonlarson6099
    @jacksonlarson60995 ай бұрын

    Well done Spookston. Your historical videos are always welcome as far as I'm concerned, and I hope it was a welcome change of pace for you. Merry Christmas, and I hope you can remain in good health and high spirits.

  • @thegamingzilla6269
    @thegamingzilla62695 ай бұрын

    IIRC wasnt there further controversy with the US Leo, where during driving tests it was found that the Leo was rather fast, faster than what was initially believed which lead to a full inspection of the vehicle which found that the tank had completely lacked its composite armor which negatively impacted the opinion on the Leo and its actual capabilities?

  • @majorborngusfluunduch8694

    @majorborngusfluunduch8694

    5 ай бұрын

    He mentions the missing armor in the video.

  • @michaelsnyder3871

    @michaelsnyder3871

    12 күн бұрын

    The early Leopard 2A2 was actually designed around spaced armor proof against up to 35mm autocannon (and also had only passive light, not thermal like the Leo 1A3) and the Leopard 2AV was a Leo 2A2 with some cheaper components. The German version of Chobham armor and the thermal sights did not make into the Leo 2 until the Leo 2A4. All Leo 2A2s were brought up to Leo 2A4 standard by 1986.

  • @jeffthebaptist3602
    @jeffthebaptist36025 ай бұрын

    Not sure about how these comparisons were set up during the M1/Leopard competition, but when I went through Army acquisition training in the late 2000s, we were strongly urged not to set up any sort of quantitative comparison. No points systems. No weighted averages across the various criteria. Systems met or exceeded the criteria. Rolling that up into a specific selection was the job of the experts on the selection board so that the lawyers and vendors couldn't try to reverse engineer the competition so their favored system won during a lawsuit.

  • @matthewfox1561

    @matthewfox1561

    5 ай бұрын

    Another military personnel using secret military information to win a Internet debate lol

  • @jeffthebaptist3602

    @jeffthebaptist3602

    5 ай бұрын

    @@matthewfox1561General government systems acquisition strategy is not classified. In fact they basically have to tell the vendors this.

  • @user-xsn5ozskwg
    @user-xsn5ozskwg5 ай бұрын

    Man, if there's ever a story of military procurement where there isn't some degree of scandal I'll be genuinely surprised. You did great with this video.

  • @Treblaine

    @Treblaine

    5 ай бұрын

    There's always a mess. Even the M1 Garand was a fiasco lurching from one major design flaw to another but right when it needed to be it worked and was the first standard issue semi-automatic rifle.

  • @chickenfishhybrid44

    @chickenfishhybrid44

    5 ай бұрын

    Probably is a thing in most big projects honestly. Having it be government lead just introduces obvious complications and incompetence. Being that it's the government there's also tax payers that expect some kind of accountability and transparency.

  • @davefinfrock3324

    @davefinfrock3324

    4 ай бұрын

    The Garand had quite a few tribulations in development. The caliber change, the problems with the gas trap gun and the ammo being just a few. Also, politics. You had Melvin Johnson muddying the waters with his rifle, which also brought an Army vs. Marine Corps aspect to the party. The 1941 Johnson was a better rifle than the Garand in a number of ways, but the Garand had already been adopted, was in production, and was being steadily improved. Moreover, Johnson himself was a freewheeling asshole who alienated just about everyone he came in contact with.

  • @Treblaine

    @Treblaine

    4 ай бұрын

    @@davefinfrock3324 Ian McCollum has been pretty lukewarm on the Johnson overall, it had a lot of fundamental flaws like being reloaded with two stripper clips rather than a single en-bloc clip. The Garand rifle was a fundamentally sound design that had faults that could be fixed. If you could identify the faults in time to fix them.

  • @davefinfrock3324

    @davefinfrock3324

    4 ай бұрын

    The strippers were considered a positive from the aspect of using already existing clips and bandoleers. Also, higher mag capacity and the ability to top up without ditching unused ammo. The biggest advantage the Johnson had was if you had access to barrel blanks and tubing, you could make the thing in your garage. It's main problem was it just came along much later than the Garand. And Melvin Johnson.

  • @walnut6212
    @walnut62125 ай бұрын

    Easily one of my favorite videos from you! If you ever feel burned out from making War Thunder content, I would love to see more of these!

  • @averyfarris6689
    @averyfarris66895 ай бұрын

    This is the first historical video I’ve seen from spookston and honestly I think it’s my favorite of his videos I’ve ever seen. Can’t wait to see what else he covers in the future

  • @lotraussie
    @lotraussie5 ай бұрын

    I genuinely enjoy your historical videos Spookston. I appreciate they take a lot of time and work, but I hope you bring us more in the future!

  • @Meez2.0
    @Meez2.05 ай бұрын

    Day 4 of asking spookston to play the arl 44 tank destroyer

  • @xemus30

    @xemus30

    5 ай бұрын

    I think he already did that. Although it is a very good tank if you angle the front well and not expose your sides

  • @Meez2.0

    @Meez2.0

    5 ай бұрын

    @@xemus30 I'm just asking for him to play it cus I really like playing it

  • @xemus30

    @xemus30

    5 ай бұрын

    @@Meez2.0 same bro. French AP based

  • @TankboiDeng
    @TankboiDeng5 ай бұрын

    M1 abrams irl:🗿 M1 abrams in warthunder:💀

  • @thorinth3079

    @thorinth3079

    5 ай бұрын

    WT nerfing the M1's armor by half for balance...

  • @dynomight3855

    @dynomight3855

    5 ай бұрын

    ​@@thorinth3079ah yes game balance like how veiw optics or driver hatches can block 88mm rounds when they wouldn't even slow it down...

  • @emulation2369

    @emulation2369

    5 ай бұрын

    ​@@thorinth3079not by half, they removed it entirely 😭

  • @TankboiDeng

    @TankboiDeng

    5 ай бұрын

    @@emulation2369 it's war thunder, tell me why can a t34 driver's hatch block a long 90mm

  • @emulation2369

    @emulation2369

    5 ай бұрын

    @@TankboiDeng tiger hatch can block it as well so stop b1tching

  • @GooseWaffe
    @GooseWaffe5 ай бұрын

    I love how the Abrams is completely different in War Thunder in the way that you can hear them from 3 maps away completely

  • @USSAnimeNCC-

    @USSAnimeNCC-

    5 ай бұрын

    So much for realism lol It just an game sure it more realistic but it not a sim also if you compare it gunner heat pc the game is more realistic but it only has 80s era tanks while war thunder have wwii to modern and plane same with dccs its more realistic than war thunder but wt is more accessible it on ps5 and Xbox and who know maybe on the Nintendo console

  • @gags730

    @gags730

    5 ай бұрын

    IRL look what Ukraine is getting. Do we really even know what's up with those 31 tanks or so. By the time we see the Abrams actually fighting...well Russia will have won the war.

  • @josephahner3031

    @josephahner3031

    5 ай бұрын

    ​@@gags730the unit operating them is in operational reserve. Training and waiting to respond to a Russian breakthrough in their sector.

  • @l3ete1geuse

    @l3ete1geuse

    5 ай бұрын

    @@gags730 "Russia will have won the war." Not likely, they invaded nearly two years ago and were pushed back to the far east. Since then they have made no meaningful progress.

  • @gags730

    @gags730

    5 ай бұрын

    @@l3ete1geuse WRONG! After I explain a few things to you I will literally explain how you know Ukraine is losing, actually LOST... The Westen media is the ones to unknowingly prove it without stating it. You my friend have no idea... None. They filled Your head with propaganda and now thats all you mumble. The first thing you need to do when it comes to Ukraine (or any conflict for that matter) is to understand the geography because it is by far the most important thing to a conflict for a myriad of reasons. In Ukraine, East of the Dnipro it's basically one huge farm with scattered villages, few large towns, and few cities. If you live in the US you would find these cities to be more like towns than large US cities. The next issue is that there is not a lot of forested area and the geography is quite flat. Then you have the physical soil/ground that is a nightmare for vehicles when the land is wet or not frozen and there is cloud cover and actual seasonal weather. Combining all these factors and fighting a modern war in Ukraine is a complete nightmare that is very challenging to solve. Once you understand the geography and the weather you will better understand the decisions made in the conflict. It is a Slow-moving conflict. Ukraine has had the better part of a decade to fortify a defense in the Eastern half of the country. This conflict is not a 'Blitzkreig' and it never has been. When the SMO started and Russia went in, it was to force Ukraine to the table before a full conflict kicked off and there was turning back. Common sense shows us that Russia could not take a city like Kyiv with the small amount of men they had. They know this, Ukraine knows this, and most people with common sense know this and fully understand this. Sadly the communications broke down. (negotiations were ongoing in Turkey). This was totally blown up with propaganda that Russia could not take Ukraine or Kyiv when the sole purpose of the initial invasion was more like a scare tactic...and it failed because negotiations broke down. Personally, Putin did not expect that and this was his error. That would change as we have already seen in hindsight. The reason why the area controlled by Russia shrunk from the invasion of Ukraine is simply common sense and logistics. Russia's goal in all of this is not to take all of Ukraine, it never was...repeat never was. It does not want it. What Russia wants they have made very clear before the SMO. The propaganda by the West is to make you think they are the Germans of WW2 on a blitzkrieg and have failed. That is not the case and it never has been. War is fluid and Russia caught on to the best way to defeat Ukraine. It's very simple. Slow Down and Wear them down. Remember their goals are not the goals of the West. Russia has completely different goals than what the News airs on Western News -TV and Media. If Ukraine is on the Offensive and attacking then the casualties for Ukraine will be extremely high. That is a fact, that is what happens in war. All Russia does is apply pressure to the front line and in response Ukraine feeds them into the meatgrinder. Its a simple formula Ukraine seems to not get the problem or the answer because they keep feeding men into areas where they are outgunned exponentially and the excuse from Ukraine is that their howitzers are more precise... Really? So you would rather be on the side that shoots 4 rounds than the side that is going to shoot 20 rounds at you. The excuses and reasoning are complete BS and displays the incompetence. When do you wake up and understand the next bigger, badder weapon will not work and that the excuses they give for failure are just pathetic... Some favorite excuses have been - there are too many land mines...or the grass is too high! Really? How do you KNOW Ukraine is losing?... from the Western Media. So if you pay attention to the war a few things have been mentioned by Western news sources. With a little common sense and math, Ukraine has lost the war already. Pay attention to the number of people that have joined the Ukraine Military. I dont care how they got in the military, that is not important only the numbers are. So when the conflict started Ukraine was estimated to have some 1.1 to 1.3 million men (published in Wikipedia). So since Feb 2022 they have been adding men to the military. Over time we saw the standards drop so that Ukraine could get even more men. They started to take what is deemed the 'sick, lame, and lazy'. These are people with HIV, Hepatitis along with people that had physical issues and even people with mental disabilities. Now pay attention to the 'Western' news. They claim that Ukraine only had about 170K casualties (Dead and Wounded) The Guardian and the NY Times both dropped the article on Aug 18, 2023. Followed by an article by Le Monde (France) on Aug 24th. Going by that rate let's say they lost 250K for the start of the new year. If you started with over a million and have been actively recruiting the whole time...Almost 2 Years!... then HOW are there articles stating that Ukraine is low on men? HOW is the average soldier in the Ukr military now Over 43 Years old?? If you only lost some 200K men you would NOT have any issues with manpower. NONE ... Let that sink into your brain... Think about it a different way... Let's say the only losses were from men that joined in the last 18 months... even if all those men got wiped off the face of the plane you would still not be low on men. UKRAINE has Exhausted it supply of men. The propaganda machine can spit out anything it wants but the outcome has been determined. War is Done when you do not have men left to die...

  • @scatterbraindonor
    @scatterbraindonor5 ай бұрын

    Never even knew there was a scandal about the M1. Super informative, well edited and all around enjoyable. Good job, Spooks, I hope you can do more of these historical vids again in the near future.

  • @NotSureWhyIDoThis
    @NotSureWhyIDoThis5 ай бұрын

    Who else thought this was about Gaijin not adding DU to the hull of the abrams?

  • @WenhopOfficial
    @WenhopOfficial5 ай бұрын

    “The Abrams Scandal” can be interpreted one of two ways

  • @Gulitize
    @Gulitize5 ай бұрын

    The MBT 70 also turned into the Leopard 2, they split but each then developed the tank into what they wanted, with most of the r&d done with the failed tank.

  • @DoktorBayerischeMotorenWerke

    @DoktorBayerischeMotorenWerke

    4 ай бұрын

    hardly a failure... it spawned both the Leopard 2 and the M1

  • @44hawk28
    @44hawk284 ай бұрын

    General Dynamics was the primary designer of the M1. Considering it was a offshoot branch that was owned by chrysler, is only a side point. I worked on aspects of that tank when it was in Prototype phase mostly on the bearings and bogie axles. I close friend of mine, who had been on John Dynamics list of Consulting Engineers and still is to this day, was instrumental in the design phase of the turret, but slightly more attuned to the Metallurgy and the function of how the armor would function and the specific Metals involved plus he had to get them to understand that if you're going to heat treat the entire turret at one time it will take a number of days, not just several hours. Some of the engineers did not understand how metal has to be tempered because of the sensitive nature of our work neither one of us knew we were working on the same overall project because we're working on different aspects of it. But both of us did run into Engineers who didn't understand some of the things they were doing with the metals that they were using. In my case there were certain bearings that were coming in that had to be ground to a very very low tolerance dimension that had flaws in them, sometimes very serious that were caused by quenching it too soon after the forging process while the metal was still somewhat molten in its interior. To the point where up to 20% of them were just plain junk, I did machine them and I sent them back to them and they had the audacity to say that it was myself who was causing the flaws in them. When I was taking them out with my bare hands, showing that I was not getting the metal near hot enough to cause any such damage. When representatives of the company showed up to the shop, I opened a brand new box of a slightly different alloy, that was one of the things they were testing, and found three of them in the top row alone that already had the damage on them while still in the box. There was no argument after that point. The reason it was not being seen is because they had put a black oxide coating on it that made it very hard to see these rather clear flaws that showed up immediately as soon as you started Machining them. I could see them because I have really really good vision. Plus I had to handle them and when you handled them you could feel the imperfections in them and you would literally cut yourself if you were not careful in handling them. If you handle them only from the outside while packing them, you may never see the flaw on the interior. As for the overall design, I was familiar with the design of the General Motors application, and the General Motors was not anywhere close to the capabilities of the M1. I had worked on General Dynamics designs on the aircraft in the air force, and some of those computers were the same ones that were in that tank, and they were Flawless for their application

  • @panther-nk2hn
    @panther-nk2hn5 ай бұрын

    I straight up forgot you had another historical video in the works. Happy to see it, thanks for the early Christmas present. Also happy to hear some genuine debunking of theories of suspected corruption, no often that happens nowadays.

  • @Dinozavr210
    @Dinozavr2105 ай бұрын

    Spookston, this video is a real treat for us! Such high quality and very good narration by you. It is a real step up from your usual gameplay content which is also good, but this is just on another level. Thanks and congrats!

  • @math1ass10
    @math1ass105 ай бұрын

    I like the style, realy good intro. And i like how you explicitly show page and text from the documents you use for sources. I heavely respect that.

  • @darthioan
    @darthioan5 ай бұрын

    Amazing video, not just the content, but also the editing, and the delivery. I love these types of historical videos so much! Informative, sourced and to the point. I am not going to say I'd like to see more, because it is pretty obvious it takes a long time to document and put together, unlike a vehicle playthrough video.

  • @elitely6748
    @elitely67485 ай бұрын

    Really awesome to see Spookston do another historical tank video we always appreciate it and quite a nice early Christmas gift too! *Merry Christmas To Everyone! And Thanks Spookston!*

  • @TheUltimateBreadLord
    @TheUltimateBreadLord5 ай бұрын

    Merry Christmas Spooksie! Thanks for being the beat WT creator out there. You made my teatr better.

  • @Spycow.No34
    @Spycow.No345 ай бұрын

    The historical videos are wonderful! I really love seeing you stretch your legs with the production effort put into this video, I know it isn’t easy. As far as a suggestion goes, I’d love to see a deep dive into the M551 replacement program, from the Sheridan itself all the way to the M10 Booker today.

  • @naamadossantossilva4736

    @naamadossantossilva4736

    5 ай бұрын

    And on a related note,an explanation on why the military was so in love with the Shillelagh.

  • @Spycow.No34

    @Spycow.No34

    5 ай бұрын

    @@naamadossantossilva4736 mmm that’s a great idea, would love to hear about that from someone more dedicated than I.

  • @CrusaderSports250

    @CrusaderSports250

    5 ай бұрын

    The Sheridan was a really good looking tank, it would have been a winner if attractiveness was important 😊.

  • @Bluebottlenose
    @Bluebottlenose5 ай бұрын

    This is great! I used to really enjoy your 5minute video essays during the pandemic, I really love these kind of videos

  • @datankz2498
    @datankz24985 ай бұрын

    Haven't finished the video, but glad to see another one of these! Always love seeing them! Unsure if you do requests, but I think a fun tank to research would be the FV510 Warrior.

  • @fightinjack

    @fightinjack

    5 ай бұрын

    Yes please. The Warrior had such a peculiar development cycle

  • @charlesanthony4693
    @charlesanthony46933 ай бұрын

    In 1980 I volunteered to go to APG Maryland to undergo training on the Chrysler XM1 Tank. After training, I went to to the US Army Cold Region Test Center at Fort Greely, Alaska. I was on one of the three tank crews to winter test the XM1 Tank. The weather conditions at Fort Greely was super cold and windy. The snow on the mobility test route became slippery because the packed down snow became icy. The tank had massive traction issues. I was the driver, the tank crashed many times into trees after losing traction. The requirements of the mobility runs was to go round and round the course putting miles on the tank. The tank had data recorders which stored information about how the tank was performing. The next phase was firing live 105mm 735 Sabot rounds. We did not shoot training rounds. We fired during the day and at night using the thermal sights. Because my tank crew gunner had to return home to Fort Riley, Kansas, I moved to the gunner position. At the completion of winter testing, I returned to Fort Polk, Louisiana. My MOS was changed from 19E20 to 10K20. I was transferred to Fort Knox, Kentucky to the 6th Armored Cav which was one of the first units to receive the XM1 Tank. The XM1 was adopted by the Army, it was renamed the M1 Abrams. In 1981 The son of General Abrams was at Fort Knox. He was a West Point Plebe. The Lieutenants in my Tank Company kept calling Abrams name so I could see he was destined to make General one day. The XM1 Tank we tested had a Auxiliary Power Unit which could start the Tank if the battery's were depleted. The cost of the APU was $1,000,000. The Army did not adopt the APU Unit. During Testing there was over two dozen Chrysler Defense Engineering Reps there observing the testing and making necessary repairs. The thermal sight failed and had to be replaced. A new unit was flown to Alaska. The Chrysler Mechanics replaced the sight. The tank continued doing mobility testing until the sight arrived. We had to sit around doing nothing while the tank was being repaired The GM Tank was the better Tank and so was the German Leopard. Because Congress would never allow the Army to purchase main battle tanks from Germany, the Leopard never had a serious chance. Chrysler was awarded to contract which helped to bail it out of bankruptcy. The US was not going to allow Chrysler to fail. During the Winter Testing the only two tanks there. One was a M60A1 and the other was the XM1. There was no tank from GM to winter test. This meant that the decision was already made to award the contract to Chrysler.

  • @bobross7005

    @bobross7005

    3 ай бұрын

    Very interesting, thank you for the comment

  • @DSlyde
    @DSlyde5 ай бұрын

    Ngl these history videos are the reason I'm subscribed. You don't do them often, but they're always worth watching when you do.

  • @jimjohnson3410
    @jimjohnson34105 ай бұрын

    Amazing video. Appreciate the in depth discussion around tank selection. I know this is unlikely to be one of your most viewed but it is one of my favorites on your channel so far.

  • @Tungusgrump1369
    @Tungusgrump13695 ай бұрын

    Grew up in Lima Ohio. Served on M1 A12 and M1A2s for a decade. Worked every position on the beast plus Master Gunner. Loved riding the turbo battle tractor. Best job I ever had.

  • @lukefriesenhahn8186
    @lukefriesenhahn81865 ай бұрын

    $1,000,000 in 1970 has the same purchasing power as $7,753,608.25 today, meaning if the MBT-70 went into immediate production, it would be a very expensive tank. Good video!

  • @zenelsamircervoj5923
    @zenelsamircervoj59235 ай бұрын

    I love to see these videos about history more now its great, keep up the great work spookston.

  • @Trump24GreatWhiteHope
    @Trump24GreatWhiteHope5 ай бұрын

    As always just amazing work Spookston! Keep on keepin on brother.. love your content, whether it's fun game play or suffering, or even just history and facts on vehicles.. thanks again

  • @Investigator227
    @Investigator2275 ай бұрын

    Yessir a history video, and it’s 20 minutes long!!??🍿merry christmas spookston

  • @xaviershah3159
    @xaviershah31595 ай бұрын

    Spookston you should try the T55amd-1 i find it fun at that br as it has a good lineup and can be very overpowering especially in down tiers

  • @renatoctti
    @renatoctti5 ай бұрын

    All the dedication and research you`ve put in this video/documentary is amazing. Love your historic videos, please keep up the amazing work and have a Merry Christmas, wish you all the best!! 😁😁

  • @goddepersonno3782
    @goddepersonno37825 ай бұрын

    one of your best videos made to date don't let the length scare you, and I hope the analytics do well enough that you can make more!

  • @darthengineer1532
    @darthengineer15325 ай бұрын

    Fantastic video, these are myths I'd always wanted to look into myself and you did an amazing job of summarizing but still being thorough. Hope to see more videos like this in the future!

  • @sirlunchalot1697
    @sirlunchalot16975 ай бұрын

    I love that you used the GHPC soundtrack.

  • @starwarzfan4993
    @starwarzfan49935 ай бұрын

    Merry Christmas, spookston! Enjoy your content and watch all of it, i thank you

  • @bigmansanfranx8180
    @bigmansanfranx81805 ай бұрын

    You should do more historical/informational videos like this! Keep up the good work spook, and have a merry christmas!

  • @Leopard2PL
    @Leopard2PL5 ай бұрын

    I enjoy your old historical videos and this reminds me of your old videos so i really like this

  • @CraftsmanShengCanweget10KSubs
    @CraftsmanShengCanweget10KSubs5 ай бұрын

    they should make a movie about it, GM VS Chrysler , like Ford VS Ferrari

  • @JacksonBeaupre
    @JacksonBeaupre5 ай бұрын

    Please do more of these! I love reading the background stories and developements of the vehicles we know and love

  • @xDeadlyWeenyx
    @xDeadlyWeenyx5 ай бұрын

    Merry Chistmas Spookston. Thanks for all the video's you have made over the year while batteling with your health! You are a great example to us all!

  • @glacier4286
    @glacier42865 ай бұрын

    I wish there was a breakdown video like this for the YF-22 vs YF-23 ATF competition. Great video.

  • @CheezeSpartan
    @CheezeSpartan5 ай бұрын

    Really like the video and hope to see more like this in the future. Compared to your earlier vids, your speaking ability, confidence, and overall video quality has significantly improved. Keep up the good work Spook.

  • @minekrafines
    @minekrafines5 ай бұрын

    great video spook! i loved how you showed the sources on screen, it was very informative

  • @roberthorbach9544
    @roberthorbach95445 ай бұрын

    I am so glad that we have finally gotten another historical video, thank you so much Spookston! It was a great 20 minutes, which felt like a lot less.

  • @eliradinsky7088
    @eliradinsky70885 ай бұрын

    I missed this format of videos. Perhaps when your health condition improves you will be able to intereview more tank crewmen, it would be interesting to hear about more unique tanks such as the K2 Panther, Type 10 and Merkava.

  • @TypeZeta2

    @TypeZeta2

    5 ай бұрын

    I play Battletech with a former Abrams crewman and he’s a super chill guy.

  • @goldenknight007
    @goldenknight0075 ай бұрын

    You have a gift man. A lot of wisdom, speaking and teaching ability. I appreciate seeing you in your element.

  • @krispyjuniors7734
    @krispyjuniors77345 ай бұрын

    We waited a long time for this, thank you spookston! Merry Christmas!

  • @dylanclark1775
    @dylanclark17755 ай бұрын

    That was really cool, I don't know all the nuances of the development of these machines. I hope you keep doing historical videos Spookston. Merry Christmas!

  • @cheznugget2032
    @cheznugget20325 ай бұрын

    I was alittle sad cuz I had thought you stopped doing these... glad to see you still are. I like the warthunder content don't get me wrong but I love these even more

  • @rayotoxi1509
    @rayotoxi15095 ай бұрын

    the GHPC soundtrack is just fire with this video

  • @ItsBubs
    @ItsBubs5 ай бұрын

    This is such a great video. I love your normal stuff, but you have a talent for these history videos. Don’t let yourself get hung up on the editing.

  • @2B34ever
    @2B34ever5 ай бұрын

    Thank you for your many hours of informative and diverse video content Spookston. Merry Christmas to you and yours. Our lives are built upon the memories we build. May yours be filled with much laughter and love!

  • @Wolf_Hun7er
    @Wolf_Hun7er5 ай бұрын

    I am fairly new to the channel and thought you only did WT videos so this was a very pleasant surprise. This is pretty cool to learn about the history of such an iconic tank so I appreciate it. Although I am curious if you are/had been in the military at all? (Not that it would matter tbh)

  • @notafrog2040

    @notafrog2040

    5 ай бұрын

    nope he hasn’t? If I remember from a qna a while back

  • @tomatofrog5108
    @tomatofrog51085 ай бұрын

    I love these types of videos. Have you thought about doing this type of video on the development of other tanks like the challenger, leclerc, ariete, etc btw?

  • @Bezumie007
    @Bezumie0075 ай бұрын

    Merry Christmas, Spookston! Thank you for a great video

  • @Restosiii
    @Restosiii5 ай бұрын

    I absolutely adore your historical videos. I know a lot of people won't view them as much as the more immediate gratification of War Thunder content, but, I just wanted to say how much I appreciate all the effort you went into here! Merry Christmas!

  • @vauxcorsa
    @vauxcorsa5 ай бұрын

    i love the design choice of the tv from what look likes the 70s instead of just videos in the background

  • @vauxcorsa

    @vauxcorsa

    5 ай бұрын

    bruh spookston removed his heart of my comment

  • @DanEzZ4

    @DanEzZ4

    5 ай бұрын

    @@vauxcorsa is still there bruh

  • @vauxcorsa

    @vauxcorsa

    5 ай бұрын

    @@DanEzZ4 he re added it

  • @Red_Four
    @Red_Four5 ай бұрын

    I've been inside of an M1 and a Leopard 2, and I can say definitively that just based on how much room the crew members have inside, I would much rather be in an Abrams than in a Leopard.

  • @peterl3417

    @peterl3417

    5 ай бұрын

    very odd considering the leo weighs more huh

  • @night7185

    @night7185

    5 ай бұрын

    @@peterl3417and the Leo is bigger.

  • @jerithil

    @jerithil

    5 ай бұрын

    During cold war testing the M1 and Leopard 2 traded blows for who would come out on top, it was only during tests where the crew had to stay fully sealed in the tank for long periods such as during NBC tests that the Abrams pulled away.

  • @Future183

    @Future183

    5 ай бұрын

    Hmmm in overall performance the leopard outperformes the abrams 🤷🏼‍♂️

  • @peterl3417

    @peterl3417

    5 ай бұрын

    @@Future183 Other than fuel economy everything else is unknown about the two 🤔

  • @Seriouspizza
    @Seriouspizza5 ай бұрын

    Merry Christmas Spookston, thanks for the awesome video.

  • @ColonialFungus
    @ColonialFungus5 ай бұрын

    Very happy to see you return to this form of video. I understand them to be labor intensive but they are very worth it from the viewer perspective. Look forward to your next one

  • @timhoppert15
    @timhoppert155 ай бұрын

    Merry Christmas Spookston Glad to see your historical vids again keep it up:)

  • @AcedPilot
    @AcedPilot5 ай бұрын

    Glad to see a return to the longer vids about history and misconceptions 👍

  • @Finnithan
    @Finnithan5 ай бұрын

    Absolutely love the old CRT tv used to play the video, keep up the great work Spookston. Merry Christmas 🎄

  • @lachflash86
    @lachflash865 ай бұрын

    Spookston, I wish you and everyone else a Merry Christmas and a happy new year. Thank you for this great video and all the great content you created this year. I hope you stay healthy and keep up the great work next year. Greetings from Germany

  • @gallustsp
    @gallustsp5 ай бұрын

    banger of a video as always Spook. Love your historical videos. Merry Christmas

  • @damio6865
    @damio68655 ай бұрын

    Another history video awesome!

  • @tensa.02
    @tensa.025 ай бұрын

    your historical videos are extremely informative, thanks for all your effort

  • @navyeod_24
    @navyeod_245 ай бұрын

    WOOOOO ANOTHER SPOOKSTON HISTORY VIDEO!!! Perfect Christmas gift! Happy holidays everyone, and good job Spook!

  • @bahamut256
    @bahamut2565 ай бұрын

    Fantastic video man, I could watch you do documentaries all day.

  • @boxesoftacos
    @boxesoftacos5 ай бұрын

    Fantastic as always, keep up the good work!

  • @StrvB-ng8kb
    @StrvB-ng8kb5 ай бұрын

    Thank you for great essay, Spookston, merry christmas to you as well! 🎄🎅

  • @thedungeondelver
    @thedungeondelver5 ай бұрын

    Merry Christmas spooks, thank you for this video. I know they take a lot of legwork and sweat on your part but man you do a good job and I really enjoy them and appreciate them.🎄🎄🎄

  • @Nuclear-Nadal
    @Nuclear-Nadal5 ай бұрын

    As always, great work. thank you for this amazing documentary.

  • @nathanruben3372
    @nathanruben33723 ай бұрын

    Ret. Col. Douglas Mc.Gregor former tank commander finds m1 abraham engines stupid.

  • @Hadesthief

    @Hadesthief

    Ай бұрын

    Retired Col. Douglas McGregor is often wrong

  • @bradleycombat7934
    @bradleycombat79345 ай бұрын

    merry christmas, Spook. Keep up the great work as usual

  • @OverTorque_Racing
    @OverTorque_Racing5 ай бұрын

    Really informative and entertaining. It’s clear you worked hard on this, thank you. Merry Christmas!

  • @CT-ww7yi
    @CT-ww7yi5 ай бұрын

    I would love a podcast where you just talk about stuff like this.

  • @zodiac128
    @zodiac1285 ай бұрын

    i loved this video, i would love to see more longer informative videos like this one. keep up the good work!!!!!!

  • @lehmann1808
    @lehmann18085 ай бұрын

    amazing video, extremely interesting!!! love to see historical video again! Also, I love the length, it includes crucial details but constantly kept me focused cuz the content is interesting for a tank nerds like us!

  • @kpmh2001
    @kpmh20015 ай бұрын

    These video essays of yours are my favorites.

  • @idontknow-wo8gj
    @idontknow-wo8gj5 ай бұрын

    Another day for asking spookston to play the m1a1 click bait.

  • @HatOnaCrab
    @HatOnaCrab5 ай бұрын

    this felt like watching a movie. this was one of the best video's i may have seen the past year! Good job mr spook!

  • @samcollins850
    @samcollins8505 ай бұрын

    Great stuff - love the variety and sourcing!

  • @Axle0Bullitt019
    @Axle0Bullitt0195 ай бұрын

    Thanks for all the hard work put into this christmas gift from you. Very well done Vid mate!

  • @renegadebond6268
    @renegadebond62685 ай бұрын

    God I love these type of videos. Keep it up

  • @jetfirehi5229
    @jetfirehi52295 ай бұрын

    Very interesting to actually learn about the history behind the Abrams rather than just the rumours you generally hear about the turbine engine etc, would like to see one of these about the challenger I’m very biased to see it do well but honestly don’t know anything much about it

  • @MethodePyro
    @MethodePyro5 ай бұрын

    congrats Spookston you made imo the best video on KZread that talks about the creation of one of the best tanks on Earth. Merry Christmas for you and thanks for the video

  • @Failsafe31
    @Failsafe315 ай бұрын

    Merry Christmas spookston! I see that you're citing your sources properly, as you usually do.