A7226 LEBEDENKO RUSSIAN TZAR TANK

The Lebiedenka tank (other designations: car-tank or bats) is a Russian prototype armored vehicle from the First World War. The drive was provided by two Maybach combustion engines with a capacity of 240 HP each. The only prototype of the vehicle was developed in 1915. It was assumed that the vehicle would be armed with two guns - probably 76.2 mm caliber and two 7.62 mm Maxim machine guns. The so-called Lebiedenka's tank was developed as a grassroots initiative by engineer Lebiedenko, who developed a completely unusual design. His vehicle moved on a three-wheeled chassis, with the two front wheels having a diameter of as much as 9 meters, and the rear - only 1.5 meters. This arrangement was to facilitate overcoming terrain obstacles, especially enemy trenches. The crew cabin with weapons was installed about 5 meters above the ground. In the course of the tests, it turned out, however, that the Lebiedenka tank is a completely unsuccessful design due to the fact that the engines are far too weak and that it is highly susceptible to artillery fire. The downside was also the low top speed. Ultimately, the only copy of this atypical vehicle was scrapped in 1923.