German Versus Sherman

Ha!  Sometimes I Impress Even Me
By "German" I refer to the Teuton state as it existed during the Second Unpleasantness, and by "Sherman" I refer to the M4 Armoured Fighting Vehicle, also of that era.  This Intro, as you probably guessed by now, is to do with TANK.  After all, what better way to brighten up a grim, grimy, grey November morning than a whole lot of TANK?*  

Perfidious Albion: inventor of football, chips and TANK.

     Here an aside.  That photo above shows some incredibly dangerous behaviour by the assembled soldiery, much as in "They Shall Not Grow Old" - Art?

Erk.

     I should not have to point out that a tank is not a bus, and these dozen chaps are risking it somewhat - notice that chap whose bayonet scabbard is dangling ON the track as the tank moves.  One snag of said impedimenta and he'd be hurled beneath the steely beast.  One presumes there were no officers or sergeants hanging around, for they would have intervened quick smart: as for that B&W photo, notice the clouds of exhaust fumes as the Mk IV revs it's engine, an indication that it's not simply sitting still as a photographic prop.
     Wow.  Conrad has just been Sensible.  Quick, engage the Nonsense Circuits!
     Actually don't, I forgot we've not addressed today's title.
     Okay - Jonathan Parshall.  I'd never heard of him before but on a Youtube clip he did a verrrrrry interesting analysis of South Canadian, Sinister and Teuton tank production during the Second Unpleasantness.  Art?

The man himself

     I shall deal with the South Canadians first.  JP dissects how they organised tank production, first by building an arsenal to do just that - produce tanks.  This was later supplemented by adapting locomotive factories to make tanks, as their tools and experience were easily transferable.  Methods for manufacturing cars were adopted, making a literal production line, using unskilled or semi-skilled labour to create vehicles with high-quality components.


     The South Canadians produced over 88,000 A.F.V.s during wartime, which is going some, supplying the grateful Brits - who never really understood the concept of "reliable" - and the Sinisters.  It took about 10,000 man-hours to build a Sherman, and they cost around £20,000 apiece.  Keep those figures in mind!
     Right, time to stick the motley's head into a bass speaker at a Deep Purple concert!

A Chap With A Map
I undersell myself: a chap with 40 maps, actually.  For Yes!  That mapset which goes with "History of the War: Military Operations: 1914: Volume II" arrived yesterday, and I'm sure you're bursting with curiosity about it.  Let your curiosity be sated - Art?

     I shall explicate.  First photo shows the case, which is rather worn.  Second photo shows that this set was the property of the Royal Engineer's Library (cool!). Third shot demonstrates that people actually used these maps, instead of leaving them to bother dust on a shelf.  Then there's  the printing date, making them 94 years old, and a somewhat brown-spotted last map, though given it's nearing a centenary you can understand why.
     Only 2 more mapsets to get and that will be the whole of France and Flanders' mapsets.  Then, of course, there's all the other ones ...

Make Mine Mars, Musky, Mate
(Eventually).  Yes, our favourite Robert Heinlein hero made concrete, Elon Musk, has stated that the eventual spaceship that was Big Falcon Rocket is now going to be renamed "Starship", in addition to having a redesign.  Art

An artist's impression
(Obviously!)

     This is the beast that will be taking paying passengers on trips to the Moon and back; no landing involved, however - now, that really would be something to hand over your hard-earned cash for.  One wonders what the Apollo Conspiranoid Nutters will make of the whole thing, since they still can't come to terms with the reality of way back in 1969.  Perhaps Ol' El might give one of them a free seat?
     That bit about Mars is because Ol' El sees his 'Starship' taking people to the Red Planet.  Steady on, Musky old boy, you have to walk before you can sprint like an Olympic athlete on steroids and amphetamine!

No, Art, no.  You've put up "Muskie"

     Excuse me whilst I break out the Rhino Tazer <muffled sounds of Art trying to flee>

Finally - 
Ah, where would we be without Vanadium?  All the poorer for it, I fear, as it is one of the trace elements added in the manufacturing process to improve the quality of steels.  Art?  Stop whining, put some salve on it and get to work -

Va-va-vanadium

     It also enhances the performance of aluminium artefacts.  You are most likely to come across it in a knife, as the presence of V improves their longevity.
     And, because it was discovered by a Swede, he named it after the Nordic goddess Vanadis.
     BOOJUM! - educating you one fact at a time.**



*  To those who suggest "Beer", I would respectfully point out that it's only 10:30 ante meridian.
**  Yes, we do have a long way to go.