# Pick a tank, any tank. With poll! **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 30, 2011, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pick-a-tank-any-tank-with-poll/604570 "2011-11-30T16:41:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![ExTank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/35a633/32.png) [@ExTank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ExTank)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pick-a-tank-any-tank-with-poll/604570/21 "2011-12-01T20:53:21Z")
> [@SunSandSuffering](#): > > Gotta be a Challenger2 - you can convert it into a Trojan and pretend you are riding a dinosaur: > [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2MSpDdsx58](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2MSpDdsx58) :dubious: Didn’t I see that McThing on one of the Transformers movies? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Kobayashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4af34b/32.png) [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pick-a-tank-any-tank-with-poll/604570/22 "2011-12-01T23:07:10Z")
Another plus point for the Challenger 2 - [you can make cups of tea in it.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Challenger_2#Crew_and_accommodation) If that doesn’t make a world-class tank then I don’t know what does. ---
**Author:** ![obbn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/d6d6ee/32.png) [@obbn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obbn)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2011, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pick-a-tank-any-tank-with-poll/604570/23 "2011-12-02T00:03:44Z")
How about you all take the tank of your choice and I get to play with an A-10 or an Apache. I will even tie one hand behind my back to make it fair. ---
**Author:** ![mac\_bolan00](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b3f665/32.png) [@mac\_bolan00](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mac_bolan00)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2011, 6:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pick-a-tank-any-tank-with-poll/604570/24 "2011-12-02T06:57:38Z")
you in an aircraft? sure. as soon as you’re on radar, someone will detonate a 110-kiloton warhead in mid-air. let’s see who’ll come out of the blast in better shape: tank or airplane? ---
**Author:** ![Ranchoth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranchoth/32/1066_2.png) [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2011, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pick-a-tank-any-tank-with-poll/604570/25 "2011-12-02T12:59:51Z")
Failing the Abrams, I’ll try a [P.1000 “Ratte”](http://www.achtungpanzer.com/p-10001500-pzkpfw-ixx.htm)…[with a nuclear engine](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=376707). Oh, what the hell…I’ll apply for an [armament upgrade](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/16%22/50_caliber_Mark_7_gun), too. Complete [with](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/W19_%28nuclear_artillery_shell%29#W23) [ammo](http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WNUS_16-50_mk7_Sabot_pic.jpg). ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2011, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pick-a-tank-any-tank-with-poll/604570/26 "2011-12-02T18:30:34Z")
I will take the logical choice. A Bolo. > **[Bolo universe](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bolo_%28tank%29)** > > The Bolo universe is a fictional universe based on a series of military science fiction books by author Keith Laumer. It primarily revolves around the eponymous "Bolo", a type of self-aware tank. They first appeared in the short story Combat Unit (1960), and have since been featured in science fiction novels and short story anthologies by him and others. > The story of the books takes place in various times from the near-future (2018, 2068), the mid-range future (27th up to 37th century) and even ... Mark XXXII will do, I suppose. If it can’t be found, I think it really depends on opponent. As a rule, though, while the Abrams is heavy as heck, it’s got a good supplies list around it, good infrastructure, and the C3 is the best in the world. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2011, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pick-a-tank-any-tank-with-poll/604570/27 "2011-12-02T18:57:58Z")
> [@E-Sabbath](#): > > I will take the logical choice. A Bolo. > [Bolo universe - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bolo_%28tank%29) > Mark XXXII will do, I suppose.. Yes, my immediate thought upon seeing the thread title was a Bolo. We’ll see how those aliens like firepower measured in megatons-per-second. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2011, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pick-a-tank-any-tank-with-poll/604570/28 "2011-12-02T19:22:56Z")
As an Air Force vet, I strongly prefer not to be in a [del]rolling coffin[/del] tank. Can I trade mine for an F-16? How about an A-10? If forced to choose, I’ll go with an Abrams… ---
**Author:** ![ExTank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/35a633/32.png) [@ExTank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ExTank)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2011, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pick-a-tank-any-tank-with-poll/604570/29 "2011-12-02T20:08:19Z")
Ya know, I saw the “other” option, but figured the OP was looking for _real_ tanks. But if we _can_ pick a fictional tank, put me down for a Bolo MkXXXII as well. You know the early Bolos are Abrams-derived anyways. So there! :dubious: All you Air [del]Farce[/del] _Force_ zoomies (and “other” aviation-types) can leave your FW/RW wet dreams on the taxi ramp. Tanks only! Tank you for playing! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Uncle\_Brother\_Walker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f08c70/32.png) [@Uncle\_Brother\_Walker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncle_Brother_Walker)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2011, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pick-a-tank-any-tank-with-poll/604570/30 "2011-12-04T02:48:50Z")
Abrams. Of course, my opinion is biased. I used to be stationed with a tank unit. Man, they’re fast. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2011, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pick-a-tank-any-tank-with-poll/604570/31 "2011-12-04T04:43:02Z")
I’d go for whatever Tank Girl is riding. ---
**Author:** ![Acid\_Lamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Acid\_Lamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acid_Lamp)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2011, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pick-a-tank-any-tank-with-poll/604570/32 "2011-12-04T13:24:24Z")
From the list, I like the T-90. The Russian tank is not as heavily armed or armored as the M1A2, but they have a solid track record of long lasting service with very few fiddly problems. Of course if fictional tanks are allowed then I’d like a [Tiger Special](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFbanN5Gs4Q&feature=related). ---
**Author:** ![XanderCrews](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/ee59a6/32.png) [@XanderCrews](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XanderCrews)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2011, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pick-a-tank-any-tank-with-poll/604570/33 "2011-12-04T17:55:10Z")
Take my M1A2 SEP over any of the other options any day of the week. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2011, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pick-a-tank-any-tank-with-poll/604570/34 "2011-12-04T19:02:27Z")
M1a2 sep tusk M1A2 SEP TUSK ---
**Author:** ![Ranchoth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranchoth/32/1066_2.png) [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2011, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pick-a-tank-any-tank-with-poll/604570/35 "2011-12-05T03:21:13Z")
Oh! How 'bout a nice [Brawl](http://media.photobucket.com/image/recent/rodrimus_prime/Brawl_M1A1-1.jpg)? ---
**Author:** ![Otara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a88e4f/32.png) [@Otara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otara)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2011, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pick-a-tank-any-tank-with-poll/604570/36 "2011-12-05T04:16:47Z")
When it comes to WW3, I think Ill pick NZ infantry, ie the other side of the world where most of the nukes will be flying. Otherwise assuming you’re in the country of the tank of choice, Ill pick an M1A2, because the most powerful nation in the world is the US, with the rest not even close. As in its not really about the other tanks you’ll be facing anyhow, but mostly who has the most ginormous air force. Otara ---
**Author:** ![mac\_bolan00](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b3f665/32.png) [@mac\_bolan00](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mac_bolan00)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2011, 7:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pick-a-tank-any-tank-with-poll/604570/37 "2011-12-05T07:42:23Z")
> [@Otara](#): > > When it comes to WW3, I think Ill pick NZ infantry, ie the other side of the world where most of the nukes will be flying. > > Otherwise assuming you’re in the country of the tank of choice, Ill pick an M1A2, because the most powerful nation in the world is the US, with the rest not even close. As in its not really about the other tanks you’ll be facing anyhow, but mostly who has the most ginormous air force. > > Otara hoohah… this is highly situational, but in a nuclear war where belligerents are on the same continent, a lot of your airplanes are going to be fairly useless. it’ll be the tanks wrestling with each other on a nuclear battlefield that will matter. ---
**Author:** ![Cicero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cicero/32/3594_2.png) [@Cicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cicero)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2011, 12:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pick-a-tank-any-tank-with-poll/604570/38 "2011-12-05T12:00:10Z")
Depends on who you are fighting I guess. Very few modern tanks have had a real test so I will go for the Leopard. (BTW I heard somewhere that while the Abrahams is a superb tank it has a drawback in fuel consumption- so all the thin skinned refuelling vehicles need to stay nearby. No idea how true). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pick-a-tank-any-tank-with-poll/604570.md?page=1)