Chapter 1019 Happy Iushkin

It is necessary to feel happy, but then there are also problems. ɱ

Shashmulin said that only 18 vehicles are IS2, so what is the thing on the rear panel? It is a very obvious tank outline.

Fortunately, Malashenko's doubts did not last long, and Shashmulin gave the answer immediately.

"In addition to these 18 IS2s, the ones that arrived later are the IS1 heavy tanks that have just been improved and mass-produced."

"Because the production capacity of the latest 122mm tank guns cannot keep up for the time being, the IS1 heavy tanks are still being produced on the current production line. However, some corresponding improvements have been made according to your previous suggestions, such as improving the bulletproof shape of the upper front armor of the vehicle body and optimizing the layout of the ammunition racks in the vehicle. Now the loaders can work more easily."

"Oh, I almost forgot to say it! Still according to your previous suggestions, Comrade Malashenko, the latest IS2 heavy tanks and the improved mass-produced IS1 heavy tanks are now equipped with electric power-assisted turret steering machines."

"The turret speed has increased exponentially compared to before, and we have made improvements based on the captured German Tiger tanks. That kind of complex electric steering machine will not appear on our tanks."

! ! !

Unexpectedly, the person who was most excited after hearing that the tank was replaced with an electric steering machine was not Malashenko, but Iushkin, who was standing beside him as a gunner.

"Is it true? Electric steering gear! Like the German Tiger tank that can turn the turret effortlessly? That's right, right?!"

At first glance, Iushkin's abrupt interruption may be a bit surprising, but if you think carefully about the direct interests involved, it is not difficult to understand why Iushkin was so excited.

As the gunner in the crew, Iushkin is responsible for not only aiming the gun, but also pointing the turret and operating the steering gear himself to complete it.

Iushkin, who was fed up with the damn hand-cranked steering gear, had complained to Malashenko more than once that the continuous high-intensity battles almost dislocated his hand.

The turret turned left and right, and after shaking the steering gear, he had to shake the elevation gear for precise aiming. In an emergency, Iushkin even had to use both hands and his right eye to complete the three major tasks of steering gear operation, elevation gear operation, and naked eye prediction aiming, thereby speeding up the aiming efficiency until the final firing was completed.

Although this three-in-one operation is one of Iushkin's specialties, even if you look at the entire Stalin Guards First Heavy Tank Brigade, there are not many gunners who can match Iushkin's aiming efficiency.

But since he got on the German Tiger tank, Iushkin has always been unable to forget the luxurious electric steering gear that can turn the turret by just moving the soles of his feet.

If his own tank also has this thing, Iushkin dare not say that the combat efficiency will double, but it is still easy to shorten the entire aiming time by 20 to 30 percent, and killing German sticks will become more efficient!

Iushkin mentioned this repeatedly several times, and Malashenko, who can think about his gunners, also felt more and more that the turret electric steering gear is indeed a key equipment for combat power addition. Compared with the poor hand-cranked steering gear and the advanced electric steering gear, it is just like the difference between a second-hand Alto and a Ford Raptor. The facts are clearly there and cannot be quibbled.

So when Malashenko went to Nizhny Tagil last time, he also mentioned to Kotin whether it was possible to change the electric steering gear. According to Malashenko, it was a good device that the Germans had already used. There was no reason for our Soviet Red Army tanks to be worse than the Germans, and we had to use it.

The only thing that Malashenko didn't expect was that Comrade Kotin, who he just mentioned in passing and didn't take it seriously, and arranged for his secretary to write it down in a small notebook, actually turned it into reality in just two months. It was really a bit unbelievable.

Facing Ivushkin's jaw-dropping expression, Shashmulin, who didn't know the other party's identity but estimated that he was at least a trustworthy person around Malashenko, still responded politely with a smile and answered.

"Yes, comrade."

"We have already started researching the German Tiger tank, and we have indeed gained a lot of inspiration and useful technology from it."

"After the discussion in the bureau, the comrades agreed that the operation of the German dual-directional machine was too complicated. It would not only increase unnecessary tank production costs, increase extra working hours, and thus reduce the total output of tanks, but also be a problem for the maintenance of the front-line troops. There are not always enough spare parts available for replacement."

"Our ultimate goal is to design an electric steering machine that is simple, easy to use, easy to maintain, and highly reliable. With Comrade Malashenko's suggestions as a reference, we quickly accelerated the completion of this small project. Now you can experience this device on our Soviet Red Army's latest heavy tanks."

It is said that once an expert opens his mouth, the effect is immediately different.

Iushkin was a little confused by Shashmurin's long list of professional explanations. He could not digest so much information for the time being, but he only knew that his next gunner job would definitely be much smoother.

While Malashenko was still communicating with Shashmulin and doing the final reception work, Lavrinenko and Kurbalov, who were a few minutes late, finally drove seven or eight cars of various sizes and rushed over.

Lavrinenko, who got off the car first, didn't even bother to take a closer look at the new tank, and hurriedly ran towards Malashenko.

"Are all the people here?"

"Yes, I ran to the nearest Tank Battalion 2 to borrow two cars, and then I pulled everyone here immediately."

Looking at the soldiers behind Lavrinenko getting off the car and gathering under the command of Kurbalov, Malashenko nodded slightly and continued to ask questions.

"What about Karamov? Has he been notified? His people have to come here quickly."

"I didn't have time to notify him, so I sent someone else to make it clear. The importance of the matter has been made clear, and he is reliable in his ability to do things!"

After making sure that all the precautions he had arranged had been completed, Malashenko signed the receipt form given by Shashmurin and waved his hand, shouting orders to the group of tank soldiers on the platform who were already staring with their eyes wide open.

"Comrades, unload the truck! Drive our new tanks home!"