Landships II

The Vezdekhod - a legend of the Soviet military history. In the literature 60-70õ years it was usually informed, that it was the first prototype of the tank, but the inert imperial administration has prevented the inventor. Even images of the high-grade fighting machine were shown. Actually the Vezdekhod has not gone further a pre-production model, and as the reason for this its lacks have served. Most in detail the history of the Vezdekhod is stated in the book Fedoseyev's Seeds « Tanks of the First World war » - the book which mentions dear Vilkata.

1.       Picture from Soviet magazine 1970’s.

In August, 1914 23-years old aircraft inventor Alexander Porokhovshchikov has offered the project of the cross-country machine. Drawings and the estimate were ready to 9th January 1905. on 13th January,  the sanction to construction has been given. Supervision over works was carried out by the military engineer polkovnik (colonel) Poklevskij-Kozello.

2.      Alexander Porokhovshchikov.

The welded skeleton of the Vezdekhod based on the wide caterpillar from the rubberized fabric. The caterpillar stretched on four drums. The fifth drum pressed a caterpillar from above. Two small wheels were placed on the sides of a caterpillar. They are was controlled by means of a steering wheel. The machine had streamlined surfaces  with the big niche of an air inlet in front.

3.       Picture from magazine “Tankist” No 5, 1952

1 – Skeleton; 2 – Carried drum; 3 – drum with tension gear; 4 – pressure drum; 5 – fabric caterpillar;

6 – side wheel; 7 –steering wheel; 8 – seat; 9 – engine; 10 – shaft; 11 – body; 12 – turret. You can see, that turret was showed with dotted lines only

The carburettor engine capacity 10 h.p. through the gear-box rotated a back drum. Specific pressure upon a ground should be no more than 0,05 kg /sq.m. Three ring flutes on drums prevented shifting of the caterpillar.

On ideas of the inventor on a firm ground the machine should move on a back drum and wheels. On a soft ground of a wheel failed in a ground, and the machine lay down on a caterpillar. Thus wheels should operate, as a rudder of the ship or the plane.

Construction of the machine began in February, 1915. The first tests for hard road was effected in18th of May. Tests proceeded up to the end of year. The cross-country vehicle has not shown those properties which were promised by the inventor. It was not possible to steer by the mashine with wheels failed in a ground. The project has been rejected. It is necessary to note, that in the project words it was not spoken about arms and the reservation.

In the spring of 1915 Porokhovshchikov  has offered the project of "the iron armor". It was made from two sheets of iron with a layer of a dried sea grass between them. The automobile "Ford" has armored for the tests of "iron armor". But the project of the "iron armor" has not been connected with the Vezdekhod.

4.      AC “Ford” with “iron armor” Porokhovshchikov’s project.

However, when Russian newspapers publish the information about first English tanks, A.Porokhovshchikov has declared, that he was the first inventor of tank, and Vezdekhod was the first tank. He has developed the project the Vezdekhod-2 with a turret and 3 machine guns. However, the project was so crude, that it have rejected at once.

5.       Vezdekhod-2 project.

After revolution the idea that the first tank was invented in Russia was picked up by the Soviet propagation and became the Soviet myth. Porohovshchikov was execute  by NKVD whether in 1941, whether in 1943 for « the going expenditure of public funds for unnecessary inventions ».

6.      Real photo of Vezdekhod.

We can see Alexander Porokhovshchikov in a unique photo of the Vezdekhod (with leather jacket and glasses). I do not know, who is the officer near to him, but I assume, that it is colonel Poklevskij-Kozello.

I can not insert the pictures in the text. May I send it to any adress for assistance?