Mendeleev Tank

Overview
The Mendeleev-Rybinsk tank was developed in 1910 by Vasiliy Mendeleev, the son of Dmitri Mendeleev, creator of the periodic table of the elements. It was monstrously large, at 170 tons, due to the weight of the thick steel plate used as armor! The vehicle was meant to sport a 127 mm gun, however this was changed to a 120 mm main armament.

Development
Vasiliy Mendeleev was the son of famous scientist Dmitri Mendeleev, designer of the periodic table. He was born in 1886, and graduated from the Kronshtadt Marine Engineering School. This made him a shipwright, however he did do some work in the area of armored fighting vehicles.

Design
The Mendeleev-Rybinsk tank was very unorthodox in design, featuring very interesting 'gas bladders'. This pneumatic suspension allowed the front part of the vehicle to be lowered, even while it was in motion. While still, the whole front could be dropped. There was a reason for this, as it would have protected the tracks and running gear, which were vulnerable items. The tracks went up around the entire interior of the vehicle, in a similar way to that of the MKI. They were equipped with 6 road wheels each, four 'corner wheels' each, and five return rollers a track.

A machine gun turret was placed at the top of the tank. A pneumatic device would lower and raise this cupola for extra protection. The main armament was 120 mm gun in a limited-traverse mounting.

Tensioning of the track was done through yet another pneumatic system, and devices were to be provided for rail travel. Another device would allow it to be moved by a locomotive, which would be the primary form of travel. Air was the gas which would be used for the pneumatic suspension and turrets. This would be supplied by an engine-driven compressor.

Action
The tank was merely a project. There is a severe lack of evidence about the Mendeleev tank, however it is unlikely that any examples were ever produced. It was an interesting idea, and would probably have been somewhat effective in combat due to its increased crossing capability and mobility because of the pneumatic suspension system, as well as its thick armor and powerful gun. It is unknown why development stopped, however it is known that Mendeleev was working on it alone for much of the time.