On May 15, 1718, Mr. Puckle patented what could be considered the first machine gun. With “innovative” ideas like a version with square bullets, it was a military and financial flop. This happens, weapons that seem like a good idea that real life proves are not so good. Here are 10 examples of such failures.
Digging Deeper
10. T-64/T-72/T-80 Tank, USSR, debut 1960‘s.
Mobile, tough armor, and a huge 125 mm gun (when US and allied main tank guns were 105 mm) with an automatic loader, allowing the crew to be reduced by 1 (no need for a loader). What is not to like? Well, the automatic loader requires the ready ammo to be stored around the inside perimeter of the turret instead of in secure blast proof compartments as in the M-60 and M-1 US tanks. In both Gulf wars when the T-72 was hit by anti-tank weapons the ammo inside the T-72 would often explode causing a tremendous morale busting explosion. Additionally, the automatic loader requires the gun return to a certain angle for loading and reduces the range of elevation and depression of the gun, a fatal flaw in mountainous terrain such as Afghanistan.
