The Space-Saver Sherman (Inflatable, 1 each) 

Surely the largest downside to the inflatable tank is no track tension to discuss.

Poor tank is depressed, youd think being able to meet the Chieftain would cheer him up

I played this tank in War Thunder. It shot whole carrots and potatoes and was powered by 4 men on bicycles connected to an internal frame... It seems the real ones lack this functionality but the mock cannon barrels are just as floppy as I remember.

0:40 I'm pretty sure they make a pill for that now. You should call your maintenance and supply depot if the gun stays up for more than four hours though.

Just imagining some random brit look out their window to see a tank floating through the sky. As for modern dummy inflatable tanks I have seen some photos of an inflatable Abrams and some articles referencing the Army having some although I'm not sure if the pictures were real. I don't see why they wouldn't have them though considering Russia does

I always wanted one of these. Perfect for parties, holiday decorations, or tricking your neighbor into thinking your invasion will come in the front yard when you’re really coming in via the backyard!

There is one advantage of the inflatable tank that nobody seems to talk about: Its fully amphibious.

So now we also get "how to check air pressure on your tank" :)

Okay, if an Army inflatable tank blows away in a storm and you find it, no, you didn't. I don't know what you're talking about, no you can't look in my shed.

NICK!! - I cant believe you found an actual inflatable Sherman, even a replica of the WWII version. This is amazing!

"That one bounced."

The HOA is gonna have a field day with this

I like the hull mounted cannon, I'm sure the Sherman would've been far more effective if the driver got to fiddle with a fixed 37mm cannon.

I see Chieftain is one of those who takes their Christmas decorations down at the end of January.

"Secret Soldiers" by Philip Gerard tells the story of the 23d Headquarters Special Troops who were in charge of deception operations for the US Army in Europe during WW2. It's a great story with an amazing cast of characters.

Very funny but it also made me appreciate for the first time just how dangerous that deception job must have been. Imagine deliberately provoking artillery fire on your location.

There was an inflatable boy, and he goes to an inflatable school. Bored with the lesson, he gets up and walks out of the inflatable classroom but, while walking down the corridor, he sees the inflatable headmaster approaching him. The inflatable boy pulls out a pin and punctures the inflatable headmaster before running out of the inflatable school gates. Just as he gets past the gates, he thinks again, "I hate school", and once more pulls out his pin and pokes it into the inflatable school. He then runs as fast as his inflatable legs allow, all the way home and races into his inflatable bedroom. A couple of hours later, his inflatable mother is knocking at his bedroom door and with her are the inflatable Police. Panicking, our inflatable boy yet again pulls out the pin and jabs it into himself. Later on that evening, he wakes up in an inflatable hospital and, in the bed next to him, he sees the inflatable headmaster. Shaking his deflated head - more in sorrow than in anger - the Headmaster gravely intones: "You've let me down; you've let the school down, but worst of all, you've let yourself down."

"Radio Battalion Field Maintenance if your gun barrel remains elevated for more than 4 hours."

No “oh bugger the tank is on fire” Day ruined lol

The fact the sergeant major who lost the tank name was Pratt doesn't help him one bit 😂

Best jumping castle evar!

Put a heater on the air pump and it would probably fool IR sensors, especially if the inlet was where the exhaust should be. Maybe impregnate the fabric with something radar-reflective, like an anti-stealth paint.

"And you can't take it shopping" Someone will Nick, this is the internet.

would be cool to see an inflatable Abrams tank if that even exists.

I love that the Chieftain is wearing a shirt that perfectly camouflages him against the tank.

Your observation at 0:42 is quite normal, just happens with age. Of the tank. 😀

Great to see someone else has a thing for inflatable toys.

Speaking of jeeps, I saw around the Christmas 2023 season, a fellow churchgoer at my town's parish (I'm from the Philippines btw, the province of Pangasinan in particular where General Douglas MacArthur landed to begin his push towards Manila) who brought an actual, driving condition, refurbished Willy's Jeep with a roof on it. Even still had markings on it. No weapons unfortunately xD

Man.. that first bit has me remembering a magazine infographic of what it would be like to own a jump jet in a suburb

The most amphibious tank of them all. With helium, it even flies! With hydrogen, finally a Sherman that actually burns as well as some think! I think they used an inflatable dude to pass as a drowned officer to confuse the Germans at some point. Floated too well, they didn't fall for it. (That was a joke, but, look up Operation Mincemeat, if you haven't. "The Man Who Never Was" is also a recommendation, about the same story.)

I'll take twenty

A German Wiesel should fit into your garage. But do you fit into a Wiesel ? Greetings from Germany.

I remember reading in a history book these saw extensive use in the Gryps War.

Owning a real tank would be like owning a baby elephant. Really fun but really expensive.

Next year's hottest yard decoration for Halloween and xmas!

Nick, you should have added a warning for smokers: "Inflating this tank may be in excess of your lungs' capacity."

I'm looking forward to seeing if the inflatable tank passes the "Oh no, the tank is on fire!" test.

I bought one a while ago, but after blowing it up and admiring it, it was ultimately a huge letdown.

Surprisingly, I've only considered a Hetzer [Pz38t] as a dainly driver. Obviously I'd need to swap in the short barrelled 75mm for utility. =)

For the man who has everything!

“Oh my god, the inflatable tank is on FIRE!”

Wishing you a Happy Healthy and Safe 2024 🏆🤗🙏💙

It's crazy how the internet has changed our perception of time, you said a couple of years ago, the article is from 2002, and I just went "oh yeah, 2002, that wasn't that long ago"

Oh come on! No "Oh bugger the tank is on fire!" drill, and no track tensioning! This is ridiculous, I demand a remake!

This needs to be in your merch store for sure

Me: "Mom, can we get a Sherman. Mom: "We have a Sherman at home" Sherman at home:

That tank needs a "little blue pill".

"Oh bugger, the tanks deflating."

This would be a sweet canvas for holiday decorations on your front yard!

Emotional support Sherman great for hugging

People might enjoy "The War Magician", a biography of the magician Jasper Maskelyne who came up with a lot of these deception tactics.

How about some version of a Universal Carrier? They should fit in your garage. Or maybe you should get a M-16 GMC and try popping wheelies in one again?

The “Oh, bugger. The tank is on fire.” drill is much different for this model.

A fully… inflated… Sentinel tank would be most imposing.

What? No "Oh bugger the tanks deflating" drill?

Need to get one for Halloween ... and Christmas.

Those barrels look a little limp. Can you put some viagra in the compressor?

New definition to 'our cover is blown'

Who wouldn't want one? I know I do. How about if some enterprising tent manufacturer designed a Sherman Tent? I'd want one of those too.

Great quick video TY

Ahh the days of Jasper and his magic gang...Now there's a story!

does the Chieftain fit inside?

But how do you tension the tracks?

This is amazing! With todays laser cutting technology you could make 10.000 tanks for a price of one out of plywood.Then you dig holes and assemble them in it to look like the tank is digged in and it guards position.When enemy artillery strikes you can use counter artillery radar to destroy it.All for the price of couple 5mm plywood boards and a bucket of paint ! With todays precision of laser cutting you could make copy of tank that looks identical to a real thing to a point that nobody would know the difference especially from the air.

That tanks gun reminded me of waking up on a Sunday morning after a wild night on the town .... you know it's like a monkeys nesting in your mouth and your body feels like a train wreck there's a traffic cone in the bathroom and your wallet is empty....

At last! A sergeant you can call pratt without being charged with insubordination.

There's something scary about that picture.

That looks like it would make a great waterbed.

The best part about them - no track tensioning!!! ☮

Track tension is achieved by pumping up to the correct PSI

The Army does have distraction tank, its actually invisible and is called Ezekiel's Wheel

It was more than just inflatable vehicles, they also simulated noise and radio traffic, even trash piles!

Are there any Crusader “Sun Shields “ preserved anywhere? Those were a great idea

Sir, you need a bigger garage. I suggest the dimensions to be at least 40 ft in length, 15 ft in width and 12 ft in heigth. This will make sure that a Chieftain will fit into said garage, if you ever happen to find someone willing to sell you such a tank. Thank you for your great content, it is much apprechiated.

The favorite of the 25th Armored Division which Dad was in.

I totally want to see "Oh bugger... The inflatable tank is on fire."

I want one for Christmas displays!

The flying turkey can work, maybe. A inflatable tank, well it always works.

To adjust track tension: Inflate tank to recommended pressure. No further adjustments are necessary as long as tank remains within specified pressure range.

I thought you'd mention the inflatable tanks greatest victory in Ww2. That was Pattons "Ghost" First army group which tied up real German armor divisions in the Pas de Calais area, keeping them from counter attacking the Normandy beachhead.

Thanks

3D printed tanks with an attachment for a golf cart inside…

Fun fact, inflatable vehicles are still available as targets or testing aids and come in many varieties, mostly soviet. Look up i2kdefense if you are interested. While most look a little floppy up close, at a distance or through a scope, they look pretty good!

I believe It's also amphibious, air portable and won't cost you your house when the marriage fails...

I keep one of those in my wallet for unexpected encounters...

With the way military procurement is nowadays it'd cost more to get a plant to manufacture inflatable M1s than it would to produce a new actual tank.

First Forgotten weapons reviews the shotgun from Halp, and now this. It's not April yet, guys.

sadly we did not get the two funniest section of a chieftain video: "can the chieftain fit into ..." and "o bugger the tank is on fire" :(

It make for an easy "Oh bugger, the tank's on fire" escape test

You should get a Ferret, it's a dream of mine to own one (while the M8 LAC is my favorite, it's a lot less usable in daily life)

Let's assess this design. == Upsides. Cheap. Can transport an entire armoured division in one shipping container Low fuel consumption. No problem with floatation. Track tension - just increase air pressure. Reduced fire hazard. == Downsides: Armour inferior to Italian tankette. Mobility inferior to TOG-2. Stability inferior to Bob Semple. Ammo load inferior to KV-2. Firepower inferior to a British CS cruiser. Runs on slightly compressed air.

well done good sir well done!

I was expecting this for an April fools joke.

"Oh bugger, my tank has a puncture" escape test.

I'd want one as a bouncy castle

with your influence I'm sure you could get a Scorpion as a runabout no one would park near you at the supermarket

It looks like the tank from the April fools event in war thunder, where they had hit points that were depleted by potato’s being fired

If they can make this in Xmas colours? I reckon I could convince my wife to let me decorate 🤣

I am disappointed that the Chieftain forgot to mention that it also comes equipped with a fully functional over-pressure system for operation in ABC conditions.

I would absolutely buy one