Tanks on a Plane? | The History of Airbourne Armour

Ever since the invention of airbourne forces during World War 2, there has been a need to supply these troops with heavy weaponry – especially tanks.

The first experiments in airbourne armour began in the 1940s, including the abandoned Antonov A-40, trying to develop tanks that could fly under their own power. During the Second World War, the use of gliders came to the forefront of airbourne tank deployment, although gliders were often paired with ineffective light tanks such as the Tetrarch and the M22 Locust.

With the advent of larger and more robust aircraft, tanks were successfully deployed by air during the Post-War period. The French Army airlifted M24 Chaffee light tanks to Dien Bien Phu valley. Whilst it was too heavy to be airfreighted as a complete vehicle, it was shipped in 180 components and reassembled on delivery.

As aircraft continued to improve, the capability of the airbourne armour improved with it. The M551 Sheridan saw particular success in the Vietnam War, and during the US invasion of Panama, whilst the British CVR-T range were airlifted into the Falklands Islands. Modern Main Battle Tanks are capable of being transported by air, but this requires the removal of additional armour packages – meaning they cannot be deployed tactically.

Turning the concept of airbourne armour into a practical deployment of tanks continues to be a difficult task. There still isn’t a perfect solution, but these are some of the ways armies around the world have made tanks fly.

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In this film, Chris Copson explores the origins and evolution of airbourne armour and the deployment of tanks by air in conflict zones around the world. From the first attempts at Soviet flying tanks, to the mixed effectiveness of light tanks in WW2, up to the present-day strategic deployment of Main Battle Tanks, the history of armoured air deployment is littered with successes and failures. So strap in, brace yourself and get ready to discover the history of airbourne armour.

This video features archive footage courtesy of British Pathé.

This video features imagery courtesy of

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