Were Soviet tanks bad? I thought they were serviceable, cheap, sort of utilitarian, maybe not the highest caliber but you could make tons of them and that was the point. Like beetles
Soviet tanks were usually very good tankwise, but lacking in softer stats. Their big problems were that they needed to arm a huge conscript (or even worse, draftee) army, so they hoarded everything past obsolescence and most of it was below standard (T-62 wasn't that good even back then, but they're still in service) and the lagging electronics industry meaning their night sights, FCS, and in particular thermals were awful. There's solid argument that until the advent of NATO "box" tanks and the Rheinmetall 120mm soviet designs were better than everyone elses, but beyond they were quickly overtaken.
You have some right points, but also in one of the most used tanks (I forgot which one), crew were attaching a pillow to a sharp metal corner that you would hit with your head all the time. I'd call that utilitarian, as head trauma was avoidable in some cases.
AFAIK they aren't. Western tanks are usually more optimised to be serviced in the field which makes them larger to be able to easily get to all the parts. Soviet tanks are more optimised on a lower profile while trying to cram as much stuff in there as possible.
gearbox did not allow for shifting into reverse while the vehicle was moving
Ummm this is probably like, a good thing? You don't want to crank 20 tonnes suddenly in reverse when it's moving full forward.
The other things are pretty bad, true. Especially the uncommanded turrent movements, that can really chop off a limb in the wrong situation. The gun firing is probably not quite as bad because I assume most of the time it wouldn't actually be loaded.
The gun firing is probably not quite as bad because I assume most of the time it wouldn't actually be loaded.
Assumptions are typically frowned upon when dealing with munitions. Not to imply that you're incorrect with that line of thought. The issue comes into play when the tank operator makes the same assumption and happens to get a little cold. Guns really should only have one trigger.
You know, I actually don't know what Switzerland is like, at least at altitudes where the cities are. Is it much colder than the rest of central Europe?
and they've got defense in depth. artillery covers every inch. Every Swiss man is required to serve in the military or in the alternative civilian service. I suspect they'll be fine.