No "Crabs/Flail's" ?
 

Given the Germans love of special equipment did they ever produce a UK like CRAB/Flail mine sweeper tank? (Same goes for the Soviets)

If not why didn't they in your opinion?

And in that vein- mines: did the Japanese not use them much? I can't recall any info that the US was too concerned about mines in the island invasions. Seems like a perfect situation laying mines on all those open beaches.

My opinion is that flail tanks can only operate in a sterile environment. They would be high priority targets when attacking defensive lines defended by A/T weapons.

Mines are only effective if the mines themselves are protected by infantry or A/T weapons.
I think that the Germans preferred the more effective method of lifting mines by either engineers or personnel trained in lifting.

The Russians used their expendable human element to clear mines, choosing not to unnecessarily risk the tanks in typical Soviet fashion.

The Japanese seemed to offer token resistance at the beaches because they would be subject to heavy bombardment from warships and/or aircraft. They would have been pounded to pieces. The Japanese were defending islands, they never knew which island would be attacked or bypassed. The amount of mines needed would have been astronomical.
I’m also not sure that mines fit into the mentality of Japanese high command either.

My .02

So the process would be: Infantry finds a minefield, work their way "around it" and secure the area then call in a Crab to clear a quicker "better" path through it.

It does seem like the Germans would make such a toy before the UK though.

http://www.flamesofwar.com/hobby.aspx?art_id=1020

The Germans used radio-controlled tanks to clear minefields at Kursk.

With little sucess....... :P

Agreed, but really. . . how successful were the flails?

I think only a handful were made, but i know a few short barreled Mk IV's, E or D models most likely were made into mine roller tanks. You know, the kind with the giant steel rollers in front of the tank. I think i might even have a pic somewhere. Give me sometime and ill look for it.

Cant remember off hand about the Russians.