Alternate AFVs for the '70s

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The original draft of the Syrian Haidar Self-propelled Gun, Haidar Mansur's plans to rearm the ageing stocks of Panzer IVs and Jagdpanzer IV variant was far simpler compared to the hefty, impromptu canopies that resulted from the final design. Drawing on inspiration from the British Archer tank destroyer, the D-10T gun was rear-mounted on the chassis, distributing the weight across the entire tank. In addition, an open-topped shield was proposed to minimize weight, and the front compartment expanded to accommodate seating on the gun platform. Applicable for both the Panzer IV and Jagdpanzer IV, the blueprint was designed both to be economical and function as a defensive and ambush weapon. However, the Syrian army rejected the initial blueprints, citing a lack of protection for gun crews and an impaired ability to conduct an offensive with a rear-mounted gun (an allusion to the coming Six-Day War). Ultimately, Haidar was forced back to the drawing board to draft the designs that would see action at the front. In retrospect, the original design could have been better suited for blunting the Israeli counter-offensive in the Golan Heights, allowing for a better organized retreat and redeployment of the SPGs than the rout that ensued in reality.
 
I thought the title of the thread was AFV's of the 70's and not a thread of fantasy drawings. I like the drawings quite a bit, but in their own thread like "my fantasy tank drawings", not taking this one hostage.
 
After the 1st Gulf War, captured Type 81 tanks were sent to Egypt. In a secret collaboration with Israel and the United States the tank was upgraded and given a new name, Thutmose III.

The upgrades and modifications, which resulted in an increase in the weight of the tank t0 50 tons, are:


Fire Control System

SABCA Titan Mk I

A SABCA Titan Mk I laser fire-control system has been installed which includes:




    • A modified Avimo TL10-T sight incorporating the laser range-finder
    • An integrated in-eyepiece CRT alphanumeric graphic display
    • An original SABCA double digital processor
    • An image intensification periscopic night sight
    • Automatic attitude and atmospheric sensors and associated control boxes
    • A new communications system

Mobility

The hull section has been modified to accommodate the new power pack, consisting of:


  • A TCM AVDS-1790-5A turbocharged diesel developing 908 hp (which has 80 per cent commonality with the engine installed in the M60A3 MBT)
  • A Renk RK-304 transmission
  • Two new exhaust pipes, one either side of the hull rear, replace the single exhaust outlet in the left side of the hull
  • A new fuel tank. As a result of the lengthening of the hull (the Thutmose III is nearly one meter longer than the JS-2 and with an added wheel on each side)
  • A new final drives
  • A new General Dynamics Land Systems, Model 2880 in-arm hydro-pneumatic suspension units each fitted with:
    • An M48-type road wheel
    • Idler at the front
    • Large drive sprocket at the rear
    • Two new track-return rollers and US pattern tracks replacing the original Russian tracks

Armament

  • The Gun system has had the following modifications:
    • The gun and turret stabilization system are provided by HR Textron Incorporated of the United States
    • The L11 was retained as fitted in allied Jordanian tanks
    • A muzzle reference system is fitted as standard
    • An M60 day/ night searchlight is mounted over the 120 mm gun
    • A collective type NBC system has been installed
    • Has IR vision for the gunner and driver
    • An image intensification for the commander
    • A laser range-finder with ballistic computer for the gunner

Protection

  • Active and passive protection has been upgraded by:
    • Armor protection has been added as have armored side skirts
    • A modern NBC overpressure system
    • A new air filtration system
    • A fire detection and suppression system
    • Mounts 6 electrically operated smoke grenade launchers on each side of the turret
    • The hatch layout has been retained
    • British Blair Catton tracks
    • A new turret basket
 
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Imagine if the West Germans had shown a little more interest and this did enter production.

Begleitpanzer 57
by MarkNash
Western Germany (1977)
IFV Prototype - 1 Built

Believing they had identified a niche in the market, the Thyssen-Henschel and Bofors companies began a private venture (without funding or official support from the West-German military) to develop an ‘Infantry Escort Vehicle’.

The resulting vehicle, debuted in November 1977, was based on a modified hull of the recently introduced Marder IFV (Infantry Fighting Vehicle). It was designated the Begleitpanzer (Accompanying Tank) 57 and was classified as an Armored Infantry Fire Support Vehicle, or ‘AIFSV’.

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Side on schematics of the the vehicle with turret straight forward and turned 90 Degrees to the left.



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A view of the rear of the single Begleitpanzer prototype. Photo: topwar.ru

Links, Resources & Further Reading
Arms and Armour Press, Tanks of the World 1983, Ferdinand Von Senger.
On topwar.ru


Begleitpanzer 57 by David Bocquelet

Design of the Begleitpanzer
The overall design of the vehicle was largely unchanged from the original Marder IFV. As such, the engine, transmission, suspension tracks, and armor remained the same. The biggest modification to the Marder chassis was the replacement of the standard turret with a larger one mounting the vehicle’s main armament which consisted of an automatically cycling Bofors 57mm (2.24in) L70 Mk.1 gun, traditionally used in the anti-aircraft role on ships. This necessitated internal modifications. The entirety of the gun was open to the elements. When the gun was depressed the breach would rise out of the turret when elevated it would sink inside the hull. Depression/elevation range was - 8 to + 45 degrees. There was also a coaxial MG3 machine gun mounted on the right side of the main gun. The gun was fed from an ammunition can mounted on the gun cradle, meaning it would have to be reloaded from outside the tank. This gun was intended to engage with lightly armored enemy vehicles and troops.

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Front view of the vehicle showng the well angled upper plate. Photo: topwar.ru

The weapon was mounted centrally in the uneven turret. The left of the turret was raised to accommodate the commander’s position. Above this position was a periscope ring for all-round observation. The right half of the turret was much lower to accommodate the vehicle’s secondary armament, a Tube-launched, Optically-tracked, Wire-guided (TOW ) Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) launcher, which could fire the BGM-71B missile. This was installed to give the vehicle some anti-armor capability. After firing, the launcher tube rotated backward until it was vertical, and the exhaust end was in line with the turret roof. A small circular hatch would then open. Through this, a fresh ATGM would be loaded in. The tube would then rotate back to firing position. The gunner was located underneath the ATGM launcher tube. He operated both the main gun and the ATGM with controls in his position.

Two loaders were positioned in the rear of the tank. The loader on the left would be responsible for loading clips into the 57mm main gun. The loader on the right would be responsible for handling the ATGMs. The ammunition load-out consisted of 48 rounds for the 57mm gun and 6 TOW-ATGMs. The driver was located at the front left of the vehicle.

Fate
A mock-up of the Begleitpanzer was displayed in November 1977. A prototype was tested in 1978. Due to a lack of interest from the German Military, the project was not accepted for construction.

The project did start a string of other attempts to increase the lethality of the Marder. A similar project by Thyssen-Henschel saw the addition of a 105mm L7 gun to the top of the Marder chassis. This was designated the VTS1, but like the Begleitpanzer, it did not progress past prototype stages.

An article by Mark Nash
Gepard specifications
Dimensions (L-W-H) 6.79 m x 3.24 m x 2.98 m
(22' 3" x 10' 8" x 9' 9")
Total weight, battle ready Aprx. 33.5 tons
Crew 5 (driver, commander, gunner, x2 loaders)
Propulsion MTU MB 833 Ea-500 diesel, 561 hp.
Suspension Independent torsion bars
Speed (road) 47 mph (75 km/h)
Armament Bofors 57mm (2.24 in) L70 Mk.1
Armor 20mm (0.78 in)

 
With the upgrading of western AFVs, the Soviets felt they had to reply and introduced 2 new versions of established designs. Designed for recon and rapid introduction these new machines were first used in the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. Another @Claymore creation.

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Not wanting to lose the advantage of the larger HE shell the US Marines mounted some of their old M103 turrets on M60 hulls. Both tanks had 85" turret rings and mating was not much of a problem. Another @Claymore creation.
 
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In the late 1960 the Charioteer was rearmed with the famous L7 gun. After the '73 War many were sold in the Middle East to nations looking to rebuild their armed forces after Israel had demonstrated that rearmed vehicles could be quite effective. Another @Claymore creation.

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The Ontos was a good idea in Veitnam,pity there was no work on a sucessor to it.It would be quite effective in urban combat in Afganistan and Iraq.
 
After noting the great success pf the AT-3 in the '73 War, the Egyptian High Command decided more mobile AT-3 units were needed. Mating the turret of the BMP-1 to the chassis of the BTR-60 allowed for a mobile ATGW system able to accompany motorized units. First used in the Egyptian-Libyan border clash, it was deemed a great success. The Iraqi High Command noted the successful use and modified some of their BTR-60s to this configuration during the Iran-Iraq War.
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A great Claymore doing.
 
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