LoooSeR

F-22A, in Europe MAKS-2015

UberDeutchs wheeled Boxer APC in Baltics. 35 tons. 35 tons. Are wheels of this vehicle made out of DU or something?

Translation is actually right, because we use word "питание" when describing automatic weapon feed system. Hell, "feed" also can be used in context of food, after all.

Of course there are costs for each layout. In Soviet MBTs driver position is rather not very good - his hatch and periscopes create a weakspot right in the middle of frontal projection, while protection from sides is no better than if he was located differently in frontal hull.

T-14 have serious protection from the side. Crew capsule is fairly well protected from sides, above and below. Another example are Object 490A Rebel, 477 Molot. BTW, I don't think that Merkava drivers are covered with less armour from their side that from other (at least in Merk 3BdD and 4).

Merks and Leclercs managed to do that, in serial vehicles. In fact, drivers that are located closer to sides are outside of aiming point, and outside of most probable location of enemy fire hits (frontal).

AFAIK you can get in and out of Soviet MBTs with gun facing direct forward, because of space available (gun barrel don't completely block exit path). In case of Altay a big blocky mantlet seems to totally block exit way for a driver.

The biggest enemy of bolshevik is menshevik. The biggest enemy for a nazi is other country nazis.

Everybody knows that M4 is a hightech weapon that was build 100 years too early!

http://spioenkop.blogspot.ru/2014/11/syrias-steel-beasts-t-55.html Copy-pasting this article here to keep all info in one place and not search it on many blogs, linked in SH. Who actually operates Assad's tanks in Syria remains somewhat unclear: although many believe the Syrian Arab Army (SyAA) remains responsible for all combat tasks within Syria, the SyAA saw much of its manpower and equipment transferred to the National Defence Force (NDF) and other militias. However, the Syrian Arab Army still remains responsible for a number of brigades and for the many garrisons dotted around Syria. Any tanks found there remain under the command of the Syrian Arab Army. The tank fleet can be divided into three major types: the T-55, the T-62 and the T-72. Two additional types, the T-54 and the PT-76, were also once in Syrian service, but most of the surviving T-54s were donated to Lebanon and others stored. It is only now that a number are being brought back into service. The PT-76 fleet is believed to have been scrapped at the end of the last decade. It is commonly believed Syria was in the possession of nearly 5000 tanks, roughly divided between 2000 T-54/55s, 1000 T-62s and 1500 T-72s, before the Civil War began. However, these figures are largely distorted, and the actual number of tanks operated by Syria at the start of this decade lays closer to 2500, divided between around 1200 T-55s, 500 T-62s and 700 T-72s. Not all 2500 tanks were active at the same time, with large portions of the T-55 and T-62 fleet in reserve and stored. Of these 2500 tanks, over 1000 have been lost over the course of the Civil War. While the majority of these have been T-55s, the large size of that fleet makes up for these losses. An estimated 700 T-55s maintain their operational capabilities as of late 2014. Many groups fighting for control over Syria also continue to operate various T-55s. A notable operator is the Islamic State, which became a major user after capturing dozens at Brigade 93. Much of the Brigade 93's inventory was later fielded in the Islamic State's offensive on Kobane. The T-55s can be divided into four variants: the standard T-55A, the North Korean upgraded T-55, the T-55AM and the T-55MV. Of these, the T-55A is most numerous type in service, followed by the North Korean upgraded examples, the T-55MV and the T-55AM. The T-55A and the North Korean upgraded T-55s are mostly found with the NDF, while the remaining T-55AMs and T-55MVs continue to soldier on with the SAA. The North Korean variants feature a North Korean designed laser rangefinder (LRF) and some even smoke grenade launchers and a 14.5mm KPV heavy machine gun. At least two North Korean produced LRFs are known to be installed on Syrian T-54/55s. The upgrade for these tanks, based on lessons learned in the 1973 war, was carried out in the early seventies and eighties as a cheaper alternative to the Soviet T-55 upgrade, which brought a part of Syria's fleet up to T-55AM standard. This upgrade included the KTD-2 laser-range finder, side skirts and smoke grenade launchers. The addition of BDD appliqué armour for the turret and front of the hull was ommited due budget constrictions however. The T-55MV is by far the most modern T-55 variant in service within Syria, one could argue their combat effectiveness would even surpass that of Syria's T-72s. 200 T-55s were upgraded to MV standard in Ukraine in 1997. Opposed to Syria's T-55AMs, the T-55MVs were fully upgraded, including a new engine and explosive reactive armour (ERA) blocks for increased armour protection against rocket-propelled grenades Example of upgraded T-55MVs with ERA and laser rangefinders A T-55AM operated by the rebel Ghurabaa' Houran Battalion operating in the Dara'a Governorate Syrian T-55MVs are also equipped with the 9M117M Bastion anti-tank missile fired through the T-55's 100mm main gun. Although the 9M117M was previously unknown to be in Syrian service, rebels captured around a dozen of them near Tel Ahmar, Quneitra Governorate. Quneitra has traditionally been home to the T-55MV fleet, and these missiles would have been a nasty suprise for Israeli armour in case of war. Due to the cost of these missiles, each tank only carries a few. Most of the missiles remain stockpiled in ammunition depots, like Tel Ahmar, along the Golan Heights for possible future use against Israeli armor. Some T-55MVs also received a mysterious device mounted over the laser-range finder. This device most likely functions as a sort of camera. A similar looking device was also spotted on an BMP-1 upgrade offered by the Ukraine. Only footage showing the interior of the tank can provide definitive proof. Similar to what has already been seen on the Republican Guard's T-72s, the T-55 fleet is now gradually receiving cage armour reinforced by sandbags to improve protection against RPGs. Crude variation of T-55 up-armoring This one looks much more professional upgrade. And here is rare video of Syrian T-55 firing Bastion GL-ATGM against guntruck.

This video should be here as well.