FORMATOSE

Looks like MPF & OMFV from GDLS:
 
 

(Seemingly) new build M8 hull. 
 

 
 

Fairey Hydraulics
 
http://www.army-guide.com/eng/product676.html
 

 

90 mm M36/M41, L/50, HEAT-T M431 (5,8 kg), mv =1219 m/s
90 mm JPz BK, L/40,5, unknown shell type (5,74 kg), mv=1181 m/s
 
It could be expected in case of AP-T M318 (11 kg) mv would be circa 800/m/s when fired from 90 mm JPz BK.

ERAC 120 assault gun concept from 1985 :
 
 

 
 
ERAC stands for Engin de Réaction Anti-Chars à canon de 120 mm (anti-tank reactive machine with 120 mm gun), it was designed by the ETAS, a small design bureau of Angers, which, at the time doesn't relied on Computer-Aided Design.
 
The ERAC 120 assault gun was intended for mechanized infantry units, providing them an unmatched heavy fire support.
 
The planned combat weight of this assault gun was around 30 metric tons, it was to be powered by a Baudouin six-cylinder 700 hp diesel engine coupled to an automatic gearbox featuring an infinitely variable, power shunt, hydrostatic steering system. To reduce the infrared signature, the cooling system (two ring-type radiators) was located at the rear of the hull.
 
The running gear itself consisted of six road wheels on either side of the hull.  The five road wheels option was rejected due to the hull's pitching motion. The ERAC 120 used double-pin tracks and hydropneumatic suspensions.
 
The gun was a shortened version (L/44) of the Giat CN120-26 (Modèle F1) 120 mm smoothbore gun fed by a twelve-round continuous link carrier autoloader.
The autoloader could be replenished under armor by a fifteen-round open-chain magazine through a ceiling-mounted clamp. Elevation was from +15° to -6° while traverse extended to 8° on either side.
The 7.62 mm remote weapon station was reminiscent of the ATO RWS of the tropicalized Leclerc.
 
Regarding the armor,  it has been estimated that it reliably met the STANAG level 5 protection level.
 
The drawings below also show the three-man configuration (a four-man concept was also envisaged but it was taller and thus heavier) :
 

 
Credits : Marc Chassillan's article in the special edition No. 73 of Raids magazine.
 

ERAC 120 assault gun concept from 1985 :
 
 

 
 
ERAC stands for Engin de Réaction Anti-Chars à canon de 120 mm (anti-tank reactive machine with 120 mm gun), it was designed by the ETAS, a small design bureau of Angers, which, at the time doesn't relied on Computer-Aided Design.
 
The ERAC 120 assault gun was intended for mechanized infantry units, providing them an unmatched heavy fire support.
 
The planned combat weight of this assault gun was around 30 metric tons, it was to be powered by a Baudouin six-cylinder 700 hp diesel engine coupled to an automatic gearbox featuring an infinitely variable, power shunt, hydrostatic steering system. To reduce the infrared signature, the cooling system (two ring-type radiators) was located at the rear of the hull.
 
The running gear itself consisted of six road wheels on either side of the hull.  The five road wheels option was rejected due to the hull's pitching motion. The ERAC 120 used double-pin tracks and hydropneumatic suspensions.
 
The gun was a shortened version (L/44) of the Giat CN120-26 (Modèle F1) 120 mm smoothbore gun fed by a twelve-round continuous link carrier autoloader.
The autoloader could be replenished under armor by a fifteen-round open-chain magazine through a ceiling-mounted clamp. Elevation was from +15° to -6° while traverse extended to 8° on either side.
The 7.62 mm remote weapon station was reminiscent of the ATO RWS of the tropicalized Leclerc.
 
Regarding the armor,  it has been estimated that it reliably met the STANAG level 5 protection level.
 
The drawings below also show the three-man configuration (a four-man concept was also envisaged but it was taller and thus heavier) :
 

 
Credits : Marc Chassillan's article in the special edition No. 73 of Raids magazine.
 

ERAC 120 assault gun concept from 1985 :
 
 

 
 
ERAC stands for Engin de Réaction Anti-Chars à canon de 120 mm (anti-tank reactive machine with 120 mm gun), it was designed by the ETAS, a small design bureau of Angers, which, at the time doesn't relied on Computer-Aided Design.
 
The ERAC 120 assault gun was intended for mechanized infantry units, providing them an unmatched heavy fire support.
 
The planned combat weight of this assault gun was around 30 metric tons, it was to be powered by a Baudouin six-cylinder 700 hp diesel engine coupled to an automatic gearbox featuring an infinitely variable, power shunt, hydrostatic steering system. To reduce the infrared signature, the cooling system (two ring-type radiators) was located at the rear of the hull.
 
The running gear itself consisted of six road wheels on either side of the hull.  The five road wheels option was rejected due to the hull's pitching motion. The ERAC 120 used double-pin tracks and hydropneumatic suspensions.
 
The gun was a shortened version (L/44) of the Giat CN120-26 (Modèle F1) 120 mm smoothbore gun fed by a twelve-round continuous link carrier autoloader.
The autoloader could be replenished under armor by a fifteen-round open-chain magazine through a ceiling-mounted clamp. Elevation was from +15° to -6° while traverse extended to 8° on either side.
The 7.62 mm remote weapon station was reminiscent of the ATO RWS of the tropicalized Leclerc.
 
Regarding the armor,  it has been estimated that it reliably met the STANAG level 5 protection level.
 
The drawings below also show the three-man configuration (a four-man concept was also envisaged but it was taller and thus heavier) :
 

 
Credits : Marc Chassillan's article in the special edition No. 73 of Raids magazine.
 

ERAC 120 assault gun concept from 1985 :
 
 

 
 
ERAC stands for Engin de Réaction Anti-Chars à canon de 120 mm (anti-tank reactive machine with 120 mm gun), it was designed by the ETAS, a small design bureau of Angers, which, at the time doesn't relied on Computer-Aided Design.
 
The ERAC 120 assault gun was intended for mechanized infantry units, providing them an unmatched heavy fire support.
 
The planned combat weight of this assault gun was around 30 metric tons, it was to be powered by a Baudouin six-cylinder 700 hp diesel engine coupled to an automatic gearbox featuring an infinitely variable, power shunt, hydrostatic steering system. To reduce the infrared signature, the cooling system (two ring-type radiators) was located at the rear of the hull.
 
The running gear itself consisted of six road wheels on either side of the hull.  The five road wheels option was rejected due to the hull's pitching motion. The ERAC 120 used double-pin tracks and hydropneumatic suspensions.
 
The gun was a shortened version (L/44) of the Giat CN120-26 (Modèle F1) 120 mm smoothbore gun fed by a twelve-round continuous link carrier autoloader.
The autoloader could be replenished under armor by a fifteen-round open-chain magazine through a ceiling-mounted clamp. Elevation was from +15° to -6° while traverse extended to 8° on either side.
The 7.62 mm remote weapon station was reminiscent of the ATO RWS of the tropicalized Leclerc.
 
Regarding the armor,  it has been estimated that it reliably met the STANAG level 5 protection level.
 
The drawings below also show the three-man configuration (a four-man concept was also envisaged but it was taller and thus heavier) :
 

 
Credits : Marc Chassillan's article in the special edition No. 73 of Raids magazine.
 

ERAC 120 assault gun concept from 1985 :
 
 

 
 
ERAC stands for Engin de Réaction Anti-Chars à canon de 120 mm (anti-tank reactive machine with 120 mm gun), it was designed by the ETAS, a small design bureau of Angers, which, at the time doesn't relied on Computer-Aided Design.
 
The ERAC 120 assault gun was intended for mechanized infantry units, providing them an unmatched heavy fire support.
 
The planned combat weight of this assault gun was around 30 metric tons, it was to be powered by a Baudouin six-cylinder 700 hp diesel engine coupled to an automatic gearbox featuring an infinitely variable, power shunt, hydrostatic steering system. To reduce the infrared signature, the cooling system (two ring-type radiators) was located at the rear of the hull.
 
The running gear itself consisted of six road wheels on either side of the hull.  The five road wheels option was rejected due to the hull's pitching motion. The ERAC 120 used double-pin tracks and hydropneumatic suspensions.
 
The gun was a shortened version (L/44) of the Giat CN120-26 (Modèle F1) 120 mm smoothbore gun fed by a twelve-round continuous link carrier autoloader.
The autoloader could be replenished under armor by a fifteen-round open-chain magazine through a ceiling-mounted clamp. Elevation was from +15° to -6° while traverse extended to 8° on either side.
The 7.62 mm remote weapon station was reminiscent of the ATO RWS of the tropicalized Leclerc.
 
Regarding the armor,  it has been estimated that it reliably met the STANAG level 5 protection level.
 
The drawings below also show the three-man configuration (a four-man concept was also envisaged but it was taller and thus heavier) :
 

 
Credits : Marc Chassillan's article in the special edition No. 73 of Raids magazine.
 

So, this is objectively wrong.

From the Swedish trials doc, note the side protection of the ammo bustle.
And note that that was a downgraded armor package.

A bit of humor :
 

A bit of humor :
 

A bit of humor :
 

Regarding the presence of composite armor in the hull of the Mk. 3 (the production Block is not specified) :

 
 
 
 
And also inside the double bottom.
 
 
According to Marc Chassillan, the two fuel tanks at the back of the Merkava Mk. 3 can be purged through dump valves.
 
 
 
In real life, there are only 4 rounds (in their fireproof canisters) between the turret basket and the engine bulkhead.
 
The number of rounds carried in the aft compartment is also incorrect :
 

 

Regarding the presence of composite armor in the hull of the Mk. 3 (the production Block is not specified) :

 
 
 
 
And also inside the double bottom.
 
 
According to Marc Chassillan, the two fuel tanks at the back of the Merkava Mk. 3 can be purged through dump valves.
 
 
 
In real life, there are only 4 rounds (in their fireproof canisters) between the turret basket and the engine bulkhead.
 
The number of rounds carried in the aft compartment is also incorrect :
 

 

Regarding the presence of composite armor in the hull of the Mk. 3 (the production Block is not specified) :

 
 
 
 
And also inside the double bottom.
 
 
According to Marc Chassillan, the two fuel tanks at the back of the Merkava Mk. 3 can be purged through dump valves.
 
 
 
In real life, there are only 4 rounds (in their fireproof canisters) between the turret basket and the engine bulkhead.
 
The number of rounds carried in the aft compartment is also incorrect :
 

 

I don’t talk about sponsons. 
 
The first Merkava generation hull (Siman 2) was designed with batteries and CBRN filters compartment at the rear. Both compartments were integrated into the hull. There were fuel tanks into the rear sponsons. 
With the Siman 3, a main change occurred. The crew compartment was more designed as a survival cell. So, fuel tanks were moved at the rear under separated armored boxes. Some sources explaine that the rear fuel tanks are not only self sealing, they can be ejected under certain conditions to avoid fire propagation.
This design got more avantages. With rear baskets, it makes very hard to achieve direct hits on the rear clamshell door.
 
It was too heavy. 
They had to make choices.

Yes, it is a useful course book and very easy to be found in Chinese Internet, however its hardcover is very rare now.
Link：https://pan.baidu.com/s/18QXkATK6JEAH6Sy4RT27SA

Code：yde9

Something interesting about Merkava III's armor protection(in Chinese):
Some of these images are come from Chinese course book《装甲防护技术基础》（The basic technology of armor protection）, and others are come from this issue： http://www.cnki.com.cn/Article/CJFDTotal-BQZS200108004.htm
The main author of these two sources is one of the chief tank designers in China. Mr.Zhang has presided over a design of front-engine tank scheme under the frame of Chinese 3rd gen MBT, but there was little info refer to these history)

Photo of Mr.Zhang and General Tal.

The cast turret base and weld frame.

Special armor covered, those colored parts most likely are heavy NERA or Built-in-ERA structure modules, while others are lighter module I guess.

T-3/4 module before shooting by a HEAT warhead of HOT missile. According to previous picture, it should be the side armor of the turret. So we can assume that the front arc of Merkava III's turret, looks likely ±30°，which can withstand more than 700mm even 800mm penetration from CE threat.

Still the T-3/4 module,before hitting by a RPG warhead. 
I am confused this number as T-9/4 at my first look, but it is more likely a distorted "3". There are some reasons: (1) Its thickness doesn't seem to fit on top of the turret. (2) In this pic the threat is RPG warhead, moreover, its incidence normal angle is smaller than the previous HOT warhead, which can be used as a useful basis for judging.

Built-in ERA structure, the left side is Israeli scheme, and Russian scheme at right side.




The armor layout of tank Merkava Mk III. The solid line is base steel armor's equivalent thickness, including spaced armor array inside the hull( The table above shows the thickness and inclination of the base steel armor,  unfortunately many  notes are missing in the PDF) and the dotted line is the special armor's protection capability against KE ammunition, up to 450mm RHA on turret front and 350-400mm on the UFP.
 
 
Hope you guys will enjoy this post

Vickers Valiant on a muddy track :
 

 
 
Barr & Stroud LF 11 gunner sight and the Pilkington PE  Condor commander day/night sight :
 

 
 
Hull ammo rack (30x105 mm) and driver's compartment, the handlebar features a throttle twist grip :
 

 
 
VR 1000 powerpack comprising the Rolls-Royce CV12TCA Condor 1000 hp engine and the TN 12-1000 automatic transmission :
 

 
The pyramidal louvers above the transmission are typical of the Valiant.
 

Vickers Valiant on a muddy track :
 

 
 
Barr & Stroud LF 11 gunner sight and the Pilkington PE  Condor commander day/night sight :
 

 
 
Hull ammo rack (30x105 mm) and driver's compartment, the handlebar features a throttle twist grip :
 

 
 
VR 1000 powerpack comprising the Rolls-Royce CV12TCA Condor 1000 hp engine and the TN 12-1000 automatic transmission :
 

 
The pyramidal louvers above the transmission are typical of the Valiant.
 

Vickers Valiant on a muddy track :
 

 
 
Barr & Stroud LF 11 gunner sight and the Pilkington PE  Condor commander day/night sight :
 

 
 
Hull ammo rack (30x105 mm) and driver's compartment, the handlebar features a throttle twist grip :
 

 
 
VR 1000 powerpack comprising the Rolls-Royce CV12TCA Condor 1000 hp engine and the TN 12-1000 automatic transmission :
 

 
The pyramidal louvers above the transmission are typical of the Valiant.
 

Vickers Valiant on a muddy track :
 

 
 
Barr & Stroud LF 11 gunner sight and the Pilkington PE  Condor commander day/night sight :
 

 
 
Hull ammo rack (30x105 mm) and driver's compartment, the handlebar features a throttle twist grip :
 

 
 
VR 1000 powerpack comprising the Rolls-Royce CV12TCA Condor 1000 hp engine and the TN 12-1000 automatic transmission :
 

 
The pyramidal louvers above the transmission are typical of the Valiant.