Beer

New here, but I've followed this thread (and Mech Warfare) for a good while.
 
I attend the United States Military Academy and it is branch week here. Armor brought an M1A2 SEPv2 which, while awesome and cool to get inside of, was nothing new. However, they had a cutaway of a M829A4 round, which was on public display so it's not breaking OPSEC. Thought it would interest you guys.
 


 
Edit: I have no official measurements but I've looked at some photos of M829A3 and the penetrator definitely seems longer based on the sabot petals seeming to be longer at the top.

One of those left by Wehrmacht in Czechoslovakia. Czechoslovak export of weapons in the Middle East after WW2 is a downright crazy piece of history. Maybe I'll write a bit more about it one day (members of the Communist party smuggling weapons to newborn Izrael with the help of US freelance pilots through Greek airfields etc.). 

A new gun is apparently a requirement for the upgrade now.
The L55 has been chosen for RBSL's bid.

Nothing is official yet.

A production 120mm DM33 on top of Munitionsmerkblatt 1305-9213-4. Shape of the tip and fins is exactly the same.
If you look at number 22 in the bottom picture, that is the  Hülsendeckel and "a" indicates where it is glued to the rest of the Hülsenmantel.
Hope this helps.
 

From today walk near Aurora.

 
 

Sosna-R AA missile for Mi-24P-1M

 
 

One of those left by Wehrmacht in Czechoslovakia. Czechoslovak export of weapons in the Middle East after WW2 is a downright crazy piece of history. Maybe I'll write a bit more about it one day (members of the Communist party smuggling weapons to newborn Izrael with the help of US freelance pilots through Greek airfields etc.). 

It is Allison, don't know for sure which model exactly. Although for this plane AM-38 engine was brought back to life, but it didn't received all needed papers (on top of having problems with spare parts), so it was not installed on that Il-2.
 
   Another Grandpa was on the show.

 
 

1968, Burlington bisquit No. 4
 
tested by the British in the mid-late 60s, the type of combined armour, at an angle of inclination of 60deg, provided protection from 6 in (152 mm) HC with penetration of 643 mm (cone angle 60, copper), and also provided protection equivalent to 136 mm steel from 120 mm APDS L15A4 ( 1300-1500 yards), the assembly weighed the same way as a 135-136mm steel plate, with an inclination angle of 68 deg the entire assembly protection was achieved from 7 and 8 in HC (penetration unknown, cone angle 40, approximately penetration something around 800 and 900- 1000 mm)
at the beginning of 1965, bisquit No. 1 was tested to provide protection against a 5-in HC; by May 65 they switched to No. 4.
the presented scheme was compiled according to a handwritten report, in which only plate thicknesses and overall assembly dimensions are exactly given, the air-gaps could be a little different if more accurate data appear, I will correct the scheme.

Borsuk's interior
 

Photo made during Beslan. Soldier in the mask on the left (Ilya Mareev) have rare optics on his VSS, KOP-2 with build-in laser rangefinder. Very rare to see, especailly back in 2000s. 

On this day, 15 years ago.

 
 

 
 
 

 

   Leonid Rashal (very well known doctor) in Beslan, Sept 1st/2nd.
 

   Ruslan Aushev walking to school
 

 

   Gym - in the middle, workshops - on the left, Acting hall - left, near corner of building, library - right side.
 
 

 
 

 
 

   FSB unit "White coal" from Essentuki
 
 
 

 

 
 
 

 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 

 
 
 

 
   NSFW
 
 

 
 
 

 
 

   After operation.
 
 
   Soldiers that died during those events:

 
   1. Dmitry Razumovsky ("Major") - lieutenant colonel, head of the Directorate "V" of the TsSN of the FSB of Russia. He was awarded the star of the Hero of the Russian Federation (posthumously). During assault killed 2 terrorists that were shooting at fleeing hostages. Was killed during room-to-room combat inside of the school.


 
 
2. Alexander Perov (“Pooh”) - Major, Head of the Task Force of the 1st Division of the Directorate “A” of the TsN FSB of Russia. When the brutal battle suddenly began on September 3, 2004, Alexander Perov, acting decisively and courageously, personally destroyed one of the four bandits who fired at the hostage children. During combat inside of the school, Major Perov was covering special forces group, but suddenly a terrorist appeared from the opposite side and opened fire in the back of the officers. He destroyed terrorist, but he himself was mortally wounded. He was awarded the star of the Hero of the Russian Federation (posthumously).
 

 
 
3. Oleg Ilyin (“Skala”/ "Rock") - lieutenant colonel, head of 4th fireteam of 3rd department of the Directorate “V” of the TsSN FSB of Russia. Initially acting in the schoolyard, Oleg Ilyin with his subordinates diverted the fire of terrorists who shot at the escaping hostages. In this battle he was wounded, but remained in action. Then he burst into the school building, where he discovered another group of terrorists ready to break out of school. In a fierce battle with point-blank fire, he destroyed two militants. Distracting the attention of the bandits on himself, he saved the life of the soldiers following him and ensured by his actions the complete destruction of this group of terrorists. In this battle, Colonel Ilyin was killed. He was awarded the star of the Hero of the Russian Federation (posthumously).

 
 
4. Andrey Turkin ("Cherkess") - lieutenant, operative of the 2nd department of the Directorate "V" of the TsSN FSB of Russia. Andrei Turkin, as part of his unit, burst into the school building under fire of militants. He was injured, but did not leave the battle. Covering the hostage rescue with fire, he personally destroyed one terrorist. When one of the terrorists, hiding in the pantry, threw a grenade at the hostages, the officer rushed and covered grenade with his body. He was awarded the star of the Hero of the Russian Federation (posthumously).

 
 
5. Mikhail Kuznetsov ("Domovoy") - FSB major. During the special operation, he evacuated more than 20 wounded hostages, mainly children. Covering his group, Mikhail joined the battle with two terrorists and, having destroyed them, died. Order of Merit for the Fatherland, 4th class, with swords (posthumous).

 
 
6. Vyacheslav Malyarov (“Malyar”/"Painter") major, senior detective of Department 1 of Directorate “A” of the CTsSN FSB. During combat inside the building, he blocked the direction of the fire, which was carried out by four bandits in direction of room with the hostages. Having been mortally wounded, Vyacheslav continued to fight, wounded two terrorists and forced them to retreat.
   Cavalier of the Order "For Merit to the Fatherland" IV degree with swords (posthumous).

 
 
7. Andrey Velko - Major, employee of the Directorate “V” of the TsSN FSB of the Russian Federation. As part of the assault group, he entered the school building. Destroyed one of the Basayevites and ensured the actions of the group. Then he came into fire contact with another terrorist and destroyed him. The officer received multiple fatal injuries, covering hostages. Posthumously awarded the Order of Merit to the Fatherland, IV degree.

 
 
8. Roman Katasonov - major, senior operative of the 4th department of the Directorate “V” of the TsSN FSB of Russia. Major Roman Katasonov during the assault penetrated the building and destroyed two terrorists. In one of the rooms he found two hidden children. Rescuing them and covering up the assault group's employees, Roman was fighting with a terrorist's machine gun crew and was mortally wounded.
   Cavalier of the Order of Merit to the Fatherland, IV degree, with swords (posthumous).

 
 
9. Denis Pudovkin (“Gusar”) - ensign, senior instructor of the 3rd department of the Directorate “V” of the TsSN FSB of Russia. He destroyed one of the bandits who was shooting at the children. He carried wounded schoolchildren under fire. Having received a shrapnel wound, he continued to save people. Cavalier of the Order "For Merit to the Fatherland" IV degree (posthumous)
 

 
 
10. Oleg Loskov - ensign, senior instructor of the 1st department of the Directorate “A” of the TsSN FSB. As part of an assault group, he encountered four bandits trying to escape from the school building under the cover of fleeing hostages. He wounded one of the terrorists and, obscuring the hostages, blocked the bandits from escaping. Having been mortally wounded, Oleg continued to support the actions of the assault group with fire. He was awarded the Order "For Merit to the Fatherland" IV degree (posthumous).

   In Beslan
 
 
 

Don't know for sure, but AFAIK Mi-8 is not enough for militaries for some of their new vehicles.

Vietnam upgrades T-54
https://andrei-bt.livejournal.com/1445983.html

 
 

 
 

Of course

 
Some of us still remember...

NEEEEEEVVVVEEEEERRRRR.
 
And yes, this is an old joke.

More pics of Borsuk. 
 

Grandpa in the air.

 
 

This is pretty well-written aticle about Tigr/SVD type rifles.
https://huntportal.ru/hunting/oruzhie-i-boepripasy/nareznoe-ognestrelnoe-oruzhie/rossiya/tigr-i-realnost

 
 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
 


 

 
 

 

 
 
 
 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

Burlington bisquit no.4 (1968)
 
25mm steel -/air gap/ 6,35mm polyester on 6,35 steel plate-/air gap/ 6,35mm polyester on 6,35 steel plate-/air gap/ 6,35mm polyester on 6,35 steel plate-/air gap/ 6,35mm polyester on 6,35 steel plate-/air gap/ 6,35mm polyester on 6,35 steel plate-/air gap/50mm backplate whole block 16 inch thick
 
and side modules is 1-2mm stainless steel 3,175-6,35mm plastic, whole block 8 inch thick
 
16" block when it's sloped at 60° gives protection from 6" HC(643mm pen)  and from 120mm APDS is equivalent to 136mm of RHA(both by weight and by level of protection)
i will add details later

Spectacular short landing from MAKS preparations. Parashutes deployed while still in the air!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGyL_NJhCWU 

Actually there were two vz.28 MGs. Both were used mostly in aircrafts and one was used in fixed and the other in movable installations during 1920'. The fixed one was a copy of Vickers and the movable a copy of Lewis. Some Lewis HMGs were used also in anti-aircraft role. Here You can see some photos of the preserved Lewis one: http://www.vhu.cz/exhibit/cs-letecky-kulomet-vz-l28/

Tanks Encyclopedia ha a magazine now. It's still mind-bogglingly terrible.