Scolopax

Sevral of my photos - Command RAK-SMK vehicle shooting GAk-81 camouflage granade:
 

 
 

 

 

 
 
GAk--81 empty case:

 
 

The Leopard 1A3's fire control system and optics were derived from the contemporary Leopard 2 development; in particular the EMES 12 steoroscopic rangefinder, the PERI R12 commander's sight and the FLER-H are based on early Leopard 2 components.
 
But on the Leopard 2 prototypes the EMES 12 was not just an optical rangefinder. Paul-Werner Krapke in his book essentially calls it an optical rangefinder with integrated laser rangefinder, which leaves tonnes of room for imagination. The Jahrbuch der Wehrtechnik from 1974 explains some details regarding this arrangement. Basically the laser rangefinder used the same lenses as the optical rangefinder, but was reflected at a semi-translucent mirror, while visible light could pass it. As the Bundeswehr considered laser rangefinders to be too inaccurate during the early 1970s (apparently they often picked up incorrect or multiple laser echos), the gunner had the task to double-check the laser rangefinder's measurements. For this purpose the result of the laser rangefinding was displayed in the gunner's eyepieces, so that he could quickly set the optical rangefinder to that range - if the measurement was correct, then the target would appear correctly ranged (sharp) in the optical rangefinder aswell.
For the Leopard 1A3 the laser rangefinder was removed - probably as cost-saving measure.
 
I wonder what this means regarding the reliability of the Tank Laser Sight adopted on the Chieftain already in 1970...
 
On a side note, the FERO Z12 auxiliary sight on the early Leopard 2 prototypes also included a night vision option (of unknown quality - IR or image intensifier?) - the later FERO Z18 of the Leopard 2 and corresponding devices found on other modern tanks like the Abrams and Challenger 2 only work as daysights.
 
But the really interesting aspect of the early Leopard 2 prototypes are the night vision devices. Basically two different designs were tested: the PZNG and NZG 200.
 
The PZNG (this probably stands for "passives Ziel- und Nachtsichtgerät" - passive targeting and night vision device) was made by AEG. It consists of a fully-stabilized periscope incorporating a low light level television system with a 200 mm lens opening and basically the same second-generation image intensifier as used in the PZB 200 LLTV camera. The whole PZNG had a weight of circa 70 kilograms and was mounted on a retractable mast at the back of the turret. Full 360° traverse and elevation ranging from -10° to +20° allowed detection targets at all directions.
 

PZNG with captions pointing towards the LLTV camera lens ("TV-KANAL"), thermal imager lens ("WB-KANAL"), as well as drives for elevation and azimuth
 
A special feature of the PZNG was the so-called Wärmebildortung or Wärmebildpeilung (basically: thermal image detection/scanning). Thermal imagers at the early 1970s didn't offer sufficient resolution and contrast to be used as night vision devices in armored vehicles; yet they clearly offered a massive advantage in terms of detection capability. So AEG decided to add a thermal imaging system to the PZNG to be purely used for target detection, which projected the image onto the photocathode of the camera tube. Essentially by activating the Wärmebildortung the thermal imager produced images at a very slow rate (just one frame per minute, probably in order to reduce the required cooling system). These were laid over the image provided by the LLLTV system, essentially acting as a very early type of sensor fusion. Compared to thermal rangefinders, LLLTV systems at the time provided clearer images and longer ranges (up to 3,000 meters according to the optimistic values from the Jahrbuch der Wehrtechnik 1974). The modular design of the PZNG allowed to completely replace it with a newer thermal imager in the future.
 
The NZG 200 was developed by Zeiss and Eltro. I believe that NZG might stand for "Nachtsichtzielgerät" - night vision targeting device. In terms of overall specs, it is largely similar to the PZNG - a 70 kg heavy, fully stabilized periscope with 360° travese and -10° to +20° elevation that sits on an elevatable mast which can be retracted into the turret. The main difference between both systems is the image intensifier - another type of video camera tube was used - and the íntegration of the still early thermal imaging technology. Instead of a small thermal sensor with a low framerate being used, the NZG 200 included a proper thermal imager. A mirror in the "dead" zone of the LLLTV's mirror lens directed the incoming light to it. As the resolution was still rather limited, the thermal imager also was to be only used for target detection - identification of the target aswell as aiming was to be done using the image intensifier instead.
 

 
The NZG 200 didn't allow overlying the thermal imager's output onto the LLLTV image, instead the operator had to switch between switch between both modes. Alternatively one operator (gunner or commander) could view the thermal channel, while the other could view the LLLTV channel. The NZG 200 was designed in such a way, that the thermal imaging module could be easily replaced with newer ones in the future.
 
 
The PZNG was fitted to the Leopard 2 prototype turrets T12 and T17, while the NZG 200 was fitted to the turrets T11 and T16.
 

 
Leopard 2 prototype with turret T11 (the only one with 20 mm autocannon). The NZG 200 is visible at the center-left side of the photo. Next to it is the pulse spotlight, which could be used with the LLLTV system in the oimnous "gated viewing mode".
 

https://cloud.mail.ru/public/9dEX/djuwzbp4V

I've concluded that with my current pace of "processing" my photos of pages from some military-related magazines and books from and usually on 1950s-2010s, stored at Russian State Library, it would take months or years until finally done, 
so I've decided instead to upload it asap, "as is", with most uploaded by now, and few (in subfolders which would be available via the same link) in following couple of days. 

I don't see any Shermans, just two piles of tracks sitting in the road.

News about Armata. Apparently it was in Syria, and was put through additional tests. Also, vehicle production was moved to 2021.
 

https://warspot.ru/17005-teoriya-bronetankovyh-zabluzhdeniy-tanki-v-chistom-pole-i-amerikanskie-stanki
   Yuri Pasholok's article about some of myths about Soviet armor (1943-1944).
 
   1. Turret ring diamter increase problems
 

    Translation of text:
   Is there an ability to increase turret ring of T-34 tank? Yes, they are. According to preliminary assesment ring can be made wider by 200mm.
   Is it possible for production to make it? Yes, Mariupol factory doesn't have any problems with it, factory N183 also have necessary machinery
 
 
 

   T-34-85 with 1600mm turret ring instead of 1430 during testing.
 
 
 
   2. SU-76M is bad
 

   Manual river crossing of the ZIS-3 cannon. Those wishing to tell that the SU-76M was a bad self-propelled gun can mentally send themselves to the place of one of the numbers of this crew
 
 

 
 
 
   3. About ISU-122 existance: myth and reality.
 

   The main reason for the appearance of the A-19 as a weapon for tanks and self-propelled guns. The demolished Tiger turret is the result of an A-19 armor-piercing shell hit from a 1.5 km
 
 

 
 

   Thanks to the ISU-122s, it was possible to reduce the requirements for the production of A-19 for self-propelled guns to 100 pieces per month. Nevertheless, the cases when the plant No. 172 did not keep up with the orders are not rare.
 
 
 
   4. About IS tanks
 

   To the question of when the D-25 was created. The middle of July 1943, and there is already a project of Object 240. The fighting on the Kursk Bulge is still ongoing
 
 

   Distance - 2000m. R50 (half of shots) - 72sm, R100 - 130 sm. "+" is point of aim, central part of the group is 10 sm above and 100sm to the right from point of aim.
   To the question of the accuracy of the D-25T. And such accuracy was achieved during standard warranty tests.
 
 

   One of the tanks that participated in the battle of Ternopol. The vehicle was hit, but, as you can see, served in the Red and Soviet armies for more than a decade
 
 

   In August 1944, the mass production of the IS-2 began with a straightened frontal part of the hull, which was significantly stronger than the original design
 
 
/..../
   6. Optics
 

   Visibility from T-34-85. During the war years, Soviet observation devices and sights made a big step forward
 
 

   For comparison, the visibility from the Panther. Loader is blind, the gunner looks only forward, only the commander can look on the sides. For this reason, defeats on the sides were a frequent result of the combat use of new generation of German tanks.
 
 

T-80UE-1 Sp2, february.

 
 
 

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The Legend of Wolfgang The Fast-Food Man
 

During the Cold War Wolfgang Meier became a legend to the BAOR (British Army on the Rhine).He owned a fast-food van and made a living following around British units on exercise.
No matter how distant or hidden a unit was Wolfgang managed to find them.

Soldiers thought he must have been a Soviet spy but turns out he was just bribing other soldiers with packs of Beer. 

Challenger 1 Maintenance Schedule

Written by Vickers?


 

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Challenger 1 Structural Test
 


 
https://www.facebook.com/groups/chally/permalink/2931050650258999/

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Project Chaser




 
https://www.facebook.com/groups/chally/permalink/3097827926914603/

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Challenger Improvement Program (CHIP)
 





https://www.facebook.com/groups/chally/permalink/3043757718988291/

Challenger 2E  Gate Guard - RBSL


https://www.facebook.com/groups/chally/permalink/2823443321019733/

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Challenger 2 Turret lift


 

Standard turret weight: 18t~
W/ add-on: 20t~

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Challenger 2 Hit by 14 RPGs - Iraq


 

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Challenger 2 Experimental Autoloaders


 

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Challenger 2 ROSY Demonstration
 

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Challenger 2 Engine @ 2000bhp?

Seems there were multiple tests running the CV12 at 1500bhp and even 2000bhp but engine was limited by TN54 transmission:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/chally/permalink/2341430025887734/
 

 

does type10 have any armour ?
 

 
nice 21st century hatch lock btw 
 

More photos of elements of S-300V4 AA system.

 
 
   Big missiles are for mid-range ballistic missiles

 
 
   CP vehicle
 
   Radar vehicle
 
   Missile reloading:
 

Dutch Centurion crew and their gear
 

Part 5 is out. I like that he is moving futher and not just making same action short videos. Look at comments to see explanation of some of events in the video, if you don't understand them.
 

Dutch Centurion crew and their gear
 

If you exclusively reside in Mechanized Warfare, as many of you do, you might have missed that SH is holding its quasi-annual design competition, which is for an armored car to be developed for the future post-apocalyptic Lone Free State of Texas, circa 2245. Check out the thread here.

My way of social distancing applied today (waking up at 4 a.m. was hard though). North-western Bohemia, near the motorway Prague - Dresden. I didn't meet a single person...   

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.
 

Few cool moments here:
 

https://www.army-technology.com/news/raytheon-delivers-third-generation-flir-system-to-us-army/

Drag race between M3A3 Stuart and Ha-Go. The result isn't suprising 
 

Ikv 91 appreciation post.  Vehicles and crew here are participating in training exercises, 1978.  Photos from the Swedish Arsenalen museum archive.  Link to a few more.  The infantry rider photo is separate from the others in both setting and photo collection
 
 
 

 

 

 


 

Ikv 91 appreciation post.  Vehicles and crew here are participating in training exercises, 1978.  Photos from the Swedish Arsenalen museum archive.  Link to a few more.  The infantry rider photo is separate from the others in both setting and photo collection