Leopard Tank Question

[Wiedzmin]

L2AV hull from a top, there is more problems with hull because there is not much detailed drawings of it + it changed during trials, side screen only drawed as a 3 spaced plate with total thickness of block 100mm(L2A4 have +- same side blocks)

for example hull front

As part of the above-mentioned study contract, a bow section using the new, martensite-hard welding is to be prepared and tested under fire. The bow section corresponds in arrangement and dimension of the frontal structure to the pre-haulage model already shot in Meppen according to the KM drawing no. SK 156-181.000.000.2 (BWB PA 145/76). Deviating from that miss the Kettenabdeckbereiche and the Turmdrehkanz. For details, please refer to the enclosed MaK drawing no. 13-SK-4228-01.00.0. The usual austenitic sweat connection is replaced by the martensite hardening. The bombardment tests are to be used exclusively for assessing the new type of welded connection under bombardment, that is to say by means of balancing shells. Consequently, the jalousie profiles and insert plates are not provided with gummed up bumps and holes. The completion of this bow section will be completed in mid-December 1976, so that at the beginning of January 1977, the transport to Meppen can be arranged. We ask for scheduling the shelling attempts from January 1977.

https://i.imgur.com/njNSbRD.jpg

 

1,5mm bulging plate was drawed only for upper left side, but i think i similar for the right side because it's same structure

Edited August 2, 2019 by Wiedzmin

[Wiedzmin]

‹

 

first variant (from what i have) of L2AV hull front(fuel tank between 1st and 2nd armour arrays), drawing name "Vorerprobungsmuster Wannebug SK150-1800.00.012.0 Krauss-Maffei AG Munchen-Allach"

25.04.75

it's test rig for firing trials, later they changed armour inserts, maybe someone can translate german part about "Peco Bolzen" etc ?

Edited August 4, 2019 by Wiedzmin

[Interlinked]

Just steel plates with bulging plates glued on without interlayers?

[Przezdzieblo]

Wiedzmin, excellent stuff, as always.

[Wiedzmin]

Just steel plates with bulging plates glued on without interlayers?

thats all i have on this variant at the moment, second variant i will draw later, but it's very stange, and less info on it...

[Paul Lakowski]

Just steel plates with bulging plates glued on without interlayers?

This armor is optimised to defeat long rod penetrators like APFSDS & HEAT warheads . yep works just as well as thicker steel plates, but its cheaper than ceramic steel armor.

[KV7]

 

Just steel plates with bulging plates glued on without interlayers?

This armor is optimised to defeat long rod penetrators like APFSDS & HEAT warheads . yep works just as well as thicker steel plates, but its cheaper than ceramic steel armor.

 

This statement is so confusing.

[Wiedzmin]

second variant of Leopard 2AV hull, unfortunately there is only one blueprint for front section and it's doesn't show special armour inserts, and judging by the blueprint it's still have fuel tank inside

 

As part of the above-mentioned study contract, a bow section using the new, martensite-hard welding is to be prepared and tested under fire. The bow section corresponds in arrangement and dimension of the frontal structure to the pre-haulage model already shot in Meppen according to the KM drawing no. SK 156-181.000.000.2 (BWB PA 145/76). Deviating from that miss the Kettenabdeckbereiche and the Turmdrehkanz. For details, please refer to the enclosed MaK drawing no. 13-SK-4228-01.00.0. The usual austenitic sweat connection is replaced by the martensite hardening. The bombardment tests are to be used exclusively for assessing the new type of welded connection under bombardment, that is to say by means of balancing shells. Consequently, the jalousie profiles and insert plates are not provided with gummed up bumps and holes. The completion of this bow section will be completed in mid-December 1976, so that at the beginning of January 1977, the transport to Meppen can be arranged. We ask for scheduling the shelling attempts from January 1977.

 

this is description for this draw

 

 

but, there is 2 hand drawn armour schemes inside report

 

 

 

as you can see it has similar front section structure, but has no fuel tank, BUT if you look at first scheme it tells that the is 175mm air gap between first and second jalousie blocks(special armour packs), but scheme itself and second shows that there is 3rd pack(middle), i don't know it this error(reports usually have them) or there is version without fuel tank, or maybe there was some sort of inserts to left and right from fuel tank

 

 

tank cut-away show fuel tank

[Chris Werb]

Have any Leo2s been scrapped yet? Other than Turkish army losses in Syria.

[Wiedzmin]

Dutch, Austrian, German IIRC

[Paul Lakowski]

 

 

Just steel plates with bulging plates glued on without interlayers?

This armor is optimised to defeat long rod penetrators like APFSDS & HEAT warheads . yep works just as well as thicker steel plates, but its cheaper than ceramic steel armor.

 

This statement is so confusing.

 

yes, but in ballistics research both long rod penetrators and accumulated charges [HEAT] are done with long rods with very high length to depth ratios. APFSDS use tungsten or DU alloy , while HEAT warheads are simulated with copper rods. With more elaborate research actual accumulated charges are used, but many more are needed to get reliable average figure.

[Wiedzmin]

any real 100-105-115-120-125mm APFSDS (not labaratory model rods 1:8/1:16 etc) was stoped with any real armour array with ceramic( in which ceramic made any significant contribution to protection vs KE, no CE) and not tonns of steel ?

[KV7]

any real 100-105-115-120-125mm APFSDS (not labaratory model rods 1:8/1:16 etc) was stoped with any real armour array with ceramic( in which ceramic made any significant contribution to protection vs KE, no CE) and not tonns of steel ?

Probably some T-series tanks would fit the bill - either ceramic balls; Kvartz and 'sand bar' filler; or the ceramic glacis plates on some T-80 variants. The ceramic in the galcis was/is better than textolite vs KE, though the experimental ceramic plates in the turret were not better than the NERA array.

Edited September 12, 2019 by KV7

[Wiedzmin]

there is no ceramic glacis plates in any serial production T-80 or T-72, and ceramic never used as APFSDS protection in serial production T, ball/bars and other "dirt" only to decrease weight of whole assembly and gain(or just not lose vs monolith steel version) protection vs CE

[KV7]

there is no ceramic glacis plates in any serial production T-80 or T-72, and ceramic never used as APFSDS protection in serial production T, ball/bars and other "dirt" only to decrease weight of whole assembly and gain(or just not lose vs monolith steel version) protection vs CE

I thought T-80 UD (any maybe some T-64 variant ?) had ceramic in the glacis. I found this but maybe it is some bullshit.

 

Edited August 15, 2019 by KV7

[Wiedzmin]

It's fpr(steklotextolit) , same as in all soviet tanks

[Harkonnen]

Strange painting for spciall armour ))

​

[DB]

Pink tanks are almost a tradition now.

[Stuart Galbraith]

Glad to see the gender sensitivity training is paying off.

[Panzermann]

It is more of a magenta colour imho. I hope they do not get sued by german Telekom AG.

 

 

I guess it is for testing purposes to show impacts or something?

Edited September 12, 2019 by Panzermann

[Mighty_Zuk]

Any strike on the armor would reveal the base light grey color of the metal. A Magenta background would have high contrast with the impact point.

That's my take at least, and seems to be what Panzermann was trying to say.

[Panzermann]

Any strike on the armor would reveal the base light grey color of the metal. A Magenta background would have high contrast with the impact point.

That's my take at least, and seems to be what Panzermann was trying to say.

 

Yes. You put it better than me.

[DKTanker]

 

Any strike on the armor would reveal the base light grey color of the metal. A Magenta background would have high contrast with the impact point.

That's my take at least, and seems to be what Panzermann was trying to say.

 

Yes. You put it better than me.

 

Shoot and see targets? Makes sense to me.

 

[methos]

Yes, it seems so. It's from the quality control section of KMW's Greek subsidiary:

 

http://www.hdvs.gr/drastiriotites/politiki-poiotitas.html

[Wiedzmin]

 

so they finaly welded addon plate on base 30mm side of Leopard-2 ?

 

pic from sturgeonshouse

 

the photo allegedly depicts a Leopard 2A7

 

 

Dutch Leo2's has some sort of addon plate bolted on to side during fielding in Afghanistan, but this was part of mine protection kit ?

Edited March 3, 2020 by Wiedzmin