Relaxation tank 65
| Relaxation tank 65 | |
|---|---|
3 Panzer 65 in action |
|
| General properties | |
| crew | 5 (commander, driver, observer, 2 tank mechanics) |
| length | 7.6 m with dozer blade |
| width | 3.15 m |
| height | 2.97 m |
| Dimensions | 39 tons |
| Armor and armament | |
| Main armament | 1 × 7.5 mm machine gun |
| agility | |
| drive | V8 diesel engine Mercedes-Benz MB 837 Ba 500, 29,900 cm³ 485 kW (660 PS ) |
| suspension | Torsion bar |
| Top speed | 55 km / h |
| Power / weight | 22.7 kW / ton |
| Range | 350 km (road) |
The Swiss relaxation tank 65 (Entp Pz 65) is an armored recovery vehicle and is based on the chassis of the Panzer 61 . It serves as a mobile workshop and has the task of relaxing and towing the armored vehicles of the tank formations. From 1968 onwards, 69 relaxation tanks 65 were built, later referred to as 65/88.
With Army XXI , the relaxation tanks are being replaced by the new, based on the Leopard 2 , armored recovery vehicle, Buffalo , and scrapped.
History and Development
In 1961, the Federal Design Workshop in Thun began developing an armored recovery vehicle on the chassis of Panzer 61. In 1967 the prototype was completed and, after extensive testing with the chassis of the successor model, (the only slightly modified) Panzer 68, approved. The vehicle went into series production in this form in 1970. The structure was box-shaped with an armored cabin. Numerous storage boxes were mounted on the sides to accommodate complete tool equipment, cutting torches, etc. The engine and gearbox were in the rear, above the engine cover plate a kind of trough open to the rear was created through the side storage boxes, in which a complete replacement engine could be carried. The driver sat in the front right; he had three corner mirrors at his disposal. Behind the driver was a rotating dome with several corner mirrors, a hatch and four smoke cannons in front of it . To the left behind the driver was another rotating dome with several corner mirrors, a hatch and an Mg 51 mounted on a pivot . The entry and exit hatch was on the left side of the combat area above the chain at the level of the pulley or the first roller. At the front of the vehicle a hydraulically operated clearing shovel was attached, which served both to support the crane and winch operation, as well as to remove obstacles, to prepare positions and to fill in trenches. A tow rope was attached to the rear of the tank and tow bars (A-shaped drawbar) were attached to the top of the side boxes. The vehicle had an NBC protection system . The maximum tensile load of the main winch was 25 tons, which could be increased to 75 tons with double deflection in triple pull. The rope lengths were 120 m and 60 m. The auxiliary winch had a rope length of 240 meters. The crane consisted of an A-shaped frame that was stored at the front of the vehicle and placed back over the body when not in use. The associated winch was located behind the crew room. The crane had a lifting capacity of 15 tons with a three meter radius. The lifting height was 4.8 m. With this, the relaxation tank 68 was able to replace a complete drive unit of the tank 68 with its crane. The crew consisted of a commander, driver, observer and two tank mechanics.
In 1972 69 units were put into service by the Swiss Army. Between 1993 and 1995, all vehicles were modernized to the level of Entpannungspanzer 65/88 and remained in service with the Swiss Army with the M numbers M78631 to M78699 until 2008.
The prototype with the M number M0870 can be viewed in the Thun tank museum , a series-produced tank in the Swiss Military Museum Full .
Technical
The relaxation tank 65 has a semi-automatic power shift gearbox with six forward and reverse gears. The steering takes place via steering wheel steps and wear-free by means of hydrostatic superimposed steering including local steering. A 4-cylinder auxiliary motor (38 HP) drives the hydraulic pump and the main generator. If necessary, it can be used to drive the drive gear or to start the main engine.
An on-board communication system and a radio device of the type SE-412 (AN / VRC-12) serve for communication. An NBC protection system and a water tank with an 18 liter capacity are installed in the crew room.
equipment
- 1 main winch max. Direct traction 25 tons, 75 tons with two pulleys, 120 m rope diameter 30 mm
- 1 auxiliary winch max. Pulling force 400 kg, 240 m rope diameter 6 mm
- 1 crane max lifting capacity 15 tons
- Tow bars to form an A drawbar
- Dozer blade
- Various tools
Armament
- 1 machine gun 7.5 mm
- 4 smoke grenade launchers
literature
- Martin Haudenschild: The history of the development of the Panzer 68 (Ed. Swiss Army Museum 2009), PDF
- Operating Instructions Entpannungspanzer 65 (1972) K + W (Ed.): Entpannungspanzer 65 Operating Instructions. For business use only. Edition from 1972. K + W (Eidgenössische Konstruktionswerkstätte) - Thun
