Panhard VCR

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Panhard VCR
Panhard VCR in Mexico City (2009)

Panhard VCR in Mexico City (2009)
General properties
crew 3 + 9
length 4.88 m
width 2.50 m
height 2.13 m
Dimensions 7900 kg
Armor and armament
Armor 8–12 mm armor steel
Main armament 12.7 mm MG or HOT PzAbw rocket
Secondary armament Fog throw system
agility
drive Peugeot PRV V-6
145 hp
suspension Coil suspension
Top speed 90 km / h
Power / weight 18.35 hp / t
Range 700 km

The Panhard VCR ( V éhicule de C ombat à R oues , Radkampffahrzeug ) is a light, armored, amphibious troop transport vehicle from the Panhard company , which was specially manufactured for export and whose production began in 1979. After Iraq asked in September 1974 about the possibility of equipping it with a French tower to accommodate an anti-tank guided missile system, production of this special version began for Iraq. For this reason, Iraq was the largest buyer of the vehicles with 100 units.

description

The VCR is an all-wheel drive 6x6 vehicle that was developed in the late 1970s to replace the now technically obsolete Panhard M3 VTT . The latter was a great success for Panhard with more than 1200 copies produced.

The middle pair of wheels can be raised when driving on the road. The engine is located in the front right, the driver sits next to it in the middle of the bow. The walls of the superstructure are made of 8 mm thick armored steel, while the front is 12 mm thick. This means that the front provides protection against 12.7 mm AP and otherwise against 7.62 mm AP bullets.

The basic version is the VCR / TT ( Transport de Troupes - troop transporter ). This can be equipped with various weapons. The armament normally consists of a machine gun with a caliber of 7.62 mm or 12.7 mm , which is mounted in a ring mount on the left, front side of the roof. However, it is also possible to equip a 7.62 mm machine gun or a 20 mm machine cannon in a one-man turret. This is then located behind the driver's hatch in the middle of the vehicle roof. The first large export went to Iraq after 100 vehicles had been equipped as a tank destroyer version with a turret to accommodate the launcher for the HOT anti-tank guided missile at the customer's request . This version was called VCR / TH ( Tourelle HOT ). The vehicle carried four HOT missiles ready to fire in the turret and ten more in the hull for reloading. The slightly cheaper version of the VCR / TH was equipped with the MTC dome with which the MILAN anti-tank missile could be fired. However, no buyer was found for this version.

In addition to the three-person crew, the troop carrier version of the vehicle can accommodate nine infantrymen.

Other variants

  • VCR / AT

Recovery vehicle with a crane on the rear of the vehicle, tools for two mechanics, workbench , welding machine , spare parts and a tow bar.

  • VCR / IS

Ambulance vehicle with accommodation for three stretchers (four stretchers for short distances) and a doctor or paramedic. Air conditioning for use in the desert, drinking water supply, refrigerator, electric sterilizer , wall cabinets with medical equipment. A large tent that was carried along could be erected at the rear of the vehicle.

  • VCR / PC

Command vehicle ("Poste commandement") with workstations for three radio operators, one radio for long distances and another for close range. Furthermore, four high-performance batteries were part of the vehicle equipment, in order to keep the radio devices operational even when the vehicle is idle for long periods.

This vehicle could also be used for electronic warfare, then electronic equipment was installed to disrupt enemy radio communications

Panhard VCR TT 4x4 Hydrojet
  • VCR / TT "Hydrojet"

This vehicle is a 4x4 version of the VCR / TT that was specially made for the Argentine marine. The middle axle was left out and a water jet drive was installed instead, which doubles the speed when moving in the water compared to the otherwise existing drive via the wheels. The suction openings have been placed between the two axles to protect them from obstacles in the water. Mexico now also has such vehicles.

User states

Footnotes

  1. ↑ JAA, p. 527.
  2. ^ Foss, pp. 368-369.
  3. ^ C. Foss "Armored Fighting Vehicles of the World" p. 31.
  4. ↑ Trade Registers . Armstrade.sipri.org. Retrieved January 1, 2015.

literature

  • Christopher F. Foss : Jane's Tank Recognition Guide , London: HarperCollins, 2006.
  • Christopher F. Foss: (ed.), Jane's Armor and Artillery 2007-2008 , London: Jane's Publishing Company Limited, 2008.

Web links

Commons : Panhard VCR  - collection of pictures, videos and audio files