Re: Tanks vs. APCs

Thomas.Barclay wrote:

> The Israelis have discovered that a tank hull makes a good APC. I
can't
> remember if it is a T-55 or T-62 hull or what, but they've created an
APC
> that holds 8-10 guys, is real low slung to the ground (a la Tank which
is
> what the hull is) and has good heavy armour. It's hard to spot, hard
to hit,
> and hard to kill if it is hit. And this was done from old tanks that
were no
> longer combat viable, as tanks. But they make a darn good APC.

This idea has a long and honourable history. A few Old Mk IV tanks were
converted to APCs in 1918. But the largest scale use was by the
Commonwealth in Europe, 1944-45, with the Sherman/Ram/Defrocked Priest
Kangaroos. The Kangaroo conversions were basically tanks with the
turrets taken off, and used as APCs. Used in large numbers in Italy and
France.

The Israelis use both old Centurions (which are extensively converted,
not just a quick turret-off job) and I believe, T-55s in the same role.
Their MBT, the Merkava (Chariot) (which is really an infantry tank) can
take a stretcher to evacuate casualties, but the rear doors are for
loading ammo not debarking troops.

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