Entpannungspanzer 65
The Swiss Entpannungspanzer 65 ( EntpPz 65 ) is an armored recovery vehicle and is based on the chassis of the Panzer 61 It serves as a traveling workshop and has the task of relaxing environment, the armored vehicles of the armored formations and tow. From 1968 69 Entpannungspanzer 65 were built, later called 65 / 88th
The Entpannungspanzer XXI The Army replaced and scrapped by the new, based on the Leopard 2, Buffalo armored recovery vehicle.
History and Development
In 1961, the Federal structure workshop began in Thun with the development of an armored recovery vehicle on the chassis of the tank 61 1967 the prototype was finalized and approved after extensive testing with the chassis of the successor model, ( the only slightly modified ) tank 68. In this form, the vehicle went in 1970 in series. The structure was box-shaped with armored cabin. On the sides of numerous storage boxes were installed to complete tooling, cutting torch accommodate etc.. Motor and Gear Unit were in the rear, above the motor cover was by the side storage boxes a kind of created to the rear open trough, in this way a complete Ersatzttriebwerk could be carried. The driver sat in the front right; him stood three -angle mirrors available. Behind the driver there were a rotating dome with multiple -angle mirrors, hatch and front fog four launchers. Links behind the driver another, rotating dome with multiple -angle mirrors, hatch and mounted on a pivot pin 51 Mg was mounted. The entry and exit hatch was on the left side of the battle space above the chain in the amount of the deflection roller and the first roller. At the front of the vehicle a hydraulically operated dozer blade was attached, which both served the jacking under the crane and winch operation, as well as to remove obstacles, for preparing positions and filling of trenches. At the rear of the tank, a tow rope was attached on top of the sidepods tow bars ( A-shaped drawbar ) attached. The vehicle had an NBC protection system. The maximum tensile load of the main winch was 25 tons, which could be increased with double deflection in the triple train to 75 tons. The cable length was 120 m and 60 m. The auxiliary winch had 240 feet of rope length. The crane consisting of a A- shaped frame, which has been mounted on the front of the vehicle and stored when not in use to the rear of the structure. The corresponding winch was located behind the crew compartment. The crane had a lifting capacity of 15 tonnes at three meter radius. The lift height was 4.8 m. Thus, the Entpannungspanzer 68 was able to replace a complete drive unit of the tank 68 with his crane. The crew consisted of commander, driver, observer and two tank mechanics.
It entered service in 1972 69 pieces of the Swiss Army. Between 1993 and 1995, all vehicles have been upgraded to the level Entpannungspanzer 65/88 and remained with the M numbers M78631 - M78699 to 2008 in the service of the Swiss Army.
The prototype with the M number M0870 is the Tank Museum Thun, visit an armored version of the series in the military museum in Full.
Technical
The Entpannungspanzer 65 has a semi-automatic powershift transmission with six forward and reverse gears. The steering wheel is via steps and from wear by hydrostatic superimposition steering inclusive local steering. A 4- cylinder auxiliary motor (38 HP) is used to drive the hydraulic pump and of the main generator. If necessary, it can be used to drive the drive transmission to the auxiliary or starting of the main engine.
For communication is an intercom system and a radio apparatus of the type SE 412 in the crew cabin a NBC protection system and a water tank with 18 liter capacity is installed.