Stridsvagn 103 (S-Tank)

[Jeffry Fontaine]

Though it is a bit on the small side that is to its advantage the Swedish designed Stridsvagn 103 aka the S-Tank was certainly unique in design. 

Click for larger image

(image source: Wikipedia

I like the bulldozer blade featured on the later versions of the S-Tank and have often thought of an S-Tank without the gun mounted that would be used as an engineer vehicle to carve out fighting positions for other vehicles or clear paths through debris. 

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There is an S-Tank WIP on Missing-Lynx being built by Dennis Andersson that is starting to look very good. 
Dennis Andersson's Stridsvagn 103C (Trumpeter kit) at Missing Lynx

(Click on image or html to view article.  Image source: Dennis Andersson)

Update - Dennis Andersson's Stridsvagn 103C (Trumpeter kit) at Missing Lynx

(Click on image or html to view article.  Image source: Dennis Andersson)


***updated post with additional link and image for the S-Tank WIP on Missing-Lynx***

[Maverick]

I did a Maavoimat S-Tank profile back in the day.  I also whiffed a Trumpeter S-Tank to an SPATGW vehicle, removing the gun and replacing it with a bashed missile system.

Regards,

John

[GTX_Admin]

How about a Strv103 with turret?

Regards,

Greg

[Weaver]

I have a project planned to build a USMC assault-gun/ATGW vehicle based on an S-Tank fitted with a modified 152mm Shillelagh system. Because of the auto-loader, the gun would used fixed cartridge cases, thereby eliminating one of the original system's problems, while the missile would be modified to use the RBS-70's laser-beam-riding guidance system (a laser-beam-riding Shillelagh was tested for real in 1975). The vehicle would also have an M60A2 or A3 commander's cupola (havn't decided which yet)with it's under-armour .50 cal for all-round local defence.

The model would be presented in the type's "final fling" configuration, outside Fallujah in 2006, with AAV-7A1-style EAAK applique armour on the sides, blazer on the front, and modified stowage.

I'm also considering a USMC "Super-Duper Cobra" to go with it. This would be an AH-1W with the AH-1G flat-panel canopy, 30mm M-230 cannon from the Apache and air-launched Shillelaghs instead of Hellfires (an air-launched Shillelagh was tested for real too).

[GTX_Admin]

I'm liking your thinking!!!!

[Jeffry Fontaine]

I have a project planned to build a USMC assault-gun/ATGW vehicle based on an S-Tank fitted with a modified 152mm Shillelagh system. Because of the auto-loader, the gun would used fixed cartridge cases, thereby eliminating one of the original system's problems, while the missile would be modified to use the RBS-70's laser-beam-riding guidance system (a laser-beam-riding Shillelagh was tested for real in 1975). The vehicle would also have an M60A2 or A3 commander's cupola (havn't decided which yet)with it's under-armour .50 cal for all-round local defence.

The model would be presented in the type's "final fling" configuration, outside Fallujah in 2006, with AAV-7A1-style EAAK applique armour on the sides, blazer on the front, and modified stowage.

I'm also considering a USMC "Super-Duper Cobra" to go with it. This would be an AH-1W with the AH-1G flat-panel canopy, 30mm M-230 cannon from the Apache and air-launched Shillelaghs instead of Hellfires (an air-launched Shillelagh was tested for real too).

For that time period my suggestion for mounting one of the remote weapons stations might be a bit premature.  I was going to suggest that you consider something other than the cupola from the M60/M60A2 such as the Rafael OWS, Samson RCWS, CROWS, or Kongsberg's M151 Protector RWS in lieu of the cupola but not sure if these were fielded or available in that time frame.  Still something to consider. 

I have been working on creating models of the ammunition in 1/35th scale for the M551/M60A2 and prototyped a semi-combustible cartridge case for the 120mm tank gun ammunition and a 155mm projectile to see what I could come up with on short notice.  The 120mm cartridge case is about the same diameter as the 155mm projectile and close enough to 152mm to not really matter in such a small scale.  The end result proved my theory and I set about acquiring the necessary projectile shapes for a second prototype that would be based on the high-explosive projectile for the WW2 German SiG33 which has the right shape but is about twice as long as it should be.  The next step in the process is to reduce the length of on one of these SiG33 projectiles by about half and mate it up to the 120mm cartridge.  That is pretty much where I stopped for now pending a stable work surface. 

Your Super Sea-Cobra sounds enticing.  You should start a topic on that soon.

[Weaver]

That's right Jeff - I see this as a mid-late 1970s project, with the USMC basically picking up the pieces of the original Shillelagh train-wreck and turning it into something useful that suits them. That would make it too soon for RWS systems, hence the M60 cupola.

Ammo-wise, I'd see then also developing a HESH (HEP) round for the gun, since one of it's jobs would be to demolish obstacles.

[ChernayaAkula]

Always thought the Stridsvagn 103 would make a decent tank hunter when equipped with ATGMs.

[elmayerle]

How about a Strv103 with turret?

How about with a low-slung turret similar to that used on the US T92 experimental light tank?  Use the turret to traverse the gun but keep the existing suspension to elevate the gun.

[apophenia]

Or mount the 120mm gun/autoloader from the UDES-XX-20 onto the Bandkanon VK 155 hull for a back-up for the Strv 2000 program?

[GTX_Admin]

Or even a Strv103 simply up gunned with a 120 mm gun.

[Jeffry Fontaine]

Or even a Strv103 simply up gunned with a 120 mm gun.

Better yet, arm it with the 152mm gun/missile launcher from the M551 Sheridan/M60A2.  Missiles and big shells all wrapped up in one small package. 

[Weaver]

Or even a Strv103 simply up gunned with a 120 mm gun.

Better yet, arm it with the 152mm gun/missile launcher from the M551 Sheridan/M60A2.  Missiles and big shells all wrapped up in one small package.

Errrrr <cough> <cough>

[GTX_Admin]

It seems great minds think alike...or fools never differ... :)

[apophenia]

A couple of oldies ...

[apophenia]

Okay, let's say you're turning that Strv 103 into a turret tank, missile launcher, IFV, whichever. Now, what to do with that upper hull and 105mm L7 gun ...?

[Maverick]

That's quite a neat take on the MGS and less likely to tip over!

Regards,

John

[Logan Hartke]

How about an Strv 103 with a 165mm L9 Demolition Gun and PSO/TUSK-style upgrades for the urban environment.  Maybe even slat armor?

Cheers,

Logan

[apophenia]

That's quite a neat take on the MGS and less likely to tip over!

Cheers John. That was my motivation.

It's not that obvious from the image but this vehicle has front and rear pair steering with the two middle pairs 'fixed'. That was for manoeuvrability but also to provide space up front for twin engines (on either side of the 105) driving a combining gearbox.

[GTX_Admin]

Okay, let's say you're turning that Strv 103 into a turret tank, missile launcher, IFV, whichever. Now, what to do with that upper hull and 105mm L7 gun ...?

I love it!

[GTX_Admin]

How about a SPH variant similar to the AMX 13 Automouvant Canon de 155:

[Weaver]

Although it's not obvious, the Bandkanon 1 was effectively the S-Tank SPG, since, although originally based on the never-built KPV tank, it was then adapted to use the Strv-103's power train:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bandkanon_1

[apophenia]

Thanks Weaver, never heard that KPV bit before. Bandkanon 1 was clever but really heavy. The AMX 155 gives no crew protection but it was much lighter and simpler.

Hmmm, how about a Strv 103-based export 'mini-Bandkanon' for the Finns with a 122?

[dy031101]

A couple of oldies ...

I like the second one- heck if that turret is actually a beefy on the outside but low-footprint on the inside remote weapon station it'd be way cool even though the low-silhouette advantage then risk being defeated. 

[apophenia]

Thanks dy'. But I doubt that the armour on the real deal would be very thick.

That turret is the Bofors study for a remotely-controlled turret with the main gun being a Bushmaster IV (firing 40mm L/70 ammunition). Its not visible in mine but Bofors art shows coax 7.62 (port) and 12.7 (stbd) as well as a 40mm AGL on that Lemur RWS.  It was trialled on a Bradley but I don't have any other details.

[dy031101]

... with the main gun being a Bushmaster IV (firing 40mm L/70 ammunition).

That alone is impressive enough.

[apophenia]

Indeed. And would give the Swedes ammo commonality with the Strf 9040Cs.

[GTX_Admin]

Something I forgot that I had done:

[apophenia]

Nice! Is that a Leopard 1A3/AS1 turret?

[GTX_Admin]

Nice! Is that a Leopard 1A3/AS1 turret?

Yep

[ChernayaAkula]

Greg's profile of an S-Tank with turret, modified with a lengthened hull and an additional road wheel:

[apophenia]

I knocked together a Merkava-turreted Strv 103 based on Moritz' lengthened hull ... and then forgot to mount the image 

[GTX_Admin]

 :)

[Volkodav]

1991, Desert Storm, Australian S-Tank, AT Platoon 3 RAR...... future of another kit sorted.  May even be worth a simple diorama with a MRV (M-113 with Scorpion Turret) and Leopard AS1 in the Desert Shield phase.

[raafif]

does this site -- http://www.ointres.se/udes.htm -- make this topic largely redundant   Reality is stanger than fiction

[Volkodav]

You are making me wish I started on the Collins project earlier and had learnt Swedish!

[tankmodeler]

I kinda like the idea of an S103 without the main gun, but with a small turret and an autocanon, used as a fast recce vehicle. Without the main gun and autoloader, it could probably hold a 2-3 man recce team in addition to the main crew of 2.

Gots me one of them Trumpeter kits that might end up that way, now I think of it...

Paul

[Queeg]

That "UDES" site is awesome. All that snowwwwwwwwwwwww   

I like those Swedish tank boffins, inventive, innovative and not afraid to whiff at 1:1 scale !!!!!

[Diavel]

How about... A U.S.M.C. lightweight self propelled Howitzer??


Chris.

[Jeffry Fontaine]

How about... A U.S.M.C. lightweight self propelled Howitzer??

That sure looks top-heavy.  Could see it getting toppled over backwards on the first shot but on the positive side it has a much smaller "footprint" than a tank or self-propelled gun system so it would be harder to spot.  Trade off I suppose :)

[GTX_Admin]

Potentially eased by having a good recoil system including a spade at the rear?

[GTX_Admin]

Random idea:  West German version operating in traditional jagd panzer role

[Kerick]

I always thought the S tanks should have had missile launchers and perhaps a 20mm gun installed instead of being completely discarded.

[Jeffry Fontaine]

I always thought the S tanks should have had missile launchers and perhaps a 20mm gun installed instead of being completely discarded.

I often wonder what an S-Tank would look like with the main gun removed and replaced with a folding mast mounted sensor that stowed ahead of the vehicle to give it eyes in the dark or conditions that would obscure normal viewing.  A remote weapons station would be a logical choice to give it some protection. 

[finsrin]

I always thought the S tanks should have had missile launchers and perhaps a 20mm gun installed instead of being completely discarded.

I often wonder what an S-Tank would look like with the main gun removed and replaced with a folding mast mounted sensor that stowed ahead of the vehicle to give it eyes in the dark or conditions that would obscure normal viewing.  A remote weapons station would be a logical choice to give it some protection.

One with sensors looks & aquires while operating with vehicles launching Hellfire like missiles, rocket barage, or cannon.
Fire and scoot.

[Rickshaw]

How about FOG-M?   Elevating sensor to look over masking terrain, missile to fire over onto target.

[finsrin]

How about FOG-M?   Elevating sensor to look over masking terrain, missile to fire over onto target.

Zactly what I meant.

[Rickshaw]

Advantage with FOG-M there are no eminations to give your position away, except the missile trajectory. 

[ysi_maniac]

Someone mentioned a wheeled Strv-103

[GTX_Admin]

That looks good

[tankmodeler]

For those here who may not have looked over at the physical models folder, I'm building my STRV-103 recce tank now...

http://beyondthesprues.com/Forum/index.php?topic=5557.0

Paul

[GTX_Admin]

VEAK 40:  SPAAG built on the Strv 103 chassis, with dual 40mm bofors gun:

[GTX_Admin]

Some more details on the last:

[Rickshaw]

Interesting.  I've never heard of anything being developed on the S-Tank chassis.

[arkon]

Found on FB not sure if it should be here or in the mercava thread maybe both

[Volkodav]

Thinking family of vehicles including the base S tank, an MRV/ medium tank with a medium calibre turreted gun, a LRV with a turreted auto cannon and ATGW, a heavy ATGW TD, a SPAAG, a SPAAM and depending on capacity maybe even an APC or AIFV.  Basically all covered in the thread to one degree or another but grouped together in an enabling Armoured Cavalry Regiment / Squadron that would beef up a light infantry brigade or battalion into an armoured one.

[GTX_Admin]

Another view of the VEAK 40:

[Kerick]

Reminds me of the old Sgt York DIVAD gun system.

[newtonk]

Reminds me of the old Sgt York DIVAD gun system.

Meet Sgt Bjork!

I'd like to claim it, but read this elsewhere on the web...

[ysi_maniac]

Found on FB not sure if it should be here or in the mercava thread maybe both

Brilliant

[ysi_maniac]

S tank with 120mm and 140mm guns, along with original 105mm

[ysi_maniac]

What if APC based on S-Tank?

[Kerick]

I’ve always thought after being taken out of service as tanks the S tank should have been rebuilt as anti tank missile carriers with TOW or other systems. Something like the TOW system on the M113. Just Swedish style.

[GTX_Admin]

Some interesting info and images here:  The Amazing Strv 103

[GTX_Admin]

I’ve always thought after being taken out of service as tanks the S tank should have been rebuilt as anti tank missile carriers with TOW or other systems. Something like the TOW system on the M113. Just Swedish style.

Well Sweden does use the TOW though they refer to it as the RBS-55:



I am tempted to do something with the 105mm main gun replaced with a RBS-17 (aka Hellfire missile):



But with ability to easily reload under armour.

[ysi_maniac]

Strv-103 with Ares 75mm gun.

[M.A.D]

Strv-103 with Ares 75mm gun.

Very nice!!👍

MAD