Recent Posts11
Land / Re: M26 Pershing, M45, M46, M47, M48, M60, Patton, and M103 Family of Vehicles
« Last post by robunos on Yesterday at 05:12:45 AM »Found it !
The original image is the fifth Turret Test Rig , used in the development of the 'MBT(MR)' , an advanced replacement for the M60 tank , which led eventually to the M60A2 'Starship' .
From Hunnicutt's 'Abrams' , page 110 - 112
"Since no MBT(MR) pilots were constructed, several turret test rigs were assembled to determine the operating characteristics of the different turret configurations. The driver-in-turret arrangement already had been tested at Fort Knox in early 1955 using a modified M48 tank. The commander's cupola was removed and replaced by a new driver's station installed in a basket geared to the turret ring so that the driver faced forward regardless of the turret movement. Cables routed through the turret slip ring connected a modified tank control panel to the standard panel. A junction box and four servo mechanisms were used to connect the controls in the turret to the brakes, steering linkage, accelerator linkage, and the transmission.
The test results concluded that the driver-in-turret position was superior to the conventional front hull location because of better vision, improved control of the tank, and relative freedom from dirt and water splash . . .
. . . The integrated fighting compartment type turret also was installed on the third and fifth turret test rigs. The former used the converted chassis of the first T95E8 pilot, registration number 9B1052. The fifth rig utilized an M60 chassis, registration number 9B4470. This was a modified M60 production vehicle powered by the Continental AVDS-1790 engine with the CD-850 transmission. The hull modifications included the installation of the electrical driving controls for use in the turret. However, the original mechanical controls were retained in the front hull for emergency use."
More pictures of the fifth Turret Test Rig :-
cheers ,
Robin .
The original image is the fifth Turret Test Rig , used in the development of the 'MBT(MR)' , an advanced replacement for the M60 tank , which led eventually to the M60A2 'Starship' .
From Hunnicutt's 'Abrams' , page 110 - 112
"Since no MBT(MR) pilots were constructed, several turret test rigs were assembled to determine the operating characteristics of the different turret configurations. The driver-in-turret arrangement already had been tested at Fort Knox in early 1955 using a modified M48 tank. The commander's cupola was removed and replaced by a new driver's station installed in a basket geared to the turret ring so that the driver faced forward regardless of the turret movement. Cables routed through the turret slip ring connected a modified tank control panel to the standard panel. A junction box and four servo mechanisms were used to connect the controls in the turret to the brakes, steering linkage, accelerator linkage, and the transmission.
The test results concluded that the driver-in-turret position was superior to the conventional front hull location because of better vision, improved control of the tank, and relative freedom from dirt and water splash . . .
. . . The integrated fighting compartment type turret also was installed on the third and fifth turret test rigs. The former used the converted chassis of the first T95E8 pilot, registration number 9B1052. The fifth rig utilized an M60 chassis, registration number 9B4470. This was a modified M60 production vehicle powered by the Continental AVDS-1790 engine with the CD-850 transmission. The hull modifications included the installation of the electrical driving controls for use in the turret. However, the original mechanical controls were retained in the front hull for emergency use."
More pictures of the fifth Turret Test Rig :-
cheers ,
Robin .
