Amusing Hobby

[GTX_Admin]

The ironic thing is that more model kits will probably be sold than the real tank...

[Jeffry Fontaine]

Why the odd covering over the gun tube next to the mantlet and turret on the KF51 Panther?  I find it odd and out of place and from a maintenance POV, it looks like a PITA for cleaning and maintaining the vehicle.

[Kerick]

The whole thing looks like it’s covered in “stealth” panels instead of armor. Is that practical or window dressing?

[GTX_Admin]

Why the odd covering over the gun tube next to the mantlet and turret on the KF51 Panther?  I find it odd and out of place and from a maintenance POV, it looks like a PITA for cleaning and maintaining the vehicle.

It's just a cover - much the same as on the FK41 IFV:




Apart from assisting with the signature reduction it probably also assists with barrel shielding.

You can see more here and here

[GTX_Admin]

The whole thing looks like it’s covered in “stealth” panels instead of armor. Is that practical or window dressing?

It is armour

[ChernayaAkula]

Rheinmetall wants to provide Ukraine with the KF51 Panther. Expect many more Russian tankers in orbit.

I feel that's a rather cruel marketing stunt on Rheinmetall's part. They should know that KF51 is many years away from service. At the moment, it's a concept vehicle. Actually, a concept turret on a dressed-up Leopard 2 hull. And AIUI Rheinmetall has neither the license (KMW's design) nor the means to build new hulls.

The better move to support Ukraine (and NATO) would be to drastically expand Leo 2A7 production capacities. With proper funding, I'm sure the industry will gladly open another production line, even if it's just for a limited number of years/vehicles.

[GTX_Admin]