Light Tank Mark VIA

Location: RAAC Memorial & Army Tank Museum, Puckapunyal, VIC, Australia

Date: April 2011

Main identification points:

  • Mantlet fitting for Vickers, not BESA armament, therefore not VIC.
  • Return roller attached to hull, not forward bogie, so not a straight Mark VI, must be either VIA or VIB.
  • “Easiest” point of difference between Marks VI & VIA versus VIB are the armoured engine louvres – two separate louvres for VI & VIA, and one for the VIB.
  • Octagonal commanders cupola, not round, therefore Mark VIA as opposed to a Mark VIB.

And, of course, the nice close up of the vehicle data plate!!! Continue reading

Storm 1 Main Battle Tank

Location: Tank Museum of the People’s Liberation Army, Changping County, Beijing, China

Date: June 2006

This series of images was taken in June 2006 at the Tank Museum of the People’s Liberation Army, Chang Ping County, Peoples Republic of China.

According to the accompanying plaque, the Storm 1 was developed for a “middle eastern country” but never proceeded to production. The chassis is almost identical to the Type 80 and the vehicle features a welded turret and extended rifled 105mm main armament. Continue reading

PLA Type 96 Main Battle Tank

Location: Tank Museum of the People’s Liberation Army, Changping County, Beijing, China

Date: June 2006

This series of images was taken in June 2006 at the Tank Museum of the People’s Liberation Army, Chang Ping County, Peoples Republic of China.

According to the accompanying plaque, the Type 96 is the latest development of the Type 88 MBT by the PLA. Continue reading

PLA Type 70 130mm Self Propelled Rocket System

Location: Tank Museum of the People’s Liberation Army, Changping County, Beijing, China

Date: June 2006

This series of images was taken in June 2006 at the Tank Museum of the People’s Liberation Army, Chang Ping County, Peoples Republic of China.

According to the accompanying plaque, the Type 70 130mm Self Propelled Rocket System was based on the Type 63 APC, entered service in the 1970’s and was designed to equip the field artillery of armoured units. Continue reading