Cold War Light Tank Challenge

[Kiwi Imperialist]

New Zealand M41 Walker Bulldog during manoeuvres at Waiouru Military Camp. (Archives New Zealand)

Let us not be deceived - we are today in the midst of a cold war. Our enemies are to be found at home and abroad. From the dense jungles of Vietnam to the sparse savanna of Angola, there are many locales in which the logistical burden of a main battle tank is too great. The use of heavy armour by reconnaissance, airborne, and amphibious elements may also be impractical for a variety of reasons. There is a clear need for a light tank of some form, as there was during conflicts past. Welcome to the Cold War Light Tank Challenge! In this challenge, participants are asked to draw in Soldierbucket scale a tank with a mass less than 25 tonnes which entered active service between 1947 and 1991. Please read the design requirements and challenge rules below before posting a submission. This topic was based on suggestions in the Future Challenge Ideas/Suggestions thread. If you have ideas of your own for a future challenge, consider sharing them there. Do not be afraid to make a suggestion that has already been made. It reveals that multiple people are interested in a particular topic.

Drawing Requirements

1. Your submission should depict a fictional Cold War-era light tank.
2. The empty weight of the tank should not exceed 25 tonnes (24.6 long tons, 27.6 short tons).
3. The tank must first enter active service between 1947 and 1991. The design process may commence before 1947.

Challenge Rules

1. Each participant may submit one image.
2. The image must be a Shipbucket template modified to include the participant’s system and, optionally, crew figures at their stations within the system or one of the following: unit insignia, manufacturer logo, national flag. Other elements are no longer permitted.
3. Multiple views of the same object are not permitted.
4. All art should be in Soldierbucket scale (15 mm = 1 Pixel), and follow the same drawing and shading rules as official Shipbucket styles.
5. A textual description accompanying each submission is permitted, but not necessary.
6. Non-serious entries, or entries substantially deviate from the challenge requirements, are not allowed.
7. Off-topic posts will be reported to the relevant authorities.

This challenge will run until Sunday the 28th of May 2023, ending at 23:59 UTC-12 (International Date Line West).
A countdown timer can be found at this link.

A poll will be held after this date. Members of the Shipbucket community will have an opportunity to rate each submission. Please provide honest and meaningful scores for each entry. Responses which grant maximum scores to a select group of entries, and minimum scores to all other entries, will be deleted. Members of the community who manipulate the results in such a fashion may also be subject to a permanent ban. Scores will be allocated in two categories, each with a scale of 1 to 10:

• Drawing Quality - The overall quality of the drawing. One might consider detailing, shading, and accuracy.
• Design Quality -The quality of the design presented, irrespective of drawing quality. One could consider feasibility, practicality, and realism.

[Kiwi Imperialist]

Rule and Requirement Clarifications
A number of questions have been asked on Discord since the challenge began. Here is a summary of my answers for those who have not joined the Discord or have not been following the Drawing Challenges channel.

• Wheeled vehicles are permitted.
• You cannot present an upgrade package which pushes the tank beyond the Design Requirements.
• Drawings are limited to one view (e.g. side, top, front). A side view is preferred. 2.5D views are not permitted.
• There is no specific template for this challenge. It just has to be a standard Shipbucket-style template with a scale appropriate for Soldierbucket.
• Tanks in development before 1947 are permitted, but tanks with an earlier variant in service before that year are not.
• The 'weight' limitation described in Design Requirement 2 should be interpreted as a mass restriction which does not vary from planet to planet.
• All entries must be drawn in Soldierbucket scale (15 mm = 1 pixel). This is not an FD scale challenge.
• Rust brown shades may be used on tracks and a vehicle's exhaust to represent corrosion, even though wear is technically prohibited under the Shipbucket style rules.

[dalamace]

RED-ARC

The RED-ARC is a light main battle tank envisioned to be able to rapidly deployed overseas, envisioned to reinforce their allies in the Levant before and after limited nuclear exchanges. It was designed in the early 1980s and would be introduced into service dubbed "Contentious".

The Rapid Expeditionary Deployment Program, also known more popularly as Program RED or by its early codename Project Brick Road, was a program launched in the late 1970s to modernise the airborne component of the Albenor Defence Forces (ADF). The primary objective of Program RED was focused on making sweeping changes to the paratrooper and airmobile formations of the ADF but would eventually include creating a highly specialised rapid reaction force that was envisioned to reinforce their allies in the Levant before and after limited nuclear exchanges. One of the most ambitious aspects of Program RED was the armoured vehicle component. The Mechanised and Armoured Cavalry Command (MAC) expressed their interest in the vehicle to replace their aging light tanks still in use.

It is armed with a new 105mm cannon derived from standard NATO L7 tank gun, lengthened significantly and able to fire high-velocity depleted uranium shells. Its hull is entirely made out of super lightweight alloy to allow for airdrops and with provisions for applique composite armour. To increase survivability, all of the crew are seated in a reclining position so that they could be below the roof of the hull. This also allows the turret to only be protected from 30mm shells and save further weight. A diesel engine propels it to a governed maximum of 80 km/h and it could ford rivers up to three metres deep with a snorkel.

As it was also envisioned to fight a battlefield that utilised tactical nuclear exchanges and under constant threats of radiological, chemical and biological hazards, several features were integrated in the design of RED-ARC. The autoloader and the ammunition storage was packaged into a single module so that it could be removed and replaced by a resupply vehicle without needing the crews to leave. Refuelling could be done via an extendable boom not unlike that of an aircraft.

The tank depicted below, known as "Betty Balls" and before that as "Testicular Cancer", was an early version of the "Contentious", painted in the rare urban camouflage used in Levantine cities.

[Jxyzer]

SM-1 Barako LST

The Barako Light Support Tank is the first domestically produced armored fighting vehicle of the Philippines. In collaboration between Government Arsenal, a state-owned arms manufacturing company and the Illigan Steelworks. Prior development started in the late 50s but the first prototype and production model entered during the mid to late 60s. It is armed with a locally produced and licensed 75mm Cannon complimented with two M2 Browning HMGs. It uses the M113's Detroit Diesel 6V53T, 6-cylinder diesel engine as its powerplant and can reach a top speed of 55 kph on the road. Because of its production timeframe, it uses several parts of the already existing M113s in the army and hence repair and maintenance for the vehicle's parts will be easy to execute.

[Hood]

FV4301 Champion Mark 1



The FV4301 Champion began development in 1964 to replace the FV301 Chariot light tank which had entered service in 1950 and the Charioteer conversions, which had been upgraded with 105mm L7 guns during 1960-62. The design was begun as a cut-down Centurion and indeed built upon the experimental FV4202 testbed of 1956 which had a prone driver’s position, cleft turret and a bagged charge 105mm gun. The design overlapped with the development of the Chieftain and the two designs shared a lot in common in regard to the profile of the hull glacis and the turret to offer the best possible ballistic protection with a relatively thin thickness of armour. It was decided to use the new Nuffield M-series V-8 engine. To keep the weight down armour was sacrificed in some areas and only a relatively basic equipment fit was allowed, although an NBC pack was deemed necessary and added to the design in 1968. The two prototype tanks first ran in 1966 and the ten pre-production vehicles followed in 1967 before the main series of 90 Mark 1 tanks were built during 1968-69, the order having been reduced from 180 tanks in 1966.

In British service the Champion served with six Royal Artillery Anti-Tank batteries attached to BAOR until they were replaced by the Swingfire-armed Striker in the late 1970s. A dozen served in Hong Kong until 1990. Surplus Champions were transferred in small numbers to Jamacia, Belize and Kenya and 20 were converted into driver training tanks. Kuwait brought 70 new tanks in 1970 and Abu Dhabi brought 16 in 1973 but most other customers in the Middle East preferred to keep their Centurions or step-up to the Chieftain.

Specifications

Dimensions
Overall Length (with gun forwards): 9.07m
Hull Length: 6.64m
Width (without skirts): 3.18m
Width (over skirts): 3.19m
Height (to top of hull): 1.71m
Height (to top of cupola): 2.52m
Ground Clearance: 49.5cm

Weight
Combat Weight: 24,500kg
Ground Pressure: 0.48 kg/cm2
Power-to-Weight Ratio: 16 bhp/tonne

Engine & Performance
Engine: 400hp Nuffield M60 V-8
Max Speed (road): 60km/h
Max Speed (cross-country): 42km/h
Suspension: Horstmann
Track Width: 60.9cm
Fuel Capacity: 500 litres
Max Range (road): 285km
Gradient: 35 degrees
Trench Crossing: 2.92m
Fording Depth (prepared): 1.87m

Armament
Main Gun: 105mm Tank L7A1
Co-axial Gun: 7.62mm L8A1 GPMG
Cupola Mounting: 7.62mm L73A1 GPMG
Ammunition: 38 rounds (105mm), 4,000 rounds (7.62mm)
Smoke Dispensers: 2x No.9 Mk.1 (5-round)

Armour
Hull
Front: 60mm
Sides: 25mm
Rear: 15mm
Decking: 15mm
Floor: 15mm

Turret
Front: 60mm
Sides: 25mm
Rear: 15mm
Roof: 15mm

Crew
3 – Driver, Commander/Gunner, Loader

[Wolftheriot]

CLR-80(Char Léger à Roues)


"CLR-80 "Sournois" in 1976 during the Vidange-Ceskohradkan Border crisis"

The CLR-80 began it's developpement in 1965 as the need for a fast maneuverable light tank,to counter Ceskohradkanian and Kardovijan mechas,in the mountain ranges and cities.But also be easily deployable to counter a possible naval invasion from FRKR or Shintoka.First designs were based on a four wheel APC chassis but,it was quickly realised that such a construction would proove unstable and hard to operate.So the Freshly develloped VTTB-69(Vehicule de Transport de Troupes Blindé Mle 69) and manufactured by Simca with a 3rd axle extention was chosen.While the turret design was given to 3 companies : Atélier SABA, Atélier Leonide, Atélier ANVa with Societé Aciéries Beamontaise Amerurie producing a turret that passed the most requerements, those being (Oscillating; hosting the new 80mm CA Mle 70; and keep the total weight of the vehicle under 15 tons.).CLR-80 finished it's trials in march '70 and went into prodution later that year.Equipped with night vision for both driver(to permit high speed & precision driving at night with no lights) and gunner it was one of the first production vehicles to sport such innovations.The oscillating turret spotted an autoloading mechanism rivaling in speed that of the Kardovijan B-70(at the time held as the fastest and most reliable system).Even with the higher command requesting an NBC package for the vehicle, it prooved impossible to proprely seal the CLR-80 while keeping it's weight under 16tons and keeping it's turret connected to the hull.CLR-80's first major conflict was the Vidange-Ceskohradkan Border crisis in 1976 where it was able to face off it's intended adversary in a couple skirmishes.

In service for the Republique de Vidange, CLR-80 served in most tank divisions and even had separate battalions created solely for them named BCR-# (Battalion de Chars à Roues).Which later adopted newer wheeled vehicles in the late 80s.
The tank also gained popularity amongst several nations looking for a decently capable,cheap light tank like: The Republic of Hebez in small numbers,Nordjland,Ghararastra,Bergteilreich in small numbers until selling them to to Ghararastra and [Redacted].Many other nations who were looking for such a vehicle either did not fulfil the Vidangien Export checklist or simply went for similar vehicles produced by Cantoria,Shintoka or [Redacted]

Specifications

Dimensions:
Length(with gun):6.91m
Hull Length:6.25m
Width:2.51m
Height:3.81m
Ground Clearance:0.51m

Dynamics:
Combat Weight:15.1t
Empty Weight:13.3t
Power to weight: 23.1 h.p/t
Max speed(Road):96 km/h
Max speed(cross-country):53 km/h

Powertrain:
Engine: Simca-Brenmahr(SB 5501) 350hp
Suspension:Simca Hydropneumatic SLHS-2
Fuel Capacity:400l
Max Range(Road):800 km
Gradient:45 %
Fording Depth(No snorkel):1.3m

Armament:
Main:80mm 80 CA 70/80mm Mle 70
Coaxial:8.22mm machine gun
Smoke Dispensers: 6 side smoke launchers( 3 x side )

[Mauser]

Σ1Ξ09 Moloch

The light tank Moloch is a vehicle mostly used by the hellenic marines and navy for beach landings around the hellenic islands and black sea.
The vehicle has the following dimensions, 5,79m [L], 2,93m [W] 1,87m [H] and weighs 11 tons. Its Powerplant is a Attica V6 diesel engine and with it the vehicle
reaches 45 km/h on land and 13 km/h in water. Its main armament coinsist of a 100 mm cannon and a 30 mm autocannon attached on the side (Like BMP-3) with
a Automatic genade launcher on top of the turret.

It entered service in 1973 during the "Great Turanian Turmoil" in the Krasnodar theatre where it was used first to land on the beaches near Sevastopol. Its last major use
was during the "Intervention in Hayastan" where after an aerial attack on the city airport, they landed on the outskirts of the capital city, being used to encircle it.

[Kiwi Imperialist]

Dongmu-ho
The Dongmu-ho or "comrade type" armoured fighting vehicle was, for many years, a staple of Korean People's Army infantry divisions. It is commonly identified as a light tank, though 'fire support vehicle' would be a more accurate term. With a modest 85 millimetre gun (3.3 inch) and thin armour, the Dongmu-ho is not well suited to the tank role as it exists on the modern battlefield, nor was it employed by Korean reconnaissance elements. It is, first and foremost, a mobile gun platform oriented towards infantry support. The Dongmu-ho first appeared in 1964, leading to the erroneous designation 'M1964' which is sometimes used by Western observers. The vehicle remains in Korean service as of January 1989, though it has been largely displaced by a wheeled 8x8 platform. It can also be found in the armed forces of other communist-aligned states including North China, Indonesia, and Burma. However, due in part to its lack of amphibious capability, the Dongmu-ho has not proven as popular as the Soviet PT-76 and related vehicles on the world stage.



Development of the Dongmu-ho can be traced to 1956 when Korea formalised plans to produce the T-54 under licence. The Korean People's Army had received more than two thousand T-34s during the North China War and these were to be reassigned to infantry divisions as the T-54 arrived in armoured units. While the T-34 was a poor competitor compared to the latest Western tanks, it could substantially increase the capability of infantry formations which otherwise had little protected firepower. There were problems, however. Korea had no capacity to produce T-34 parts domestically and could not justify investment in that vein. Czechoslovakia still produced the T-34, but their lines were expected to close in a few years. An enormous number of tanks in the Soviet Union could be cannibalised, but the long-term sustainability of this practice was questioned. The T-34 was also, in many respects, 'too much tank' for the infantry divisions. It was heavier than any other vehicle assigned to an infantry division, reducing the entire unit's mobility. This was especially true in regions where bridge infrastructure was lacking. It also consumed more fuel, required more maintenance, and could not be repaired as easily in the field. The hardy and rugged reputation of the T-34 only extended so far and, in the infantry support role, it was considered a stopgap solution. Work on a replacement commenced in 1958.

Factory No. 69 in Anju was chosen to develop the new armoured fighting vehicle. It had repaired Korean T-34s with Soviet parts during the North China War. The new vehicle would incorporate many features associated with the new T-54, including a four person crew and a welded hull with cast turret. The main gun would be almost identical to the ZiS-S-53 used on later T-34-85s, allowing the Korean People's Army to draw upon existing stockpiles of 85 millimetre ammunition. This is somewhat surprising given Korea's concern towards the long-term availability of T-34 parts, but ammunition for the ZiS-S-53 was produced in Korea and could be shipped more readily from the Soviet Union in an emergency. The armour was to be light, no more than was sufficient to protect against small arms fire from all directions and American 12.7 millimetre (.50 inch) armour-piercing projectiles from the front. Despite the focus on weight, some sacrifices were made to improve combat performance. The turret was to be larger than that of the T-34, allowing the crew to operate more efficiently and enabling greater gun depression. This latter point was especially important in the mountainous terrain of Korea. It is unclear when the first prototype was completed, but a squadron of the new type (now designated Dongmu-ho) appeared at a 1964 military parade in Seoul. Operational service commenced soon thereafter.

The Dongmu-ho first saw combat during the Indonesian War. A number of early production examples were hastily diverted to Jakarta in early 1965. By the end of the year they were employed in the defence of Ambon. Unfortunately, the light armour of the Dongmu-ho proved inadequate against the man-portable recoilless rifles and rocket launchers of the United States Marine Corps. From that point onward, the Indonesian Army relegated the Dongmu-ho to defensive roles in areas where land combat was absent. A number in service with North China were apparently involved in the 1969 Sino-Soviet border conflict. Examples of the Dongmu-ho also saw service in the late 1970s conflict between Uganda and Tanzania, where greater ranges and less competent anti-tank tactics allowed Tanzanian crews to outperform their Indonesian counterparts. The Dongmu-ho is said to have been used against Karen militants in Burma, but the nature and extent of this service is unclear.

Korea has introduced a number of improvements to its Dongmu-ho over the years. Western observers typically organise these changes into discrete models identified by a Roman numeral. The Dongmu-ho II, for example, introduced an active infrared night fighting system and protection against nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons. The Dongmu-ho V, the latest version known to the West, features an improved fire control system and explosive reactive armour across the frontal arc of the turret (other areas of the vehicle being too light to carry this protection). Some abortive projects have also appeared over the years. One effort considered replacing the ZiS-S-53 with the D-70 of the ASU-85. Another introduced a modern passive infrared system and laser rangefinder. The Dongmu-ho hull has also spawned a series of support vehicles including artillery systems and anti-aircraft guns. However, with its replacement already in service, future investment in the platform is unlikely.

[El_snow]

AL-5 Skirmisher
Introducing the AL-5 Skirmisher, Australia's formidable answer to the global demands of armored warfare. This trailblazer in light tank design was unveiled in 1978 by Lightburn-Morris Industries, an esteemed name in Australian automobile manufacturing. At its core, the Skirmisher boasts a powerful 750 hp Rolls-Royce Warhorse engine, enabling swift maneuvers across varied terrains. The tank's armament is nothing short of impressive, with a 76mm main gun and a companion M2 Browning .50 cal machine gun, promising a formidable response to any threat. Adding to its superior firepower is a cutting-edge bustle autoloader, providing rapid fire capabilities without compromising safety. Conceived with a harmonious blend of speed, power, and resilience, the AL-5 Skirmisher stands as a testament to Australia's unwavering commitment to robust defense.



In its debut in the volatile theater of the 1979 Aurelian War, the AL-5 Skirmisher proved its combat worthiness beyond all expectations. Rigorous analyses and battlefield reports highlight an exceptional kill to loss ratio of 10.3:1, a testament to its potent combination of firepower, speed, and tactical versatility.

Perhaps the most legendary of its engagements involved a reconnaissance platoon from the First Armoured Regiment. In an operation later dubbed the "Dawn Sprint" where the 2nd Reconnaissance Platoon callsign "Taipan-2", of the First Armoured Regiment, rendered a significant operational victory on August 3rd. The unit was assigned to the operation to help delay an enemy advance in order to allow the regiment's primary force to fortify their defensive positions. At 0400 hrs, Taipan-2 encountered an enemy force consisting of an infantry battalion and 20 main battle tanks, the platoon; equipped with six AL-5 Skirmisher light tanks, executed a flawless delaying action.

In the face of numerical superiority, Taipan-2 adeptly exploited the Skirmisher's agility, deploying audacious hit-and-run tactics. As they engaged, their swift manoeuvres and accurate fire inflicted heavy losses on the enemy, eventually forcing their retreat. Despite being outnumbered more than three-to-one, Taipan-2's remarkable action resulted in the destruction of nine enemy tanks and caused substantial infantry casualties. This operational success significantly disrupted the enemy's momentum, buying critical time for the First Armoured Regiment to consolidate their defences.

For Taipan-2's strategic acumen, outstanding courage, and skilled utilization of their machines, the overall First Armoured Regiment was awarded the Mira Pass battle honour. Their exceptional action that day stands as a legendary testament to their valour and the effectiveness of the AL-5 Skirmisher.

[Rowdy36]

Bardick AS1

Beginning development as a private venture in 1982 in response to the Falklands War, the Bardick AS1 was ordered by the Australian Hawke Government in 1986 in the wake of the Dibb Report. Originally intended to be light and small enough to be deployable in the RAAF's C-130H fleet, the resulting design was found to be unsuitable for what Army wanted. As a result, the design was enlarged and development of the RAAF's new jet airlifter - the C-90 Kali with a 35-tonne payload - was accelerated in response.

The vehicle design emphasised crew comfort, range, mobility and mine protection. At the time of its introduction, it was intended to perform rapid reaction and expeditionary taskings in the defence of Australia where even the in-service Leopard AS1 was considered too heavy to be readily deployable in the existing infrastructure across northern Australia. Within this scenario it was expected to fight against foreign landings of battalion strength or less and would operate alongside the Echidna MICV and Bushmaster IMV.

The base vehicle consists of an aluminium hull and steel turret with all round protection against 14.5mm for a weight of 24.8 tonnes. It is designed to be equipped with modular appliqué armour, with the top level coming in at 32 tonnes and providing protection against 30mm APFSDS across the frontal arc.

The Bardick AS1 cavalry tank began entering service in the latter half of 1990 with 10th Light Horse, 4th/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse, and 3rd/4th Cavalry Regiments. Each troop within the regiment is equipped with two tanks with a 105mm gun and two with a Bofors 40mm and TOW missiles. Further variants include self-propelled anti-aircraft, self-propelled L119 105mm howitzer, bridgelayer, and combat engineer vehicles.

The vehicle has been deployed by Australia to Timor-Leste in 1999 where it had a brief showdown with Indonesian forces, Afghanistan in 2001, and Iraq in 2003.

The vehicle has since entered service with Canada, India, New Zealand, the Philippines, Spain, South Africa, and the United Kingdom. Variants have also been developed for the United States and Indonesia.



Weight: 24.8 tonnes
Length: 7.1m hull, 10.2m overall
Width: 3m
Height: 2.5m to top of cupola
Crew: 4 (commander, driver, gunner, loader)
Main armament: L7 LRF 105mm rifled gun
Secondary armament: 7.62mm MAG 58 coaxial, 12.7mm M2HB pintle-mounted
Engine: 800hp Perkins diesel
Suspension: Hydropneumatic
Power to weight: 32 hp/t at 24.8t
Range: 750km with external fuel tanks
Maximum speed: 75km/h road, 50km/h offroad
Ground clearance: 0.5m