A few questions about tanks?

Question

OK I'd like to hear some advice about modern tanks and maybe have a few myths dispelled:

1. Are the machineguns used by the commander and, I believe, loader (?) detachable...can the men remove them and use them as personal weapons if need be?

2. If the crew is forced to leave the tank, do they have any means of defending themselves as there surely isn't enough room inside to keep enough rifles stashed away?

3. Do you get a mighty headache when the main gun is fired?

4. What's it like to be inside whilst being hit with smallarms fire- can you even feel or hear it?

5. In a lot of films tanks can be beaten by a brave soul clambering up on to the turret, wrenching it open and lobbing a grenade in- are the hatches not even bolted shut?

Anything specific to the UK would be most welcome but all informed answers are welcome- thanks!

Answer 1

1. yes the Coaxialy mounted machinegun (alongside the main gun) can be used by the commander, the loader uses his own for local protection and yes both are detachable...but only the loaders can be removed and used as personal weapons if need be.

2. If the crew is forced to leave the tank the crew now have the SA80K or karbine a shortened version of the SA80 A2 and yes theres room inside to keep rifles stashed away as well as in the bins on the outside.

3. when the main gun is fired you dont hear it inside, it sounds like a big clunk of metal, outside is a different story.

4. when inside whilst being hit with smallarms fire you niether hear nor feel it because of intercom system.

5. yes the hatches are bolted shut and you need a special tool to open them from the outside.

This is modern British equipment i am refering too as i am a tank commander still serving in CR2 MBT regiment, hope this helps

Answer 2

Ok, I've never driven or been in a UK tank, but I did drive an M1 Abrams tank for 4 years.

1. The machine guns are dismountable, and are used by the gunner, loader and the commander.

2. Every crewmember has a personal weapon, not just the tank weapons.

3. You don't get a headache, but you do get knocked off balance when the main gun is fired.

4. When hit with small arms fire you don't even know your being shot at. You can't hear it or feel it.

5. The hatches on the tanks do have the capability of being combat locked from inside, so getting a hatch open from the outside is pretty hard to do unless its not locked on the inside.

Answer 3

1 - yes, how else would they be serviced? But they may be too big to be used effectively as personal weapons, except in emergencies.
2 - Sure, all military personnel are issued at least a handgun, in addition to their rifle. They have means to defend themselves.
3 - From what I hear about them, it IS loud inside when the main gun goes off. Even with noise suppressors and superior helmet padding, something that loud right above your head isn't going to go unnoticed!
4 - the tank is still metal, you can hear them ping off the metal ( so I've heard )
5 - That is the Movies, in reality, I doubt you'd be able to open one from the outside nowadays. maybe the vintage WWII tanks didn't have locks back then, as it was considered a wasted effort since most likely, no one would ever get that close to be able to do that. But I have no personal experience or knowledge either way on this one.

Answer 4

speaking from my own experience which enables me to answer most of your questions but not all:-

1) The machineguns can in most cases be unbolted but firstly, this is not easy to do in a hurry, and secondly, many of the tank mounted machineguns are really heavy stuff like a 50 caliber on US tanks and a 12.7mm Kord on Russian tanks, which isnt really easy to carry!!

2) Most, if not all, nations armed forces issue pistols to their tank crews, as you suspect there isnt really room for rifles! Russian and many former Soviet Union tank crews are issued AKSU submachine guns to keep in the tank for this kind of situation and the tank crews of many former Warsaw Pact states carry the VZ61 Skorpion which is a pistol capable of fully automatic fire and has a retractable wire stock, the pistol can be carried in a belt holster.

3) Ive never been inside a tank when the main gun has been fired so I couldnt say, but I presume not or there would be a shortage of volunteers for tank crews or a profusion of lawsuits!!

4)Ive been inside a BTR-80 while Chechen rebels let rip with AK's outside and you can hear it but not feel it. It seems a little strange when youre in there

5)Most modern tank hatches can be opened from the outside in case crew members are unconscious inside and need to be rescued from the outside

Hope this helps

Answer 5

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