AMX-13/105 Valorisé

[Pellson]

AMX-13/105 Valorisé

During the seventies, the French Armée de Terre (AdT) was looking to replace its light reconnaissance AMX-13/90 tanks. However, the development of the all new wheeled AMX-10RC reconnaissance vehicle run into trouble with severe overweight as well as problems with the drivetrain. Failing to deliver as planned, the AdT was forced to carry on with their existing light reconnaissance tank, the AMX-13/90 despite increasing worries over survivability, in particular in light of the Israeli experiences. In the early 1980:s, an add-on armour package was developed, mainly focusing on bringing extra protection to the vulnerable sides of the tank, and it was also decided to upgun further, installing the 105/47 F2 MECA medium pressure gun originally developed for the failed AMX-10RC in a slightly modified oscillating turret. To further increase lethality, a thermal sight with laser ranger was added to the turret. At the same time, the opportunity was taken to replace the coaxial 7,62 mm light machine gun with a 12,7mm unit, significantly increasing efficiency against lightly protected adversaries.



In this final iteration, the AMX-13/105 gave distinguished service during the French part of the Gulf war, Operation Daguet, being able to punch significantly over its weight. However, while caution was taken to avoid exposure to the Iraqi MBT's one AMX-13 was destroyed and its crew lost when hit by a 125 mm round from a T-72 and another one damaged beyond repair having been hit by a 115 round from a T-62. On the other hand, a handful of enemy APC's were destroyed by the AMX's 105 mm gun, evening out the score.
After the Gulf war, the AdT kept the AMX-13/105 in service for almost the entire decade, the final tanks being replaced in 1998 by ERC-90 Sagaie armoured cars, successively being introduced from the late eighties.



The kit is Hellers old AMX-13/105 in 1/72 with added passive and active armour made from plasticard. Main and coaxial guns come from the bigger AMX-30 kit, but the muzzle brake was retained from the original gun. Camouflage is the current French variant of the NATO three tone vehicle scheme, notable both for the very light green and the rather reddish brown used, in comparison to US and German vehicles.
I haven't built that many tanks, as I'm mainly an aircraft builder, but there has been a few, and apart from the extremely tedious wheel installation, i find building tanks good fun. As with my aircraft, I stick to God's Scale (1/72, if any of you heretics didn't know) and it's interesting to see how big aircraft actually are - or how small even MBT's are next to a modern strike aircraft.
Modifying a tank is very, very different from modifying an aircraft, and as I have no army experience of my own, it has been fun to read up on tactics and equipment during the cold war.

I hope you enjoy it. I did!

[Dizzyfugu]

That's looking really cool - I like the ERA around the hull a lot, and the modern French paint scheme, too. Looks very "fresh". The gun appears a little big to me - maneuvering the little, light tank with that massive barrel (and probably a very high CoG, too) would certainly not be easy. But I like it a lot! 

I have a Heller AMX-13 hull somewhere in the stash, too, and IIRC also an M24 turret - sounds like a whif, but this combo actually happened (IIRC French troops in North Africa).

[Pellson]

The gun appears a little big to me - maneuvering the little, light tank with that massive barrel (and probably a very high CoG, too) would certainly not be easy.

As you might be aware, some armies, including the Dutch, did actually buy and operate a version featuring an older version of the 105mm gun, and even with a thermal sleeve. Having looked at data, it seems as if the more modern gun I've chosen is about the same weight albeit a few calibres longer than the one installed for real, so I think I'm covered. 

I have a Heller AMX-13 hull somewhere in the stash, too, and IIRC also an M24 turret - sounds like a whif, but this combo actually happened (IIRC French troops in North Africa).

Yep. I've seen photos. It's really cool but I didn't have any Chaffee kit lying around whereas I happened to have a spare AMX-30 turret. 
Another idea can be to install the ubiquitous Bofors 40mm as this is a very good all round gun, but then the tank can't be French as they seem to prefer bigger slower rounds. Look at the ERC-90 in comparison to other nations recce vehicles for instance.

Thanks for discussing. This is half the fun of building whifs - the reasoning around why and how. 

[Old Wombat]

Very good job, Pellson, especially for Very Small Scale (1/72).

[Dizzyfugu]

As you might be aware, some armies, including the Dutch, did actually buy and operate a version featuring an older version of the 105mm gun, and even with a thermal sleeve. Having looked at data, it seems as if the more modern gun I've chosen is about the same weight albeit a few calibres longer than the one installed for real, so I think I'm covered. 

Yes, I am aware - it's just the initial (visual) impression. It's whifworld, after all! 

[PR19_Kit]

Wow, that's one HEFTY gun on such a small tank. 

I hope they have a bulldozer blade on the back to stop it moving when they fire!

[rickshaw]

Interesting.   

[NARSES2]

I like that....a lot  I also admire it, given it's 1/72

[chrisonord]

Marvellous  stuff, and very much something  the Honduras army  would   have  in my alternative army
Chris