Libyan WHIF's

[Sauragnmon]

Now THAT is what I call getting Technical.

Hat, Coat, Gone.

Aside - they're exhibiting some really interesting concepts, and the ingenuity is spectacular.  The 57mm rocket pods on the trucks are a little humorous but still interesting.  I'd thought of bolting a ZPU-4 on the back of a flatbed before in roleplaying situations, as it would make a rather effective weapon in some situations - I can imagine the enemy helos would not like to be on the receiving end of that thing.  The ZU-23-2's (I think) on the pickups are pretty impressive.  They're doing a very impressive job of stealing and repairing anything they can.

[Weaver]

I like the one with the road-warrior armour - very Mad Max!  

(Wonder what it'll actually stop though, since it's almost certainly just mild-steel plate...)

[grumpybadger]

I like the one with the road-warrior armour - very Mad Max!  

(Wonder what it'll actually stop though, since it's almost certainly just mild-steel plate...)

Oh, not much probably...but it makes them feel protected so it helps build confidence (essential to a all volunteer operation like this).

[Sauragnmon]

Considering most of it seems to be sloped at some angle or another, it would likely deflect most stuff that isn't an autocannon, and maybe a few lucky shots from those.

[grumpybadger]

Ok, here's another one...this time its a BMP-1 turret on either a M577 or a M113 with a DIY extension:

[rickshaw]

Could be an early M577 - they were literally boxes welded on top of standard M113s.  Later ones had especially built hull sides without the weld lines.  Bit difficult to tell but I think the slot on the side is non-standard so I suspect its some sort of modified M113 rather than a modified M577.

[dy031101]

Does the turret really need to occupy that much internal height?

Philippine has a similar contraption with a Scorpion turret without that much added hull height.

But then of course, if all they had are a few M577, that's what'll be the basis.

[Old Wombat]

I'd suggest an old M577 variant or a locally produced copy.

[Weaver]

Libyan innovation:

http://www.innovationnewsdaily.com/libyan-rebels-military-robot-2056/

Robot gun carrier, remote weapon station and shoulder-fired aircraft rocket (hope it's got  good face-shield!)...

[Weaver]

Can't find a pic of it on the web, but there was an interesting rig on TV the other night. It was the usual Technical configuration, but the launcher in the back had about ten small rocket tubs in two rows, AND a pair of AT-3 ATGWs mounted on top of it! Couldn't see if they actually had the control box wired up or if they were firing the Saggers as unguided rockets, but AT-3 is notably simple....

[raafif]

the rebels have been watching StarWars .....

the SandCrawler

[ChernayaAkula]

^ "OOTINI!"

In related news, German TV news had some footage of what looks like a Ratel IFV with a rocket pod added to the turret.


Screen cap taken from "Tagesthemen" online version.

Very interesting, as Lybia was not a known operator of the Ratel. Elsewhere on the net (CLICKY!), it has been suggested that the Ratels come from or were procured by Qatar.

[PR19_Kit]

They showed a piccie of that vehicle on the Beeb news this morning too.

[grumpybadger]

Yep, the current theory is that Qatar supplied a few Ratels (without armament) to the NTC...the first clue was the presence of a Qatari flag on the vehicle.  Considering their unarmed state, the rocket seems the least crazy thing the rebels have done to arm them.

Like this in fact, looks like a ZPU on top of Ratel 20 IFV:

[grumpybadger]

Ok, here's another odd ball for y'all:



It would seem that the kaddafi loyalists added the sheepskins prior to it being captured by the rebels.