Leopard 2 prototypes

[LVisingr]

During the development of Leopard 2, about seventeen different hulls (PT series) and turrets (T series) were built. At least two of the hulls (numbered PT11 and PT17) were fitted with hydropneumatic suspension and only six roadwheels. I managed to find only one small picture of such hull. Please, doeas anybody have more of them? Or more photos of some other interesting prototypes of Leopard 2? Many thanks for any answer.



There are several photos of a Leopard 2 prototype with additional 20mm automatic gun, which is usually labeled "PT11", but in fact, it is T11 turret combined with a different hull (the hulls and turrets were designed as "interchangeable"). The hull seen at the photos has got seven roadwheels, thus, it is not the PT11.

 

[LVisingr]

Much better picture of the PT11 (or maybe PT17?) hull found. Also a photo of so-called Leopard 2AGT with AGT1500 gas-turbine.

 

[LVisingr]

And links to sources of info & photos of several interesting Leopard 2 prototypes:

PT06 hull, located at Sennelager, Germany

Leopard 2 PT 06 | PanzerPlace

Hah, yet another Leopard 2 prototype! I stumbled upon these images of a Leopard 2 prototype waaay back when I administrated a site solely about the

panzerplace.eu

PT07 hull with T06 turret, located in Strägnäs, Sweden

Leopard 2 Prototype | PanzerPlace

In July 2014 I was able to visit Försvarsfordons museum Arsenalen in Strägnäs, Sweden. Number one reason for me to visit this museum was that I had heard

panzerplace.eu

PT10 hull with T17 turret, located in Saumur, France

Leopard 2 Prototype (PT 10 / T 17). The Mystery Solved. | PanzerPlace

In this post, we’ll have a look at yet another Leopard 2 prototype. This vehicle can be found in the collection of the Musée de Blindés in Saumur, France. In

panzerplace.eu

PT16 hull with T14 turret (automatic loading system), located in Koblenz, Germany

Прототип с автоматом заряжания

Наличие опытных образцов бронетанковой техники в немецких музеях является вполне нормальным явлением. Особенно это касается танков семейства Leopard, прототипов дожило столько, что их раздали еще и по другим музеям мира. Разумеется, есть такой прототип и в WTS Koblenz. Там стоит вообще очень…

yuripasholok.livejournal.com

Leopard 2 Prototype with automatic charger

Germany Leopard 2 Prototype Leopard 2 Prototype Leopard 2 Prototype PT-16 chassis with PT-14 tower with automatic charger On 1 August 1963, two years before the launch of the Leopard 1, the US and the Federal Republic of Germany concluded a government agreement to co-operate on the development of...

forum.warthunder.com

Unknown hull with T11 turret (the one with 20mm auxiliary cannon) and PT14 hull with T13 turret, located in Munster, Germany

Sekundärlafette Für Turm KPZ Leopard 2 (PT) | PanzerPlace

In a recent post I showed you a Leopard 2 prototype and explained how the turret of this tank was a very special one since it could mount an overhead weapon

panzerplace.eu

Leopard 2AV (PT19 and PT20 hulls, T19, T20 and T21 turrets), tests in the USA

Leopard 2AV Prototype (1976)

Leopard 2-AV Prototype 1976 Leopard 2AV Prototype 20 with Turret number 21with 120mm cannon L / 44 Rheinmetall smoothbore Leopard 2AV is undoubtedly the most important German tank in the Cold War. December 11, 1974 a memorandum was signed between the US and Germany for a new MBT (after the Americ...

forum.warthunder.com

 

[GTX]

Also a photo of so-called Leopard 2AGT with AGT1500 gas-turbine.

Wasn't aware of that one. Any more details?

 

[LVisingr]

Wikipedia provides some basic info...

The installation of the US Honeywell AGT1500 in the Leopard 2 was tested by MaK. The AGT-1500 was borrowed from the United States and required deep modifications of the Leopard 2's chassis. However driving tests at the WTD 41 revealed a number of drawbacks such as high fuel consumption and the lacking performance of the transmission including the brakes. This project was thus terminated.

 

[hannesjo]

Hello dear tank friends, I bought a new prototype today, and I will receive it by post in the next few days! Does anyone know which prototype it is? 2AV?

Greeting from Frielendorf -Germany

 

[Elan Vital]

2AV with EMES-13? What the hell

 

[Grey Havoc]

Well, the EMES-15 was chosen for the Leopard 2 primarily because it was the seemingly cheapest option (there were also probably some trade offset considerations with the United States, not to mention the US Common Modules issue). From what I understand it is a pretty maintenance intensive system, which among other things likely contributed to the eroding of the planned cost savings in going with the EMES-15, so I wouldn't be surprised if its replacement with the, superior in German eyes, EMES-13 system had been mooted for the AV variant. Ultimately though, the AV was a bust (they tried replacing the EMES-15 and associated systems with a very barebones fire control system indeed), and the Hughes/Krupp-Atlas-Elektronik EMES-15 was proceeded with. Interestingly though, some sources claim that the EMES-15 was originally only developed with the 2AV in mind.

EDIT: There was also the EMES-13A1 with a built-in laser rangefinder that could be 'upgraded' to EMES-13 standard, but I am not sure if that was formally proposed for the Leopard 2AV.

 

[hannesjo]

 

[hannesjo]

Hello dear tank friends, the Leopard 2AV arrived today and I have to tell you that the model is made of cast steel, I had to ask my friend if it would help me because you can't carry it alone! The chains are made of rubber, the driver's seat can be opened.

Greetings from Frielendorf - Germany

 

[hannesjo]

Hello, here is the new one.. The model was from Rheinmetall

Greetings from Germany - Johannes

 

[hannesjo]

Hello here some new photos

Greetings from Germany - Johannes

 

[Andrei_bt]

Great models

 

[hannesjo]

So now I have more time to write! The latest catch of the Leopard 2A4A0 prototype has not only prepared a huge gift for my collection, but also a gap in the model has been closed in terms of military history. Dear friends, you do not believe how happy I am to own these models.

Incidentally, I picked up the model in Laboe.

 

[hannesjo]

Here some pictures from Laboe

 

[Grey Havoc]

Not a Leopard II, but a cousin, shall we say:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEr02Vz3PjY

 

[Grey Havoc]

Ah, 'acquired' off our friends over at alternatehistory.com:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1584080569943871489

View: https://twitter.com/ronkainen7k15/status/1584080569943871489

 

[alejandrogrossi]

Ah, 'acquired' off our friends over at alternatehistory.com:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1584080569943871489

View: https://twitter.com/ronkainen7k15/status/1584080569943871489

I would like another photo if exist. I like it

 

[Grey Havoc]

Found a larger version of the image:

LeoBrams

Posted in r/CursedTanks by u/Barais_21 • 280 points and 6 comments

www.reddit.com

Not much luck otherwise yet, I'm afraid

 

[riggerrob]

Found a larger version of the image:
View attachment 686937

LeoBrams

Posted in r/CursedTanks by u/Barais_21 • 280 points and 6 comments

www.reddit.com

Not much luck otherwise yet, I'm afraid

Both Leopard 2 and Abrams have huge turrets.
What percentage of that volume is devoted to crew spaces?
What percentage is devoted to spaced armor?
What percentage of volume is devoted to military equipment (e.g. smoke dischargers)?

 

[monochromelody]

Found a larger version of the image:
View attachment 686937

LeoBrams

Posted in r/CursedTanks by u/Barais_21 • 280 points and 6 comments

www.reddit.com

Not much luck otherwise yet, I'm afraid

Basically a 1/35 model. Abrams has 85 inches(2160mm) turret ring, far more wider than Leopard 2(1980mm≈78in.). Real turrets not interchangeable.

 

[fightingirish]

Here a Leopard 2 project with a flat/ low profile turret from 1983.
Edit: See also Home > Forums > Secret (Unbuilt) Projects > Secret Army Projects >German Casemate Tanks

Hi banken, my second post was a photo from the book. Other photo that was mention relates to a low profile turret development of the Leopard 2 with a two man turret.

This was a new turret designed by Wegmann in 1978 that reduced turret height by 30% that was to be combined with the Euro Pak engine which cut the hull length by a road wheel (1m). These volume reductions enabled a new mark of Leopard 2 to be built with much increased armour thickness but staying under 60 tonnes combat weight. Main gun depression to -10 degrees was to be allowed by a rising flap on the turret roof.

Source: Battle Tanks for the Bundeswehr: Modern German Tank Development, 1956-2000 by Rolf Hilmes, ARMOR — January-February 2001

https://twitter.com/x/status/1622978006397472769

View: https://twitter.com/KampfmitKette/status/1622978006397472769?t=RaqC7WgXFKXrOT1ojhbH8g&s=19

 

[jkla]

I'm not sure if this is the right thread for this, but here is the "Demo II" prototype of the Leopard 2A6EX. It had the hull modifications necessary for the Europowerpack. Source: page 282, 'Leopard 2 entwicklung und einzats in der bundeswehr' - Frank Lobitz.