Canadian T72 tanks

[302Trooper]

Canada acquired some east German T-72's as mentioned earlier. Some were shot at and we were able to get one or two up as runners for Op For purposes. The 12e RBC has a crew of guys who maintained the 1 in Valcartier that was on loan. It was used in the French Canadian series Op Tango a story about our time in Bosnia - a 3 part series. We also used it for car crushes and as a static display at the regiment before it was returned to CFB Gagetown. We had a few guys who knew all the ins and outs of this machine. I was pretty cool on my Pre 6A (Sgts Course) to go up against it when practicing fire and movement.

Dave Chaloux
302 Trooper

[45jim]

We had one in Calgary that we got running and added to our Historical Vehicle Troop that we used for dog and pony's and the odd car crush. It originally came from Suffield where they had another pair for fuel/air explosive testing which we stripped for spares. It was a crude but robust vehicle that certainly could have been a significant threat in Europe to our Leopard C1's.

Here are some Korea vets taking her for a spin at our 1995 Regimental reunion. That's me smiling in the drivers seat, MLU'er Darryl Zinck is there in the grey coveralls. When the Regiment moved to Edmonton in '96 it became a static monument and I believe it was shipped back to Calgary to the Museum of the Regiments as an outdoor display piece.

[Darrell Zinck]

Hi Jim

Thanks for that. Good times. I see your Sherman in the background too. I also see Kevin Thody and his Dad Dick in that 1st pic. Dick was a Korea Tanker and had some great stories about shooting Commies off his Tp Ldrs tank with canister. Apparently the worst part was having to replace all the AMUs and episcopes!!

Dick has passed on but a great fellow to be sure. Kevin and I met in basic and served VIII CH, RCD and LdSH together before he released in 1995. Of course, you know that, Jim!!

Re the Gagetown T-72s, isn't Gord Pringle a member here? I believe him and "Dauber" we crews of that OpFor troop. Gord? anything to add?

regards
Darrell

[Bob Phillips]

Can anyone tell us whether the T72 ? at Camp Borden is one of this lot of vehicles - or if not where it came from and under what circumstances. It looks fairly complete but neglected surely it could be a runner with some help?? B.P.

[maple_leaf_eh]

@ Bob, why don't you ask the original poster over on Canadian Gun Nutz? There is chatter there, which I have not followed closely, and the suggestion that there were a few batches of WP vehicles imported.

BTW, if anyone maintains a website of Canadian vehicles and modern military history, these conversations represent a good foundation for a webpage. There are photos and captions with first person narratives of using T72 vehicles as trainers and OPFOR against Canadian Leopards. Snag things while they are available. Never know when the host sites will go down ...

[Darrell Zinck]

Hi Bob

This link may help answer your question although some of the info appears dated.

http://preservedtanks.com/Locations....ategoryId=8000

regards
Darrell

[Darrell Zinck]

Hi John

Did you check the fuel tanks for gold bars?

I can't help with T-72 bits, sorry. Everything in the basement at the Gagetown Museum went into a landfill two summers ago.

regards
Darrell