German modern tank decommissioning plant (sorry)

[maple_leaf_eh]

http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/armoured-ve...g-firm-1450171

[Dianaa]

I wonder if you could retrofit the track to other WWII tracked vehicles like the Stuart, Matilda etc?

[Ryan]

that's crazy that they don't de-mil them and sell them off as tractors or something.
What a waste.

[Dianaa]

Why don't they just sell them off to us?

[cliff]

part of the treaty they are being decommissioned by probably states that the vehicles have to be destroyed not converted into anything else or sold except as scrap metal.

[Ed Storey]

Unlike Canada who seems to scrap or sell everything, at least the German Army saves at least one version of each AFV they use and have them on display in their Panzer Museum in Munster. I am not talking stripped down hulls left outside as gate guardians for the kids to climb on and the birds to nest in, the preserved German armour is indoors and is completely stowed as when it was in use.

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

Originally Posted by cliff

part of the treaty they are being decommissioned by probably states that the vehicles have to be destroyed not converted into anything else or sold except as scrap metal.

Most contracts for military items are priced at 'life cycle'. So instead of a tank costing $100,000, take out off the lot and it's yours, the quoted price is $100,000,000 gazillion which includes spares, maintenance, oil changes, paint jobs, upgrades, kickbacks and bribes and everything else for a period of years. And yes, that includes the vendor taking them back for disposal at the end. It also gives the political opposition great opportunity to bash the procuring government with charges of "how could you possibly waste that much money on those things?"

[Lynn Eades]

Bruce,Ii thought that was basically how it worked with all government expenditure.

[maple_leaf_eh]

Originally Posted by Dianaa

I wonder if you could retrofit the track to other WWII tracked vehicles like the Stuart, Matilda etc?

I'd think sourcing former WP AFV parts are more available than NATO bits.

There are a number of Russians who have built re-enacting versions of WWII vehicles using Russian tracked carriers etc. Count the roadwheels on the Tiger, and you'll realize it isn't built on a T34 hull.

More to the point of your question, compatibility depends centre or outside guide horns, track pad width and pitch, drive sprocket tooth spacing, steel or rubber pad style, etc.

[Ryan]

Terry, I reckon that Tiger is on a PT-76 or MT-LB chassis. Looks too long to be a T-34 chassis, wheels look too small to.