Versuchsträger 1–2

Since the completion of the Kampfpanzer 70, I decided to do a so called "roadmap" for tanks I made and will make that related to MBT/KPz 70.

KPz 70<===============>VT1–2

Origins

The program to replace the now outmatched Leopard I by Soviet tanks is still continue, but not the MBT-70/KPz 70 program. The "future" MBT was cancelled, West Germany decided to left the program as it was too costly by then. After the KPz 70 program was a failure, West Germany decided to develop the locally designed Leopard 2. While the Leopard 2 development were on the way, the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BWB) awarded Maschinenbau Kiel (MaK) to design armored vehicle that focused on firepower, mobility and survivability, using the failed Kampfpanzer 70 as the base.

The result was a casemate main battle tank with twin gun for increasing the chance to mark the first hit called the Doppelrohr-Kasemattpanzer Versuchsträger 1 (Abbreviated as VT1 and means "double-barreled casemate tank test vehicle 1").

Great Britain joined the program for a while and did a few trials on VT tanks using various weapons, such as 105 mm, 120 mm and the rare British 110 mm rifled gun. Then Great Britain left the project since they wanted a turreted vehicle.

The project had the name of Kampfpanzer 3 (KPz 3). The internet exaggerated the name as "Leopard 3".

There are 7 vehicles made:
• The first one is a VT1–1, equipped with two L7 105 mm, original engine from KPz 70, one made
• VT1–2, equipped with two Rh-120 120 mm, new engine, one made
• GVT 01, 02, 03, 04 and 05, equipped with no cannons instead equipped with twin gun simulators.

Design

Armament

The most unique vehicle, the VT1–2 is unmistakable by the twin Rheinmetall Rh-120 L/44 that are placed above each tracks. The guns only able to elevate and depress and cant angled to left or right (comparable to Swedish S-tank). The port gun is equipped with autoloader, reducing the need for a loader. But, the right gun is not equipped with autloader and probably loaded manually by the gunner. The commander shared one gun sight with gunner, thus enabling him in charge for the guns when gunner cant shoot. VT1–2 carried 24 shells, with 6 in the port gun autoloader, in total of 30. Both guns could elevate to +15 and depress to -10.

Mobility

The vehicle is based on a shortened KPz 70 hull (has 5 roadwheels instead of 6, reducing the hull length by 75 cm) which is known by having great mobility both on road and offroad that has the power to weight ratio of 32 hp/ton. The Germans thought it wasnt enough, so they replaced the original engine with the MTU MB803 Ra-500 engine with 4 exhaust turbochargers providing 2175 hp for short time, giving the vehicle a whopping power-to-weight ratio of 46.7 hp/ton, and 1500 hp for long term power, giving the vehicle a fast acceleration. This choice was decided because VT1–2 was supossed to be used in zig-zag pattern while moving and shooting one or both guns when the target is on sight. The vehicle has a maximum speed of 70 kph and reverse speed of 40 kph. The KPz 70 hull retains the controllable suspension, but VT1–2 only has pitch control, not roll nor ground clearance adjustment.

Survivability

The prototype constructed using mild steel, thus has no great armor performance. Though if it went into production the armor would be increased, perhaps the front glacis match the front glacis armor on the KPz 70. Still, due to the great engine, the mobility is prioritized as the main survivability factor of the vehicle.

In-game features, systems, and controls.

Again, like the MBT/KPz 70, VT1–2 lacked of interior pics, the only source I use to make interior is from War Thunder. I also took some inspirations from MBT/KPz 70 itself aswell as Leopard 2, the closest relative after KPz 70.

Controls pretty much the same as KPz 70 except the ground clearance isn't adjustable.

mobility

Pitch forward and reverse (19 m/s and 11 m/s top speed respectively)
Roll to left and right
Yaw is for rotation of the gunner sight

Sliders

Slider 1 is for gun elevation
Slider 2 is for suspension angle adjustment

Activation groups

AG 1 Engine (has German dialouge text)
AG 2 Hatches (has German dialouge text)
AG 3 headlights

FOR MORE EXPLANATIONS, HELPS AND/OR INFOS COMMENT DOWN BELOW

As I promised