M48 Tank at Reforger 85

[west-front]

M48 Tank at Reforger 85

commons.wikimedia.org/...e:M_48.JPG

[Jens_O_Mehner]

I do not think that it is an active vehicle, but more likely either a museum/private collection or a "tradition" vehicle- the tactical marking does not only not match what should be on it in 1985 and it does not jive with any marking order used previously. Also, an active duty vehicle would not have gotten away with the missing light guards, the driver's helmet was never used by the Bundeswehr and I am not certain the Russian-style tanker's helmet was already in use then, if it was, then only with Leopard 2 units.



Jens O.

[Dontos]

I had a question as to the date of the photo. I didn't think there were M48's still in service in 1985.

All my partnership unit affiliations (1986-89) involved Marder's and Leo II's. I had thought that the Leo 1 was the reservist standard at that time.

The preferred head gear was the Black beret (armor) or Green beret (panzergrenadier) with the headset. I can't remember an actual CVC.

Don

[Jens_O_Mehner]

Well,

upgraded M48A2GA2s with the 105mm gun were still on strength in the reserves and territorial defence commands in 1985, but usually only came out to play during maneuvres.

Jens O.

[Joe_D]

Another give away is the fake .50 cal in the TC's cupola and what's seems to be an empty area where the Gunner's sight should be.

Also by 1985 all West German Tanks/TD's had night fighting equipment. This tank doesn't have any hardware indicating she was ever equipped with a searchlight.

But what would you expect from a Wiki site.

Still, a very nice picture/example of an M48A2

Joe D