Spähpanzer Ru 251

Spähpanzer Ru 251, PT1 & PT2
Type Light tank; scout & reconnaissance purposes
Place of origin Germany
Service history
In service Never saw service; prototype tank
Production history
Designer Henschel
Designed 1964
Manufacturer Hanomag
Unit cost Classified
Produced 1964
Number built Classified
Specifications
Weight 25.46 t (25.06 long tons)
Length 6.2 m (20 ft 4 in)
Width 3 m (9 ft 10 in)
Height 2.49 m (8 ft 2 in)
Crew 4 (commander, gunner, driver, loader)

Main
armament
1 × 90 mm Rheinmetall DM1
Engine MB 837 Aa/Ea 600 or MTU MB 837 Ba 500
630/600/500 hp
Power/weight 19.64 PS (hp)/tonne
Suspension Hydropneumatic;
Traverse speeds:
PT1=38; PT2=44
Speed 80 km/h (50 mph)

The Spähpanzer Ru 251 (German for "Scout Tank Ru 251") was a Cold War-era German experimental model of a reconnaissance scout light tank. It was built as a replacement of the obsolete M41 Walker Bulldog still in service and to provide a lighter tank cheaper for the German army but at the same time still be capable of dealing damage to Soviet armored vehicles.[1] It was built on the basis of the Kanonenjagdpanzer tank destroyer, thereby having a few anti-tank components.[2]

Being a highly classified top secret, the Ru 251 never saw any publicity until some time after the Cold War ended.[2]

See also

References

  1. "Spähpanzer Ru 251". tank-encyclopedia. Retrieved September 18, 2016.
  2. 1 2 "Spähpanzer Ru 251". Blitz Tankopedia. Retrieved September 18, 2016.


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