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Post by harvard1041 on Jan 29, 2012 2:22:35 GMT 12
While not strictly aviation related - unless you consider all tanks 'targets' - had a couple of interesting hours at the IDF Armored Corp Museum. It's about half way between Tel Aviv & Jerusalem - an old British Police Fort - captured from the Jordanians in 1949. Many signs are in Hebrew only but perhaps a unique collection of Western and Soviet & other tanks and vehicles - pretty serious stuff in Israel - the Memorial Wall is pretty sobering ...not really something I know much about however...here goes: Entrance with the Fort in the background - Centurion nearby  Tried to get the Names in the photo - otherwise would have to say 'Another Brown Tank' - Sherman I think  Merkava IV - really neat in the you can climb all over many of them - play with the 0.50 cal and M-60 - no Health & Safety BS - consider it a privaledge knocking your knee on a big old chunk of these tanks.  View down the Merkava 120mm barrel  Bit about the Fort - inside is an exhibition on Jewish Soldiers in the Second World war.  Interesting Wall - much in Hebrew - but tells the story in paintings and pictures as well  Jewish RAF people  Panel about the Allies of WWII - NZ in this case - some stats & photos.  Lots & lots of captured Soviet / Arab tanks - many of which were put back in to Israel service - if they were considered good.  German Panzer  ![]() Bit of a problem with its barrel I think  Lots of interesting Engineers Vehicles - mine clearing, bridges etc etc - kinda like the Sherman in the background on the top of the pedestal  |
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Post by harvard1041 on Jan 29, 2012 3:34:44 GMT 12
some more... This one seems to had some trouble with its barrel Big Barrelled Howitzer  On top of a M-60  Cross Sectioned Tank  Showing how effective some armor is - front side  Back side - only some penetrated - also had some interesting stuff on reactive armor.  The Israeli used many captured Soviets tanks at times  M113 familiar to many Kiwis  Willys Jeep Radio cars  Some really impressive tank transporters and bridges - Suez crossing type machines...   |
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Post by harvard1041 on Jan 29, 2012 3:37:04 GMT 12
Inside of the Fort  Very sobering Memorial Wall - the losses are still very fresh obviously - 1973 seems to have been tough - huge numbers of tanks involved - big losses.   |
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Post by baz62 on Jan 29, 2012 8:59:23 GMT 12
Wow thats impressive John. Love the tank on the pedestal. Wonder if it is to advertise that there is a Tank Museum there if its not to obvious driving past? Sobering looking at the examples of rounds hitting armour. Imagine the poor devils inside a tank getting hit like that.  |
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Post by nuuumannn on Jan 29, 2012 13:29:39 GMT 12
Terrifc to see these images, John. Some real interesting stuff. The self propelled gun next to the Panzer IV is a Sturmgeshutz Self propelled Gun, the most mass produced German tank. The white tank with the buggered barrel is a T-34; it'd be interesting to hear more of their stories, like how they got to Israel etc.
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Post by shamus on Jan 29, 2012 17:31:42 GMT 12
When I was in Israel in 2007 I was fortunate to be able to visit a tank firing range near the Golan Heights and was able to witness firing practice. I was told that the older tanks like a lot of the overseas ones, had the engine at the rear to avoid it being hit and the tank disabled. The crew were of course in the front. The Israelis decided it would be better to have the engine in the front to protect the crew if it was hit. They designed this into their later tanks. Obviously the crews lives were more important than the tank. I entirely agree with this philosophy.
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Post by flyjoe180 on Jan 29, 2012 18:18:37 GMT 12
Excellent photos, that is an amazing collection of armour. It would be interesting to find out how the Panzers and T34 got there.
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Post by corsair67 on Jan 29, 2012 18:47:02 GMT 12
According to my sources (Google!), the Panzer on display at Lantrun is a Panzer IV Ausf H, and it was used by the Syrian Army during the 1967 war with Israel.
Syria obtained a number of Panzers from Russia, Czechoslovakia, Spain and France during the 1950-60s, and some were captured by Israel in the Golan Heights area where most had been dug into the ground to operate as armoured bunkers.
There, don't say I never done learned you nothink! ;D
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Post by flyjoe180 on Jan 29, 2012 19:31:26 GMT 12
Ta Mr Corsair  |
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Post by ngatimozart on Jan 29, 2012 20:57:19 GMT 12
Excellent photos. Very intriging how the panzers arrived there. Yes the T34 with the burst barrel - would have ruined somebodys day. They had a couple different marks of the Sherman there because they were still using them in the1973 Yom Kippur war. The one that had what looks like a turret of a French AMX 30 tank (although I am sure it isn't) had a 105mm gun. The Sherman on the Pedastal looks really good.
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Post by Calum on Jan 29, 2012 21:27:16 GMT 12
Excellent stuff. Thanks for posting.
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Post by Radialicious on Feb 1, 2012 20:33:23 GMT 12
Great post John. I visited the tank museum in 2002 when I was working in Israel on behalf of SAFE Air. It would have been very easy to spend all day there. The photos I have are 35mm and I don't have a scanner but I will try and add some shots if I can. A very cool place!
Being based at Hatzerim for four months, I was able to visit the IAF museum and I will add some photos of that too.
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