begleitpanzer (29-07-2021) [2.7.0.95] Begleitpanzer 57 stabilizer/ New sources

sugarstudd · July 6, 2021

Game Version # [2.7.0.95]

1.A detailed description of the issue you have encountered. It is also important that you describe how we can reproduce the issue, if you are able to reproduce it.

The vehicle Begleitpanzer 57 in game does not have its stabilizer for the 57mm main gun modeled.

2.If applicable, the full name(s) of the vehicle(s) affected.

Begleitpanzer 57

3.A detailed description of the fix you suggest. Provide sources including references that underline your position. This is up to the discretion of the Technical Moderator handling the report, however the number of sources required depends on the type of source presented:

Fix I would suggest is to give the Begleitpanzer 57 in the German tech tree a stabilizer .

I have attached new sources which mentions that the Bofors 57mm rapid fire Mk.1 Naval auto-cannon should be stabilized.

Sources:

Rheinstal AG and Bofors source documents regarding the Begleitpanzer 57.

To clarify some conflicting elements shown in the documents .

The Begleitpanzer 57 was original planned to have used the Marder chassis but the one and only built working prototype never did, as is shown on the pictures that I provided below in this report.

The only working prototype that was built of the Begleitpanzer 57 and demonstrated in Meppen for the German Army in 1977 was built on the TAM chassis.

During development of the Tam and Begleitpanzer 57 the project found the Marder insufficient in order to support the 57mm Bofors Mk.1 Naval artillery auto-cannon so the prototype was built on the TAM/VCTP chassis which is similar to the Marder but reinforced structurally in order to be able to handle the extra weight and stress put on the chassis by the 57mm auto-canon and the 105mm L/7 already found on the TAM. The Tam chassis also fields more powerful 720hp supercharged engine.

All the secondary sources provided by "Janes" support this and list the vehicle as using the TAM chassis as well .

Regarding the stabilizer.

-Equipped with a 57 mm rapid fire cannon, a machine gun and an anti-tank guided missile system, this 'accompanying tank' is used together with battle and protective tanks. Its versatile, balanced armament, which enables the combat against all targets occurring on the battlefield, such as light and heavy tanks, combat helicopters, aircraft and unarmored targets, also allows individual use, e.g. reconnaissance, surveillance, etc. Further features that allow its universal application: high speed and mobility, adequate protection and high stability.

The stabilized cannon with automatic loading device and magazine is built into a two-man tower with a top mount. The tower, which is raised on one side, offers optimal all-round visibility for the commander. The rocket launcher is mounted on its own support arm on the right-hand side of the tower. A missile magazine is located on the tower platform. The MG is co-axially attached to the main rifle case.

The 57mm Bofors Mk.1 Naval Cannon Turret was already well under series production at the time. It was adopted in its entirety with minor modification being the water cooled barrel was removed and exchanged for one that is not water cooled.The loading mechanism on the gun was also largely left unmodified aside from being oriented downwards, as the normal weapon mounting package for the Bofors l/70 family has a vertical feed that is oriented upwards.

This can been seen in the pictures I provided as well as mentions in the documents.

The fully working prototype of the Begleitpanzer 57 was tested in full working condition on the 30th Novemeber 1977 giving a firing demonstration to the representatives of the Bundeswehr.

Since very limited and conflicting information is available regarding this single prototype vehicle, I hope the the new sources I have provided clarify some aspects of this vehicle.

The new sources I have posted should be treated as a primary source.

I hope this information is of use to the devs in hopes of having this unique vehicle properly modeled in Warthunder .