- Yes
- No
History: Type 62 Light tank is a Chinese Light tank that was developed by China’s NORINCO in the early 1960s. This Light tank was based on the Chinese Type 59 medium tank. Unlike the Type 59 medium tank this tank didn’t have thick armor and 100mm gun instead it featured light armor and 85mm gun. Thanks to the light armor this tank had great mobility, which attracted many countries like Bangladesh where the land is too weak to support heavy tanks. Bangladesh bought 36 Type 62 Light tanks in 1984. By the end of 90s these tank were becoming obsolete. So Bangladesh Army’s Engineers decided to experiment with their Type 62 Light Tanks. They were able to convert some of these Type 62 Light Tanks into APC, IFV and SPH using Bangladesh army’s existing equipments.
However these modified Type 62s stayed in service of Bangladesh army for a short time. Unmodified Type 62s were retired between 2000-1995 and the modified ones were retired within 2010. These modified Type 62s were first revealed to the public on Bangladesh army’s magazine called ‘Shena Barta(1999 publication)’. The APC variant had its main gun removed and additional seats were added in the turret to accommodate troops. This APC could carry upto 9-10 (Probably including the tank crew) troops. The turret had received a new door in the backside for easier access. Multiple gun ports were also added around the turret. Probably before the retirement these tank were refitted with the original 85mm gun. It’s worth mentioning that all Type 62 IFVs were later converted to Type 62 APC.
Currently some of the APC variants are used as Gate Guards.
Armor:
Hull armor and turret armor is same as before except the turret front. The new coaxial gun ports are most likely lightly armored.
In game armor values:
Hull: 35 / 25 / 15 mm
Turret: 50 / 35 / 32 mm
Weight: Less than 21 tons.
Max speed: More than 60 km/h. Max speed should be higher than the original Type 62 Light tank as this variant doesn’t have the 85mm gun, removal of the 85mm gun should reduce a significant amount of weight.
Armament:
- Main Gun: 12.7mm Type 54 HMG
Ammo Capacity: 500 rounds. 50 rounds per belt.
Muzzle velocity: 840 - 860 m/s
Ammo Types: API-T, IAI,rounds, AP-I(c) - Secondary Gun:
2×Type 86 Coaxial MG.
Located in the new gun ports near the mantlet. These guns have vertical traversing capability.
Ammo Capacity: 2×2000 rounds.
Ammo Types: AP-I, API-T
Rest of the specifications are same as the in game Type 62 light tank.
Note: Due to the rarity of this APC very few information regarding it’s history and specifications are available online. Although this APC doesn’t have powerful gun to destroy tanks, I think this APC can still perform well at 1.0-2.0 BR range.
Sources:
- Personal research
- ShenaBarta magazine (1999)
- Bangladesh Army - Modernization
- Type 54 | Weaponsystems.net
- http://cjaie.com/content/details16_3072.html
- Type 62 | War Thunder Wiki
- Bangladesh/Bangabandhu Military Museum
Spoiler
Pictures:
