LEOPARD 1
The Leopard 1 was first produced in 1963 by Krauss-Maffei for the German Ministry of Defence and more than 6000 vehicles have been exported to nine NATO countries, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Italy, Canada, the Netherlands, Norway and Turkey and also Australia. The main armament is capable of engaging with effective fire, while on-the-move, through the use of an electronic , hydraulic gyroscopic gun stabilizer. This is known as fully stabilized power traverse. In addition, the Leopard is fitted with two banks of smoke grenade dischargers on the turret to create local obscuration. The Leopard may be "sealed-off" against nuclear contamination on the nuclear battlefield. It is a minimum-maintenance armoured fighting vehicle with visual lubricant level checks and minimum daily crew maintenance required. Properly fitted with external gear, it is capable of deep-fording or submerged fording where river banks are prepared for exit and entry. Complete engine replacement is possible in 30 minutes under field conditions.
ALTENRATH (Cologne-Bonn airfield)
Carlos posing on his Leopard tank.
BERGEN-HOHNE shooting range (near Hamburg)
The Leopard 1 battle tank is armed with a 105 mm gun and two 7.62 mm machine-guns.
55 rounds of 105 mm ammunition is carried, 13 in the turret and 42 in the hull.
4 smoke dischargers on each side of the turret.
«TWO SIX» crew
Carlos was commander of platoon «TWO ZERO» composed of three tanks with call signs «TWO SIX», «TWO FIVE» and «TWO ONE».
This is the crew of «26»: Carlos with his charger Rudiger (left), gunner Eric and driver Wolfgang (right).
PLATOON «TWO ZERO»
Carlos and his platoon «TWO ZERO» during several manoeuvers and shooting exercises.
2nd GUIDES REGIMENT, ALPHA SQUADRON
OLt Carlos posing with Lt Hubert De Vos (left) and their squadron commander Lt Jan ROEDER.
In 2007, General Hubert De Vos was commander of the Belgian Troops in Lebanon.
LEOPLDSBURG
Carlos and Marie-Jeanne flanked by Hubert and Martine De Vos on the occasion of a colleague´s wedding.
ALTENRATH
Carlos and marie-Jeanne during a gala dinner.
ALTENRATH
Having fun with 42,4 tons of steel…
AUTOMN MANOEUVERS
Crossing the Weser river near the East German border…
shooting exercises…
AUTOMN MANOEUVERS
Driving through peaceful German villages…
LEOPARD 1 TURRET INTERIOR
Gunner´s position (view from charger´s position).
LEOPARD 1 TURRET INTERIOR
Gunner´s position (view from gunner´s chair).
LEOPARD 1 TURRET INTERIOR
Charger´s position.
LEOPARD 1 TURRET INTERIOR
Tank Commander´s position.
December 2008 LEOPOLDSBURG (Belgium)
30 years ago, we were all young officers at the 2nd Guides Regiment in Altenrath (Germany).
After all these years it still great fun to meet each other again.
some are retired, some are civilian and some promoted to general !
Cover TANK MUSEUM NEWS 1-2010
Carlos on the cover of this Cavalry magazine