Tanks 302

Tanks 271

Tanks 74

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.

Tanks 75

ALTENRATH (Cologne-Bonn airfield)
Carlos posing on his Leopard tank.

Tanks 76

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.

Tanks 270

«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).

Tanks 301

Tanks 77

Tanks 78

Tanks 79

Tanks 275

PLATOON «TWO ZERO»
Carlos and his platoon «TWO ZERO» during several manoeuvers and shooting exercises.

Tanks 80

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.

Tanks 81

LEOPLDSBURG
Carlos and Marie-Jeanne flanked by Hubert and Martine De Vos on the occasion of a colleague´s wedding.

Tanks 82

ALTENRATH
Carlos and marie-Jeanne during a gala dinner.

Tanks 305

ALTENRATH
Having fun with 42,4 tons of steel…

Tanks 272 Tanks 273 Tanks 274

AUTOMN MANOEUVERS
Crossing the Weser river near the East German border…

Tanks 272 Tanks 273 Tanks 279

shooting exercises…

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AUTOMN MANOEUVERS
Driving through peaceful German villages…

Tanks 297

LEOPARD 1 TURRET INTERIOR
Gunner´s position (view from charger´s position).

Tanks 298

LEOPARD 1 TURRET INTERIOR
Gunner´s position (view from gunner´s chair).

Tanks 299

LEOPARD 1 TURRET INTERIOR
Charger´s position.

Tanks 300

LEOPARD 1 TURRET INTERIOR
Tank Commander´s position.

Tanks 646

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 !

Tanks 750

Cover TANK MUSEUM NEWS 1-2010
Carlos on the cover of this Cavalry magazine