[archy]

Actually, that's a T80 (or newer version) and IT AIN'T GOT NO LOADER!!! This little detail is what made the T72M's of the "VAUNTED" Republician Guard such hapless targets for our tanks in GW Vsn 1.0. Goes to show that automation isn't always better.

It's a Ukranian T84U and some do indeed have the 28-round autoloader removed and the fourth crewman returned, absent since the advent of the T64 with it's automatic loader notorious for sometimes trying to stuff an inattentive gunner or tank commander into the breech. The 125mm rounds are seperate loaded, as were those of the first 120mm British Chieftains and the US M103.

The new autoloaders fitted to the Iraqi upgraded T55s [T72Z] are said not to prevent turret traverse and automatically elevate the gun as those on the Iraqi T72s fielded during Desert Storm did. The return of the human loader also allows the use of the laser guided 125mm AT11M guided missile, making 4000 meter hits on enemy tanks possible.

All things considered, I'd have rather crewed in an Iraqi T55 than one of the newer T72s during the Desert Storm period, but that wasn't my option then. And that'd certainly be so now, considering the upgraded T55s with the 125mm gun and new powerpack.

-archy-/-

[cavtrooper21]

Do they still stow the rounds and propellant out in the turret ring even with the loader. I've been in a T72m turret and I don't see where they would stash a magazine setup like the Challenger or M1 have. Even so, the design has its inherent problems above and beyond the ammo stoage issues.
All things said, I'm rather glad the Iraqi's were equiped with "monkey" T72s and not the newer T80/84 series with all the goodies in place. Might not have been quite the rollover that it was.