1976 LEOPARD 1 A5 BATTLE TANK

Details

This 1976 Oto Melara Leopard 1A5 Battle Tank is fully refurbished and operational. The engine is powered by an MTU MB 838 Ca-M500 turbocharged diesel engine that develops approximately 610 kilowatts (820hp) at 2,200 rpms. It is a liquid-cooled, 37.4-liter 10-cylinder 4-stroke engine in the V-90 configuration with multi-fuel capability, but which was typically run on diesel fuel (NATO designation F-54), consuming approximately 190 liters per 100 km. The engine, along with its cooling system, is

coupled into a PowerPack with a 4HP-250 transmission system built by ZF, which has a hydraulic torque converter, locking clutch, planetary gearbox and pivot turn mechanism (for each of the gears). The entire powerpack with transmission can be replaced in the field in approximately 20 minutes, as it is mated to the hull by means of quick-disconnect couplings. This Kampfpanzer Leopard 1 is a main battle tank designed by Porsche and manufactured by Krauss-Maffei in West Germany that first entered service in 1965. The Leopard design focused on effective firepower and mobility instead of heavy protection. It featured moderate armor, only effective against low-caliber autocannons and heavy machine guns, giving it a high power-to-weight ratio. This, coupled with a modern suspension and drivetrain, gave the Leopard superior mobility and cross-country performance compared to most other main battle tanks of the era, only being rivaled by the French AMX-30 and Swedish Strv 103. The main armament of the Leopard consisted of a German license-built version of the British Royal Ordnance L7 105mm rifled gun, deactivated to BATF specs. The design started as a collaborative project during the 1950s between West Germany and France, and later joined by Italy, but the partnership ended shortly after and the final design was ordered by the Bundeswehr, armed forces of the Federal Republic of Germany, with full-scale production starting in 1965. In total, 6,485 Leopard tanks have been built: 4,744 battle tanks, 1,741 utility and anti-aircraft variants, and an additional 80 prototypes and pre-series vehicles. The Leopard quickly became a standard of many European militaries, and eventually served as the main battle tank in over a dozen countries worldwide, with West Germany, Italy and the Netherlands being the largest operators until their retirement. Since 1990, the Leopard 1 has gradually been relegated to secondary roles in most armies. In the German Army, the Leopard 1 was completely phased out in 2003 by the Leopard 2, while Leopard 1-based vehicles are still widely used in utility roles. **DOCUMENTATION INCLUDES APPROVED APPLICATION FOR IMPORTATION OF A5 DEACTIVATED LEOPARD 1 A5 TANK - DEMILITARIZED TO BATF SPECS** **SOLD ON BILL OF SALE**