UNIQUE ID 297: LEOPARD TANK
(Model: Group A Prototypes)
Unique ID: 297
Added to Database: July 2008
Type (ID): Leopard (400)
Model (ID): Group A Prototypes (680)
Serial Number: J03.
Registration: "Y-209859" (German) painted on glacis. Also "02 SP 60" (British).
Other Identification: "7218" painted on front right mud flap. "L03" painted on glacis plate. Standard unit code number "91872110". German crosses painted on hull sides.
Collection Reference: E1970.250. (Accession 25070, Entry 1970.1020).
1: Porsche AG, Stuttgart (Prime contractor - multiple manufacturers)
2: Directorate of Tank Design, Chertsey, Surrey, South East England, Britain (1965/6 - 1970)
Text in original Preserved German Tanks publication:
This Leopard has the registration numbers Y-209859 (German) and 02SP60 (British experimental), and the serial number J03. It also has the standard unit code number 91872110, and carries the number 7218. It is a Series III vehicle and was one of two vehicles acquired by the MVEE, Chobham Lane, Chertsey, Surrey, in 1965/66. This was in exchange for two Chieftains at a time when the Dutch were undertaking MBT trials. It arrived at the museum in June 1970. It is believed that it was borrowed at some point by Royal Ordnance to prove a retro-fit conversion of the 105mm gun (source: J. Harris). The other Leopard is reputed to have gone as a hard target to a firing range after testing, but it is likely to be the one on display at the RMCS, Shrivenham.
Text in Preserved German Tanks Update:
This Leopard is displayed on a section of bridge from a bridgelayer tank. It was manufactured in 1962.
Its number "L03" indicates that it was built by Luther & Jordan of Braunschweig who built seventeen examples; "7218" was the number assigned to it while being tested at MVEE. In the summer of 1989 it was fitted with the Royal Ordnance 105mm Improved Weapons System gun for a trial fit but it was subsequently returned to its original condition with the 105mm L7. The tank was also painted in a version of the German Fleckentarnanstrich camouflage scheme later adopted as the standard NATO pattern by some countries. (Source: Museum Vehicle Record).
4: Right view
Filename: Scan_Leo...
8: The Leopard at Bovington
Photo ID: 233
Added: 4 July 2008
Select/Has Priority: 1/0