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Description
Strv 103 is a Swedish main battle tank with a unique turretless construction. Its gun is fixed to the hull and the tank has hydropneumatic suspension, which allows elevating and depressing the gun by tilting the whole hull in the range between -11 to +16 degrees. Horizontal aiming is performed by turning the whole tank. Many test trials proved that a turetless design isn't really a disadvantage for the overall flexibility of the tank, as the Strv 103 showed comparable or even better results in those trials than many turreted tanks of that time. However, Strv 103 was mainly intended for defensive role anyway.

This unorthodox design allowed to reduce height of the tank significantly, meaning it is harder to detect and hit. It also increases the efficiency of the armor, which is not very thick, but extremely well angled. As the gun always remains in the same position relative to the hull, it also made it easier to install a powerful autoloading device into the tank, which allows the Strv 103 to fire 12-15 rounds of 105 mm ammunition per minute.

This vehicle was designed during the Cold War and it was intended to be used to defend Sweden in case of Soviet invasion. As we all know, such invasion never happened, so Strv 103 never saw real combat. Nevertheless, it remains an interesting chapter in main battle tank development history, proving that even unconventional designs solutions can result in some quite potent vehicles.

This is the first time I tried to build a replica of a real vehicle, rather than coming up with my own design. Some details aren't perfect but the overall impression is quite good I think.

Favs and comments will be appreciated!

Description
Strv 103 is a Swedish main battle tank with a unique turretless construction. Its gun is fixed to the hull and the tank has hydropneumatic suspension, which allows elevating and depressing the gun by tilting the whole hull in the range between -11 to +16 degrees. Horizontal aiming is performed by turning the whole tank. Many test trials proved that a turetless design isn't really a disadvantage for the overall flexibility of the tank, as the Strv 103 showed comparable or even better results in those trials than many turreted tanks of that time. However, Strv 103 was mainly intended for defensive role anyway.

This unorthodox design allowed to reduce height of the tank significantly, meaning it is harder to detect and hit. It also increases the efficiency of the armor, which is not very thick, but extremely well angled. As the gun always remains in the same position relative to the hull, it also made it easier to install a powerful autoloading device into the tank, which allows the Strv 103 to fire 12-15 rounds of 105 mm ammunition per minute.

This vehicle was designed during the Cold War and it was intended to be used to defend Sweden in case of Soviet invasion. As we all know, such invasion never happened, so Strv 103 never saw real combat. Nevertheless, it remains an interesting chapter in main battle tank development history, proving that even unconventional designs solutions can result in some quite potent vehicles.

This is the first time I tried to build a replica of a real vehicle, rather than coming up with my own design. Some details aren't perfect but the overall impression is quite good I think.

Favs and comments will be appreciated!