Panzer 58

The Mittlerer Panzer 1958 or Panzer 58 was a medium tank of Swiss design. Twelve tanks were produced and later converted to Panzer 61s.

Mittlerer Panzer 1958 (MPz58)
Panzer 1958
TypeMedium tank
Place of origin  Switzerland
Service history
In service1958–1964
Used bySwitzerland
Warsnone
Production history
DesignerEidgenoessische Konstruktionswerkstaette
Designed1953
ManufacturerEidgenoessische Konstruktionswerkstaette Thun
Produced1957–1961
No. built12 (all versions);
Variants1st Prototype
2nd Prototype
Production Model
Specifications
Mass35.1 tonnes
Length6.9 m (270 in), Gun in driving mode:8.49 m (334 in)
Width3.06 m (120 in)
Height2.85 m (112 in)
Crew4
ArmourSteel
Front: 60mm-80mm
Sides: 30mm
Rear: 20mm
Main
armament
1st Prototype: 1x 90mm "Kanone 1948" domestic rifled gun
2nd Prototype: 1x Ordnance QF 20 pounder rifled gun
Production Vehicles: 1x Panzerkanone 60, a licensed Royal Ordnance L7 105mm rifled gun with 44 rounds
Secondary
armament
6x Nbw 51 80mm smoke grenade launchers with 2 rounds per tube
1st Prototype: 1x MG 51 7.5mm coaxial machine gun
1x MG 29 7.5mm machine gun with 3400 rounds
Later Models: 1x Oerlikon 20mm coaxial Panzerkanone 61 autocannon with 240 rounds
1x 7.5mm MG 29 with 3400 rounds
Engine8 cylinder V90° Mercedes Benz 837, 600 HP
Auxiliary 4 cylinder in-line Mercedes Benz OM 636, 38 HP
Power/weight12.3 kW/T (17.1 HP/T)
TransmissionRear SLM
SuspensionRods with springs and hydraulic dampers
Ground clearance1100 mm
Fuel capacity640 Liters
Operational
range
on road 350 km (220 mi), off-road 160 km (99 mi)
Maximum speed on road 55 km/h (34 mph), off-road 30 km/h (19 mph)

History and development

After World War II, Switzerland was only equipped with outdated fighting vehicles of foreign production such as the Hetzer. Switzerland sought to purchase new armored fighting vehicles but was unable to do so due to other nations' involvement in the Korean War. Thus, in 1953 funding was allocated for the development of a domestic medium tank. The first prototype was completed by Eidgenoessische Konstruktionswerkstaette in 1957 and was designated as Panzer 58. The main armament of the first prototype was a domestic 90 mm cannon. A second prototype was equipped with a British Ordnance QF 20 pounder. Another ten tanks armed with the 105 mm cannon were manufactured from 1960-1961.

Vehicle systems

The drive unit was compact and modular and thus could be installed as a unit easily. It consisted of the motor, auxiliary motor, drive and steering gear, power transmission and radiator. The auxiliary engine was a four-cylinder diesel engine and was used to drive the main generator and the power supply. In case of a problem with the main motor, the tank could be driven with the auxiliary engine via the auxiliary transmission, over short distances. The transmission was an SLM with 6 forward and 2 reverse gears. The foot brake and parking brake consisted of two brake bands on the left and right sides of the gearbox. The turret was located in the center of the tank.

Crew

The crew of the Panzer 58 consisted of a Commander, Driver, Loader, and Gunner.

Use

Between 1958 and 1964 the Panzer 58 was in service with the Swiss Army. Eventually, the vehicles were converted to and used as the Panzer 61.

Legacy

The lessons learned with the Panzer 58 project were the basis of the Panzer 61. This project served in the development of Switzerland's armored doctrine throughout the cold war and into the modern day; even modern Swiss Leopard 2 tanks are modified to conform to the unique demands of Switzerland that were born to a large extent from the Panzer 58 project.

Surviving examples

The prototype with the M plate No. M0895 is on display at the Panzermuseum Thun in Thun, Switzerland

References
    • Military Museum Thun BE Switzerland
    • Ogerkiewicz, R. M. AFV Weapons Profile No. 50: Swiss Battle Tanks. Profile Publications, 1972. Print.
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