M50 Ontos and M56 Scorpion 1956–70

M50 Ontos and M56 Scorpion 1956–70 PDF

Author: Kenneth W Estes

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing

Published: 2016-11-17

Total Pages: 52

ISBN-13: 1472814754

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

Designed in the 1950s, the US Marines' M50 Ontos and the US Army's M56 Scorpion were both intended to be fast, light, air-droppable tank-killers for the Cold War battlefield – an answer to the cumbersome and ineffective World War II-vintage tanks that had taken to the battlefield during the Korean War. Although they shared the aim of bringing light, mobile and lethal antitank firepower to the infantry the two vehicles varied wildly in design to cater for their unique mission demands. They first saw service in the Lebanon intervention of 1958 but it was in the Vietnam War that they made their name, with the M50 Ontos seeing intense combat action in the Battle of Hue in 1968. Detailed illustrations and expert analysis provide the reader with a comprehensive history of these deadly antitank vehicles, from early development through to their combat history and the eventual disbandment of the Marine Corps' last antitank battalion with M50A1s in 1971.

Gun Trucks

Gun Trucks PDF

Author: David Doyle

Publisher: Visual History Series

Published: 2016-06-13

Total Pages: 120

ISBN-13: 9780986112737

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

US Cold War Tanks and Armoured Fighting Vehicles

US Cold War Tanks and Armoured Fighting Vehicles PDF

Author: Michael Green

Publisher: Pen and Sword

Published: 2019-08-30

Total Pages: 261

ISBN-13: 1526727226

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

This expert study of the U.S. military’s armored vehicles deployed during the Cold War features rare photographs from the wartime archives. To counter the Soviet threat and that of their client States during the Cold War years 1949-1991, the American military deployed an impressive range of main battle tanks and armored fighting vehicles. Expert author Michael Green presents a detailed study of these vehicles and their variants in this informative volume of stunning wartime photographs. The Patton series of medium main battle tanks—including the M46, M47 and M48—supplemented by the M103s Heavy Tank initially formed the core of the US tank fleet. In 1960 the M60 MBT entered service and, in turn, was replaced by the M1 Abrams in 1980. In support were armored reconnaissance vehicles, progressively the M41 bull dog (1951); the M114 (1961), the M551 Sheridan (1967) and M3 Bradley Cavalry Fighting Vehicle (1981). The armored personnel carrier range included the ubiquitous M113 and its replacement the M2 Bradley, cousin of the M3. All of these vehicles are covered in this highly detailed volume in the Images of War series.

Tanks at the Iron Curtain 1960–75

Tanks at the Iron Curtain 1960–75 PDF

Author: Steven J. Zaloga

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing

Published: 2022-07-21

Total Pages: 49

ISBN-13: 1472848152

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

A new analysis of the technology and tanks that faced off against each other on opposite sides of the Iron Curtain, during the very height of the Cold War. From the 1960s onwards, there was a generational shift in tank design and warfare with the advent of CBR (chemical, biological, radiological) protection and a move away from HEAT ammunition to APFSDS. This shift confronted the growing threat of guided anti-tank missiles and saw the introduction of composite armor. Soviet heavy tanks and tank destroyer/assault guns became obsolete, giving way to the technological might of the T-62 and T-64, while NATO forces employed the Chieftain, AMX-30, Leopard I, and M60, plus the initial attempt at a common US-German tank, the MBT-70. Using detailed illustrations and contemporary photographs, this companion volume to NVG 301, Tanks at the Iron Curtain 1946–60 focuses on key battle tanks and their technology to give a comprehensive overall picture of how tanks developed during modern times.

M113 APC 1960–75

M113 APC 1960–75 PDF

Author: Jamie Prenatt

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing

Published: 2017-11-30

Total Pages: 49

ISBN-13: 1472817478

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

The M113 is the most widely used and versatile armoured vehicle in the world. Fielded in 1960 as a simple 'battlefield taxi', over 80,000 M113s would see service with 50 nations around the world and 55 years later, many thousands are still in use. In addition to its original role of transporting troops across the battlefield, specialized versions perform a multitude of other functions including command and control, fire support, anti-tank and anti-aircraft defence, and casualty evacuation. This new fully illustrated study examines the service record of the M113 from its initial fielding through to the end of the Vietnam War. It will also describe the many US, South Vietnamese, and Australian variants of the M113 used in the Vietnam War as well as information on tactics, unit tables of organization and equipment, and a selection of engagements in which the M113 played a decisive role.

The Tank Book

The Tank Book PDF

Author: DK

Publisher: Dorling Kindersley Ltd

Published: 2017-04-03

Total Pages: 258

ISBN-13: 0241311292

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

Pivotal to modern warfare, tanks have dominated the battlefield for over a century. Get up close to more than 400 military colossuses with this definitive visual guide to armoured vehicles. In 1916, the British built a vehicle that could pound the battlefield impervious to enemy fire, crushing obstacles and barbed wire in its path. The first tank, or "Mother" as it was known, had arrived. In The Tank Book you can view it in detail, along with other iconic models including the German Panzer, the legendary Tiger, the Vickers Medium Mark II, the Centurion, and the Hellcat - the fastest armoured fighting vehicle ever. This comprehensive volume takes you through the most exciting story in recent military history with the development of heavy artillery, anti-tank weaponry, and the men - such as Mikail Koshkin and Sir William Tritton - who designed these awe-inspiring beasts. Produced with The Tank Museum, The Tank Book traces the tank's development in response to two world wars, Korea, Vietnam, the Cold War and many other conflicts. It shows each model in detail, highlighting details such as their performance, specification, armour, weaponry, and much more. If you are interested in modern warfare, The Tank Book is truly unmissable reading.

British Sniping Rifles since 1970

British Sniping Rifles since 1970 PDF

Author: Steve Houghton

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing

Published: 2021-11-25

Total Pages: 143

ISBN-13: 1472842367

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

In response to the challenge of the Soviet Dragunov self-loading rifle, the British Army adopted the 7.62mm L42A1 bolt-action sniping rifle in 1970. The L42A1 was deployed in Dhofar and Northern Ireland, but arguably saw its finest hour during the Falklands War in 1982. The harsh conditions of the South Atlantic laid bare the L42A1's inadequacies and a new company, Accuracy International, won the contract to replace the L42A1 and the PM Rifle, a world-beating revolutionary design, was adopted in 1985 as the L96A1. Progressively upgraded, the L96A1 went on to serve as the British Army's primary sniper system, being deployed in Northern Ireland, the First Gulf War, Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan. The L115A3, chambered in .338 Lapua Magnum, joined the L96A1 in the front line in 2008 and since 2012 has been Britain's standard issue sniping rifle. Featuring full-colour artwork and close-up photographs, this absorbing study assesses the development, combat use, impact and legacy of these three iconic British sniping weapons.

M1A2 Abrams Main Battle Tank 1993–2018

M1A2 Abrams Main Battle Tank 1993–2018 PDF

Author: Steven J. Zaloga

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing

Published: 2019-03-21

Total Pages: 49

ISBN-13: 1472831918

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

Since the Gulf War, the Abrams tank has undergone a transformation, while fighting in conflicts across the world. Its M1A1 and M1A2 variants have seen great improvements made to this iconic tank, including in fire-control, armour protection, and thermal imaging technology. Involvement in the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan necessitated a number of upgrades and modifications as the United States fought two of its longest wars. Recent years have seen new variants of the series such as the ABV Assault Breacher Vehicle and M104 Wolverine Heavy Assault Bridge. Over the past few decades, the M1A1 Abrams has also been extensively exported and is license produced in Egypt. The long-awaited follow-up to NVG 2 M1 Abrams Main Battle Tank 1982–92 (1993), this fully illustrated study examines the Abrams tanks' last quarter-century of service with both the United States and its various foreign operators with a focus on its combat history.

The SAS 1983–2014

The SAS 1983–2014 PDF

Author: Leigh Neville

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing

Published: 2016-12-15

Total Pages: 68

ISBN-13: 1472814045

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

A Special Forces expert reveals the illustrated story of the SAS since the Falklands War, including their operations in the Gulf War and the War on Terror. Highly trained and immensely skilled, the SAS are widely regarded as one of the best Special Forces units in the world. Their missions are uniquely diverse, ranging from counter-terrorist responses at home and abroad; counter-insurgency in collaboration with US Delta Force and other foreign Special Forces; mobile operations in support of conventional forces; targeting terrorist leaders and man-hunting war criminals, to 'direct action' raids. This book charts the changing organization and operational emphases of the Regiment over the past 25 years; its individual deployments and operations, including those planned but aborted, joint missions with other British and foreign units. It sheds light on the SAS's involvement in the Troubles of Northern Ireland, their operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and the widespread use of the SAS in counter terrorism and counterinsurgency operations since 9/11. Illustrated throughout with colour photographs and superb artwork plates.

M2/M3 Bradley

M2/M3 Bradley PDF

Author: David Doyle

Publisher: Pen & Sword Military

Published: 2018-11-30

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9781526738813

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

Through hundreds of color photos, the bulk previously unpublished, Images of War: M2 Bradley explores America's premier Infantry Fighting Vehicle in an unprecedented level of detail. Go inside and out the modern-day icon, then ride it into battle through they myriad of photos presented in this book. See why Bradley remains one of the most formidable armored combat vehicles of its class, even as it logs over 35 years of service. The Bradley Fighting Vehicle, made famous through extensive media coverage of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, is given an in-depth examination in this brand new volume. Drawing on the lessons learned in Vietnam, the Bradley was built to provide a highly mobile platform from which infantry could be inserted into the battlefield, and from which the infantry could operate. Its use soon expanded to that of a scout vehicle with anti-tank capability. Despite initial criticism from Congress, the Bradley proved itself very capable on the battlefield, destroying more Iraqi armored vehicles than did the famed Abrams tanks. Through extensive photo coverage, most never before published, this book explores the many variations of the Bradley, including the heavily armed M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System.