Tank Chats  

As a Swiss, I'm pretty neutral about this presentation. But I feel the tendencies to really like the way it is presented.

One little known fact about the " Swiss Army Tank ". On the rear of the left sponson there is a tiny slot where a very small Tweezers is stored. On the rear of the right sponson there is a tiny slot where a very small Toothpick is stored.

4:05 I think it was really nice of Sweden to allow the Swiss to build their own tank

I own a Swiss military vehicle, myself. It's an Ordonnanzfahrrad 05, a military bicycle. I was given that by a young lady I was very close with at that time. She is a citizen of Switzerland and bought it for me from a Swiss army surplus store. It's a bit heavy, not very comfortable, but it's really strong and rolls silently with very little effort. And since the word for chain and for track are the same in German (Kette) I can half-jokingly say _Ich besitze ein Kettenfahrzeug der Schweizer Armee._

Fascinating to see examples of armoured vehicles from non "traditional" tank producing nations. Keep it coming...…..

4:04 i think he misspoke there, because i doubt that the swiss federal arms factory in Thun needed the go-ahead from the swedish government

Is It just me who misses David's talks from his garden throwing Finns ball on a lovely sunny day?

If both sides are questioning your neutrality you've probably got it balanced correctly!

I honestly don't know any legit reason why someone would dislike this, unless they have no interest in tanks.

A while ago I saw a comment about _armed_ neutrality that kinda stuck with me: _"If you cannot defend your neutrality then you're not considered neutral but harmless."_

"...snot-o-gram..." My new favourite term.

The problem with Panzer 68 was that we in switzerland were to late, the germans had the leopard 2 😅

Still kinda crazy how they have SO MANY tanks. They’ve been making videos for a long time and still prolly have hundreds of more tanks to cover!

Bet this tank would make Swiss cheese out of the opposition... (I'm sorry I couldn't resist)

it's very aesthetically pleasing

That low angle shot makes the main gun look like 70 feet.

OK, let's get the obvious ones out of the way... ahem.... This tank has good mobility - if you can get it out of neutral. I've no idea where the bottle opener is, though.

This is one topic that still doesn't have a decent plastic kit, as far as I know

The Panzer 61 was used for the chassis for the Panzer III replicas built for the movie Enemy At The Gates.

What a tanky looking tank. Nice.

10:55 Wait I know that place!!! We used to go roller skating there when we were kids bc the army didn't use the grounds on Sundays. Fun fact on that ridge just left of those houses are the targets for firing practice. A few years ago a negligent recruit caused an accidental discharge, sending rounds smashing through one of those houses on the ridgeline to the right. In through the window, out through the wall. Nobody was hurt apparently bc the owners were off working. Imagine the shock when they came home after a long day's work, only to find a window gone and a hole blown into the side of their house.

This Swiss bomb shelter runs on tracks, and _doesn't_ have the usual apartment building sitting on top of it.

04:02 Nice of the swedish government to allow the swiss army to order tanks.

Great video and presentation love the tank museum I holidayed in Weymouth few year back and went there the army train around the back of the museum its good to Watch them 👍

never knew this tank existed, very interesting! thanks for the video!

wew that crazy long barrel 20mm coax on the Pz58

There is an error in this presentation. The coincidence range finder in this tank was operated by the gunner, not the commander. While it was possible for the commander to lay and fire the gun, none of this was among his intended tasks in combat. However, he would use the range finder to range probable engagement points and fields of fire in preparation of ambush attacks from hull down positions, which was the main operational doctrine of this vehicle towards the end of its lifecycle. It's also noteworthy that the exhibit lacks the 71mm LYRAN illumination mortar on the turret roof, which was standard on all Panzer 61's. I served in this tank, first as gunner, then as commander, before being transferred to finish my career as section commander in the rank of first lieutenant in a Leopard II equipped battalion.

Love your videos your always full of youthful information

Having Been in the Recently restaured Antique driving Simulator for this Tank Twice now, i can confirm that the steering is sensitive. Getting outta neutral is a bit Tricky often leading to me dropping the cluch hard :)

Useful design. Very clean.

Thank you David. That 105 mm gun really does get everywhere!

0:25 so glad you called this out David!

listening to David is comforting

I have a Swiss friend who was in the army (SP guns) when these were in use. He claims they weren't particularly well liked. Who knows, but they look badass and it's awesome that the Swiss made their own machine.

Kind of like an M48A5, but on a fitness routine.

Well, Switzerland did have the French AMX-13 and various models of the British Centurion, labeled Pz 55 and Pz 57. I was fortunate to ride and fire with these, and also the Pz 68 and 87 ( Leopard 2)

Great to see the master back at the helm, Mr Fletcher is fine for a very brief chat but for an in depth talk on why a vehicle was developed and how it was used, there's no comparison.

Next tank chat is the Panzer 87 (swiss Leopard 2 version(RUAG)) and the swiss centurion tank 🤣

The Swiss have a much higher guns-per-person ratio than even the US. Yet without the gun crime. I have visited Switerland many times, the Swiss are lovely warm friendly people, but armed to the teeth. Don't go pick a fight there!

I don't have to go to a tank museum because every two years the tank museum comes to me in the form of a big outdoor event where all sorts of privately owned military vehicles turn up in a field nearby. Plus the Swiss army brings out its toys to play as well. Always like to go there, hopefully it won't be cancelled this year.

thank you

One of the difference between the pz 61 and pz 68/88 is the turret, the turret is slightly wider on the pz 68/88

A surprisingly pretty tank. Not as drop dead gorgeous as the Leopard 1 or 1A5, but pretty none the less.

Out of all the countries the Soviets mapped, by far and away the most effort was placed on building up maps of Switzerland.

Marvellous stuff as always. By hillarious coincidence I only last night watched the Chieftains inside the hatch on the same vehicle but with the 80s upgrades.

Today's my birthday, this video is my best present! 🎁

The Panzer68 was also used for (like you said) for the Brückenpanzer 68 (Bridgelaying tank) and Entpannungspanzer 65 (Pioneer-/recoverytank). Somme Chains and wheels of the Pz61 together with the Pz68 where used to build the Zielpanzer 68 (Targedtank) . 4 chassies where used to build 4 Prototypes of the 15,5-cm-Artillerie-Panzerkanone 68 (Artillerie tank, this one was tested by the swiss Military but not bought even it was NBC safe and had an automatic loading system, the Swiss Military bought insted the M109. Also two chassis of Pz68 where used for the Mobile Ground-Air Defense vehicle 35 mm Flab Panzer B22L. The swiss Military dident bought it. In facht K+W had already drawings for a Pz68 replacement, the Panzer 20000. But this project was closed down because it was cheaper to buy the Leopard2 from germany than build again a own tank from the scrach. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panzer_2000 en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fliegerabwehrpanzer_68 en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panzerkanone_68 en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zielfahrzeug_68 en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entpannungspanzer_65 en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Br%C3%BCckenpanzer_68

Very interesting presentation. I didn't know about until now. The Swiss government tried to hold the own heavy industries in the game the long they could. You see it also on the heavy trucks Saurer 6DM and 10DM. Absolutely gorgeous trucks! They were extremely expensive because the little numbers of production, but it was the last chance to safe Saurer company from bankruptcy. Sadly it doesn't worked. If you cannot sell enough outside the country you have a Problem with economy.

It has an interesting use of Belleville washers for suspension.

I think the desire to support the local arms industry also played a part. I find this is true of many European arms procurements.

One of the reasons why Switzerland went with the Lepard was the time and costs vs purchase a tank off-the-shelf (Did they rent the Lepard before buying a different mark of Lepard tank?), designing their own, or upgrading/repairing/remanufacture the Pz 68 were greatly showing their age and had a lot of issues esp when it came to the modern battlefield and the 105mm gun was not good enough

Actually had the chance to climb on top of one of these. Pretty cool tank.

4:00 Swiss government.

David Willey rocking the Hussar-looking pants!!

Would love to hear the Tank Museum thoughts about another swiss tank, the "Nahkampfkanone 2". You can actually see the Nahkpamfkanone 2 in the background behind the czech tank at 1:08.

Can you imagine being the Swiss tanker in the 70’s that was in charge of a hetzer?

Pzw 39s are not license-produced, although the Swiss did install their own engines and guns and prolly some other equipment like radios.

Pz.68 was mainly for export fixing things like heater and fire control on the same circuit and they almost sold some until the buyer found out they were trying to hide her faults

Wow Cool. Greetings from Switzerland

1:18 I couldn't imagine having to take a Hetzer into combat in 1970...and face a T-62/64. You wouldn't stand a chance.

Interesting shapes on the cast hull. I might have to pick up the model from you and build one for my mini tank museum.

Cool looking tank! Compact and powerfully armed. Nice

Thank you .

Consistently high quality video production with excellent educational value.

When the Panzer 68 first came out it had a bunch of bizarre issues....turning on the heater could set off the main gun and adjusting the radio volume would spin the turret around.

Very nice and informative Video! I have always been quite a fan of the Pz. 61 & 68, however speaking of neutral countries in the cold war, as an Austrian, I'd love to see a video about the "Kürassier" (Although I think the Museum does not possess one, which is quite sad)

The beauty of this tank is the ability for it to be assembled from a convenient flip-out box. . .

Very reminiscent of the Soviet T-62 with the cast turret and general profile.

About "I don't know if the Swiss tried to sell it.": No. In Switzerland the export of arms is generally prohibited.

Great Tank Chat folks! Keep 'em coming! I'd love to see you do one on the Sherman M4A2E8 or even the M548s you use for pleasure rides!

IMO, the Panzer 61 and Panzer 68 is like a mixture of the M4 Sherman and M60 Patton. P.S. to differentiate between Panzer 61 and Panzer 68 tanks; is to look at the upper front wheels in the tracks.

Thank you for making these !

In Saumur there is a swiss military bicycle with a big lable on it that states that it was gifted to one of the anniverseries of the museeum (I'm not 100% sure) either by the swiss army or the goverment. :D which I find neat

I love these tank chats, always learn something new=D

Powerpack swap time always gets mentioned. It would be awesome if you could do a video showing us exactly what it looks like to do. How long does each step take? how many men? what equipment. Thanks.

Did we forget the Swedish S Tank no turret! Just sloped armer and a barrel.

Great! Looking good DW💖

Very interesting.

But does it have a tool for removing stones from horses hooves?

The Mutz!

You have any of those bridge layers around back of your museum? Be nice to have a close look at a vehicle like that occasionally.

This chap is so much better than the other chap.

in war thunder when?

I actually think this is a very well made and thought out tank impressive 👏.

That is a tank that really looks like a tank, if you know what I mean. If you asked a 15 year old kid to design you a generic tank, it would be a Pz61.

always good sir.

If there is any country to go for a fixed turret tank destroyer, it's switzerland imo. in a defending role in hillsides or mountains, would'nt it be much better to have a huge gun on a low profile and mobile basis to engage from a position and make the way out fast, even going uphill or along rough terrain?

Can't have a parade without tanks.

I wonder if - aside from the sensitive steering - there are other peculiarities the Swiss tank has for operating in the Alps. I know the South-Korean K1, K1A1, K2 and Japanese tanks all seek higher than average gun elevation (and depression) angles with the help of hydropneumatic suspension and would think the Swiss armywould seek the same capabilities or was this too advanced for the time of the pz61?

Please tell me the main gun wasn't cut. I hope all the vehicles are fully operational. Like taking a vintage Colt or Holland and Holland and cutting up a great piece of history.

Well, we do love tanks indeed 😄

I'll presume licence building of the Centurion wasn't an option back when they wanted to buy them, but couldn't?

We need to start designing and building are next tank to replace the Challenger 3 and this new tank will also be sold on the export market

Wish he discussed the pros and cons of it’s unusual suspension system

That little tank would be extremely effective in it's natural habitat. Can you imagine leading the advance through swiss mountains knowing somewhere sometime a unit or two of those tanks will open fire when they hold every advantage.... needless to say they would've fit their intended role perfectly. Point is to make any aggression so damn costly the losses far out weight the gains basically. Mean, nasty little devil those tanks would've been lol

1:05 that thing needs a tea tray spoiler on the back and go faster stripes………….

Great! DW as excellent as ever💖

nice video

David once again fantastic, would be able to share your thoughts on ongoing thank development or upgrade programs ? Based on the latest model and see where they are going ?

Excellent and interesting video