Garfield

Accident in Putrajaya

Series of pictures from a car accident in Putrajaya. Happily, no one was injured and the accident only involved one car that slammed against a curb.

Type 77 heavy machine gun (PR China)

Type 77 heavy machine gun on universal tripod, in AA position; note periscope optical sight

Type 77 heavy machine gun on universal tripod, in ground fire (low-profile) position

Caliber: 12,7x108mm
Weight: 28 kg (gun) + 28.3 kg (tripod)
Length: 2150 mm
Length of barrel: 1016 mm
Feeding: Belt, 60 rounds
Rate of fire: 650-700 rounds per minute

During the mid-1970s PLA (Chinese army) has decided to develop a lighter 12,7mm weapon, suitable for mobile AA applications, from ground and vehicle mounts, as well as for ground troops support, which shall replace ageing 12,7mm Type 54 (Copy of Soviet DShKM) heavy machine guns. The new weapon was officially adopted by the PLA in 1977 as the 12,7mm Type 77 HMG; its mass production commenced in 1980. This weapon had a somewhat unusual (for a machine gun) direct impingement gas operated action, apparently in attempt to save on the weight of the moving parts. Its basic locking system and belt feed were adaptations of the proven DShKM solutions, and the entire gun with a universal tripod weighs some 56 kilograms – less than half that of the Type 54 / DShKM on its mount. The Type 77 HMG has a very heavy barrel with a prominent muzzle brake, and a slender, tubular receiver. The Type 77 was usually issued with low-magnification optical sight, suitable for both anti-air and ground applications. It seems, however, that this gun left something to be desired, as just five years after its entrance into service it was replaced in production by a newer weapon, known as the 12.7mm Type 85 heavy machine gun.

Type 59

The Type 59 was nothing more than a Chinese copy of the Soviet T-54 main
battle tank.

Designation: Type 59
Classification Type: Main Battle Tank
Contractor: NORINCO (China North Industries Corporation) - China
Country of Origin: China
Initial Year of Service: 1959

The NORINCO-produced Type 59 was actually based on the purchase and
subsequent local licensed production of the Soviet T-54 main battle tank
(just redesignated as the Type 59 in Chinese service). The system, at least
externally, was identical to the Soviet-era design though the inner workings
were customized to Chinese specifications.

The Type 59 was fielded with a 100mm main gun with later models being seen
with a laser rangefinder mounted atop the gun. Both commander and loader
were given cupola positions with the loader operating the heavy caliber
12.7mm anti-aircraft gun mounted in the turret. The commander was also given
a smaller caliber 7.62mm machine gun for anti-personnel use. Still another
7.62mm machine gun was mounted in a fixed forward coaxial position, this one
operated by the gunner. The driver sat front left and some ready-to-use
ammunition was sported to his right. Smoke could be generated by introducing
raw diesel fuel into the exhaust, thusly no smoke grenades are mounted.

The Type 59 chassis produced a series of variants, showing off the
versatility of the base system. Variants included improved Type 59 models,
armored recovery vehicles and models featuring explosive reactive armor for
added crew protection. The system has seen extensive export service to many
countries in the Middle East and the periphery.

Variants:
Type 59 - Original production model of Soviet T-54 MBT. Also available in
105mm main gun upgrade.
T-72Z / Safir 74 - Iranian variant
Type 59 - Air defense vehicle with twin-35mm guns.
Type 59-I - Late production model designation; laser-range finder; revised
fire control system.
Type 59-II - Upgunned 105mm main gun variant; 58hp diesel engine; two-axis
gun stabilization.
Type 59 ARV - Armored Recovery Vehicle

Specifications: Type 59
Dimensions:
Length: 29.53ft (9.00m)
Width:10.73ft (3.27m)
Height: 8.50ft (2.59m)
Performance:
Speed: 28mph (45km/h)
Range: 267miles (430km)

Structure:
Accommodation: 4
Weight: 39.7 US Short Tons (36,000kg)
Systems:
NBC Protection: None
Nightvision: Yes - Infra-red for driver, gunner and commander
Power:
Engine(s): 1 x Model 12150L V-12 Liguid-cooled diesel generating 520 hp at
2,000rpm.

Armament & Ammunition:

1 x 100mm main gun
1 x 12.7mm anti-aircraft machine gun
1 x 7.62mm coaxial machine gun
1 x 7.62mm machine gun

Ammunition:
34 x 100mm projectiles
200 x 12.7mm ammunition
3,500 x 7.62mm ammunition

12.7mm QJG-89 heavy machine gun (PR China)

QJG-89 heavy machine gun with tripod set to low-profile position; gun is fitted with IR / Night sight

Caliber 12.7x108 mm
Weight 17.5 kg (gun body) + 8.5 kg (tripod)
Length 2119 mm
Barrel length 1003 mm
Feed belt, 50 rounds
Rate of fire 450 - 600 rounds per minute

Very little relibale information is so far available on this heavy machine gun. It is claimed to use combination gas / recoil operated action that is used to decrease peak recoil, which otherwise must be significant (to say the least) for such a light (26 kg / 57 lbs complete with tripod) but powerful gun. Gun uses direct impingement gas system, apparently borrowed from Type 77 HMG.

The exact detals of the gas / recoil operated action of the QJG-89 machine gun are still unknown, but we may speculate that the direct gas action is used to unlock the rotary bolt from the barrel, and the short recoil of the barrel group is used to cycle the bolt group through the accelerator lever. Type 89 / QJG-89 heavy machine gun uses standard belt feed with belt movement direction being left to right. Barrel is quick-detachable and is fitted with massive muzzle brake. Standard furniture includes pistol grip with rifle-type trigger and a tubular shoulder stock. Gun is used from lightweight tripod of adjustable height, which can be used for both ground and AA applications. On most illustrations the QJG-89 is also fitted with some sort of optical or IR / Night sight, although adjustable iron sights also available by default.

T-10 / IS-10 (Iosif Stalin / Josef Stalin)

The T-10 was the last of the Josef Stalin heavy-caliber, heavy-armor tank
designs dating back to the Second World War.

Designation: T-10 / IS-10 (Iosif Stalin / Josef Stalin)
Classification Type: Heavy Tank
Contractor: State Factories - USSR
Country of Origin: Soviet Union
Initial Year of Service: 1953
Number Built: 8,000

The T-10 can be considered the pinnacle "Josef Stalin" tank design as it is
the tank that superseded previous forms and became the final product of the
series. It sported an all new main gun, redesigned body and turret and put
upon itself all of the lessons learned through armored conflict in World War
2. The tank was of a heavy classification and was such an outstanding and
well-regarded design that the last known operational usage of the T-10 was
reported in 1996.

Outwardly, the T-10 was similar to the preceding IS (Josef Stalin) tank
series with a rounded turret placed forward of the hull design and had more
in common with the IS-3 than other previous forms. The T-10 featured an all
new turret and main gun armament along with a redesigned hull and improved
engine performance. A crew of four personnel operated the machine with the
drive in the front hull and the commander, loader and gunner in the turret
in traditional Soviet tank design fashion (commander and gunner on left and
the loader on the right inside the turret - contrasting Western design
placement). Power was derived from a single 12 cylinder diesel generating
around 700 horsepower. Armor protection was excellent, reach some 10 inches
at its thickest.

The T-10 appeared in two supplementary forms with subtle modifications as
the T-10A and the T-10B. The final version in the series would be the T-10M,
which fitted a longer M-62-T2 (L/43) main gun. This particular version also
featured a new muzzle brake, NBC protection for the crew and infra-red
nightvision. Additionally, self-defense machine gun protection was improved
allowing for an optional 12.7mm anti-aircraft DShK machine gun to be
installed.

The T-10 performed as expected and was well-regarded. It saw action with
Egyptian forces against Israel in the Six Day War, losing many examples to
Israeli control - to which the very same systems were used to guard the Suez
Canal from Egyptian encroachment. Production of the T-10 ended in 1966, to
which some 2,500 examples appeared overall, and were the last of the Soviet
heavy tanks when that classification type fell out of favor with Red Army
needs.

Variants:
IS-9 - Josef Stalin Heavy Tank Prototype following the IS-1 through IS-8
models; accepted into production as the T-10.
IS-10 - Initial Designation based on the similar "IS - Josef Stalin"
designations preceding it until Stalin fell out of favor.
T-10 - Base Production Model Series Designation.
T-10A - Fitted with two-axis main gun stabilizer.
T-10B - Improved gun stabilization system and sighting equipment.
T-10M - Fitted with longer M-62-T2 (L/43) main gun; redesigned muzzle brake;
two-axis gun stabilizer; NBC protection; improved self-defense machine guns.

Specifications: T-10 / IS-10 (Iosif Stalin / Josef Stalin)
Dimensions:
Length: 32.41ft (9.88m)
Width:11.71ft (3.57m)
Height: 7.38ft (2.25m)
Performance:
Speed: 26mph (42km/h)
Range: 155miles (250km)

Structure:
Accommodation: 4
Weight: 57.3 US Short Tons (52,000kg)
Systems:
NBC Protection: Yes (T-10M model)
Nightvision: Infra-red (T-10M model)
Power:
Engine(s): 1 x V2 -IS 12-cylinder diesel engine delivering 690hp.

Armament & Ammunition:

1 x 122mm D-74 main gun
2 x 14.5mm KPV machine guns

OPTIONAL:
1 x 12.7 DShK anti-aircraft machine gun

Garfield

M48 Patton

The M48 Patton MBT was utilized to good effect in Vietnam, though it was far
from the perfect jungle tank.

Designation: M48 Patton
Classification Type: Main Battle Tank
Contractor: Chrysler / Ford / General Motors / Alco Prods - USA
Country of Origin: United States
Initial Year of Service: 1952
Number Built: 12,000

The M48 Patton Main Battle Tank was effectively the first tank engineering
design in post-war America. The M46 and M47 Patton versions were merely
developments of the World War Two M26 Pershing, which in itself, was a
development of the M4 Sherman chassis.

The M48 Pattons underwent a modernization program in the 1970's and became
known as the M48A5 featuring the more powerful 105mm main gun. The weapon
system saw limited action in the Korean War and extensive action in the
Vietnam War. The M48 Patton was the first tank to arrive in Vietnam with the
1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry in 1965.

The M48 is named after famed World War Two US General George S. Patton, Jr.,
and is in the family of the Patton series of tanks that include the
aforementioned M46 Patton and M47 Patton along with the M60 Patton Main
Battle Tank.

The M48 is no longer in a frontline service role for the US Army.

Variants:
T48 - Developmental Designation
M48 - Base production model designation
M48C - Trainer
M48A1 - 90mm main gun; Commander's internally mounted 12.7mm machine gun.
M48A2 - 90mm main gun; Continental Gasoline Fuel-injection air-cooled V-12
engine; 5 x track return rollers.
M48A2C - Same as M48A2.
M48A3 - Continental AVDS-1790 V-12 air-cooled diesel engine; 90mm main gun.
M48A4 - Cancelled variant
M48A5 - Updated with 105mm main gun, commander's cupola and upgraded engine.
M48 - Israeli modified variant with explosive reactive armor.
M48 - South Korean variant with side skirts and M48A5 standard features.
M48A5E2 - Spain variant
M48H - Taiwanese variant with M48 Patton turret on M60 Patton chassis.
M48A2GA2 - Modernized standard used by Germany and Turkey.
M48 AVLB - Bridgelayer
M48 - Mine Clearing Vehicle (Germany)

Specifications: M48A5 Patton
Dimensions:
Length: 30.48ft (9.29m)
Width:11.88ft (3.62m)
Height: 10.66ft (3.25m)
Performance:
Speed: 30mph (48km/h)
Range: 310miles (499km)

Structure:
Accommodation: 4
Weight: 54.0 US Short Tons (48,987kg)
Systems:
NBC Protection: None
Nightvision: Yes
Power:
Engine(s): 1 x Continental AVDS-1790-2D water-cooled disel engine generating
750hp.

Armament & Ammunition:

1 x 105mm M41 main gun
1 x 7.62mm coaxial machine gun
2 x 7.62mm machine gun
2 x 6 smoke dischargers

Ammunition:
54 x 105mm projectiles
10,000 x 7.62mm ammunition

Garfield

FV214 Conqueror

The FV214 Conqueror proved to be too large, heavy and difficult to maintain
for its own good.

Designation: FV214 Conqueror
Classification Type: Heavy Tank
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Initial Year of Service: 1955

The British-produced Conqueror was designed to be fielded in conjunction
with the hugely successful Centurion Main Battle Tank (still in service in
many parts of the world today) in post-war Europe. The system was classified
as a heavy tank and charged with long-range fire support on the battlefield,
wielding it's large-caliber 120mm rifled main gun.

As heavy tanks go, the Conqueror (from the official designation of FV214),
was derived from a series of universal chassis design that was to make up
the future of British armored forces. To go along with the mammoth chassis,
the base Centurion turret - in full - was mounted to make the Conqueror in
essence, a heavy gun tank version of the Centurion itself. With production
covering a mere three years, few Conqueror forces were fielded in any
quantitative value alongside Centurion groups.

The Conqueror maintained several benefits over the Centurion as a whole, but
was sorely lacking in other areas of major importance. The Conqueror's long
range main armament of 120mm pattern, along with 39 projectiles, was a
definitive advantage over the 105mm Centurion tank. A coaxial 7.62mm and a
commander's mounted 7.62mm machine gun complimented the Conqueror's main
gun. Additionally, as with most heavy tanks, armor was another inherent
benefit and the Conqueror did not disappoint in that area. Unfortunately,
the system's sheer size, lack of mobility cost/troubles of maintaining the
complex system would limit both production and fielding of the Conqueror.

In all, just about 200 Conquerors were ever produced. With the vision of a
universal family of chassis being unfulfilled, the design produced just two
notable additions in the form of an Armored Recovery Vehicle and a heavy
self-propelled anti-tank weapon system. The Conqueror would not see the
production successes of its predecessor, the Chieftain, but it would
nevertheless find a footnote in the history of British armored warfare.

Variants:
FV214 "Conqueror" - Official Production Model Series
FV219 ARV Mk 1 - Armored Recovery Vehicle based on the FV200 chassis.
FV215b - Heavy Self-Propelled Anti-Tank Gun based on the FV200 chassis.

Specifications:
Dimensions:
Length: 37.99ft (11.58m)
Width:13.09ft (3.99m)
Height: 10.99ft (3.35m)
Performance:
Speed: 21mph (34km/h)
Range: 96miles (155km)

Structure:
Accommodation: 4
Weight: 71.7 US Short Tons (65,000kg)
Systems:
NBC Protection: None
Nightvision: None
Power:
Engine(s): 1 x 12-cylinder pertrol engine generating 810bhp.

Armament & Ammunition:

1 x 120mm main gun
1 x 7.62mm coaxial machine gun
1 x 7.62mm machine gun (commander's cupola)

Ammunition:
35 x projectiles

SS-1 SCUD

The SCUD Gained a Prominent Role in the 1991 Persian Gulf War.
Designation: SS-1 SCUD
Classification Type: Battlefield Ballistic Missile System
Contractor: State Factories
Country of Origin: Soviet Union
Initial Year of Service: 1957



The SCUD missile system was the Soviet military long-range missile mainstay throughout the 70's and 80's. The system gained notoriety during the first Gulf War in 1991, where Saddam Hussein launched attacks against Israel and Saudi Arabia using these missile systems with some success.

The SCUD missile is set upon a mobile 9P117 8x8 truck, which made it difficult for Allied aircrews and special forces to zero in on their locations (SCUD crews would launch their missiles and immediately move to a new location).

The SCUB missile itself stemmed from post-World War Two Soviet engineering based on captured Geran V-2 rockets. The design firm of Korolyev was responsible for the research along with captured German scientists and engineers.

The missile itself was measured at 11.25m (36.9 ft) with a weight of 5,600kg (5.6 tons). The warhead consisted of a single payload measured at roughly 985kg and could be armed with conventional, nuclear or chemical armaments.

The rocket was propelled by a single-stage liquid booster and had an overall range of 300km (186.4 miles). Once the rocket motor would give out, the missile system became completely unguided making the weapon extremely inaccurate.

Though reportedly not very accurate, the Cold War-era World War 2-devised SCUD system worked well enough under combat conditions as televised in the Iraq war of 1991 and served as a potent weapon for causing much angst in the Israeli public. About 30 deaths from SCUD missile attacks were reported from that war's use.

Missile programs of Pakistan, North Korean and Iran have been reported to use the Soviet Scud-based technology to produce battlefield missiles capable of reaching up to 1,500km in range (932 miles). Add this range with the potent ability to deliver a payload of explosive, chemical, biological or even nuclear warheads and these armies gain a certain tactical advantage on the battlefield.

A modernization program for the Scud missile system began in 1999, though the system is widely being replaced in most inventories.
Armament & Ammunition:
1 x 5,600kg battlefield missile
Ammunition:
1 x 985kg warhead battlefield missile (multiple warhead variety).

Takde baju lain ker!!!

14.5 mm QJG 02 heavy machine gun (PR China)

14.5 mm QJG 02 heavy machine gun on AA mount

14.5 mm QJG 02G heavy machine gun (export modification) on AA mount, in ready position

14.5 mm QJG 02G heavy machine gun (export modification) towed by jeep-type vehicle

Caliber: 14.5 x 115 mm
Weight: 75kg (QJG 02) or 110 kg (QJG 02G with wheeled mount) on AA mount / tripod
Length: n/a
Length of barrel: n/a
Feed: belt, 50 rounds
Rate of fire: 500 rounds per minute

Up until recently the most powerful machine gun in the PLA inventory was the 14.5mm Type 58 – a straightforward copy of the Soviet Vladimirov KPV, used on single, twin and quad AA mounts. Only recently has the PLA bothered with a replacement for this old, but still effective weapon, and in 2002 it adopted the new QJG 02 14.5mm HMG. This weapon is of indigenous design, and it looks somewhat like an enlarged W-85. So far it has been observed only on low-profile, single-gun AA mountings, which also can be used for ground applications. It is believed that QJG 02 heavy machine gun is already in service with some units of PLA. An updated export version of the gun, named QJG 02G, is being promoted by its maker, the Chinese arms factory No.36. The key difference between QJG 02 and QJG 02G is that the latter has the mount with detachable towing wheels.

The QJG 02 can fire all types of 14.5mm ammunition, including the newest Chinese DGJ 02 SLAP ammunition with muzzle velocity of 1250 m/s (4100 fps) and claimed armor penetration of 20mm at 50^o angle at 1000 meters.

Reliable information on this new machine gun is very limited so far. It is believed that limited production of the Type 02 HMG started in around 2004 or 2005.

The Type 02 is a gas operated, air cooled, belt fed, machine gun that fires from an open bolt. Barrel is quick-detachable and has a carrying handle attached to it. QJG 02 uses a rotary bolt locking system.

The Type 02 is associated with a special low profile mount, which consists of an adjustable tripod with a turntable that hosts the gunner’s seat, traverse and elevation mechanisms, and the gun cradle with built-in recoil dampers. When traversing, the entire turntable with gunner and gun is rotated; the rotation is controlled by a horizontal wheel located in front of the gunner. Elevation of the gun is controlled by another wheel, located to the left of the traverse control. The gun trigger is operated by the pedal. The entire system is said to be easily disassembled into five man-packs, each weighing 20 kg or less.

The Type 02 is typically fitted with a special telescope sight, installed on a parallelogram mount well above the barrel. The sight mount is attached to the gun cradle.

T-55

The T-55 Main Battle Tank.

Designation: T-55
Classification Type: Main Battle Tank
Contractor: State Factories - Soviet Union
Country of Origin: Soviet Union
Initial Year of Service: 1958

The T-55 Medium Tank is probably the most internationally prolific piece of
tracked armor as it can be found in dozens of military inventories across
the globe. It has seen military frontline service from the invasion of
Hungary in 1956 to the Arab wars with Israel of the late 1960's and early
1970's.

The T-55 features a 100mm D-10 rifled main gun. Two 7.62mm defensive machine
guns are provided, one coaxially and one in the bow front-hull. A 12.7mm air
defense machine gun is provided in later models of the T-55.

Development of the T-55 stems from the base T-54 Main Battle Tank design,
which itself can trace it's roots back to the World War Two-inspired T-34
tank design. The T-55 was superceeded by the T-62 detailed elsewhere on this
website.

In all essence, the T-55 shares many common features, components and systems
with the T-54, thus many sources may group their histories together as such
(sometimes shown as T-54/T-55).

Variants:
T-55 - Base production model. Basic T-54 with new turret and 12.7mm
anti-aircraft machine gun.
T-55A - Added radiation protection and 12.7mm anti-aircraft machine gun.
T-55M - New 580hp engine sans cupola for loader; Ability to fire AT-10
Stabber ATGW missiles through main gun.
T-55M-1 - Passive armor protection
T-55MV - Explosive reactive armor protection
T-55AM-1 - Standardized to T-55A specifications with passive armor
protection and AT-10 firing ability.
T-55K - Command Vehicle
T-55AK - Command Vehicle
T-55MK - Command Vehicle
T-55MVK - Command Vehicle
T-55AM2B - Czech-produced variant
T-55AM2P - Polish-produced variant
T-55AM2PB - Russian-produced variant
T-55AD - T-55M standardized specifications with specialized countermeasures
system installed.
T-55AD-1 - Upgraded engine; Laser-rangefinder.

Specifications:
Dimensions:
Length: 20.34ft (6.20m)
Width:11.81ft (3.60m)
Height: 7.61ft (2.32m)
Performance:
Speed: 22mph (35km/h)
Range: 242miles (390km)

Structure:
Accommodation: 4
Weight: 44.6 US Short Tons (40,500kg)
Systems:
NBC Protection: None
Nightvision: Yes - Infrared
Power:
Engine(s): 1 x 462-516 kW 675 hp diesel engine.

Armament & Ammunition:

1 x 100mm D-10 rifled main gun
1 x 12.7mm anti-aircraft machine gun
1 x 7.76mm coaxial machine gun
1 x 7.62mm machine gun in bow

Ammunition:
34 x 100mm projectiles
500 x 12.7mm ammunition
3,000 x 7.62mm ammunition

Accident in Putrajaya

Saw this accident at a major junction in Putrajaya. A black Toyota Vios must have hit a big vehicle as it just got stuck in the middle of the road. I cannot see the other vehicle.

Local English

Fly fishing at the extreme!

Garfield