http://www.israeli-weapons.com/weapo...merkava4_2.gif

That picture *POOF* every time I see it.

Mod Edit: Alright, Kozzy Mozzy, you know better than to give us that much information...

About shot traps on the Merkava, someone mentioned that whenever you look at the Merkava 4 it just looks like one big shot trap waiting to happen... Does anyone know the details of why the bottom of the turret is sloped like that? Not knowing any better I would have thought that any incoming fire that hits that slope would end up slamming right down into the chassis or being directed to a very small point for penetration. Either possibility being, of course, a very bad situations indeed. I mean sure, if a tank shell or an RPG round hits the top of the turret no sweat, slope's perfect there. But not on the bottom...

However, the Israelis are hardly idiots when it comes to tank design, so I'm hoping there's a better explanation. Anybody know?
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Hmmm, they usually dont tell you about those things...But most fire dosent hit the turret at that angle. I need to ask someone about that.

Originally Posted by Ashes

About shot traps on the Merkava, someone mentioned that whenever you look at the Merkava 4 it just looks like one big shot trap waiting to happen... Does anyone know the details of why the bottom of the turret is sloped like that? Not knowing any better I would have thought that any incoming fire that hits that slope would end up slamming right down into the chassis or being directed to a very small point for penetration. Either possibility being, of course, a very bad situations indeed. I mean sure, if a tank shell or an RPG round hits the top of the turret no sweat, slope's perfect there. But not on the bottom...

However, the Israelis are hardly idiots when it comes to tank design, so I'm hoping there's a better explanation. Anybody know?
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Modern sabots don't deflect, they go straight in. Even if they did deflect, the rod would lose too much penetrating power to get through the glacis.

I would assume the "shot trap" area is well armoured enough too.

http://www.operations.mod.uk/telic/i..._basrah_hr.jpg

Just what you want on your way to work

M1A2 SEP for firepower and armor

Chally 2 for armor

Leo 2A6 for firepower


From what I understand the Germans upgraded to L54 to use the new DM53, instead on the DM43.

Thought they used the L55?

"About shot traps on the Merkava, someone mentioned that whenever you look at the Merkava 4 it just looks like one big shot trap waiting to happen..."

Did you know that the same thing was said about Leopard 2 A5? And it was a false statement, don't you thing that this is another such false statement? I doub't after the experience of the Israelian forces and battles that they would make such a misstake, I can say to 99.99% that the comment is false!

And as Kozzy said, they don't deflect.

Originally Posted by AlexKall

Thought they used the L55?

"About shot traps on the Merkava, someone mentioned that whenever you look at the Merkava 4 it just looks like one big shot trap waiting to happen..."

Did you know that the same thing was said about Leopard 2 A5? And it was a false statement, don't you thing that this is another such false statement? I doub't after the experience of the Israelian forces and battles that they would make such a misstake, I can say to 99.99% that the comment is false!

And as Kozzy said, they don't deflect.

Ya I meant L55.

Yeah thought you did mean that, but you never know with those germans (hehe, take it as a compliment!) in one moment they use one gun in the next they use another, the 4 and the 5 is close to each others hehe

Just a thought, but in battle tanks don't operate by themselves especially American tanks. We operate in groups, though in the past 2 major conflicts with the Abrams we have been out numbered. Its been our communication systems on the A1, training at NTC, volunteer tankers, and most of all vast amount of combat experience thats constantly passed on! Its not always the tank (though that does make a good bit of difference its the operator.