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 61.

History and Development
After Switzerland had only been equipped with fighting vehicles of foreign production as the Hetzer, 1953 funds for the development of a own battle tank were approved in the year. The first prototype was completed in 1957 and was designated as a tank 58 from the Eidgenoessische Konstruktionswerkstaette. As the main armament was a 90 mm cannon build in. A second prototype had a British 20-pounder (83.4 mm) gun. Another ten tanks with a 105 mm cannon were then manufactured from 1960-1961.

Description
The design of the tank was conventional with driver in front, in the middle of the fighting compartment and the rear of the motor with drive and steering gear. The drive unit is compact and can be installed as a unit off and on. It consists of motor, auxiliary motor, drive and steering gear, power transmission and radiator. The auxiliary engine is a four cylinder diesel engine and 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 is a powershift plate clutch transmission with 6 forward and 2 reverse gears. The steering is a steering wheel. Foot brake and parking brake consist of two brake bands on are the left and right sides on the gearbox. The tower is built in the middle of the tank and cast from alloy steel armor. The commander and gunner sit right, on the left side the loader. The driver sits in the center front of the tankbody.

Use
The Medium Tank 1958 formed a valuable basis for the later Panzer 61 Between 1958 and 1964 all 12 tanks were in use by the Swiss Army. After they were converted and used as target tank 61 (Zielpanzer 61). The prototype with the M plate No. M0895 is now part of the Panzermuseum Thun.

External link

 * Technical details Mittlerer Panzer 58