Hybrid (Frankenstein) Tanks and Combat Vehicles

PT-92 / Leopard-72M: A Hybrid Main Battle Tank


Overview:
The PT-92, also known as the Leopard-72M, was a hybrid main battle tank developed in the early 1990s. This unique vehicle combined the hull of the Soviet-designed T-72 with the turret of the German Leopard 1, aiming to merge the strengths of both platforms.

Development Background:
Following the Cold War, Germany inherited a significant number of T-72 tanks from East Germany's National People's Army (NVA). With a surplus of these tanks and a downsizing military, Germany sought avenues to repurpose or sell them. Simultaneously, Poland aimed to enhance its armored capabilities, particularly in fire control systems. The Leopard 1, though lacking in armor compared to modern standards, offered superior accuracy over existing T-72 models. This led to the innovative idea of integrating Leopard 1 turrets onto T-72 hulls.

Technical Modifications:
Turret Integration: Krauss-Maffei undertook the task of modifying the T-72's larger turret ring to accommodate the Leopard 1 turret.

Autoloader Removal: The T-72's autoloader carousel was removed, replaced by standard ammunition storage systems.

Protection Enhancements: Additional underbelly armor was added to improve mine resistance.

Operational History:
Approximately 100 PT-92 units were produced and delivered to Poland. Some were later exported to countries like the Czech Republic, Turkey, and India for evaluation purposes. Over time, explosive-reactive armor (ERA) was locally applied to the turret and sides to enhance protection, though the turret's armor remained a point of concern.

Crew Feedback:
Positive Aspects: Crews appreciated the tank's long-range accuracy, reliability, and improved ergonomics compared to previous models.

Challenges: The main criticisms centered on the turret's inadequate armor protection and the tank's sluggish reverse speed, which posed risks in open terrain despite the T-72 hull's higher theoretical maximum speed.

Conclusion:
The PT-92 served as a transitional solution for Poland, bridging the gap between older Soviet-era tanks and the development of the domestically upgraded PT-95. While not without its shortcomings, the PT-92 represented a strategic effort to enhance armored capabilities during a period of military transformation.

I could not find a T-72 with a leopard I turret. I believe that the picture above is a MBT EX / EX Tank / Karna Tank. An attempt to "modernize" existing Ajeya (T-72M1) tanks by integrating the Arjun's turret. The open hatches kind of look like googly-eyes

You have the opposite, a Leopard 1 hull with a T-72 turret proposed for Malaysia in the 90's

Miragedriver said:

PT-92 / Leopard-72M: A Hybrid Main Battle Tank

https://imgur.com/a/CrIYnNj

Overview:
The PT-92, also known as the Leopard-72M, was a hybrid main battle tank developed in the early 1990s. This unique vehicle combined the hull of the Soviet-designed T-72 with the turret of the German Leopard 1, aiming to merge the strengths of both platforms.

Development Background:
Following the Cold War, Germany inherited a significant number of T-72 tanks from East Germany's National People's Army (NVA). With a surplus of these tanks and a downsizing military, Germany sought avenues to repurpose or sell them. Simultaneously, Poland aimed to enhance its armored capabilities, particularly in fire control systems. The Leopard 1, though lacking in armor compared to modern standards, offered superior accuracy over existing T-72 models. This led to the innovative idea of integrating Leopard 1 turrets onto T-72 hulls.

Technical Modifications:
Turret Integration: Krauss-Maffei undertook the task of modifying the T-72's larger turret ring to accommodate the Leopard 1 turret.

Autoloader Removal: The T-72's autoloader carousel was removed, replaced by standard ammunition storage systems.

Protection Enhancements: Additional underbelly armor was added to improve mine resistance.

Operational History:
Approximately 100 PT-92 units were produced and delivered to Poland. Some were later exported to countries like the Czech Republic, Turkey, and India for evaluation purposes. Over time, explosive-reactive armor (ERA) was locally applied to the turret and sides to enhance protection, though the turret's armor remained a point of concern.

Crew Feedback:
Positive Aspects: Crews appreciated the tank's long-range accuracy, reliability, and improved ergonomics compared to previous models.

Challenges: The main criticisms centered on the turret's inadequate armor protection and the tank's sluggish reverse speed, which posed risks in open terrain despite the T-72 hull's higher theoretical maximum speed.

Conclusion:
The PT-92 served as a transitional solution for Poland, bridging the gap between older Soviet-era tanks and the development of the domestically upgraded PT-95. While not without its shortcomings, the PT-92 represented a strategic effort to enhance armored capabilities during a period of military transformation.

Click to expand...

picture is not PT-92.

shahidac said:

picture is not PT-92.

Click to expand...

Agreed. I mentioned in the post below that I could not find one. The one pictured is a MBT EX / EX Tank / Karna Tank

LAV with different turrets​

When the Australian Army first rolled out its M113A1 Fire Support Vehicles (FSVs), they were more of a stopgap than a showpiece. These early models came outfitted with turrets salvaged from aging Alvis Saladin armored cars. It wasn’t a perfect match, but it did the job—for now. Armed with a 76mm L5A1 gun and a pair of .30 caliber machine guns (one coaxial, one mounted on the turret roof), the FSVs were meant to fill the gap until a truly air-portable armored fighting vehicle (AFV) could be fielded.


From 1967 to 1970, the Australians put the FSVs through their paces in a series of rigorous trials. In 1968, they also test-drove America’s M551 Sheridan light tank, hoping it might offer a better solution. But the Sheridan brought its own baggage—mainly, dangerous combustible ammo casings that raised serious safety concerns. Ultimately, it was deemed too risky for adoption. With limited options, Australia committed to 15 M113A1 FSVs.


By 1978, Australia upped the ante, purchasing an additional 45 vehicles—this time with upgraded Alvis Scorpion turrets and the more modern 76mm L23A1 gun. These revamped FSVs proved their worth in the jungles and firebases of Vietnam, taking on a mix of roles: defending outposts, escorting convoys, conducting night patrols, and launching ambushes. They were rugged, reliable, and exactly what was needed in the chaos of guerrilla warfare.


Meanwhile, across the Pacific, the United States had high hopes for its own light tank—the M551 Sheridan. It officially entered service in June 1967 with the 1st Battalion, 63rd Armored Regiment, and over 200 Sheridans were shipped to Vietnam. But hopes quickly gave way to harsh reality. The Sheridans struggled in combat, falling victim to land mines and anti-armor weapons. In one brutal episode in March 1971, five Sheridans from the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment were knocked out in a single day by RPGs—each one erupting in flames and completely destroyed.


On top of their combat vulnerabilities, the Sheridans were plagued by mechanical issues, especially with their engine systems. By 1978, the U.S. Army had seen enough. The Sheridan was retired from active service, its promise unfulfilled.


Not ready to give up on mobile firepower, the U.S. Marine Corps launched the Mobile Protected Weapon System (MPWS) program in 1980. In a bold experiment in 1983, engineers at the Naval Surface Weapons Center mounted a 105mm gun on a Sheridan chassis. At the same time, as part of their Rapid Deployment Force concept, the Marines were testing the Canadian 8x8 Piranha—a versatile and fast-moving vehicle.


One Canadian cousin in the mix was the AVGP (Armored Vehicle General Purpose). While the U.S. military leaned toward the punchier 105mm gun over the British 76mm, budget realities stepped in to spoil the plan. In the end, a compromise was struck: the Sheridan’s turret, now upgraded to carry a 155mm gun, would be transplanted onto the Piranha hull.


The resulting hybrid vehicles found a home across several elite units, including the U.S. Marine Corps, the 10th Mountain Division, and the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions—bringing firepower and mobility to the frontline in a whole new form.

Ukraine’s New “Frankenstein” Tank: A Retro Beast with a High-Tech Bite


In a bold new move to bolster Ukraine’s air defenses, German defense giant Rheinmetall has unveiled a hybrid war machine that looks like something straight out of a sci-fi battlefield. Nicknamed the “Frankenstein” tank, this new vehicle fuses old-school armor with cutting-edge tech to take on Russian drones and missiles head-on.


The design is as intriguing as it sounds: a Cold War-era Leopard 1 tank chassis outfitted with a state-of-the-art Skyranger turret system, armed with a 35mm autocannon. According to The Telegraph, this beefed-up beast is engineered specifically to counter the increasing threat of drone swarms and missile attacks that have been targeting Ukraine’s critical infrastructure.


“Many Leopard 1 tanks are still available,” said Björn Bernhard, head of land systems at Rheinmetall, hinting that this might be the first of many such hybrids to come.


Although the Leopard 1 has been retired from German service, plenty are still sitting in storage. Ukraine already operates nearly 100 Leopard tanks and is eager for more support, especially as drone warfare becomes a daily challenge on the battlefield.


Originally developed in the 1960s, the Leopard 1 was once the backbone of European armored forces. It’s a speedy, 42-ton machine that can hit over 70 km/h and navigate rugged terrain with ease—perfect for Eastern Ukraine’s battlefield conditions. Its low profile also makes it harder to hit, giving it a defensive edge.


But the real magic happens up top. The Skyranger turret brings modern tech to the fight, including a 360-degree radar system that can spot and track incoming threats with precision. Its powerful 35mm autocannon can shred drones mid-air before they get close, and it can be fitted with anti-aircraft missiles for extra punch against more advanced targets.


Rheinmetall says this deadly combo creates a mobile, efficient shield against Russia’s drone tactics. The announcement also comes alongside the opening of a new Rheinmetall production facility in western Ukraine—signaling long-term commitment to strengthening Ukraine’s defense capabilities.


So, while it might be stitched together from different eras, this “Frankenstein” tank is no monster—it’s a protector with teeth.

BMP-1 with modified Scorpion tank turret (and armed with 90 mm)​

Not Much Armor Left on That Turret — But It Sure Looks Cool


Let’s be real: that turret probably doesn’t retain its original 200mm+ of armor. More likely, it’s been thinned out from the inside—maybe down to just 10-15mm. At this point, it’s probably little more than a hollow steel shell, just thick enough to maintain structural integrity around the gun mounts.


As for the hull, it’s only rated to stop 7.62mm machine gun fire, so trying to bulk up the turret would be kind of pointless anyway. I’d bet they shaved off as much steel as possible without messing with the gun’s trunnions or the basic frame.


That said… based on looks alone? I really like it. Totally obsolete by today’s standards, sure—but it’s got that rugged, battle-worn aesthetic that screams Cold War firepower. Honestly, it looks like the kind of thing that would’ve been a real menace 40-50 years ago, especially in one of those Cuban deployments to Africa.


Seems like the design reflects hard lessons from going up against South African Ratels back in the day. It may be outdated, but it's a fascinating piece of military evolution.