Merkava 4

[whdonnelly]

This is interesting. A 10 round ready magazine in the latest version:
http://www.defense-update.com/direct...comparison.htm

[JaM]

Another interesting link...
http://www.defense-update.com/featur...re-merkava.htm

[Marcello]

"This is interesting. A 10 round ready magazine in the latest version:"

It sounds like an evolution of the AMX-13 autoloader.

[whdonnelly]

I was wondering if it was an autoloader or just a easy access type of storage.
Thanks for the info. I didn't know that the AMX-13 had an autoloader. Makes me wonder why the need for the MGS when you have a good light gun system.

[Marcello]

"I was wondering if it was an autoloader or just a easy access type of storage.
Thanks for the info. I didn't know that the AMX-13 had an autoloader. Makes me wonder why the need for the MGS when you have a good light gun system."

IIRC it was not without drawbacks.At least in the original version the autoloader (two drums with six rounds each) had to be reloaded from the outside, I do not know if this issue was changed later.But it is a very succesful and widespread design neverthles.I would take the M8 Buford over it and the MGS (unless long road marches were essential)though.

[PlasmaKrab]

Apparently the Israeli tankers were quite pleased with the AMX-13 (except for terribly weak armour), and the design was largely used as a testbed for various components of the Merkava, back in the 70s. I knew they got the forward-mounted engine from there, but I had no idea about the autoloader. Given the context, there may indeed have been a filiation.
Come to think of it, didn't the Merkava-3 have a smaller, five-shot revolving autoloader?

[JaM]

six-shot autoloader