The FASTBOAT Patch page.

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

This is simply an update on the German LEOPARDS as just sent...

"Ralph, (Tank-Masters)
Good Morning! Hopefully all is well with family and you. Congratulations with your collaboration with Dragon Models!

It is my hope we can proceed together so I can get my submission together for our next patch to WinSPMBT (Modernized Steel Panthers). As noted, our German OOB needs fixing.

I have already indicated to the moderators/system managers that I'll be recapitalizing some existing units such as the LEOPARD 2A6 EX to up armored LEOPARD 2A6 with what I believe to be AMAP-B add on armor. Also tracking that the LEOPARD 2A7V that might get the IBD SMART ProTech armor .

So, some of these questions would suffice with a simple Yes or No. I'll provide dates as we have them in the German OOB. We just use a simple Month and Year format, i.e. 12/2020. Our dates assume when the tanks became available for combat and when withdrawn from combat units. So, question #1 below will have a direct bearing on the end date for the A24/A25 tanks. A simple "Good " will work if you have no issues with the dates given below.

I'm just concerned with the LEOPARD 2A4 -LEOPARD 2A7V.

1) In a national crisis would the training units' tanks be used in a possible combat situation?

2) LEOPARD 2A4 fielded in 01/1986. Withdrawn from combat units in 12/2008 (Which seems incorrect, as that's closer to when the training units stopped using them.)

3) LEOPARD 2A5 during or after KFOR, were they ever up armored with the "belly" steel plate for mine protection? My sources say no, we have them in the game as such. My understanding is due to the experiences of KFOR with the A24/A25, this would lead to the development of the 2A6M.

4) LEOPARD 2A5 fielded in 01/1996. Withdrawn from combat units in 12/2010.

5) LEOPARD 2A6 fielded in 03/2001. Withdrawn from combat units in 12/2025. The last represents the end time for the game. So, you see the urgency in trying to fix what we can as we find them while still adding new and retiring other units as we find them through the web.

6) LEOPARD 2A6M we don't have it in the game at all. All I can really find is that Germany had 80 built between 2004-2008. Some of these I know some were leased to Canada until they received their 2A4CAN/2A6CAN tanks. I'm assuming the BUNDESWEHR got them sometime in late 2004 or early 2005 and have no clue as to when they came out of service or were modified to another sub-variant of the 2A6.

7) I'm sorry but, getting a little confusing here. If I understand the temporary designation to support the modification being the LEOPARD 2A6M+, that this tank wasn't actually fielded but, would become the LEOPARD 2A6MA2 is this correct? Also, with further upgrades added, this same tank would lead to the LEOPARD 2A6MA1 and a further upgraded LEOPARD 2A6M some time in 2018 fielded?

8) LEOPARD 2A6M2 besides the dates for this tank, is this the one that received the same Fire Control System (FCS) as the LEOPARD 2A7?

9) From the LEOPARD 2A6M on until item (8 above, we don't have any of those tanks entered by those designations or with those upgrades noted on your site and a couple of other as current as yours.

10) LEOPARD 2A7 this we have as I submitted and looks to be current as it stands now with this project. I have it fielded on 12/2014 with game end time again, 12/2025.

11) LEOPARD 2A7V your thoughts please as to when you think it'll be fielded. And if you think I might be on the right track that it'll have the SMART ProTech armor package. Or do you think it might play more of a role in the development of the EMBT?

12) Again, if you have time, I would appreciate your help with my 10/26/2020 email to you concerning mostly the BOXER as I think we have units the BUNDESWEHR hasn't ordered to this point based I what I can find.

If you have any thoughts, you wish to share please feel free. I will ensure you get full credit for your assistance and your website. Your website was the one that provided me with "concrete proof" that the LEOPARD 2A7 was fielded. So, I thank you for that.

Have a good day! See you were "playing" in the snow great shots!!

Pat"

I'll find out soon if the offer was for valid. This will be slightly modified to send it to the Deutsches-PanzerMueseum (Under the purview of the BUNDESWEHR.) which as noted before provided me information on the East German use or not of the T-62/T-64 and T-80 tanks a few years back.

As also indicated, I'm prepared to move on this on my own, however clarification on the items noted above would save me time and not wasting my time.

The Dr. later this morning so, Good Whatever/Wherever!!

Regards,
Pat

[DRG]

Yeah, it gets confusing. We'll see what answers you might get back and proceed from there.

Thanks Pat

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

Ralph came through for me at 0740 CET this morning all questions were answered. I will post them when I get a response to the following that was sent on 10/26/2020 which has been modified slightly since then and just sent. I'll repost those emails with his answers AND my comments as needed after his answers in ()'s as time allows this week.

Also PLEASE Do Not delete any tanks from the OOB. I'll be able to modify them with the add on armor and upgrade the others based on his answers, as I had hoped to do from the start.

How good do I feel the source is? If the pictures aren't enough to convince you (Not You.) as they clearly show he has access, then go to the book section and see who does the "Forward" for his books.

Just so that's out of the way. I will of course multi source my submissions as ALWAYS, with no WiKi. Yeah, look at me I'm a tank expert and let me post some and on one.

Most people are well intentioned I'm sure on there.

Anyway...
"Ralph,
Good Morning! I

I very much appreciate your quick response back concerning the LEOPARD's and I noticed the local time and feel you did it with your morning coffee. I have copied a portion of the 10/26/2020 email this concerning the BOXER.

My feeling is that only Question #1 is relevant to this discussion for Germany. As far as I can determine, only Australia is actively pursuing the BOXER w/ LANCE turret. I believe this might be the case as well with the BOXER IFV however if they do, it'll be later in the process. The Australian Army I can confirm is already started training on in parallel with the Manufacturer trials. The UK might also be a candidate for the BOXER LANCE but that can't be confirmed until their Defense Review is released sometime this month to address their whole armor issue.

Another reason is simply I've NEVER seen you post any pictures of any BOXER except the APC version. Finally Question #4 I've answered already unless you really surprise with something different.

"Looking at the German OOB concerning the LEOPARD, I think I came across some issues outside of what we discussed. I'll list them below. Dates are the "big" issues again, other information is there for you to comment on as you desire.

1) BOXER APC - We have a fielded date of 01/2011 another site I sometimes use is showing it to be 2009. What do you say?
1a) I noticed on your pictures the 12.7mm RWS appears to have a thermal imager (We use TI/GSR) is this correct?
1b) 80km/h off road? That's outstanding! We do factor speed etc.

2) BOXER IFV - Again fielded date JAN 2011.
2a) We have it armed with a 40mm GL and TOW-2 (D) with 6 missiles.

3) BOXER w/LANCE Turret - I wasn't aware you got this version, though I submitted it for the Australian OOB under the LAND 400 contract. That being said, we have it fielded in JAN 2014 for the BUNDESWEHR.

4) LEOPARD 2A4 REVOLOUTION - I believe along with the LEOPARD 2A6 EX I mentioned earlier on, this is also only available as an upgrade, in this case for the 2A4 export market. We have it in the OOB, I know Indonesia was supposed to get it, Singapore operates a similar version and Turkey also was looking to do the same with thier LEOPARD-2T that never got off the ground due to the ALTAY.
Did the BUNDESWEHR ever really have it? NO, mine.

In my next I'll stay closer to the issue we discussed focusing only on the non-command tanks from your site that matches very closing from what I found from another site, maybe written by someone you know. If you want me to send it along next time let me know.

Posted you "news" from DRAGOON THUNDER 20 in the Forum. Great stuff especially as I'm following developments of that STRYKER 30mm version until it's fielded with the ARMY.

Take your time, insights are welcomed and your help is deeply appreciated.

Have a great day!

Pat"

So, this will be it for me. But one last question, would you allow to use some of your pictures for the tanks I'll be working on with credit to you and the site where I do. I feel when we have pictures of them "doing something" it's better than them being in a "static/display" position.

When this all gets submitted for submission and hopefully into the game would you like to be notified? I see this as a "collaboration" of sorts , that has "cleared the passage of fog for clear sailing" (It's the Submariner in me.) so I can proceed as I had hoped I could.

THANK YOU AGAIN!!

Pat"

So I'll endeavor to enjoy the rest of this evening before returning back for another and fully disclosed exercise for the next couple of weeks. And fun will be had by all!!?!! with hopefully with no 's!

Regards,
Pat

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

LEOPARD 2A5 picture, hopefully!!



The above was an experiment.

I wasn't sure based on the photographic equipment used if the pictures from Ralph Zwilling TANK-MASTERS.de would work (Size), second this answers one of the questions I asked Ralph and finally again early this morning he responded to my Oct. 2020 email I resent last night.

Gotta get ready for work.

Didn't the pictures used to show up in the posts so that you can see them? It's JPEG, , must've missed the memo or operator error .

Regards,
Pat

[DRG]

Pat. Please don't spend a lot of time on photos. I know what works when they have to be resized to 160x80 and tanks with foliage all over them just doesn't work. What I have in the game now is in most cases "good enough" for the various models. If there's one that's not you can point it out and I will go find a game suitable photo.

Just remember, just because it might look great in full colour at 600x 900 res DOES NOT mean it will reduce to a workable photo using a limited grey scale reduced to 160x80 for use as a PIC in the game

That said the photo you used for your experiment loads OK but it just isn't what I want in the game

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

Didn't intend on submitting it for same reason-camo-and why I haven't in the past.

It just was the first picture shown on top of his LEOPARD 2A5 data sheet. Wasn't sure due to Hi-Res of pictures, whether or not they'd exceed allowable download size.

I hit "submit reply" then hit the shower. Lot's going on here to.

I'll be very busy anyway this month, the least of which has already started...
https://www.upi.com/Defense-News/202...6761611603067/

That's the job.

Regards,
Pat

[DRG]

OK. I just didn't want you spending a lot of time uploading photos. The data is what's important. If the photo is important just provide a link. It doesn't take much to exceed the limits for the forums which is why I use Imgur if I need to post something large as that's a link

Yes. It looks like you will be busy. What's with the blue rifles in that link photo ?

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

To me they look like a "high-tech" paintball or a version of "MILES" training system. There's another player out there "DISE" which has limited use with the USA and extensive use with it in Europe.

"The largest difference between MILES and DISE is that DISE is GPS connected, allowing commanders to view hits in real time on a computer screen, or afterward during an after-action review of a training operation. In addition, the components are much smaller and more light-weight than MILES was at the time of adoption. With MILES gear apparently crafty Lance Corporals and Specialists were known to have reset their device if they were “killed”, thus respawning. DISE has solved that feature through the technology utilized."
https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/...-welcome-dise/

Regards,
Pat

[Mobhack]

I saw some blue weapons in pictures of an article on training troops in boarding operations in the gulf.

The article specifically stated the blue weapons were special CQB training dummies.

[Mobhack]

further to my last

https://www.blueguns.com/