One of the tank brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine created an unusual “Frankenthaler” from parts of damaged occupants’ equipment (video)
The 4th Tank Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine created the Frankenstein tank from parts of various models of Russian tanks. This refers to the Ukrainian T-72 tank, for the production of which parts of at least three vehicles were used.
This was written by columnist David Axe in an article for the American edition of Forbes.
According to the journalist, the Frankenstein tank combines the tower from the T-72B1, the hull from the T-72B3, and the drive wheel from the T-62.
“Some of the battalions have T-72AMTs: T-72As from the late 1970s, which Ukraine modernized significantly in the 1990s. Others have T-72M1s, T-72s, as the Soviet Union and other Warsaw Pact countries improved the additional armor,” the article says.
In total, Ukraine has received or is about to receive more than 400 T-72 tanks of all models from its foreign allies.
“As the losses of the best western-style tanks, especially the Leopard 2, mount, it is increasingly likely that Kyiv will need hundreds more T-72s to replace the 500 or so tanks it has lost and to arm new brigades,” the journalist writes.
In addition to receiving hundreds of T-72s from its allies, Ukraine has also captured hundreds of T-72s from Russia, as well as hundreds of T-90s, T-80s, and T-62s. Many of these tanks were damaged.
Ukrainian technicians combined the damaged Russian tanks and produced a single tank with a T-72B1 tower, a T-72B3 hull, and one T-62 support wheel.
This Frankentank appeared at the front line in March.
“Essentially, the Frankenthaler is a T-72B1 with the outdated fire control of that variant and the 125mm 2A46M main gun, but with an upgraded 860 horsepower B3 diesel engine instead of the less powerful 780 horsepower B1 diesel. It’s ugly and strange, and probably less powerful than the 4th Brigade’s best T-72AMTs, but more powerful than its T-72M1s,” David Axe summarizes.
