Stridsvagn 103: Sweden's Turretless Cold War Super Tank

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  • čas přidán 8. 06. 2024
  • After WWII, Sweden relied heavily on tanks produced in other countries. But when they became too expensive to repair, the Ordinance Department decided to design its own tank that was better suited to Sweden's terrain - the Stridsvagn 103.
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Komentáře • 621

  • @hafden
    @hafden Před rokem +913

    As a S 103 tank commander I thank you. Small correction - we had three forward and reverse gears.

    • @kristofferhellstrom
      @kristofferhellstrom Před rokem +55

      As a Swede I'm so proud of this tank! Berätta gärna hur den va att köra, skjuta och underhålla :)

    • @PlumSack79
      @PlumSack79 Před rokem +26

      Sweeeeeeden, IKEA Meatballs Volvo Saab and weird outdoors/camping pornography

    • @wombatwilly1002
      @wombatwilly1002 Před rokem

      @@PlumSack79 Dude,how can you forget Smoking Hot Blondes?

    • @More_Row
      @More_Row Před rokem +11

      @@PlumSack79 huh

    • @More_Row
      @More_Row Před rokem +3

      @Räche SD honey is yummy for my tummy

  • @hattyfarbuckle
    @hattyfarbuckle Před rokem +211

    My favorite tank of all time- - brilliant design for a specific set of Swedish circumstances and requirements

    • @youtoob4life
      @youtoob4life Před rokem +3

      I really love this tank as well, not sure why, but it's definitely one of my top 5!

    • @P4hko
      @P4hko Před rokem +7

      @@youtoob4life It's very different from everything else but so perfectly suited for the enviroment and doctrine it was made for. It's like a perfectly placed brushstroke on a masterpiece or a perfect clear in tetris.

  • @PantsuMann
    @PantsuMann Před rokem +92

    My absolute favorite tank since I was a kid and my dad took me to an military exhibition where Försvarsmakten had all kinds of systems and vehicles to show. Me, being 7 years old climbing into a Strv S had me happy for months, years even. Really cool experience.

    • @TigreQuiMiaule
      @TigreQuiMiaule Před 5 měsíci

      Le plus difficile a du être de ne pas pouvoir repartir avec.

    • @PantsuMann
      @PantsuMann Před 5 měsíci

      @@TigreQuiMiaule English ffs

    • @TigreQuiMiaule
      @TigreQuiMiaule Před 5 měsíci

      @@PantsuMann traduction bro.

  • @KA-dx2kz
    @KA-dx2kz Před rokem +133

    Centurion didn't have a 150mm main gun, a version was made with a 153mm to counter soviet heavy armour but was only a prototype.

    • @2KOOLURATOOLGaming
      @2KOOLURATOOLGaming Před rokem +33

      I think it was just a typo of 105

    • @target844
      @target844 Před rokem +20

      The centurion in Swedish service did have a 105mm gun at the time. This is the reason this tank is named Strv 103. The number is the gun caliber in cm and then a number per adopter tank with that caliber. strv 101 was a Centurion purchased with 105mm guns and strv 102 was an older Centurion that initially had a 84mm gun that was upgraded to 105mm. Upgraded centurion lager becomes strv 104 in the1980s
      The current Swedish tank is strv 122 so a 120mm gun and the second model with that caliber. Strv 121 was leased German Leopard 2A4 and Strv 122 is an improved Leopard 2A5 build for Sweden

    • @History_with_Sirius
      @History_with_Sirius Před rokem +4

      Figured it was a typo. I first heard it and had to do a double take. Then was like oh yeah 150 and 105 are easy to mess up.
      Also the strv 103 is one of my fav tanks in World of Tanks 😂

    • @jonathanfalkman6041
      @jonathanfalkman6041 Před rokem +3

      The FV 4005 was even fitted with a 183 mm Canon mounted on the centurion hull;)

    • @Zerox88
      @Zerox88 Před rokem

      @@target844 There was a project to slap a 120 L/44 to a Centurion in sweden tho only a few test vehicles where made (1 or 2).

  • @davidk6269
    @davidk6269 Před rokem +146

    Yes! The Strv 103 is one of my favorite cold-war tanks! The Stridsvagn 103: coming soon to an Ikea near you! Come for the Lingonberry meatballs, leave with the Strv 103 (some assembly required).

    • @888johnmac
      @888johnmac Před rokem +9

      Lol , I’d does look like a flat pack assembled incorrectly

    • @isidorsvenvik999
      @isidorsvenvik999 Před rokem +1

      Hihihihi

    • @finncarlbomholtsrensen1188
      @finncarlbomholtsrensen1188 Před rokem +2

      The tools delivered in the box are the wrong size!

    • @loke6664
      @loke6664 Před rokem +1

      Unlikely, we have moved to German Panzers ourselves since then. We might sell you some Gripen though (and lots of shoddy furniture).
      I was in the Airforce myself, but I have friends who crewed the 103, it was an odd piece of machinery but it had it's advantages. It was very lightweight for how good protection it had but it was pretty vulnerable to infantry anti tank weapons since it was weak on the sides.
      Not the best cold war tank but not the worst either, but you really don't want to use a 60s tank on a modern battlefield. The turret is still a tanks weakest point but it do makes targeting easier, a large percentage of the destroyed Russian tanks in Ukraine have their turrets destroyed but it is so darn convenient that most tanks in history had it anyways. No turrets makes defense better and lowers price but it has an offensive disadvantage.

    • @AndersJackson
      @AndersJackson Před rokem

      @@loke6664 but out army is all about defense and no offense.

  • @Krogenator
    @Krogenator Před rokem +74

    Would also love a video on the "Bandkanon 1" swedish self propelled gun. the swedes had a lot of interesting stuff during the cold war.

  • @BadYossa
    @BadYossa Před rokem +59

    Sweden has had one of the most capable military forces amongst western nations since WW2. Their proximity to Russia has made that necessary. Cue jokes about IKEA etc., but they are extremely highly regarded amongst Western military. Same with the Finnish.

    • @Turinnn1
      @Turinnn1 Před rokem +35

      As a Finn I've always been a bit jealous of the Swedish ability to design and build their own military hardware (tanks/aircraft etc.)
      Finland got the troops and Sweden has the Steel. 😁👍

    • @andersgrassman6583
      @andersgrassman6583 Před rokem +14

      @@Turinnn1 That's why we should always fight together!

    • @VisibilityFoggy
      @VisibilityFoggy Před rokem +6

      @@Turinnn1 Don't sell yourselves short. A Finnish-designed surface-to-air missile system defends Washington D.C. 24 hours a day here in the USA!

    • @bpomowe224
      @bpomowe224 Před rokem +3

      @@VisibilityFoggy NAMSAS is Norwegian, not Finnish :)
      Finland has good small arms and armoured cars though.

    • @VisibilityFoggy
      @VisibilityFoggy Před rokem +3

      @@bpomowe224 Ahhhh, yikes, sorry! The "N" in NASAMS literally is "Norwegian" (at least until we renamed it "National" lol). Kongsberg made me think of Finland for a moment, for some reason! It's been about 6-7 years since I've been in that region, ha.

  • @scruffy7760
    @scruffy7760 Před rokem +68

    Best history lesson on the Strv103 on YT. An offensive main battle tank, not an ambush tank destroyer! Good job!

    • @berryrijnbeek5938
      @berryrijnbeek5938 Před rokem +4

      nope, so much wrong information.......

    • @scruffy7760
      @scruffy7760 Před rokem +1

      Really? I'm glad you pointed them out 😅

    • @coenogo
      @coenogo Před rokem

      @@berryrijnbeek5938 Such as…?

    • @andersjjensen
      @andersjjensen Před rokem

      "You have no rear armour, so your best chance is to just ferociously attack them head on. We are the sons of Vikings after all, and our battle tactics should reflect that!".

    • @viceralman8450
      @viceralman8450 Před rokem +3

      @@berryrijnbeek5938 STRV 103 was a MBT in rol and Swedish doctrine.

  • @michaelgautreaux3168
    @michaelgautreaux3168 Před rokem +22

    Many have "Railed" against it for offensive use. But the defensive mode, it would be pure hell to dig out. The S-tank & MBT-70 (Kpz-70) are my top 2 favorite AFVs, warts & all. Many thanx Simon 👍👍

    • @gattonero2915
      @gattonero2915 Před rokem +2

      >"Many have "Railed" against it for offensive use."
      Swedish military doctrine literally says that they are to be used as offensive vehicle. It's even written explicitly in their field manual. If anything, it's the enemy that will be at a disadvantage trying to take out this vehicle, especially the said doctrine will have the tank spearhead the attack to defeat VDV threat or bridgehead defenses lol

  • @Algabatz
    @Algabatz Před rokem +10

    I once rode in an "S" when it went full speed through a pine forest, cutting the tree trunks right off. It was hardly noticeable inside.

  • @rex9502
    @rex9502 Před rokem +31

    Ah finally my country's wacky machines are put to show. Always happy to see the 103 in a video

    • @Zeithri
      @Zeithri Před rokem +3

      Agreed!

    • @vanguard9067
      @vanguard9067 Před rokem

      And also a country that spent very intelligently on their national defense!

  • @Goat-vy2bi
    @Goat-vy2bi Před rokem +105

    Do a story about the Swedish Coastal Defences during the cold war! It was MASSIVE

    • @josefstalin4532
      @josefstalin4532 Před rokem +1

      I mean was it though? For neutral Swden it was substantial sure, but from the rest of the world's perspective it was kind of just an ordinary coastal defense..
      When compared to US coastal defense during its peak for example, it had 1/50th the manpower and a tiny fraction of the number of guns, as well as WAY smaller guns.
      The coastal defense just seems massive because it's what remains of any war preparations from that time in Sweden, as the air force, which was actually really impressive is gone.

    • @kraftstationen228
      @kraftstationen228 Před rokem +3

      Lägg av greta!

    • @Goat-vy2bi
      @Goat-vy2bi Před rokem +7

      @@josefstalin4532 it was massive, no country can compare to the US tough, people lived in concrete caves 2 people on islands and was just waiting to release the minebelts they had to their disposal.

    • @Goat-vy2bi
      @Goat-vy2bi Před rokem +4

      @@kraftstationen228 Hur vågar du!!!

  • @Kefito_
    @Kefito_ Před rokem +23

    Absolutely my favourite tank ever conceived and built! Ingenious, unique and stylistic, they really are something to marvel at and praise Sweden's engineering among its other wacky and wonderful war machines! I would absolutely love to see something expanded on with the Strv 2000, and just how morden and futuristic and ingenious it could've been if was ever produced, great stuff as always!

    • @Vinterloft
      @Vinterloft Před rokem

      It reminds me of a Lancia Stratos :D

  • @bluebanana6753
    @bluebanana6753 Před rokem +13

    So i have gotten this from a guy with first hand experience. After the cold war we had friendly relation exercises with the russiand. He said the russians always said (after some alchole) that they where always afraid os the s tank. Then never figured out how to actually combat in

  • @Denamic
    @Denamic Před rokem +8

    It's the first tank child me ever saw, and it has cemented the image of what a tank looks like in my mind. I think I even had a phase where I was drawing nothing but turretless wedge-shaped tanks.

  • @alvinkwok587
    @alvinkwok587 Před rokem +18

    Just one small correction, HEAT shells should be called High Explosive Anti Tank instead of high energy. Also unique trenches in the ufp also increases protection.

  • @josephalexander3884
    @josephalexander3884 Před rokem +17

    The Centurion had a 105 mm cannon, not a 150. Sweden did not use a 155 mm main gun, that would classify it as a self propelled howitzer.

    • @johanmetreus1268
      @johanmetreus1268 Před rokem +6

      The Kranvagn )KRV) has a 15 cm gun for the main alternative. "Howitzer" has nothing to do with calibre though, it's all about trajectory, like the 10 cm howitzer version of the Sherman.

    • @TransGirlGaming
      @TransGirlGaming Před rokem +1

      yep, as Johan said the caliber in mm isn't the deciding factor on howitzer vs gun but rather velocity, a good example is Russia or rather the Soviet Union with 152mm howitzers such as the D-10T in the KV-2 and the SU-122 with the M-30S and then 152mm cannons such as the SU-152 which had the ML-20S Gun-Howitzer as it performed both anti-tank capabilities also howitzer needs, there were also the experimental BL series guns two of which being 152mm those being the BL-8 and BL-10 these were both proposed as upgrades for the ISU-152 series Self-Propelled Gun the BL-10 being a upgraded BL-8 tho the end of WW2 saw the program put to a end, another example now popular due to War Thunder is the Object 120 SU-152 "Taran" which used the M-69 152mm gun which was a 9.45m long barrel designed for anti tank use firing APFSDS projectiles, and also if you want to get specific with the Sherman howitzer it's a 10.5cm or 105mm

  • @Jim54_
    @Jim54_ Před rokem +2

    Would love a modern version of this concept if practical

  • @pvtj0cker
    @pvtj0cker Před rokem +6

    Soviet tank commander: "Tank, 3 o'clock, 1200m"
    Soviet gunner frantically rotates in the target's direction and spots it: "That's no tank."

  • @daviddevlogger
    @daviddevlogger Před rokem +4

    People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing. That’s why we recommend it daily

  • @AZREDFERN
    @AZREDFERN Před rokem +7

    My favorite tank in WarThunder. It’s a 0 death sniper if you use it right. The velocity and auto rangefinder is an insane combo.

  • @schwabbel_di_babble3253
    @schwabbel_di_babble3253 Před rokem +2

    Love your vids, really helps relaxxing after a hard day

  • @spectralcoffee5177
    @spectralcoffee5177 Před rokem

    Great video mate, thanks for the effort put into this!

  • @petter5721
    @petter5721 Před 3 měsíci +1

    One benefit the 103 had with its long Bofors main gun was that it could open fire long before the T55, T64 and T72 could because of its range and accuracy. This is why this tank was one of the first to use a laser range finder and ballistic calculator for precision hits.
    The fast auto loader made it possible to hit each target twice to inflict maximum damage before changing target.
    It was a complex machine for its time, built for one thing, stopping a numerical superior Soviet tank force at the border.

  • @ignitionfrn2223
    @ignitionfrn2223 Před rokem +25

    1:25 - Chapter 1 - Background
    3:05 - Chapter 2 - Design
    7:30 - Chapter 3 - Engines & performance
    9:25 - Chapter 4 - Flaws
    10:10 - Chapter 5 - Service
    - Chapter 6 -

  • @moendopi5430
    @moendopi5430 Před rokem +4

    Is this a reupload? I swear I saw a notification for this the other day.

    • @sanginius3920
      @sanginius3920 Před rokem

      Sure i watched this the other day, but I've slept since then so im not sure! Uploaded under same title 3 days ago. Problem with the upload now, new information?

    • @TalesOfWar
      @TalesOfWar Před rokem +2

      I think they had problems with the thumbnail on the last upload.

  • @MaskinJunior
    @MaskinJunior Před rokem +12

    It is not turetless, It has the tracks mouted directly to the turret, so it is hull-less.

    • @redkite8377
      @redkite8377 Před rokem

      😀 It does not have a cannon turret, however the tank commander has a small turret for an external smoke grenades launchers and a machine gun (M-58).

    • @MaskinJunior
      @MaskinJunior Před rokem

      @@redkite8377 Well, it was capable of moving the gun as fast, or even faster than contemporary tanks at the time, so it is fair to say it has a turret, but no hull, like the tank museum in Sweden say about the tank.

    • @foo219
      @foo219 Před rokem

      Genius! I just love the idea of a gun turret roaming around on its own!

  • @luckyleo8751
    @luckyleo8751 Před rokem +4

    ah yes, I’ve been waiting for this one.

  • @konzetsu6068
    @konzetsu6068 Před rokem +1

    6:31 the slat armour is actually the fence like thingie shown In earlier pictures.

  • @doc70rdwng62
    @doc70rdwng62 Před rokem +10

    At 1:31 he made a small mistake. Centurion actually had a 105mm gun, not 150mm.

  • @rolffalt219
    @rolffalt219 Před rokem +12

    The long canon was also an advantage. The long barrel due to the tanks design made precision and range better then basicly all counterparts. I think. #Krigshistoriepodden

  • @tor2919
    @tor2919 Před rokem +2

    Nice video! One thing worth mentioning is that because of the turret less design the gun barrel could be much longer than turreted tanks. The resulting projectile speed and accuracy was unmatched.

  • @Gabriel3244
    @Gabriel3244 Před rokem +3

    1:28 - 1:34 Just a small correction there.
    The later model Centurion tanks used the 105mm cannon not the 150mm.

  • @Sandhoeflyerhome
    @Sandhoeflyerhome Před rokem +11

    British 105 main gun. Very well thought out design, still able to track a vehicle by moving the entire vehicle in yaw. Super special hydraulic suspension made it really work in a static defensive position. But of course not on the move. However they were a none aggressive country so these were self defence only ...

    • @SilverionX
      @SilverionX Před rokem +2

      They were designed to work like any other main battle tank. If Russia was going to attack Sweden they couldn't just sit around and wait for them to come around to static defensive positions, for obvious reasons. Sweden would have to hit them before they were ready.
      There were platoons that had Stridsvagn 130 and those that had Centurions, and their roles were pretty much the same with a few minor changes. No tanks could shoot on the move at the time, so that didn't really matter. Later on tanks could shoot accurately on the move, which is why they were phased out and replaced by a more conventional tank design.

    • @bpomowe224
      @bpomowe224 Před rokem +2

      Swedish 10,5 cm gun, the L7 was too short.
      Basic rule for all tanks of the era, if you actually want to hit something you stop the tank before you shoot.
      Self defence in this case was to aggressively wipe out bridgeheads of invading forces before they got a chance to consolidate and expand.

  • @sweden4thewin
    @sweden4thewin Před rokem

    Great video, thank you

  • @andersisacson8262
    @andersisacson8262 Před 2 měsíci +1

    As a Strv 104 Centurion driver in the Swedish army I can vouch for their lethality. If you knew the S-guys were waiting for you in a defensive position you were in for a real fight. The gun was almost the only part sticking up. If you couldn't find the flow of heat from the turbine you were shit out of luck. The gun was very accurate and with the right gunner things could get uncomfortable real quick.

  • @DavidCurryFilms
    @DavidCurryFilms Před rokem +1

    I like how it poops the shell case out the behind 😊. Great tank.

  • @finncarlbomholtsrensen1188

    Irish/American: "The Chieftain" tried one of these in his films about tanks and vehicles, and liked it very much, also for its automatic tension-system for the bands! Also the Jerry Cans on each side, which by being hit, eventually would burn outside, or just loose their content. And it is so low.

    • @finncarlbomholtsrensen1188
      @finncarlbomholtsrensen1188 Před rokem +2

      I saw one in Munster some years ago, and they also have one in Kubinka. Hopefully it isn't sent to Ukraine to be used there, as the Russians seems to soon have run out of new tanks? 🤔

    • @peartree8338
      @peartree8338 Před rokem

      Well...if it must die, then at least it should be by a CG. 😄👍

  • @lex1945
    @lex1945 Před rokem +9

    This tank seems almost impossible to take out head on, considering it's shape and low profile. Brilliant!

    • @gattonero2915
      @gattonero2915 Před rokem

      Armor Piercing fin-stabilized discarding sabot says hi.
      the profile made it quite easy to bounce the older generation APDS. Not APFSDS. APFSDS ignores angling, and the Swede find this out themselves when they managed to acquire some T-72 samples from ex-Warsaw pact country, and the 125mm sabot round, while has shorter penetrator length than standard NATO saboted penetrator, was more than enough to defeat the Stridsvagn 103 frontally even on its upper frontal section.

    • @Dunken88
      @Dunken88 Před rokem

      @@gattonero2915 czcams.com/video/_ikXfN5VAgw/video.html

    • @gattonero2915
      @gattonero2915 Před rokem

      @@Dunken88You do realize T-62 has a 115mm kinetic penetrator right?
      I'm talking about a 125mm kinetic penetrator, czcams.com/video/5H9Tj-N385c/video.html

    • @UglukGPZ900
      @UglukGPZ900 Před rokem

      @@Regarded69 When I was a kid in the 80-ies my best friends older brother served as a tank driver before becoming a fighter pilot. He claimed the s-tank could actually dig itself a shallow trench with the blade, and use the hydraulic suspension to raise itself on tip-toes so to speak, fire on a target previously located by periscope, and then lower down out of sight in a few seconds. Don't know if it's true, but he was certainly the coolest big brother in the neighbourhood.

    • @Vinterloft
      @Vinterloft Před rokem

      @@gattonero2915 You could defeat the tank, sure. But the crew is another story, as both engines take up the front third of the tank with an additional armour plate behind them.

  • @pajasrajkukreja2552
    @pajasrajkukreja2552 Před rokem

    Love your videos, especially the aviation ones. Wondering if a video on the Rafale is in the works.

  • @salsheikh4508
    @salsheikh4508 Před rokem +4

    These have the ability to be BEASTS in the right geographic areas.

  • @eaphantom9214
    @eaphantom9214 Před rokem +15

    Yay!
    There it is, the Swedish 🇸🇪 tank we've all been waiting for!
    Ja! 👍👏👏

    • @nimrods4380
      @nimrods4380 Před rokem +5

      Do you know swedish?

    • @eaphantom9214
      @eaphantom9214 Před rokem +6

      @@nimrods4380 I'm British 🇬🇧 born of Swedish 🇸🇪 descent mate, so a few basics
      Så, korrekt!

    • @nimrods4380
      @nimrods4380 Před rokem +1

      Okej jag förstår.

    • @eaphantom9214
      @eaphantom9214 Před rokem +4

      @@nimrods4380 And no I didn't use Google translate haha so
      Tack så mycket herrn!

    • @nimrods4380
      @nimrods4380 Před rokem +5

      Varsågod

  • @geodkyt
    @geodkyt Před rokem +10

    Sweden's defense doctrine could best be described as "geopolitical and strategically defensive", "operationally (the brigade and battalion level of warfare, where the focus is mire on manuever and position to get your actual shooters into place where they can shape the firefight) offensive", and "tactically (the actual trigger puller level stuff from individual soldiers to about the company level) a mix, depending on circumstances".
    It's a good plan, fairly common even for nations that don't have a tradition of neutrality.
    Strategic & geopolitical - try to avoid the war altogether, but make sure if the war happens, it happens on terms most favorable to you as possible.
    Operational - sieze the ground the enemy *must* take or traverse to win, and set up your front line shooters for success.
    Tactical - depending on terrain, enemy composition and actions, and your own maneuverability and survivability, either hold from chosen positions or assault at the most vulnerable enemy points, as appropriate.
    This is literally Sun Tzu stuff, hardly unique to Sweden. But Sweden has done a very good job at the first, and a credible enough job at preparing for the last two that it has reliably reinforced the strength of their strategic and geopolitical goals - Sweden has managed to look like invading them is simply *way* to expensive and risky for an aggressor to bother.

    • @GrowlingRB24
      @GrowlingRB24 Před 7 měsíci

      " Sweden has managed to look like invading them is simply way to expensive and risky for an aggressor to bother."
      That was actually the same mindset Karl XI (Carolus Rex's father) had when he decided to reforge Sweden's forces with a standing Army (Caroleans) and Navy after the battle of Skåne.

  • @badtothebone7613
    @badtothebone7613 Před rokem +2

    Awesome! More Swedish/Scandinavian tech please!

  • @ditzydoo4378
    @ditzydoo4378 Před rokem +11

    Ah a moment if you please. The Centurian tank had a 17 pdr (76.2mm), a 20 pdr (84mm), then the L7 105mm main gun. Not a 150mm canon, it wasn't the Deathstar. 0~o

    • @RedXlV
      @RedXlV Před rokem +1

      That was a typo in the script that he read without noticing.

    • @ditzydoo4378
      @ditzydoo4378 Před rokem

      @@RedXlV proves the point, never trust the script. you just know some joker was laying in bushes to pounce.

  • @rogerbartlet5720
    @rogerbartlet5720 Před rokem +3

    A World of Tanks legend!

  • @Lord_Squirrels
    @Lord_Squirrels Před rokem

    Can't wait to see a video about the Bkan 1

  • @FiveTwoSevenTHR
    @FiveTwoSevenTHR Před rokem +6

    My favorite tank. I love using it in War Thunder.

  • @huwzebediahthomas9193
    @huwzebediahthomas9193 Před rokem +2

    Below hedge level up lanes, rapid movement. Lateral thinkings. 😎 🇸🇪

  • @Ulgarth
    @Ulgarth Před rokem +3

    A little dyslexic today. The Centurion had a 105 not 150mm gun. No biggy. Wow I did not realize it used the 6V53 diesel, that was also used in the M113 and AVGP family of vehicles.

  • @charlesmoss8119
    @charlesmoss8119 Před rokem

    Wonderful - thank you

  • @aquaman3874
    @aquaman3874 Před rokem +1

    2:03 The Strv 103 was not intended to replace the Centurion and never replaced any foreign built tanks. Sweden needed a newer tank to replace the aging fleet of Strv m/42 tanks from late WW2. It eventually replaced the Strv 74 (Strv m/42 with new turret and gun) in the armoured brigades.

  • @danielkarlsson9326
    @danielkarlsson9326 Před rokem

    I thankyou for this treat .

  • @iansheppard6735
    @iansheppard6735 Před rokem

    Tanks a lot 😁

  • @poodlescone9700
    @poodlescone9700 Před rokem +1

    I love the Strv-103. I am working on assembling a model of it right now.

  • @fr3088
    @fr3088 Před rokem +1

    The L/62 you refererred to is not a designation but a "caliber length ratio" indicating that the barrel was longer than the centurions standard L/52 gun. The "designation" you refer to is actually L74.

  • @florianstock376
    @florianstock376 Před rokem +2

    Germany also experimented with turretless designs: During my service in the Bundeswehr, I was stationed for some time in Augustdorf, and in front of our barracks was a prototyp tank: Turretless with dual (!) cannons (if you search "Kampfpanzer 3 (BW) GVT" you find pictures and some story).

    • @TransGirlGaming
      @TransGirlGaming Před rokem

      Oh yeah the VT1-2 (or potentially earlier version) depending on the version it was either dual 105mms or dual 120mms which should have been able to be elevated and depressed independently if I remember correctly, very interesting prototype!

    • @foo219
      @foo219 Před rokem

      @@TransGirlGaming I get a mental image of a battleship turret roaming around on its own! Love it!

    • @TransGirlGaming
      @TransGirlGaming Před rokem

      @@foo219 yeah that's roughly what it was like lol, tho if it was a battle ship you'd have like 280mm+ cannons

    • @foo219
      @foo219 Před rokem

      @@TransGirlGaming Yeah. More like a gunboat I guess. Man, now I have to model this in From the Depths...

  • @deltavee2
    @deltavee2 Před rokem +2

    If you are going to get into a gunfight in the forest this is the tank for you.
    Short wheelbase, low profile, gymnastic for a tank and you could drive it backwards which was a hell of a good idea if you are going to be fighting in Sweden's forests.

  • @Mrgunsngear
    @Mrgunsngear Před rokem

    Thanks

  • @jiggsborah7041
    @jiggsborah7041 Před rokem +11

    Cool looking tank that..Very futuristic looking.
    I wonder how it would have done on the modern battlefield. The Stug was pretty well represented on the eastern front.

    • @Ass_of_Amalek
      @Ass_of_Amalek Před rokem +2

      tank destroyers were trash, there are reasons why they're not athing anymore and neither is this one. especially nowadays, with gun stabilisation and electronic aiming making shooting while driving viable. these things can only shoot forward while driving, proper tanks can shoot all around while driving.

    • @jiggsborah7041
      @jiggsborah7041 Před rokem +2

      @@Ass_of_Amalek ..I suppose so. Yet that low profile would make them excellent defensive weapons and their mobility would be a good asset.
      I dunno. I personally think that heavy armour has become more of a liability than an asset in the modern battlefield. The Ukraine war has revealed this. You would need a hell of a lot of very expensive tanks to maintain momentum. The 2nd world war already proved that. It was said that the T34 never finished a tank of fuel

    • @Ass_of_Amalek
      @Ass_of_Amalek Před rokem +4

      @@jiggsborah7041 in WW2, tank destroyers were indeed mostly used for anti-tank ambushes. they would be hidden, fire at enemy tanks, and then get out of there because they would generally lose any exchange of fire. tank destroyers were mostly built because their simpler design made them cheaper and faster to produce than tanks with moving turrets.
      I like the flattened sharp shape of the stridsvagn, but I think the merkava does that much better. and the stridsvagn is only 10cm flatter than a T-72.

    • @jiggsborah7041
      @jiggsborah7041 Před rokem

      @@Ass_of_Amalek ...Yes i agree with you about the stug.. that's why vast numbers were produced.
      The Merkava is a superlative example of heavy armour. Israel is just about the most experienced people out there in armoured warfare.
      That turret is awsome and the vehicle keeps evolving as more experience is gained.

    • @Ass_of_Amalek
      @Ass_of_Amalek Před rokem +1

      @@jiggsborah7041 merkava is my favourite tank entirely because the turret looks like a flying saucer xD

  • @Zeppathy
    @Zeppathy Před rokem +1

    5:37 In case you ever wondered what a tank pooping looked like. You're welcome.

  • @chugachuga9242
    @chugachuga9242 Před rokem +1

    While there were some centurions modified for experimental or demolition roles with their guns getting up to even a bore diameter of 183mm, most main line centurion variants had either a 84mm or a 105mm gun, with Sweden never operation any centurions that had guns bigger than 105mm.

  • @ZappaSheik
    @ZappaSheik Před rokem

    My dad woke up an early morning in the early 90's.
    Sleep drunk he started to do breakfast, while preparing he looked out the window and it was a thick fog but something wasn't as it usually is in a small rural village at 05:45.
    A Stridsvagn S was parked right outside our house in the slope.
    Of course he went out to look at it cause he is A Russo-Swede and didn't care, while walking up to the main road he turned around to look at the tank and he could hardly see it.
    S is the most fun of a tank ever, anything is a parking space and that's why we are going to buy one.

  • @MrAnonymousme10
    @MrAnonymousme10 Před rokem

    one of my favourite tank

  • @Kottekungen
    @Kottekungen Před rokem +16

    Ive been told that the Stridsvagn 103 could be used by one person, effecive with two, but sinze only two ppl in a fighting tank would be a strain on any two individuals, so a third member was added, becuse if the war dident kill the two crewmen, they themselfs would. Please correct me if im wrong
    I would have loved to serve on one of thees beauties, jävla snygg vagn

    • @JarlBSoD
      @JarlBSoD Před rokem +6

      Yes, the tank would be fully operational with just 1 crew member though allot less effective for obvious resons :)

    • @josefstalin4532
      @josefstalin4532 Před rokem

      ​@@JarlBSoD What does "fully operational" mean? Because the driver having to climb to the gunners seat every time he has to fire isn't exactly operational right?

    • @JarlBSoD
      @JarlBSoD Před rokem +7

      @@josefstalin4532 The driver is the gunner.

    • @bpomowe224
      @bpomowe224 Před rokem +2

      @@josefstalin4532 Both the commander and driver stations have a duplicate set of all controls, and gunlaying was done with the driving controls.
      Only time anyone would need to climb around was to use the radios, as the rear driver was also the radio operator.

  • @zaubermaus8190
    @zaubermaus8190 Před rokem +3

    ha. it's back! what was wrong with the first video?

  • @MrNebbers
    @MrNebbers Před rokem +2

    How about a megaproject on the Severn Barrage? Massive opportunity for tidal power... if it ever gets built

  • @michaelemory552
    @michaelemory552 Před rokem

    Any fan of this tank wants a role for it if only that it looks so cool. With modern guided munitions, computer assist targeting/re-acquisition I wonder what could be. The low profile and self-revetment in a forest is sensible.
    I once lifted a good sized snapping turtle from a road and placed it by the wooded lake and on firm mud. Rather than move away, it swiveled and lowered right down into the earth to leave only a bit of snout exposed. I watched and was impressed and disturbed. I also thought of the s tank.

  • @westerngothia59
    @westerngothia59 Před rokem +1

    Make a video about Karlsborg Swedens backup Capital.

  • @Pekkamannen
    @Pekkamannen Před rokem

    För Kung och Fosterland! 🇸🇪
    Thank you for showing our beloved Strv 103!

  • @cynicaltroll6057
    @cynicaltroll6057 Před rokem +1

    This tank on the defensive side of a battlefield today, has so many possibilities of being a very effective weapon for sure. 👍

    • @dwarfy_sweden
      @dwarfy_sweden Před rokem

      Big problem is that the gas turbine light up as a Christmas tree nowadays in thermal vision and are easy to spot from far away

    • @Mithirael
      @Mithirael Před rokem

      Unfortunately, time has left the gun in the dust, and while it was capable of surviving direct hits from expected combat ranges from most contemporary APDS, today's APFSDS would slice right through the entire thing like a hot knife through butter.
      It is of course possible to modernise it, but it would be far more costly than what you would get out of it.

  • @raintubalinal5380
    @raintubalinal5380 Před rokem

    My favorite door stopper

  • @Michael_OBrian
    @Michael_OBrian Před rokem +3

    Any chance of a video on the Merkava family?

  • @JustMe-gz4pu
    @JustMe-gz4pu Před rokem

    I love this tank.

  • @TheRedLocker
    @TheRedLocker Před rokem

    You manage to release this on my birthday, great day to be born and better to be in the swedish armed forces! :D

  • @user-mv6he6gl8m
    @user-mv6he6gl8m Před rokem +2

    Tanks with turrets of that era had to stop in order to shoot straight so getting rid of the turret wasn't a big disadvantage but a great plus.

    • @tvgerbil1984
      @tvgerbil1984 Před rokem

      The Swedes already had Centurion Mk5s and then Mk10s with stablized main gun in that era. They could fire their main guns on the move while the Stridsvagn 103s couldn't.

    • @johanmetreus1268
      @johanmetreus1268 Před rokem +1

      @@tvgerbil1984 The 103 could fire on the move at distances up to 200 metres, while the Centurions could do the same at 400 metres with the same expected accuracy. Stabilisation made it a lot faster to take accurate shot after coming to a halt, but main rule for all tanks of the era was that if you to actually hit, you stop your tank.

    • @Ragedaonenlonely
      @Ragedaonenlonely Před rokem +1

      @@tvgerbil1984 The 103 is fully capable of firing its gun on the move. It just can't do so accurately. Which the Centurions couldn't either for that matter. Hence the practice of stopping for an aimed shot to actually hit anything with any kind of reliability. The stabilizers of the time weren't good enough to allow for any kind of guarantee of a hit at combat ranges.

    • @tvgerbil1984
      @tvgerbil1984 Před rokem

      czcams.com/video/RcRpeSSwpvE/video.html Maybe the Swedes used their Centurions differently but the latter marks of Centurions should have decent stabilizer installed.

  • @ridgecrestwack9746
    @ridgecrestwack9746 Před rokem

    You better step it up Simon I need more content!! Feed me!

    • @davidgill3356
      @davidgill3356 Před rokem +1

      His tempo is sooo lazy right? I hear he actually goes home twice a week.

    • @ridgecrestwack9746
      @ridgecrestwack9746 Před rokem

      @@davidgill3356 twice a week?? What an outrage! I demand he stays in his studio 24/7 pumping out content for me to consume till he drops.

  • @282sleeper
    @282sleeper Před rokem

    This is true. I live in a swedish county that is called the county of a 1000 lakes. And with lots of lakes comes alot of swamps. Hence the specialisation of equipment and machinery.

  • @waynemangan9925
    @waynemangan9925 Před rokem

    Here in the US I rarely get to hear a man of around my age speak in such a proper British accent, also well dressed. Great work on all the vids Sir!!!

  • @qwertyuio266
    @qwertyuio266 Před rokem

    When the STRV 121s(Leopard 2) came into service the STRV 103s beat the crap out of them in the last exercises. A few years later it would have been the opposite.

  • @markusb3712
    @markusb3712 Před rokem +3

    I think Chieftain from Inside the Cheiftain's Hatch did a better job of explaining both the history and functions of this tank. Not once was Sven Berge mentioned in this video.
    You could also watch the British Tank Museum's video as well.

    • @foo219
      @foo219 Před rokem

      He did, though he is a tank specialist, too.

  • @martinstallard2742
    @martinstallard2742 Před rokem +2

    1:18 background
    3:01 design
    7:23 engine and performance
    9:22 flaws
    10:05 service

  • @alfrede.neuman9082
    @alfrede.neuman9082 Před rokem +2

    Small corrections:
    HEAT stands for High Explosive Anti-Tank, and NOT “High Energy”.
    Secondly, the L7 is the “Royal Ordnance L7” not “Royal Armament L7”.

  • @absaxoclar
    @absaxoclar Před rokem

    please do Project Galaxy next! swedens largest industrial project at the time and the originator of many automotive safety innovations. also my volvo 850 originated from the project

  • @immortalsofar5314
    @immortalsofar5314 Před rokem

    Sounds like, from a fundamental design POV, the turret could go the way of the biplane wings - more manoeuvrable, sure, but not as big a game changer as the extra speed/armor/decreased profile its removal enabled.

  • @Ynffy
    @Ynffy Před rokem

    Reading tip if you want to know more:
    "Strv 103
    Photo guide till stridsvagn 103 "S-tank"" by the Swedish Armour Historical Society. Text in Swedish and English.
    It is probably out of print but you may find it on eBay or at armour museums.

  • @andrewspohrer7183
    @andrewspohrer7183 Před 3 měsíci

    They may have increased it's viability for a little longer by keeping a few low explosive "blanks" to clear the dirt sqwibbies. It'd be a fast, cheap, and easy way to clean out barrels and allow them to hold off the deep cleaning until it was more convenient to do so. Just an idea tho, not really applicable now that it's been retired so long. Something about the increased visual acuity of looking behind one's self.

  • @isaacmasinde1994
    @isaacmasinde1994 Před rokem +3

    Known for being early to this channel 😂😂 lol

  • @ZETH_27
    @ZETH_27 Před rokem

    1:30 - 105mm L7 cannons were used on the later Centurions, not 150mm cannons.
    2:37 - The Kranvagn tank concept was of a Heavy tank, not a medium tank (one of the reasons it was dismissed). The vehicle was to feature a 150mm (could explain the confusion at 1:30) Additionally, a significant reason for motivating domestic development in Sweden was the fact that Britain's forecast when it came to delivering Centurions stood at 0, meaning in the event of a war, Sweden would be stuck with only the tanks they had available at the time. This is also the reason why the project was later cancelled, and Great Britain was able to deliver Centurions to Sweden which were cheaper and still showed military promise.
    3:49 - The last S-tank production model (Model C) weighed 42 tonnes as indicated in the video, yes. However, the earlier variants were 37 and ~40 tonnes for the A and B models respectively.
    6:05 - The S-tank featured 40mm thick plates on the upper and lower front. Not 70mm plates. Sode armour was limited to only 20mm, not 40.

  • @javiermoya2801
    @javiermoya2801 Před rokem

    I am trying to think of it would be a better side project or if it would be mega project for T54/55 tank. It was so mass produced amd sent to every which buyer the Soviets could find

  • @carlandersson2185
    @carlandersson2185 Před rokem +1

    Make one on the A32 Lansen

  • @feppfepp
    @feppfepp Před rokem

    In a way it is the tank version of a world war 2 fighter aircraft. This simplifies some aspects of use and means a single person can at least shoot and move.

  • @louhodo5761
    @louhodo5761 Před rokem

    A few other minor corrections.
    It had a 105mm not 150mm cannon.
    Also...
    HEAT stands for High Explosive Anti Tank. Not High Energy.

  • @petarvanj4343
    @petarvanj4343 Před rokem

    Tanks are so cool

  • @Seodanrot
    @Seodanrot Před rokem

    It's a nice Assualt gun.

  • @Sevo-
    @Sevo- Před rokem +5

    The Canadian Avro Aero is an interesting one, The story is the us bought it and burned the plans. I believe the fastest jet of its time.
    The alloy used on almost aircraft was invented for this Jet. 1 is MIA to this day stolen by a pilot.

  • @josealcantara3996
    @josealcantara3996 Před rokem +2

    Flaws??? Strv 103 didn´t have any flaws... It was marvelous

  • @thehorriblebright
    @thehorriblebright Před rokem

    I would be so bold as to state that "battle wagon" would be the best translation.

  • @GrievousReborn
    @GrievousReborn Před rokem

    Is this a re-upload because I swear I watched this already

  • @willbrant2160
    @willbrant2160 Před rokem

    Please do the Challenger 1,2 and going into 3 please