The SAAF Forum

The turrets are build by both BAE/OMC and LIW. OMC is in Kempton and also does the chassis while LIW is in Lyttleton. The repair facilities at Tempe are quite good but for major work and upgrades the Tanks are sent to one or other of the above facilities.

Photos of the interior are on the net all ready. But as soon as I have taken mine I will post them. Have a look here so long.

http://www.primeportal.net/tanks/jacques_pienaar/olifant_mk2/

I see that it is mentioned on this thread that the Loggim and TTD are two different tanks... I thought they were one and the same? Or was the TTD a stepping stone towards the Loggim?

Also, I thought the Olifant Mk1b used an uprated Continental diesel, and that the Olifant Mk2 uses an upgraded version of this uprated model. I was not aware that it was an MTU. Can someone verify this?

One and the same the project was called Project Logum and the prototype TTD. Some also call the prototype Logum.



Whoops did I open the apartheid can of worms. Yes Mk1b used a uprated version of the Continental the Isrealis supplied to us. However ze Germans provided us with a MTU unit for Logum. This engine type was transferred to the Mk2. The Mk2 differs alot from the Mk1b.

OK, I always knew the Loggim to have resulted in the TTD. I was also aware the TTD had a different engine to the Olifant, but was not aware that it was being brought over to the Mk2.

As far as I know, the original Continental diesel pushed out 750hp, whilst the Mk1b's engine pushed out over 900hp. The TTD's engine pushed out about 1200hp, so that should result in a much better power/weight ratio.

The Olifant Mk1b already replaced the Horstmann suspension with torsion bar running gear unless I'm mistaken. Will the Mk2 carry over the same running gear, or are there improvements? With the extra power, apart from agility, does the max speed change? What will the Mk2's weight be, considering the Mk1b weighs about 58 tons?

Jup Mk1b had torsion bar. As to weight 60 Tons and speed 60km/h.

Thanks Vorster. I was going through my library yesterday and noted that the Olifant Mk2 turret is specifically designed to accept the 105mm rifled and 120mm smoothbore.

I've followed with interest the idea that the Olifant cannot be upgunned to 120mm due to the size of the turret ring. Yet, the M-48/60 in Magach-7 configuration in Israel has apparently trialed a 120mm, and there was evidence that Chinese type-59's in Iraqi service received the 125mm in a slightly re-profiled turret. Both these designs have a smaller turret ring than the Olifant. Does anyone know anything further?

Yes it was and we have 120s designed localy but the problem comes with the space inside. I will ask Pierre for the exact reason.

Out of interest, LIW's 120mm smoothbore gun was tested on the same LMT-105 turret that is fitted to the Rooikat 105, so it's definitely possible to mount the gun to a turret of that size. Whether it's practical, especially with regards to space, is not something I can answer.

That is also correct Darren, however the Rooikat was designed with a future upgrade to a 120mm in mind.

Does anyone know of any pictures existing of the 120mm gun in Rooikat or Olifant turret? Even a picture of just the gun would be fine. How much Rheinmetall 120mm tech is there in this gun, if any?

As requested a pictures of both.





I believe there to be a fair amount of RM-B tech in the gun as the West Germans helped us alot during the 80s.

Are the Rooikatte deployed in peacekeeping operations yet? Is that a 120mm cannon on the Rooikat?

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I think they are too heavy to be air lifted into the operational theatre. The Rooikat has a 76 or 105mm gun... the example in the picture looks like a 105 to me.

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That is a 105mm there was never a 120mm fitted. All rooikatte in use by the SADF are however still fitted with the 76mm. Further the Rooikat has not been deploy on peace keeping missions as this is a role it was never designed for and for which it think it to be unsuited.

Thanks Vorster....is that bottom pic the 120mm? The top Rooikat pic has a 105mm. What was the Denel designation for the 120mm? I know the 105mm is the GT-7.