Leopard 1V

Total Bids Placed:

Condition

This tank was already discovered by Ivo Jr and Sr in Greece in 2019. We discovered it at a yard near Athens, but it soon turned out that the tank was still in great condition. It ultimately took them until November 2022 before a final purchase could be settled and the necessary permits were issued.

BAIV started reconditioning the tank in May 2023. Initially, the engine compartment was completely serviced, including all components built into it.

The team discovered that at some point the Greeks had provided the lower part of the engine bay with concrete. This probably served as ballast weight. Our suspicion is that the tank was used as a vehicle to practice towing operations in the twilight of its active life.

During the operation the entire engine bay was refurbished including the brake system and other systems and a new fuel tank was installed. Substantial time was also invested in refurbishment of the hydraulic and electrical installation including all piping, hoses, and wiring.

In the next stage the crew compartment was nicely refurbished with the addition of a fresh layer of paint, installation of new batteries, and repair replacement of wiring / hoses. Next stage was reconditioning and servicing the turret including the hydraulic drive systems for rotation and transverse. Finally, the exterior was repainted.

In total over 1.000 hrs. have been invested in this project.

This Leopard 1V (KU-94-29) was in service in the 43 Tank Battalion ‘Regiment of Hussars of Sytzama’ in Oirschot.
This regiment was active in as well t’ Harde NL and Langemanshof Germany in the period February 1963 until July 1992.

History

This Leopard 1V (KU-94-29) was in service in the 43 Tank Battalion ‘Regiment of Hussars of Sytzama’.
This regiment was active in as well t’ Harde NL and Langemanshof Germany in the period February 1963 until July 1992.

In 1956, a requirement for a new tank for the West German Army was put forth. By September 1965, the first Leopard 1 was delivered and without any doubt a Masterpiece of German Post War Tank technology. The hull design was basally split up in two compartments being the engine at the rear and the crew compartment in the front separated by a fireproof bulkhead.

The tank has a crew of 4 persons. The driver is in the front on the right (with infrared image-intensification for night driving); the commander and gunner on the right and the loader on the left.

The Leopard 1 was a fast, well-armed main battle tank. It was not as heavily armored as it is contemporaries such as the British Chieftain or American M60 series, but it was faster and more reliable.

It formed the backbone of the West German Panzer Forces throughout the 1960s and 1970s until it began to be replaced by the more powerful but also far heavier Leopard II.

The Leopard 1 was built in several variants, each of which underwent various modifications during their service. The initial Leopard 1 was built with a welded hull and cast turret. It was upgraded to the 1A1 in 1971 by adding a thermal sleeve and stabilization system to the main armament. Add on turret armor created the Leopard 1A1A1. The addition of digital radios and the PZB200 low-light television system created the Leopard 1A1A4.

The Leopard 1V

In 1968, the Duch Army Council subjected the British Chieftain and the Leopard 1 to a comparative test at the Leusderheide and De Vlasakkers to replace the Centurion.

The final verdict was in favor of Leopard. This tank received a satisfactory rating in terms of structural soundness, while the Chieftain received an unsatisfactory rating on this point.
In contrast, the weapon system of the Chieftain, which was equipped with a 120mm gun, was rated higher because its armor-piercing ability was better due to the larger caliber. However, in terms of mobility and maintenance, the Leopard performed better again. This also applied to employability.

Furthermore, the Leopard’s greater speed and agility made it a better fit for the planned operations of 1 Lk on the North German plain. The Army Council therefore chose for the leopard 1 on October 15, 1968.

The Netherlands received 468 + an additional 53 units of the fourth series Leopard A1, built between October 1969 and March 1972.
During the 1980s, this model was updated to version 1V; an improved version of the base Leopard 1. The V stands for improved (in Dutch ‘Verbeterd’).

The 1Vs are equipped with a gun stabilization system, a laser rangefinder system, a fire control computer, ranged armor, and FN 7.62mm machine guns (MAG). The improvements have been introduced gradually.

During the 1990s, all Leopard 1V’s were phased out. In 1992 200 Leopard 1V’s were supplied to Greece. Also, some have been sold to Chile.

Of the fifty that remain in The Netherlands, a number are in museums (the Cavalry Museum still some in use) or serve as monuments, fourteen serve as shooting targets on, for example, the Vliehors, four have been converted into BARV for the Marine Corps, one has been converted into driver training vehicle and one fuselage serves for electronic warfare.

Technical

Manufacturer: Krauss -Maffei Wegmann
Model: 1 V
Manufacturing date: 1971
Serial number: NL 12430 / DNL5211
License plate: KU-94-29
Length: 31 ft 3 in (9,54 m)
Width: 11 ft (3,37 m)
Height: 9 ft (2,76)
Weight: 93.475 lb (42.400 kg)
Max. speed (land): 40 mph (65 km/h)
Operational range: 375 mi (600 km)
Main armament: 105 mm L7A4 gun
Secondary armament: 2x 7,62 mm MG3 machine guns, note included
Engine: MTU MB 838 CaM 500, 10 cyl., 830 hp
Crew: 4 (commander, gunner, loader, driver)
Armor: 2,05 – 2,76 in (52 -70 mm)
Production numbers: 521 1 V-models

Note to Buyers

NOTE TO BUYERS

LOCATION

The location of any Lot is indicated with the specific lot number. Specific address details will be provided upon request and to the successful bidder / Buyer.

INSPECTION(S)/ VIEWING DAYS

Inspections (viewing days) are open on:
– USA: Thursday March 14, Friday April 5, Saturday 6 and Friday April 19 2024

– The Netherlands: Saturday April 13 (Nederweert)

Given the fact that these are often very special items whose condition, no matter how hard we try, cannot always be described 100% completely, we really recommend that you make use of this.

IMPORTANT DATES

– Campaign Start: March 1^st 2024,

– Release Website and brochure (all items listed and categorized): March 20 2024,

– Bidding Open: Friday April 19 2024 00:00 CET (Dutch American Friendship Day),

– Bidding Ends:

Saturday April 20 2024 (Vehicles)

Saturday May 11 2024 (Parts & Accessories)

Times:             Amsterdam NL (CET): 06:00 PM (18:00)

London: 05:00 PM (17:00)

New York USA: 12:00 AM (12:00)

Sydney AUS: 04:00 AM (04:00) next day

BUYER’S PREMIUM

On all lots a buyer’s premium of 16,5% of the hammer price is charged. Over this buyer’s premium a 21% sales tax (VAT) will be applicable.

PARTS, ACCESSOIRIES & MILITARIA

The batches of spare parts, various accessories and militaria are sold in as-is condition and delivered without any guarantee of functioning.

VEHICLES & VEHICLE RELATED EQUIPMENT

Cars, motorcycles, trucks, cannons or howitzers, armored vehicles, and tanks are sold in as-is condition, with no technical guarantee and guarantee of authenticity and with or without registration.

Arms & weapons

The Auction House will not supply ANY item unless the correct paperwork and licensing – if needed – has been supplied by the Buyer in full.

If required and applicable (fire)arms can be made inoperable or permanently disabled by BAIV in The Netherlands as being a licensed Arms & Weapons Dealer Registration Nr. NL20191618779. In this case all relevant cost will be charged to the Buyer in addition and have to be paid in advance in full. Collection by appointment only!

MARGIN/ VAT

However, for most of the lots 21% sales tax (VAT) over the hammer price will be not applicable, it might be that in some specific cases sales tax (VAT) over the hammer price will be charged. In such a case this will be specifically specified in the lot description. For all other lots the margin scheme will be applicable. For more info see our General Conditions of Sale Article 9 on our website; www.tracksandtrade.com

COLLECTION

Due to our participation in the commemorations of D-DAY in Normandy France collection of all lots is scheduled for the period Monday June 24 till Friday July 5 2024. However, for buyers who want to participate with their purchased lot at the 80^th Anniversary Commemorations in Normandy this can of course be deviated from. In such a case please let us know soonest.
import and export

Depending on the destination and content of the Lot the Buyer shall obtain an International Import Certificate / End User Certificate. Some of the items listed in the auction may require special licenses or permits or existing documents must be prepared for export. If this is relevant, Tracks & Trade will take care of this. The applicable costs will be charged to the successful bidder. Please email [email protected] if you have any questions or concerns. No item will be allowed to be collected without 100% of all legal requirements being fulfilled.

Delivery

Removal of lots must be completed by June 28 2024 after full payment and 100% coverage of all legal requirements. No storage fees will be applicable until that date.

Shipping and packing costs and special costs that arise for loading special items, such as crane costs or costs for hiring special equipment etc., will be charged to the Buyer on the basis of actual costs + a surcharge of 10%. Naturally, you can count on us when it comes to the shipment of your purchases. We are happy to take care of that!

STORAGE

Lots not picked up by Buyers before June 28 2024 will be returned to secure storage at Buyer’s expense. In this case storage fees will be applied as follows:
– Parts & accessories: € 25,- / lot / week.

– Cars and motorcycles: € 50,- / lot / week.

– Armored vehicles, tanks, cannons etc. € 75,- / lot / week.

Listed storage fees excluding 21% VAT.

NOTE
If you have any specific questions, please contact us either by telephone (+31 6 518 22 502) or E-mail ([email protected]). We are happy to help and support you through the entire process. We will do our utmost to please and comfort you.
So, don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions!

GENERAL CONDITIONS

All information and transactions are subject to the general terms and conditions (Version 2.0 dated 29-04-2022). For more detailed information visit our website or click here.