Thread: Tank Hatches
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Old 09-08-2011, 08:55 PM
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During 4th ID's "Thunder Run" into downtown Baghdad in 2003, an M1A1 was knocked out by a probable RPG hit to the engine deck. It started an engine fire that the on-board fire suppression systems couldn't control, nor could dismounted crewmen using old-fashioned hand-operated fire extinguishers. The crew had to abandon it and it was totalled by another M1 firing APFDS rounds into it at close range (from behind).

Methinks a solid Molotov hit on the engine deck would be enough to disable most MBTs. Tank engine decks are not completely armored over. There are lots of grilles and vents into which burning liquid can drip, igniting all those juicy flammables one finds in a large gas/diesel engine.

As for dropping frags in the turret hatches... as someone else already pointed out, a lot of tank commanders like to pop up to get a better view of the battlefield and I bet a lot of them are too stressed, or green, or lazy to probably button down every time they go down into the turret. Also, I'm sure I've seen some commanders' turret covers that lock into a kind of intermediate position where it's down enough to provide cover from arty airbursts but still leaves a small opening for 360 degree viewing.
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