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Because the new vehicle I started to work on is more modern then the Sherman Firefly we just finished, I thought it was time
for a new web design more fitting to the vehicle.
So let me introduce it to you.
The Jagdpanzer Kanone 90
The JPK (Jagd Panzer Kanone) was developed to respond to a requirment
by the then West-German Bundeswehr.
The JPK was to share the same mechanical components than the Marder
MICV, the Jagd Panzer Rakete and a reconaissance tank wich was never
developed.
Five prototypes were built between 1962 and 1963, two by Hanomag,two
by Henschel and one by the Swiss MOWAG.
These five prototypes were followed by a second series of six
vehicles, after that 750 vehicles were completed between 1965 and 1967.
In december 1972 the Belgian Army placed an order for 80 improved
JPK's wich were assembled in Antwerpen by Hanomag.
The Belgian vehicles share the same hull and armament and engine as
the German version, but incorporate the complete Renk transmission,
final drives, suspension and tracks of the Marder MICV.
Two hydraulic clutches were fitted to the transmission to allow very
sharp turns at all speeds.
The fire control system is a derivative of the famous SABCA fire
control system from the Leopard tank and incorporates a laser range
finder, sensors, analogue computer and optical sight.
The vehicle has also three angular déviation indicators, one
optically coupled to the commanders sight, one for the driver and one
for the gunner.
Other additions were a Lyran flare launchers and a MAG 58 coaxial MG.
The JPK was used mainly to support the armoured infantry compagnies
and to provide a rolling anti-tank fire from 1500m thus complementing
the long range Milan ATK Missile (2000m)
and the short range LAW disposable rocket launcher(150-300m).
The JPK was well liked by its crews and , when well used, proved to
be a formidable opponent to the tank.
During many autumm maoeuvres of NATO in Germany, many American tank
units were blocked in their advance by 1 or 2 well lockated JPK's,
their low profile and exeptionnal agility and speed (more than 80 km/
h!) proving to be a fine combination in the tank hunting role.
The JPK in the Belgian Army was replaced by the Agusta A 109 Anti
Tank helicopter, the one at the Kapellen depot being the sole still
running survivor in Belgium.
William Testaert
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| The JPK 90 |
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| As you can see the Jagdpanzer is in a pretty good shape but it will have to get even better. |
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| The JPK engine. |
First thing to do will be checking the engine and try to get it started. Unlike WW2 vehicles the later are protected agains
faulty startup´s ,shifting errors, over reving the engines and so on. So it is very importand to see that all the safety`s
work and also all components for cooling and fuel systems work not to forget the brakes? If you should override for example
the steering safety and you would start the engine without the stering wheel being centered the tank would imediatly start
pivoting on its axle. So safety first as always with the heavy vehicles we work with.
Startup at last.
After doin some checks on the JPK engine we found out that the fuel injection pump {F.I.P} was not working, so the only think
possible was te remove it and see if we could fix it ourselfs or if we had to bring it to proffecial shop.
we decided to give it a try and removed the FIP and open it up.
it soon became clear that the regulator rod was stuck on engine stop. After spraying some penetrating oil on the parts
and carefully started moving the rod up and down we got it unstuck. However this was no garantee that it would actualy work
now we mocked up a test bench to see if it would inject with a makeshift fuel supply and a turn bench set at 200 rpm we saw
the result we where looking for.
After that all that was left was reassemble and reinstal the FIP on the MTU engine and see if it would start up. All things
installes and bleeding the air from the fuelsystem Johan took his place at the wheel and Franz and I stood by the engine and
controlled the trottle.
And finaly after a few turn the engine came alive and roared like the beast it is. Needless to say we wheren like kids
on X-mas morning when the engine started.
Below you can find some pictures off the engine with the FIP removed and off the fuel injection pump.
| The engine with the pump removed. |
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| The FIP was possisioned between the 2 cilinder banks and was not easy to remove. |
| The pump ready to reassemble. |
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| The governor in the FIP. |
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| THe regulator rod is the rob on the right top corner attatched to the lever. |
As work on the JPK has just started, I will put more info and pictures on here as i go.
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