Computers on Safehold

USMA74 wrote:The early US M-60 series of tanks used a mechanical computer with a range finder. E-Bay has FM 17-12-2, Tank Gunnery, M60, M60A1, M60A1(AOS), and M48A5 Tanks (1977 edition) for sale for US $12.00 if anyone is interested in learning more about how the US Army found a solution without the use of electricity. Admit that the readouts were lighted so you could read them. I could hit a stationary tank size target reliably from a short halt at 4,400 meters if the 105mm M-68 cannon was zeroed properly. Freely admit that having both the target and shooting platforms moving on their X, Y, and Z axis complicates the gunnery problem significantly over what I accomplished.

I've ordered the FM. Questions. How the hell do you SEE a tank at 4,400 meters!? Do tank rounds come with variable powder charges? My guess is not, cuz you wouldn't want little baggies of powder sliding around the floor/deck/whaddayacallit.
Sounds like pretty good shooting!

EdThomas wrote:

USMA74 wrote:The early US M-60 series of tanks used a mechanical computer with a range finder. E-Bay has FM 17-12-2, Tank Gunnery, M60, M60A1, M60A1(AOS), and M48A5 Tanks (1977 edition) for sale for US $12.00 if anyone is interested in learning more about how the US Army found a solution without the use of electricity. Admit that the readouts were lighted so you could read them. I could hit a stationary tank size target reliably from a short halt at 4,400 meters if the 105mm M-68 cannon was zeroed properly. Freely admit that having both the target and shooting platforms moving on their X, Y, and Z axis complicates the gunnery problem significantly over what I accomplished.

I've ordered the FM. Questions. How the hell do you SEE a tank at 4,400 meters!? Do tank rounds come with variable powder charges? My guess is not, cuz you wouldn't want little baggies of powder sliding around the floor/deck/whaddayacallit.
Sounds like pretty good shooting!

Bionic eyes??!!!

Don

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That is why tank have rangefinders (mechanically linked into the fire control computer) that are fairly powerful. Also tank ranges tend to be fairly open areas of land. My memory of the Tank Table 8 range at Fort Hood, Tx in the 1970s was that the starting point was somewhat elevated over the course and the long range engagement was one of the first shots a tank crew made. It was a line-of-sight engagement. I welcome anyone in these forums to confirm or refute my almost 45 year old memory.
Hitting a stationary 10 foot by 30 foot target at 4400 meters in daylight from a short halt with a properly zeroed cannon wasn't difficult. The M68 105 cannon designed by our British friends is an accurate gun.