[3e] Panhard M3 APC

[Phaelen Bleux]

Panhard M3 APC (TL7)
While probably one of the most aesthetically-challenged military vehicles ever made, the M3 was nonetheless a successful export APC for Panhard. Production began in 1971, and by 2007 when production was discontinued over 1,200 vehicles had been produced. Of the 23+ countries to which the M3 has been exported (many of them former French colonies), some of the largest users of the M3 have been Iraq (200), the United Arab Emirates (370), Saudi Arabia (150) and Bahrein (110).
The M3 has a crew of two. It can seat 10 soldiers or carry 2,992 lbs. of cargo. Armament varies from two 7.62mm machine guns to 20mm cannons and can feature a small turret rather than an open mount. It is fully swimmable, with the wheels providing the aquatic thrust and the steering being accomplished as it would be on land. The M3 burns 2.4 gallons of petrol per hour of routine usage. A full tank of gas costs $66; a full load of ammo costs $264.

Subassemblies: Body +4, two Open Mounts [Body:T] -2, 4 off-road wheels +1.
Powertrain: 61-kW all-wheeled drivetrain with 61-kW standard gasoline engine, 2,000-kWs lead acid battery.
Fuel: 44 gallons gas in standard tank (Fire 9).
Occupancy: 2 NCS, 10 CPS.
Cargo: 150 cf. (sans passengers).

Armor
All: 4/35
OM: 4/35F (gunshield)

Weaponry:
2x 7.62mm Machine Guns [OMs:F,B] (1,200 rounds each).

Equipment:
Body: Medium-range radio with scrambler (30-mile); 12-man environmental control, light amplification (periscope), two additional 1x periscopes, navigation instruments. OMs: Full stabilization.

Statistics:
Size: 14'x8'x6½' Payload: 2,796 lbs. Lwt.: 6.71 tons
Volume: 365 cf. Maint.: 68 hours Price: $85,869

HT: 12. HPs: 919 Body, 157 each Wheel, 6 each Open Mount.

gSpeed: 56 gAccel: 2.5 gDecel: 10 gMR: 0.75 gSR: 5
Ground Pressure: High. ¼ Off-Road speed.
wSpeed: 2.5 wAccel: 0.2 wDecel: 25 wMR: 0.25 wSR: 4
Flotation rating: 22,813 lbs. Draft: 1.6'.

Design Notes:
Body is 365 cf; wheels are 73 cf, open mounts are 3.2 cf each. Structure is Heavy, Standard. It has improved suspension, run flat tires and is waterproofed. Armor is standard metal. Mechanical controls. Design loaded weight was 13,475; this was lowered 1% to the historical. Calculated gSpeed was 54 mph, wSpeed was 3.6. Historical speeds are shown. Ammo loadouts are a guess. The historical cost of an M3 was $36,050.

Variants:
The M3VDA is an anti-aircraft version mounting twin 20mm cannons in a manual turret and radar.
The M3VAT is a repair vehicle featuring mechanical tools and a jib for hoisting engines. It hosts a crew of five (driver, commander and three mechanics).
The M3VPC is a command vehicle with more extensive communications equipment and two additional batteries. Crew consists of a commander, assistant commander, driver, two radio operators and command staff.
The M3VTS is an ambulance variant. It has a crew of three (driver plus two orderlies) and can carry four stretchers or six sitting wounded. It is unarmed.
The M3VLA is an engineering vehicle mounting a dozer blade. It has a crew of six (commander/gunner, driver, pioneer section commander and three pioneers).
The M3VSB is fitted with surface and air-search radars.
The M3 Saymar is an Israeli update of the M3 that replaces the powerplant with a 76-kW diesel engine. It has improved brakes.
Many vehicles have featured the addition of auxiliary power units, navigation systems, communications upgrades, sirens and lights, a winch, and various other after-market add-ons. Also, not all models feature environmental control.