AMX-13 (Modèle 1958)

Type: Light Tank
Nation: France
Period: Cold War
Location: Cavaleriemuseum, Bernhardkazerne Amersfoort, Netherlands

Long-lasting success

The AMX-13’s development started in 1946 when the French Army needed a lightly armoured air-portable vehicle to support paratroopers and carry out reconnaissance missions. It was designed by the Ateliers de construction d’Issy-les-Moulineaux who would later go on to develop the first French main battle tank, the AMX-30. Production of the AMX-13 began in 1952 and lasted until 1987. The compact vehicle was exported to numerous countries, for example Israel – who would actually use them as main battle tanks alongside the heavier Centurions in the Six-Day War of 1967, before eventually developing their indigenous Merkava.

One big family

The original AMX-13 “Modèle 1951” was equipped with a long 75 mm high-velocity gun that was inspired by the German Panther’s main armament. To mount such a big gun on such a small vehicle the designers chose an innovative oscillating turret on which the entire top half would be elevated while the lower half provided traverse. This turret would later also be installed on the Egyptian M4A4 FL-10 and the Panhard EBR armoured car. Later AMX-13 versions were upgraded with larger guns and even wire-guided anti-tank missiles. An auto-loader with two revolving drum magazines was feeding the main gun and thereby reduced the vehicle’s crew to three men. The reliable chassis with its front-mounted engine and torsion bar suspension became the basis for a wide variety of other vehicles, including armoured personnel carriers, anti-aircraft vehicles and self-propelled guns.

Punching above its weight

In 1960 the Dutch Army was planning to replace their outdated M24 Chaffee reconnaissance tanks. Not having a tank industry of their own, they considered the American M41 Walker Bulldog and the AMX-13. In the end, the Dutch decided on the French contender and bought 131 AMX-13s. They were the first country to receive the “Modèle 1958” export version which carried a very powerful 105 mm gun in a heavier turret. In 1983 the Dutch retired all light tanks and let other vehicles take over the reconnaissance role. This particular vehicle on display at the Cavaleriemuseum has a “2D” type chassis with four return rollers per side.