Panhard AML90 Papercraft Model (Detailed) by ERVINS ERNSTREITS

6 Oct, 2021

PANHARD AML 90 LIGHT ARMOURED CAR

Panhard AML90 Papercraft Model (Detailed) by ERVINS ERNSTREITS

During
the 1950s, the French Army used the Daimler Ferret in large numbers,
and issued a requirement for a similar vehicle but with a more powerful
armament as the Ferret was armed only with a single 7.62 mm machine
gun. So, the French Army decided to build their own armoured car and
"Panhard", which was building the EBR (8 x 8) heavy armoured car at the
time, was awarded a contract to build the prototype which was completed
in 1959 under the Panhard designation Model 245. "Saviem" and
"DEFA-AMX" also built prototype vehicles but, after trials, the Panhard
model was accepted for service with the French Army as AML
(Auto-Mitraileuse Legere) and first production vehicles were delivered
to the French Army in 1961.

All the versions of AML have a common configuration: the driver is seated in front of the hull (and is provided with a single-piece hatch cover that opens to the right with three integral periscopes, the centre one of which can be replaced by an image intensification periscope for night driving) with a two-seater turret on top. The commander is seated on the left of the turret and the gunner on the right, both with a hatch cover. The commander and gunner each have four L794B periscopes and the gunner also has a Type M262 or M37 sighting periscope. The M37 has a magnification of x 6. Either side of the hull below the turret ring is a door. The left door, on which the spare wheel and tyre are mounted, opens to the rear, the right door opens to the front. AML has a permanent 4×4 drive for mobility. The engine is at the rear of the hull and two access panels are provided over the engine compartment. The gearbox is crosswise and consists of two gearboxes in one (high and low), coupled on both sides of the bevel pinion. The low-range box is for cross-country use and comprises two low gears, a top gear and one reverse gear. When the low-range box is in normal drive the four ratios of the high-range box command the four upper gears of the range: sixth, fifth, fourth and third. The high-range box is for normal road use and has three low gears and one overdrive. There are Panhard-type ball differentials in the gearbox and in each rear transfer box which automatically prevent gear slip. Drive is transmitted from the gearbox to two lateral transfer boxes via pinions to the rear wheels and via drive shafts that run along the inside of the hull to the front wheels. The independent suspension at each wheel station consists of coil springs and hydropneumatic shock-absorbers acting on the trailing arms of the wheel mechanism. The tyres are fitted with unpuncturable Hutchinson inner tubes. The vehicle can carry either a 90 mm quick firing low pressure gun( AML 90 version), or a 60 mm breech loading mortar ( AML 60 version) as main weapons.

The total French Army buy was 210 AML 90s and 425 AML 60s; the French Gendarmerie bought 70 AML 60s and 45 AML 90s. The Panhard AML light armoured car was phased out of front-line service with the French Army early in 1990. Since 1960 over 4000 vehicles have been completed and manufacture continues for the export market. The AML 60/90 have been sold to over 30 countries. In addition to the French production, 1300 AML 60/90 were built under licence by South Africa under the name of Eland 60/90.

The Model prototype is a French Airborne reconnaissance regiment vehicle. "Hussar Parachutistes'' 3rd Company of the 1st Hussars serving with 11th Parachute Division(DP) French paratroopers actually are part of marines or ''Troupes de marine'', under command of National Navy, so They have a Navy markings on turret. There is an old French tradition of naming these vehicles. The names are great battle names or some other heroic name related to the regiment's history. HAI-PHONG was the first city invaded by French marines during the Indochina war and then the city became France's main naval base inVietnam.