Gepard Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Gun

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The German Army issued a requirement in the 1960’s for a new self-propelled anti-aircraft gun. It was to replace the M42 Duster in service with the German Army and to have an all-weather capability. Prototypes were built by two companies, Rheinmetall in Germany and Contraves AG in Switzerland. The two Rheinmetall vehicles were known as the Matador ZLA and were armed with twin 30mm cannon. They had a Siemens surveillance radar and AEG-Telefunken fire-control electronics. The three Contraves vehicles were known as the 5PZF-A. They were armed with twin 35mm cannon manufactured by Oerlikon-Bührle and had Siemens radar and fire-control electronics. Both sets of prototypes were based on a largely unchanged Leopard chassis. Following extensive trials the Contraves design was chosen as superior. A production order was given to Krauss-Maffei in Munich for 18 vehicles of an improved design, the 5PZF-B. The German Army has since taken delivery of a total of 420 vehicles and in German service they are known as the Gepard (Cheetah). The first 195 were designated B2 and the other 225, fitted with a Siemens laser rangefinder, were designated B2L. The Belgian Army has ordered 55 vehicles. The Netherlands have ordered a modified version, the 5PZF-C, using a Dutch Hollandse Signaalapparaten search and tracking radar. In Dutch service it is known as the CA1 Cheetah and is distinguished by its narrow cylindrical radar in place of the wide radar dish of the German Gepard. A published report of a Gepard in the Russian collection at Kubinka has not been confirmed. Matador Model Id: 730 Manufacture: Krauss-Maffei GmbH, Munich, Germany (Chassis manufacturer) 1) Motor Technica Museum, Bad Oeynhausen, Germany Number of Photos: 0 Click here or on the image for this tank's profile page Unique ID: 321 Serial Number: Registration: Name: Other Identification: This prototype is on loan from the BWB Collection at Koblenz.

Production Vehicles Model Id: 740 Manufacture: Krauss-Maffei GmbH, Munich, Germany (Chassis manufacturer) 2) Royal Dutch Army Museum, Delft, The Netherlands Number of Photos: 1 Click here or on the image for this tank's profile page Unique ID: 322 Serial Number: Registration: Name: Other Identification: This is a Dutch CA1 Cheetah variant. It has the registration number KZ-99-68.

3) Liberty Park Oorlogsmuseum, Overloon, The Netherlands Number of Photos: 12 Click here or on the image for this tank's profile page Unique ID: 1708 Serial Number: Registration: KU-80-04: “KU-80-04” painted on nose and hull rear. Name: “ABACUS” painted on turret sides. Other Identification: Text in Preserved German Tanks Update: This is a Dutch Cheetah/PRTL variant.