Source: http://ftr.wot-news.com/2013/07/28/type-64-prototype-chinese-tank/
Author: Lahn (US server)
Hello everyone,
this post, submitted to me by Lahn (the same guy, who came up with the Taiwanese branch), deals in a bit more detail with the tank, that is the “other” Type 64. Yea – there are two Type 64′s: the “hybrid” and the “prototype” – the “hybrid” is the one that’s going to be most likely implemented as tier 5 Chinese light tank (M42 Duster hull, Hellcat turret), while this one there are no plans for – at least for now. Let’s have a look at it.
Length: 8.2m
Width: 3.2m
Height: 2.7m
Weight: 25t
Max speed: 70kph(down slope)/62kph(on road)
Performance: 160km
Trench Crossing: 1.83m
Water Crossing: 1.2m
Crew: 4
Main Gun: 76mm M32K1
Turret: M41 W. Bulldog + spaced armor
Chassis: M41 W. Bulldog + armor upgrade
Engine: Napco 8V-71T
Radio: ANVRC-7
Gun proposed WoT characteristics:
76mm M32K1:
Pen: 218/243/38 (AP/APCR/HE)
Damage: 150/150/190
RPM: 16.16~17.77
DPM: 2424~2666(AP)
Accuracy: 0.3~0.32m
History of the Type 64 Prototype
There are two kinds of Type 64s, Type 64 Hybrid and Type 64 Prototype. Type 64 Hybrid is a hybrid tank with M18 hellcat turret and a M42 Duster/M41 Walker bulldog chassis, and the Type 64 Prototype is the local upgrade version of the M41 Walker Bulldog.
The light tank M41 is a good scout tank, but not good enough to combat the Communist Chinese T-55A. As the only tank available in Nationalist Chinese Army, the tank is based on the American M41, and designed for fighting against T-55A and Type-59s. The prototype tank is made by Weapons Factory 201 in year 65, but the project started in year 64, thus being named as Type 64. The appearance of the tank is similar as the American M41A3, but the design is different. The turret is made with traditional cast turret, extra armor armor on turret, and 2 pieces of high-hardness Tungsten alloy steel “side plate” is added on each side of the turret and hull for extra protection from HEAT and APDS projectiles. The engine is a local upgrade version of the Napco 8V-71 which is imported under the name of “civilian bus use”, and boosted the tank with 530HP than the original 500HP on the M41.
Two prototypes went to test, and the performance is good but still not enough to challenge the Communist T-55 frontally and act as a proper medium tank, only available as an interim solution. Chung-shan academy (National Military Technology Academy) received one of the Type 64 prototype and used for combat system testing, such as installing new aiming devices, 12.7mm AA MG, night vision and firing control system. The other went to testing grounds of the Armored school and acted as a target for testing the effect of the APCR and HEAT shells on the spaced armor.
The order given to the 201 factory for Type-64 prototype on January 9th. The order is for 14 pre-production tanks, and 25 tanks for the 1st series. The last tank should finish by year 1968:
