Give me one reason why I shouldn't buy a T72.

>>32286169
you are a poor fag

>>32286169
You can't afford it.

>>32286188
>>32286192
I'm squarely middle-class.

>>32286204
Importing tanks and shit is a rich man's game. You do know it costs tens of thousands of dollars to do so, and then there's compliance with all them laws, right?

Of course, that presumes you're in the USA.

>>32286169
You can drive it enough(needs regular use) you can maintain it cause thats more than the cost of the tank, you probably dont live in country you can have the main gun working due to wonky firearms laws or plain old freedom, i dont know you tell me. Noa if you're a millionaire and have the land and shit go.ahead. if i was rich id retro fit an mi26 into a flying house with attached garage too carry a btr80 and lada>>32286188

>>32286227
Saw an article detailing the cost of buying a T72 from the Czech Republic. $50,000 for the T72, and another $50,000 for importing. Money is not an issue for me, as I have saved up funds overtime.

>>32286247
Well, alrighty. That's on you.
Factor the costs of maintenance and storage, too.

If some guy from /k/ actually buys a T72, then that guy better make some fucking sweet videos of it.

>>32286259
>Factor the costs of maintenance and storage
Neither is an issue. My only real concern is the actual maintenance of the tank. Suffices to say that I don't believe any local mechanic has experience with T72's.

>>32286305
Guess you'll need to learn Slav runes and get a manual.

>>32286305
I'm sure some Anon will be ready to give up everything in life and learn everything there is about T72 and become your personal mechanic.

I will volunteer, payment in vodka possible.

>>32286305
As an Ausfag, I almost imported a BTR-60 from the Czech Republic too.

It's not to expensive, and would work out quite well because the government doesn't give a shit as long as
>A= It doesn't have the gun
>B= It doesn't have armour fitted (Before it gets here ;)

But I don't know if it'll be able to drive out to the areas where I go hunting reliably, Even though it would work wonders in the offroad environments that I frequent.

The speed, and the efficiency of ON road driving is what turned me off it.

>>32286338
what rifle do you use to hunt?

>>32286169
i've seen that tank personally

>>32286326
>Guess you'll need to learn Slav runes and get a manual
Fug.

>>32286330
>I'm sure some Anon will be ready to give up everything in life and learn everything there is about T72 and become your personal mechanic
This is very workable. Two anons could comprise my crew.

>>32286338
Which company were you looking to purchase from?

>>32286356
When and where was that?

>>32286367
>When and where was that?
alan cors's collection at the virginia museum of military vehicles. they have an annual open house where they drive shit around. haven't seen that one drive yet, though

These kinds of vehicles are not conducive to repair work without it's own workshop and team of trained technicians with extensive supply networks.

it would be very difficult to keep it in operating condition or source spare parts.

>>32286348
Depends what and where I am hunting
>>32286367
Mortar investments.

It only had a top speed of 80km/h and it's operational range was 500km (And I sometimes hunt over 700km's away)

>>32286169
Fuel economy

>>32286411
>These kinds of vehicles are not conducive to repair work without it's own workshop and team of trained technicians with extensive supply networks
Workshop in progress, technical expertise may come from enslaved anons, and parts will be sourced from Mortar Investments.

>>32286423
>Mortar investments
Same guys I was looking at. ExArmyVehicles is my back-up option.

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>>32286169
the thing that puts me off importing a tank is that you're essentially paying a shit-ton of money to obtain an expensive, maintenance-heavy tracked chassis with a useless turret. All the cool shit has either been demilitarized or removed.

if I was going to import something, it would probably be a Czech OT-90 (BMP w/OT-64 turret) or a BTR-60. They cost far less than an MBT and are generally less maintenance-intensive to boot.

>>32286247
$50k sounds a bit much, $20-$30k is a bit more realistic according to the exporters I've talked to.

>>32286305
the company selling the vehicle would probably be more than happy to sell you spares. They'll be expensive, but if money really isn't a concern like you say, then you'll be fine.

as for maintenance expertise, you could always check forums like Red-Alliance. I know some of the users have UAZs and even early-model BTRs that they use and maintain, they should be able to help you out. If nothing else they will likely provide you with useful documentation.

if you're lucky you might run into some old tankers or some other people with experience in that area. I know two former Eastern European tank crewmen who immigrated to the US, they'll be on speed-dial if I ever import armor.

>>32286338
the main issue with BTR-60s is that their engines are a pain in the ass to tune properly, of course you could always do an engine swap but then you'd be called a dirty heretic by people like me

>>32286169
Buy a T-55 instead.

>>32286501
>$20-$30k is a bit more realistic according to the exporters I've talked to
Ah, okay. That would save me some money.

>check forums like Red-Alliance
Will do. Would be nice to get input from the 'experts'.

>>32286520
>Buy a T-55 instead
For what purpose?

>>32286527
>For what purpose?
Same as the T-72?

>>32286579
>Same as the T-72?
No, like what advantages would a T-55 have over a T72?

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>SovietArmor has a Hind for sale
I bet I could make some bullshit kickstarter campaign and get the money for it.

Or I could just sell my house and live in the Hind as I fly from place to place pulling in just enough money from various odd jobs to keep it flying.

>>32286597
Cheaper?
I mean, this is civilian tank ownership.
You're not gonna be lighting niggaz up with the damn thing.

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>>32286602
>Hind for sale
I would grab that in a heartbeat, but it's WAY above what I budgeted for a T72.

>>32286602

Could just do what Neall Ellis, that'll make you enough money to keep it up and running.

>>32286637
>Cheaper?
Only a $6000 difference.

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>>32286597
T-55 is the most produced tank in history. So there will be no shortage of parts anytime soon.

>>32286169

Manual gearbox and shitty steering levers.

>>32286367
I volunteer for the open position.

I'd learn Russian if you'd hire me to do this shit.

When can I start packing my things?

>>32286857
>>32286875
I can drive manual, if I can be the driver.

>>32286875
>>32286881
Hold your horses. Still need to sort through a few issues first. Import permits alone will take months to get.

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>>32286305
>>32286169
hire me, I am fluently Russian, am grease monkey, and am looking for american money

>>32286891
Okay, but I'm serious about this if you are.

>>32286169
As others have mentioned the ongoing cost of ownership and mechanical maintenance requirements are things you should give the most thought too, also consider whether you'll actually get much or any use from it depending on your local laws regarding on road use.

Talking to a few people with various privately own armored vehicles has thrown up a few recurring themes, fuel economy is shit and whilst now it might seem fine that you'll be burning a tank or 2 of diesel whenever you spend a day playing with it, that soon adds up over the year. Also pretty much all of them have been mechanics themselves and either already had or swiftly acquired a group of similar friends to help maintain whatever vehicles they have, shit breaks often and tends to require you to have a bunch of support following you around for when it does. If you want to take the thing more than a few miles from home you'll want at least 1 support vehicle to carry tools and small spares, so it's not a hobby that's very viable solo. Whether you can even take the thing onto public roads will depend on where you are, I understand in the US its something of a NOPE legally so you'll need access to a pretty large and trashable area of land to dick around on, plus a transporter truck (which is yet another vehicle to maintain and have someone able to drive, although at least those are more common skillsets), also bear in mind weight limits on roads, here in bongland whilst driving tonk is legal on most roads, weight limits due to weak bridges/culverts are everywhere, which can make routing even a short simple journey a nightmare. Even if you can legally drive on road wherever you are you may well still want a transporter if you'll be going more than a couple of miles on road, not just due to the aforementioned fuel efficiency issues, but even with a bunch of people helping driving oversized vehicles with shit visibility amongst traffic is consistently described as nightmarish.

>>32286993
I'm serious, but since I know a lot of anons are interested I'll start a thread to get applications from anons regarding what they can offer in skill-set. I won't do this until the tank is purchased, and the import permit is approved.

>>32287023
came across this with country towns in Australia but then I realized that firetrails are a thing and BTR's are amphibious so I could just go through rivers and streams.

>>32286169
You'll do something fucking dumb and get your arm caught in the carousel. Buy a superior Western tank, like a Chieftain or a Patton.

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>>32287083

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>>32286169

Do it if you want.

Personally, I want a Ferret. Gotta buy some land to use it on first, though.

>>32286169
Terrible return on investment.

fuck you guys im building a Maus

>>32286305
>maintenance
>T-72
If Syrians towelheads can do it, you can do it.

>>32286169
>middle class
>saved up money

Absolutely great idea, you should buy a t-72

Just get a BRDM or BTR-152.

A tank is just not going to be practical or fun. Maybe if you enjoy have something like that sit on your lawn.

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>>32288418
>comparing whole military forces backed by country which the manufacturer of this tanks with anon from /k/
k

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>>32286646
You would have to cannibalize other tanks or retrofit with other equipment though, since they haven't been built for 30 years and any country needed to buy Soviet-era tanks would probably buy up surplus T72s instead.

Plus, while the 54/55 is the most produced tank in history, the 72 is the second-most produced in the Cold War, only being surpassed by the 54/55. There are lots of 72s out there.

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>>32287083

Daily reminder Arnold Schwarzenegger bought an M48 Patton in the 90s.

He was in the Austrian Army (they ha mandatory conscription at the time) and is a fan of milsurp.

>>32286367
I know slav runes and would gladly be a mechanic on a T-72

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If I was going to buy any kind of milsurp vehicle, it would be a 4x4 or 6x6 truck.

>Willy's GP
>M38A1
>M151
>Land Rover Wolf
>CCKW which I wil upgrade to GMC 292 I-6
>M35, bobbed or unbobbed

I don't want a Humvee.

>>32288522
Probably means the rebels

>>32287083
you are now aware that the Russians redesigned the autoloader for T-72 B3 because conscripts kept fucking its "arm" up, not the other way around

>>32286338
For hunting in the outback you probably want a BRDM or a Fuchs

>>32289506
People still think that fuel tanks on the doors of the BMP-2 actually makes it more vunerable from the rear.

memes never die

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>>32286169
The main fun of tanks is the gun. If you can't have a tank with a working gun you basically have an overpriced armored jeep.

You could probably get almost a pound of cocaine instead.

>>32289232
The M48 was also the tank he served in so he has a personal connection to it

>>32286169
I worked on M-113s for quite a while(mechanic and electrician) and also on somewhat modernized t-55s and Centurions hulls.
I can read and understand russian.
Pls, gib green card.

>>32289580
witness the huge commercial success of the Hummer H2 and understand that people can be happy with even less than that

>>32289580
>>32289702
What's not fun about driving a fucking TANK

btw, I'd totally sign up for this tank idea if possible

>>32286169
Cause you can't afford the maintainence

>>32289208
I doubt he needs to retrofit a T-55 to the latest standard just to drive it around...

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>>32288476
>A tank is just not going to be practical or fun

>>32286247
You save $150000 from overtime?

>>32286247
One I saw was 50k for tank, 20k for imports, and 30k if you want it fully rebuilt

>>32291273
>You save $150000 from overtime?
Sorry, bad grammar. Saved my money over the years.

>>32291492
I stand corrected.

>>32286501
>BMP-1 with a KPVT
Neat

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>>32289679
That's what I thought, but if I was wrong I was gonna get shit on.

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>>32291085

If I were to buy a Soviet tank, I would probably replace the 40s/50s V12 with a modern Caterpillar or Detroit straight-six turbo diesel. Plus a new Tremec heavy truck transmission which works for massive Cat D11 bulldozers.

These engines are in production and were produced in greater numbers than any military vehicle, so parts will be available any time. Plus they make more torque and have better economy than an old tank engine from that era.

Horsepower numbers are lower compared to the old V12, but I guarantee torque is far superior, and the outside dimensions are smaller so all you need to do is fabricate an adapter kit to mount it in the engine bay.

>>32292236
Here's exactly what I was talking about, might be dubious, idk.

>>32292666
A adapter kit is actually a really good idea, and would help a ton. Might end up needing a different transmission though, but that couldn't be that hard

Is there any way, in any country, were you can privately own a fully weaponized tank?

even if you have to store it at an army base or some shit

getting a tank and then taking all the weapons out seems so unfun

>>32294660
You have to get the licensing for a DD, and each shell is also a DD, so it's like $200 tax per shell

but you can own and use it if you have land.

>>32286367
I will literally live in that tank and become the best fucking crewman you've ever had. I'll die for you if you ever decide to mobilize it against your enemies. All I need is food, water, internet, and some russkie surplus equipment.

I figure about $100-125k could get a tank, so what if we started a kickstarter to get like 4 T72s? Would you guys help? While much of this topic may be in jest, I am very serious. It would be good if land could be procured, maybe a couple hundred acres for "exercises" and we could even raise money to keep the guns and buy ammo. $500-600k would be enough for the tanks themselves, land depends on location, maintenance and fuel are a thing too, but retrofitting engines certainly seems plausible. So, not including land (which maybe someone already has?) I figure about $1mil should be enough. That can't be that hard can it?

>>32297012
Oh and we would need a recovery vehicle for fuckups. I dint have ideas for that, maybe get another and retrofit? Or just not bother?

>>32294660
You can own one in Britain with a shotgun license.

It's one of the few perks of their gun laws.

>>32289208
>You would have to cannibalize other tanks or retrofit with other equipment though, since they haven't been built for 30 years and any country needed to buy Soviet-era tanks would probably buy up surplus T72s instead.

Quite a lot of countries have preferred to buy used T-55's over T-72's because those are simpler to maintain than T-72 and have far more third party upgrade options available.

>>32295878

Problem isn't licenses for guns and shells. Okay, finding transferable PKT, NSVT or DShKM might be bit problematic and expensive.

The problematic part is export license from source country if you get a tank with functional weaponry. You would be subjected to same scrutiny as any country or lets say major defense industry corporation buying weapons systems for one purpose or other.

>>32297063
Can they actually shoot said guns?

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I always wanted to pull the trigger myself on it, and after working on my bulldozer for a few years and talking to people who own these things here is what I learned

Normally the issues for tanks are

>money
>lawyers (for ATF import paperwork)
>space
>workshop
>heavy machinery skills
>spare parts

Most of the importers have ppl to help guide you with the import fee's and licenses. Space to drive is an obvious one, you will also need the infrastructure to support said vehicle. A good size garrage with overhead hiost is manfitory. A means of towing the tank will also be required.

If you stall out in field and can't restart the engine as the starter needs to be replaced, unless you have an ARV or a dozzer for tow you are fucked. You will have to do field repairs (which I have done) but on a tank is more difficult as you need a crane to pull off the top deck after the fastners are off, Then you may need to pull the power pack so another hoisting mechanism is required... then you will need a warehouse of spare parts, and a way to take said part from to and from the field. Also the spare parts alone are fucking heavy expensive and shipping / importing may also be an issue

Same could be said for just about any other part on the vehicle, some parts are easy to fix in field like a sprocket ring, or track link, but some may involve removing the turret, engine hatch and power pack. You also need to be able to figure out what needs to be replaced and good knowledge of the T72, or heavy equipment in general will be a must for troubleshooting. otherwise you will need to hire a mechanic who does know this info, It's not impossible but is something to be aware of for these things.

In the end of the day all the above equates to
>MONEY
>MONEY
>MONEY
>MONEY
>MONEY
>pic related

However if your up for it and have the pockets for it then rock on annon

>>32289580
I've driven a tank, its a pretty unique experience that really can't be replicated or replaced by something else.

>>32297024
Just buy a VT-55 or VT-72 for recoveries.