What is pipe on the T-72?

Modeling Subjects Armor
1

I recently took my Dad, who was in a Sherman in Korea, to the Patton Museum at Fort Knox. Well worth the trip if you like tanks. Anyway, there was a T-72 with what looked like PVC pipe on the front and along the side. Does anybody know what this was for? Thanks.

2

They used to have an explanation sign on the tank. I believe it was to dissapate the engine heat to protect it from US thermal sights.

3

We didn’t see any signs for explanation, but yours sounds logical. Thanks.

4

Rob’s right. When I was there in 2001, the explanation was that it took hot exhaust gases and channeled them down under the tank.

5

Obviously, it didn’t work. Thanks for the info and glad your back.

6

Hi Tippy,

Here’s a link to a page on the IMPS London site which has good shots of the pipes. It also has some explaination of their function. It was an Iraqi modification and not OEM for the T-72…

http://ipmslondon.tripod.com/armourreferencearticles/id5.html

The last pic also contains the, now missing, sign. It’s legible and reads…

Added Exhaust Pipes

The Iraqis connected pipes to the exhaust system to redirect smoke and blow dust in front of the tank to conceal its movement to the rear.

Karl