This has tended to produce oscillating turret designs with a high gun axis relative to a conventional turret, even where the turret height is otherwise shallow. However the need to elevate the gun still requires room for the breech to be lowered into the lower turret. The final 120 mm version first reverted to a conventional turret, but then used another oscillating design, the Tourelle D. This used first a 90 mm, then 100 mm, gun in an oscillating turret, primarily to save weight. This was the justification for the first oscillating turret, that of the French AMX-50 medium or heavy tank in the 50 tonnes class. In particular, the oscillating turret design is particularly shallow above the breech, allowing for a low turret silhouette, a considerable advantage. Working space thus does not need to be allowed for it above or below the breech, space that is normally wasted in conventional turret designs. Size may be reduced because the non-elevating gun breech does not need to move up and down inside the upper turret.
![xonotic hellion turrets xonotic hellion turrets](https://www.reddog1944.com/Orrin_Cook_345th_BG_500thBS_files/image030.jpg)
As the thickest armour is generally on the turret, reducing turret size appeared to be a worthwhile goal. Weight was the main problem, particularly where this then required extra engine power and stronger transmission.
![xonotic hellion turrets xonotic hellion turrets](https://s3.amazonaws.com/cso-images/schemes/61_54thsd_seraph3.jpg)
Western armed forces were trying to catch up with the increasingly formidable Soviet tanks, such as the T-55. In the 1950s, tanks were rapidly growing more heavily armed, larger and heavier. The initial claimed advantage of oscillating turrets was that of reducing the turret size for a large main battle tank gun. On top of that the gap between upper and lower parts of the turret is rather hard to seal which results problem with protection from elements, fording and making the vehicle NBC proof.Ĭompact turrets Heavy tanks and the AMX-50 This is necessarily weaker than a one-piece design, and so is less optimal for main battle tanks and other large armored vehicles. One disadvantage of the oscillating turret design is that the turret and its armor is split into two pieces. Doing so would enable decreasing the vehicle's crew by one and decreasing the volume of the turret. The lower hull position relative to the gun may allow better protection in the hull-down position.Īnother advantage is that, since the breech is fixed relative to the upper turret, it may be easier to fit an autoloader. An oscillating turret's overall height is likely to be similar to that of a conventional design, but with the gun mounted higher within the turret.
![xonotic hellion turrets xonotic hellion turrets](https://www.gamingcypher.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Hellion_3.png)
For this reason, oscillating designs often have the gun mounted higher above the deck. This may result in lower maximum elevation and range than that possible in a conventional design.
![xonotic hellion turrets xonotic hellion turrets](https://www.giantbomb.com/a/uploads/scale_small/7/72069/1443121-hellion_sc2_devrend1.jpg)
Note, however, that the maximum gun elevation angle with an oscillating turret is determined by the clearance between the rear of the turret and the deck of the hull. In an oscillating design, the breech may remain above the turret ring, in which case the ring can be smaller, potentially allowing the hull to be smaller as well. The design may also increase the maximum angle of depression.Īdditionally, in a conventional design elevating the barrel of the gun pivots the breech into the tank hull, which requires the turret ring to be large enough to allow this. The gun can therefore be mounted at the top of the turret, which may allow the turret to be smaller and lighter. In an oscillating design, the gun and the upper part of the turret move as a unit, so no extra room is needed. In a conventional design, the clearance between the breech of the gun and the ceiling inside the turret determines how far the gun can be depressed. There are three primary advantages: higher placement of the gun in the turret, smaller turret size, and easier fitment of an autoloader. SK-105 Kürassier 19 ton light tank of the Bolivian Army with 105mm gun in oscillating turret, 2007