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U50/100 Universal Tank

2026-10-08T02:17:44Z

Nickygio:

{{Infobox weapon|name=U50/100 Universal Tank|image=U50-100.png|caption=U50/100B during the UNICORN OSTFOR Mission, 1960|origin={{Flagicon image|Zandas.png}} [[Zandas]] Republic|type=Main Battle Tank|is_vehicle=yes|service=1950-1984|used_by={{Flagicon image|Zandas.png}} Zandas Republic|designer=Natuska Automotive
Office of Military Investigation and Research|design_date=1948-1950|manufacturer=Natuska Automotive
Reaper Motorworks|production_date=1950-1955|number=545

(421 for the Army)

(124 for the Marine Corps)|variants=U50/100B

U50/100BC

U50R

U50-2C STBC

U50/100MD|weight=36 tons|length=23ft 4in (7.1m)|width=8ft 7 in (2.62m)|height=7ft 5in (2.3m)|crew=4|armour=110m at 45° on the upper front plate
140mm on the turret face|speed=56kph|vehicle_range=400km}}The U50/100 Universal Tank was an important stepping stone in [[Zandas]] Armored development. This tank saw service with the small nation through several crises and while it never saw combat, it proved an effective deterrent to foreign aggression. Kept in service far longer than it was expected to, the platform produced several variants. Many tankers were fond of the design and reliability of the vehicle and it was utilized by both the Zandas Army and Marine Corps before being retired.

==History==
[[File:U50A.png|left|thumb|A U50/100, 1st Republican Army (East) in 1960. This vehicle in particular remained virtually unchanged since it departed the factory in 1951]]
After the failure of the [[U46/85 Medium Tank|U46/85]] in 1946, OMIR (Office of Military Research and Investigation) and Natuska Automotive got to work designing a new turret, weapon, and power-plant that could be used on the existing chassis from the last project. Following the Meyuer Doctrine, the tank was only built with domestic parts and weapons. The [[U42/85 Medium Tank|U42/85]] that was in service was becoming obsolete and a more powerful tank was required. In the beginning of 1950 the U50/100 prototype underwent testing and after some changes was accepted into service at the end of that year. Equipped with a better engine, gun, and protection, the U50/100 began to replace the U42/85 in frontline service. However, factory production was slow to get the new tank out in considerable numbers in the early years, due to machining issues and a workers strike in 1952.

As tensions with neighboring [[Chaldyria]] rose, the Army placed an initial order of 275 tanks in 1950. Over the next five years, the total number of tanks ordered would rise to 545, even with the resolution of the tensions with Chaldyria. The Army now cited possible future [[UNICORN]] commitments for the increase in production, and the Marine Corps requested some as well. However, production was slow, due to the 1952 worker's strike in the Natuska Automotive factory in Fitato as well as a steel shortage. With lower productivity of the iron mines after several mine collapses, steel was at a premium in the small nation. Tank production slowed from 1952-1955, and stopped all together with the 1956 recession and the resulting Army budget cuts.

The vehicle was the premier armored vehicle for the nation after its introduction in 1950. It saw minor upgrades beginning in 1953. The vehicles were upgraded with an improved engine, additional targeting systems and ammunition for the 100mm gun, and smoke launchers. This upgrade was then known as the U50/100B. While the Armored Battalions of the Army desired further improvements, this upgrade brought them into a somewhat competitive state with foreign tank designs. From 1953-1956, 342 Army tanks were brought up or built to to this new standard. The program was cut with the 1956 recession. It was this variant that took part in the Zandas contribution to the UNICORN OSTFOR Mission from 1960-1964. These were the first Zandian tanks ever deployed on foreign soil.

Several modifications to the vehicles occurred over the years, including the conversion to engineering vehicles and mine plow equipped tanks. In 1965, the [[U65/105 Universal Tank|U65/105]] and [[U59/115 Main Battle Tank|U59/115]] Universal Tanks officially replaced the U50/100 in frontline roles. Out of the 421 U50/100 tanks produced for the Army, 79 were still the baseline version. These tanks were kept as spares and finally were relinquished and scrapped in 1968. Many of the remaining tanks of the ‘B’ variant were upgraded further to the 'D' variant, and some further to the 'ZD' variant. These vehicles served alongside their successors in secondary roles until the mid 1970's, when they were put into reserve and eventually retired. The last of the U50 platform to be retired was the U50R Engineering vehicle, which was retired in 1984.

==Development==
[[File:Projecy U-43.png|left|thumb|The first U-43 test vehicle in early 1950. Note the smaller turret, which would later be redesigned after test crew complaints]]
Taking the chassis from the U46/85, work began on a new design for a ‘universal tank’ at the beginning of 1947. This was given the name Proyekt U-43 (or just Proyekt 43) Universal Tank Project. The idea was to design a tank that could serve multiple roles on the battlefield at once, and in such numbers that it would bring a decisive victory. It used a similar torsion bar suspension to that of the [[U42/85 Medium Tank|U42/85]]. It was determined the torsion bar suspension that was in use was adequate for Zandian terrain and would reduce costs and development time of the new tank. The chassis was given an additional 30mm of armor on the front, up to a total of 110mm. The turret ring was also widened to house a larger turret for a larger gun. The turret had a new unique rounded design, and was 140mm thick in the front. It also housed a DW-10 100mm cannon, the most powerful cannon the Zandas Republic had at the time. A new engine and transmission were custom built around the space allocated inside the machine, allowing for a speed of 56kph and an estimated range of 400 km. By the beginning of 1950, the first prototype of the tank rolled out of the factory and onto the proving grounds.

Results from the 1950 tests for the prototype were mixed. While the rounded turret was effective in deflecting incoming rounds from many angles, the cramped turret decreased the effectiveness of the crew. At the end of 1950 a new, rounded turret was introduced, and was approved for production. The U50/100 began to slowly replace the U42/85 at the very end of 1950.
[[File:P U45.png|thumb|Proyekt U45 with the 105mm DW-15 cannon installed, 1958. After initial testing, crews refused to enter the turret again due to the cramped conditions inside.]]
1958 saw the introduction of the DW-15 105mm tank cannon, and an attempt was made to fit the new gun into the turret of the U50/100B. Proyekt U45 was conducted in the same year, and while the gun could physically fit in the turret, the inside of the turret was incredibly cramped the three crew members found it extremely difficult to even get in. Additionally, the cannon had virtually no elevation angles, with only +5/-2 degrees of elevation and depression. To rework the turret would cost too much for the underfunded Army in the late 50's and the project was scrapped in favor allocating resources towards the upcoming replacement tank program.

== Use and Operation ==
[[File:U50B.png|thumb|A U50/100B during the UNICORN OSTFOR Mission. The tank was generally complimented by allied crews, mostly due to its simplicity. The tank preformed well on the international stage, but its limitations did not go unnoticed. ]]The U50/100 and its variants were in operation from 1950-1984. It was used domestically only, despite some foreign inquiry soon after development. With a limited industrial base in the early 1950's, OMIR determined that the factories could not produce the desired amount for the Army and Marine Corps while fulfilling foreign contracts within a reasonable time.

=== Zandas Army ===
Officially adopted by the Army in December 1950, the first run of the tanks were allocated to the Army. Beginning in 1951 crews began to train on the new vehicle and they slowly replaced the U42/85 Medium Tank. By 1954 the tanks completely took over the role in frontline service, and were deployed to every base that housed an armored unit.

Army crews tended to appreciate the tank for its speed and reliability, although there were complaints about the small three man turret, even after the revisions made during development. In time, Zandian tankers began openly complaining about the lack of power behind the 100mm cannon, worried about being unable to effectively engage modern enemy armor. These complaints were a priority for the ongoing Project U71, the project that would result in the U65/105.

The tanks of the 3rd Armored Battalion, 1st Armored Infantry Brigade, 2nd Republican Army (West) were deployed to [[Osterrecht]] in 1960 as part of the [[UNICORN]] mission there known as OSTFOR. These tanks, along with allied vehicles, held the line at the Danau DMZ, protecting Osterrecht from Communist aggression. They had the honor of being the first Zandian tanks ever deployed on foreign soil. Over the next four years several over tank units were rotated through the OSTFOR mission until its abrupt cancellation by PM Hoya in 1964.

It stayed in frontline service until 1970, being fully replaced by the U65/105 and U59/115 by that point. With the increase of budget in 1965 new modifications were introduced that kept the vehicles serving as second-line tanks and support vehicles. These variants survived in Army service well into the 1970's and early 80's, with the last being the U50R, which was retired in 1984.

=== Zandas Marine Corps ===
The Marines received their first 10 tanks for training in 1953, and only received their full order in late 1955. With priority going to the army for the new tank, the slowly delivered tanks served alongside their predecessor, the U42/85. 124 tanks would be delivered to several Marine bases across the nation. 110 of these tanks would be produced from the factory with the U50/100B modifications.

Marine U50/100Bs were briefly considered to assist HARPSICHORD forces during the 1960 [[Tamerlindian War of Independence|Tamerlindian Civil War]], however, this was deemed excessive as the allied forces already had a sufficient armor and the government did not want to commit boots on the ground.

The U50/100 would serve alongside the amphibious UA60/76, as a second line breakthrough vehicle after the light amphibious vehicles cleared a suitable area for large landing craft to offload the heavier tanks.

Marine tankers had similar compliments and complaints to their Army counterparts about the tanks. In 1961 the Marine Corps requested designs for an extensive upgrade package for the vehicle, allowing it to preform better on soft ground, such as sand, and for improved survivability. This resulted in the U50/100MD modification in 1963, and a total of 84 of the U50/100B tanks in service with the Marines would receive this upgrade. A new, more powerful engine was added, and wider tanks were installed. These in combination were shown to improve performance in soft sand. An additional set of smoke launchers were added to each side of the turret, and side skirts were added to protect against flanking shaped-charges. However, crews did not welcome this new addition, as it became more difficult to remove debris, dried mud, or wet sand from the road wheels and tracks, and made maintenance more difficult overall.

The 'MD' served in frontline roles until 1974, with the other modifications seeing limited use or were put in reserve. It served alongside the U65/105, which itself was in limited numbers. The 'MD's was placed in reserve in 1978, and were later scrapped.

==Variants==
===U50/100B===
The 1953 development of the upgraded version, the U50/100B, brought important advancements to the platform. Improvements included the installation of a more efficient and powerful engine, a new rangefinder, and a new HE round for the 100mm. It also brought the standard smoke launcher upgrades that were widespread across all army vehicles at this time. 342 tanks were this variant by the time the 1956 recession hit, and the project was cut. Nonetheless, over 80% of tanks received these important upgrades. These tanks were the premier version of the U50/100 in widespread service, and would represent Zandas amongst its UNICORN allies during the OSTFOR mission from 1960-1964. In turn, many of these would go on to receive additional upgrades and alterations over the years, with any remaining U50/100Bs being retired in 1970.

===U50/100BC===
[[File:U50BC.png|thumb|Introduced into tank columns in 1966, this tank served as a test bed for the B-29 mine-plow, allowing for similar installations on the new U65/105 tanks]]
In 1958, further experimentation was conducted on the U50/100B platform with the installation of mine clearing plows. Designed to clear a path of mines before other armored vehicles arrived, the new plow was tested and equipped on 24 tanks, now known as U50/100BC variants. These were delivered to armor companies in mid to late 1965. The new B-29 plow would end up on the newer U65/105 tanks as well after being successfully tested on the U50 chassis first. These vehicles would serve in active roles until 1972.[[File:U50MD.png|thumb|U50/100MD as seen in Marine Corps service in 1965|left]]

=== U50/100MD ===
Designed in 1961 and produced in 1963, 84 Marine Corps tanks received this upgrade. An extra set of smoke launchers were added on either side of the turret to conceal the tank after landing. It was equipped with a stronger engine and wider tracks to quickly escape a sandy beach and not get bogged down. It also was equipped with side skirts to help combat shaped-charged attacks. While not a perfect upgrade, it remained in frontline service with the Marine Corps until 1974, and was retired in 1978.

===U50R===
Using the improved engine of the ‘B’ variant and adding gear sets designed for high torque, work began on a true armored engineering vehicle in 1962. The turret was removed and replaced with a crane and a structure to house the new hydraulic components. It was also equipped with a dozer blade for earth moving. The new crane and winch system could easily remove engines, turrets, and transmission from other armored vehicles in the field, and could even drag the newer, heavier tanks back to a repair depot if needed. The vehicle retained its smoke launchers for concealment and had a single light machinegun for defense. 76 of these new vehicles, the U50R, were produced and distributed to engineering companies. These vehicles would finally be retired from service in 1984, making them the longest lived of the U50 platform.
{| class="wikitable"
|+Showcase of the U50R with its recovery boom stored and deployed
|[[File:U50r.png]]
|[[File:U50r2.png]]
|}
[[File:U50 D.png|left|thumb|The U50/100D brought the vehicle back to a relatively modern standard after lagging behind for years.]]

=== U50/100D ===
With an increased budget and the completion of the hellish development of the U65/105, money was available for modifications to the U50/100B. Upgrades were desperately needed to increase both protection and firepower, and to add modern systems to the 15 year old tanks. The vehicles were installed with new spaced armor plates on the turret checks and the hull front, along with side skirts. These were meant to provide additional protection to shape-charged weapons. The DW-10 cannon received new ammunition, including a new APFSDS round that could penetrate 268mm of armor at 500m. Additional upgrades included the replacement of the optics and rangefinders with modern versions, the modification of the commander's cupola for better visibility, and replacement view ports for the driver. 245 U50/100B tanks received the new modifications to the U50/100D variant from 1965-1968. These tanks served alongside the new U65/105 and U59/115 tanks until their orders were filled, and then served in secondary roles supporting the frontline tanks. They served in this role until 1975, when they were put in reserve, and most were scrapped starting in 1979.
[[File:U50 ZD.png|thumb|With the introduction of the P20 Missile in 1969, the U50/100 tank could engage the most heavily armored targets on the battlefield, albeit in a limited capacity. ]]

=== U50/100ZD ===
With the proposal to create a tank armed with a new gun-launcher design in 1968, the idea was floated to install ATGMs to current tanks to increase their lethality to heavily armored targets in the meantime. Utilizing the U50/100D platform, a launch rail was installed on top of the main cannon and connected to the gunner's controls through a hole next to the co-axial machine-gun. A new sight was added for the new Belakrainian 6Z4 missile, known as the P20 ATGM in Zandian service. This new missile could easily penetrate over 400mm of RHA. This firepower would greatly increase the effectiveness and viability of the U50 platform, however it came with some drawbacks. The missile would have to be reloaded manually, meaning a crew member would have to exit the vehicle to put a new missile on the rail and wire it correctly. Main gun ammunition was reduced to carry three reloads of the weapon, and a new storage location would be used to handle the reload missiles. The sight was crude, and gunners often had a difficult time training the wire-guided missile onto target effectively. Nonetheless, the Army saw the system as a stop-gap along side the dated [[PTL-12 Transport|PTL-12M]] Missile Carrier until the U50-2C STBC would take over the role. 26 vehicles were upgraded with the 'ZD' modification, and the would serve from 1969-1975.

===U50-2C STBC===
[[File:U50 STBC Proto.png|left|thumb|1969 Prototype of the STBC. This was in the midst of the many struggles with the gun-launcher ]]
[[File:U50 STBC.png|thumb|Training Exercise 'Operation Eagle', 1976]]
Relying mostly on kinetic armaments for anti-tank work, an experiment was started using the U50/100B chassis for an armored missile carrier. The only current ATGM vehicle in the arsenal, the PTL-12M was also needing replacement as it was incredibly outdated. In 1968 a proposal was made to create a gun-launcher, to allow the tanks to fire ATGMs as well as HE rounds. However the new system proved troublesome, and after a long process and a redesign of the turret, the new launcher system was installed in 1969. It was called the Sensor-guided Targeting Ballistic Computer, or STBC for short. The new modification was designated the U50-2C STBC in 1970. This new system was revolutionary for the Zandian Army, but had significant teething issues. The STBC was often referred to as ‘Sh*tting The Bed Constantly’ by the crews that operated them, as the launcher often malfunctioned and was difficult to use. In one case early after adoption, the ammunition misfired and ignited inside of the barrel, killing the tank’s gunner and loader, severely injuring the commander and narrowly avoided cooking the rest of the tank’s ammunition off. Even after these major flaws were fixed in 1976, crews still despised the new modification of the venerable chassis, and fortunately the U50-2 STBC never saw combat. Only 50 U50/100B hulls were fitted with the STBC system, and all were decommissioned in 1982.

== Media ==
The U50/100 Universal Tank is often referred to by its nickname of ‘Huntsman’ in modern media, however there is no documentation of tankers or troops using this name while it was in service. The name was coined in the 1982 novel ‘Desert Wall’ by Sergei Gradolite, a historical fiction book about tensions with Chaldyria boiling over in 1952. The book revolves around a U50/100 tank crew, and the crew named their tank ‘Huntsman’. With the success of the novel, some called all U50/100s 'Huntsman', and this spread around in military circles. The idea took off like wildlife with the invention of the internet and of online military forums. People worldwide recognize the vehicle as the ‘Huntsman’, although it never wore that title. Troops would only refer to it as the U50/100, or more often just U50.

Army troops named some vehicles in the late 1950’s but didn’t start naming tank series until 1965, with the introduction of the U65/105 ‘Steel Horse’ and the U59/115 ‘Belak’. This was initially done to differentiate between the two new tanks, but it spread to naming nearly all vehicles in the Army’s inventory to the modern day.

== Surviving Examples ==
Four examples of the U50/100 remain in museums. A U50/100B that served in the OSTFOR Mission, a U50-2C STBC, and a U50/100ZD live at the National Military History Museum in the Capital in Brecton. One Marine U50/100MD is on display at the Negelenor Naval Base outside the Capital. {{Zandas Military Vehicles}}

U42/85 Medium Tank

2026-10-06T20:53:47Z

Nickygio: /* U42/155 Self-propelled Gun */

{{Infobox weapon|name=U42/85 Medium Tank|type=Medium Tank|service=1942-1965|used_by={{Flagicon image|Zandas.png}} Zandas Republic|is_vehicle=Yes|origin={{Flagicon image|Zandas.png}} [[Zandas]] Republic|designer=Natuska Automotive
Office of Military Investigation and Research|design_date=1941|manufacturer=Natuska Automotive
Alcua Locomotive Works|production_date=1942-1950|number=648

(480 for the Army)

(168 for the Marines)|variants=U42/76

U42/85

U42/85B

ZU42/100 Tank Destroyer

U42/155 SPG|weight=32 Tons|length=22ft 8in (6.9m)|width=8ft 7 in (2.62m)|height=7ft 10 in (2.4)|crew=4|max_range=350km|armour=45mm at 45° (max)|primary weapon=DW-5|vehicle_range=350km|secondary weapon=7.62mm|Primary Weapon=DW-5|image=U42-85.png|Gun=DW-7|caption=A U42/85 in 1948 sporting 1st Republican Army (East) camouflage
(Credit to Moriskov)}}Vital to providing security to the [[Zandas|Zandas Republic]] while the world was at war, the U42/85 served well in its role as a capable domestically produced medium tank. While never seeing combat, the platform would continue to serve the nation long after the global conflict ended for both the Army and the Marines.

== History ==
[[File:U42-85 Company HQ Tank.png|left|thumb|A U42/85 serving as the Company HQ Tank for K Company, 3rd Armored Battalion, 2nd Armored Infantry Brigade, 3rd Republican Army (East), 1950]]
In the early years of the [[Ten Years' War|Ten Years’ War]], the [[Zandas]] Military feared an invasion from [[Iron League]] forces due to its trade agreement with [[Belakraine]]. Starting the war with woefully outdated U35/47 tanks, production began in 1940 on a medium tank. The Army requested a capable, reliable, and easy to manufacture tank that could fulfill multiple roles. This was a product of the Meyuer Doctrine, with the Army relying on domestically built equipment during the war. The result of this request would enter service in 1942, known as the U42/76 Medium Tank. Armed with a 76.2mm cannon and was protected by 45mm of frontal armor at a 45 degree angle, the U42 was well protected from light and medium anti-tank weaponry in 1942. It could reach a top speed of 48kph and had an operational range of 350km. It was also armed with two 7.62mm machine guns, one co-axial, and one by the commander’s hatch. An order of 500 tanks was made in 1942 but only 182 would enter service by 1944. After evaluating the performance of the gun compared to the newest armor from the Iron League and allies, the gun was considered underpowered. A new, more powerful gun was equipped in a new turret that would fit on the existing chassis. The new tank, the U42/85, was accepted into service in early 1945, with all new U42 tanks produced after this equipped with the new gun, resulting in an additional 324 tanks. All units using the 76mm were converted to the 85mm by 1947.

The U42/85 was still the backbone of the armored forces in 1950, due to the limited introduction of the failed stopgap, the [[U46/85 Medium Tank|U46/85]]. A modification was introduced to field the 100mm cannon, however this was a casemate rather than a turreted design on only 75 vehicles were converted. With the success of Project U-43 in 1950, the [[U50/100 Universal Tank]] was brought into service later that year, and the U42/85 was slowly sidelined as the new tank came online. In the late 1950’s the military decided to sell their reserve stock of tanks as there was a sufficient number of U50/100s, but there was little foreign interest. The U42/85 remained in reserve and in training units until the early 1960’s. In 1960, 118 tanks were converted to U42/155 Self Propelled Guns. All unconverted tanks were scrapped in 1965 after the introduction of the [[U65/105 Universal Tank|U65/105]] and [[U59/115 Main Battle Tank|U59/115]] Universal Tanks, ending over two decades of service in the medium tank role.

== Development ==
In 1940 a design for a medium tank was requested by the Army. It was required that the tank have 45-55mm of frontal armor, could reach speeds over 40kph, and could be armed with the DW-2 76.2mm cannon. Three designs came in, with the design from Natuska Automotive winning the contest. The vehicle had 45mm of armor sloped at a 45° angle, could reach up to 48kph on level ground and was armed with the DW-2 with impressive elevation and depression angles. However, with the introduction of the Meuyer Doctrine in 1939, the army requested the vehicle use a similar suspension to that of the P44 light tank project that was also in development. Natuska engineers struggled to implement the suspension into their tank. This resulting in the gutting of the entire chassis and starting from scratch. This delayed the process by nearly another year, finally being accepted into service in mid-1942.

Engineers at Kingfisher Armories worked for months after receiving a new request from the army in late 1942 to produce a high velocity cannon capable of penetrating over 125mm of armor. The new weapon was tested in mid 1943 and was capable of penetrating over 142mm of armor from 100 meters and 131mm at 1000m. However, this new DW-7 cannon could not fit in the existing turret of the U42/76. Natuska Automotive and OMIR were tasked with creating a new turret capable of handling the new weapon and being compatible with the new tank. After several months of trial and error, the new PG-3 turret was produced and was tested on the chassis in 1944. After several teething issues were solved, the new turret was approved for production, on the newly named U42/85 tank at the end of that year.

== Use and Operation ==
U42/85s were the backbone of Zandian armored formations from its introduction until the end of 1950. They were used as the main force of any armored operations and saw use around the small nation. From the Oneon Mountains, to the fertile grasslands of the North, and the vast steppes and deserts, the tank served with the Army and the Marines.

=== Army ===
The closest the vehicle got to seeing combat was in early 1951 when tensions with Chaldyria were high. With a border incursion from Chaldyrian aircraft the year prior, officials responded with increased anti-aircraft defenses and mobile radar stations. They were supplemented by elements of the 3rd Republican Army (East), including 1st, 2nd, and 4th battalions being sent out West to conduct military exercises near the border with short notice. This included the U42/85 tanks of the armored companies. They were deployed there for three months before being rotated out. This would continue until the easing of tensions in 1952

== Variants ==
[[File:U42-75.png|left|thumb|U42/76 in 1944 1st Republican Army (East). Only a limited number of this tank was produced before the more powerful 85mm cannon was introduced. ]]
=== U42/76 ===
Initially designed in early 1941 with a medium velocity 76.2mm cannon, the U42/76 had sufficient firepower. However, once in production in 1942 it was clear the design would not keep up with the fast pace of armor effectiveness and thickness advancements due to the TYW. These tanks were produced anyway even with their shortcomings to have a relatively modern tank in service until a better armed variant could be developed. The initial run of 182 U42/76 tanks were eventually brought back to the factory starting in 1945 and had their turrets replaced with the PG-3 85mm turret by the end of 1947.[[File:U42 winter.png|thumb|A U42/85 crew waits for their tracks to thaw as the track pads froze to the road wheels overnight during a 1951 training exercise in the Oneon Mountains. These tanks saw service across the nation, from the hot deserts to the cold mountain tops ]]
=== U42/85 ===
The U42/85 served at the heart of Zandian Army Armored formations throughout the war and into the post-war peace era. With its larger turret and more powerful cannon, crews were initially happy with its performance. However, in the post-war environment it was clear a replacement was necessary even with the upgraded gun. Tank armor had far outpaced the medium tank during the war and tests with captured Iron League tanks given to them by allies proved the DW-7 cannon lacked the penetration to combat modern tanks. However, the tank still preformed well in exercises in infantry support and flanking attacks. The tank served in the secondary line and eventually reserves as the successful U50/100 design replaced them in armored columns. By 1965 most vehicles were scrapped or used as targets.
[[File:U4285B.png|left|thumb|A U42/85B of the 1st Republican Army (East) in 1956. Note the new searchlight, smoke launchers, and improved commanders hatch.]]

=== U42/85B ===
The U42/85 would briefly serve alongside its replacement from late 1950-1953 while production of the U50/100 still ramped up. They would then serve in second line roles after the introduction of the U50/100B variant. In 1954 some tanks began to receive upgrades in an attempt to keep them as a somewhat effective modern platform even in second line service. These upgrades included a strengthened suspension, new communications, and the addition of the standard smoke launcher upgrades. Only 67 of these new vehicles, the U42/85B, would be upgraded by 1956, when the program was cut due to the recession. These vehicles would also be kept in limited service until 1965, when they began to be scrapped.[[File:ZU42-100.png|thumb|The short superstructure provided little protection to the ZU42/100's gun crew, both from enemy fire and the elements. This vehicle was photographed outside Fort Alcut on a training exercise in 1950 before the implementation of the new U50/100 tanks]]
=== ZU42/100 Tank Destroyer ===
In an attempt to increase the firepower of the U42 chassis, a series of design studies commenced to add the new DW-10 100mm cannon to the vehicle in late 1948. The gun was too large for the turret in service, and a larger turret could not be mounted on the chassis. The turret was eventually removed all together, resulting in a casemate design. The new vehicle retained its hull armor, but had relatively thin protection on the new superstructure that housed the powerful cannon. It was also open-topped, to the protest of crews assigned to the new vehicle. As it lacked a turret, it was designated as a tank destroyer, even though the purpose of the studies was to produce a stop-gap medium tank. In mid-1949 75 U42/85 tanks were retrofitted to this specification. With the introduction of the U50/100 tank in 1950, which mounted the same cannon, the vehicle was due to be replaced. However, with the troublesome early production run the U50/100 had, the ZU42/100 stayed in service until 1954, and the vehicles were placed in reserve. They were scrapped with the cost cutting measures following the 1956 recession. [[File:U42 155 w crew.png|thumb|A U42/155 SPG of 2nd Republican Army (West) conducting Training Exercise 'Operation Sunburn' in Summer 1963|left]]
=== U42/155 Self-propelled Gun ===
In 1960 work began on a replacement for the [[PTL-12 Transport|ZU-8 Mobile Artillery Platform]], which was retired in 1956 due in part to its poor mobility and overloaded chassis. Its role was partially succeeded by the [[GMS Z46 Truck|GMS Z55(142) Mobile Rocket Artillery Vehicle]]. While the Z55(142) provided significant artillery fire-support, the vehicles were just not mobile enough to keep up with frontline units through any sort of difficult terrain. With numerous obsolete U42/85 tanks in reserve, the decision was made to combine the powerful 155mm cannon from the old ZU-8 with the mobility of the venerable U42 chassis. Significant changes to the turret were required to accommodate the artillery cannon, resulting in an open top design with thin armor plates along the reworked portions. The resulting vehicle, now named the U42/155 Self Propelled Gun, weighed fractionally more than the original, and therefore retained much of its mobility. 118 tanks were converted to self-propelled guns. The turret was designed with folding hatches along the sides to allow for ammunition to be loaded easier, however, crews on the hot steppes quickly learned that opening these hatches allowed for improved ventilation as well. Crews were also issued camouflaged sun shades while resting, after much protest over the conditions inside the turrets on summer days. These vehicles were retired in 1972, marking the end of the U42 legacy.

== Surviving Examples ==
Four vehicles of the U42 chassis still exist today. Two U42/85s exist as museum pieces, one at the National Military History Museum in the Capital in Brecton, and one at the gates of Fort Alcut. A third vehicle is found on the Fort Alcut proving ground. However, this one is serves as an example of a target, showcasing the effectiveness of the P16 ATGM, the nation's first ATGM. Finally, an example of a U42/155 that served in the OSTFOR Mission is on display next to the other U42 at the National Military History Museum. {{Zandas Military Vehicles}}

File:U42-85 Company HQ Tank.png

2026-10-06T20:50:39Z

Nickygio:

U42/85 Company HQ Tank

U42/85 Medium Tank

2026-10-06T00:33:56Z

Nickygio: /* U42/85 */

{{Infobox weapon|name=U42/85 Medium Tank|type=Medium Tank|service=1942-1965|used_by={{Flagicon image|Zandas.png}} Zandas Republic|is_vehicle=Yes|origin={{Flagicon image|Zandas.png}} [[Zandas]] Republic|designer=Natuska Automotive
Office of Military Investigation and Research|design_date=1941|manufacturer=Natuska Automotive
Alcua Locomotive Works|production_date=1942-1950|number=648

(480 for the Army)

(168 for the Marines)|variants=U42/76

U42/85

U42/85B

ZU42/100 Tank Destroyer

U42/155 SPG|weight=32 Tons|length=22ft 8in (6.9m)|width=8ft 7 in (2.62m)|height=7ft 10 in (2.4)|crew=4|max_range=350km|armour=45mm at 45° (max)|primary weapon=DW-5|vehicle_range=350km|secondary weapon=7.62mm|Primary Weapon=DW-5|image=U42-85.png|Gun=DW-7|caption=A U42/85 in 1950 sporting 1st Republican Army (East) camouflage
(Credit to Moriskov)}}Vital to providing security to the [[Zandas|Zandas Republic]] while the world was at war, the U42/85 served well in its role as a capable domestically produced medium tank. While never seeing combat, the platform would continue to serve the nation long after the global conflict ended for both the Army and the Marines.

== History ==
In the early years of the [[Ten Years' War|Ten Years’ War]], the [[Zandas]] Military feared an invasion from [[Iron League]] forces due to its trade agreement with [[Belakraine]]. Starting the war with woefully outdated U35/47 tanks, production began in 1940 on a medium tank. The Army requested a capable, reliable, and easy to manufacture tank that could fulfill multiple roles. This was a product of the Meyuer Doctrine, with the Army relying on domestically built equipment during the war. The result of this request would enter service in 1942, known as the U42/76 Medium Tank. Armed with a 76.2mm cannon and was protected by 45mm of frontal armor at a 45 degree angle, the U42 was well protected from light and medium anti-tank weaponry in 1942. It could reach a top speed of 48kph and had an operational range of 350km. It was also armed with two 7.62mm machine guns, one co-axial, and one by the commander’s hatch. An order of 500 tanks was made in 1942 but only 182 would enter service by 1944. After evaluating the performance of the gun compared to the newest armor from the Iron League and allies, the gun was considered underpowered. A new, more powerful gun was equipped in a new turret that would fit on the existing chassis. The new tank, the U42/85, was accepted into service in early 1945, with all new U42 tanks produced after this equipped with the new gun, resulting in an additional 324 tanks. All units using the 76mm were converted to the 85mm by 1947.

The U42/85 was still the backbone of the armored forces in 1950, due to the limited introduction of the failed stopgap, the [[U46/85 Medium Tank|U46/85]]. A modification was introduced to field the 100mm cannon, however this was a casemate rather than a turreted design on only 75 vehicles were converted. With the success of Project U-43 in 1950, the [[U50/100 Universal Tank]] was brought into service later that year, and the U42/85 was slowly sidelined as the new tank came online. In the late 1950’s the military decided to sell their reserve stock of tanks as there was a sufficient number of U50/100s, but there was little foreign interest. The U42/85 remained in reserve and in training units until the early 1960’s. In 1960, 118 tanks were converted to U42/155 Self Propelled Guns. All unconverted tanks were scrapped in 1965 after the introduction of the [[U65/105 Universal Tank|U65/105]] and [[U59/115 Main Battle Tank|U59/115]] Universal Tanks, ending over two decades of service in the medium tank role.

== Development ==
In 1940 a design for a medium tank was requested by the Army. It was required that the tank have 45-55mm of frontal armor, could reach speeds over 40kph, and could be armed with the DW-2 76.2mm cannon. Three designs came in, with the design from Natuska Automotive winning the contest. The vehicle had 45mm of armor sloped at a 45° angle, could reach up to 48kph on level ground and was armed with the DW-2 with impressive elevation and depression angles. However, with the introduction of the Meuyer Doctrine in 1939, the army requested the vehicle use a similar suspension to that of the P44 light tank project that was also in development. Natuska engineers struggled to implement the suspension into their tank. This resulting in the gutting of the entire chassis and starting from scratch. This delayed the process by nearly another year, finally being accepted into service in mid-1942.

Engineers at Kingfisher Armories worked for months after receiving a new request from the army in late 1942 to produce a high velocity cannon capable of penetrating over 125mm of armor. The new weapon was tested in mid 1943 and was capable of penetrating over 142mm of armor from 100 meters and 131mm at 1000m. However, this new DW-7 cannon could not fit in the existing turret of the U42/76. Natuska Automotive and OMIR were tasked with creating a new turret capable of handling the new weapon and being compatible with the new tank. After several months of trial and error, the new PG-3 turret was produced and was tested on the chassis in 1944. After several teething issues were solved, the new turret was approved for production, on the newly named U42/85 tank at the end of that year.

== Use and Operation ==
U42/85s were the backbone of Zandian armored formations from its introduction until the end of 1950. They were used as the main force of any armored operations and saw use around the small nation. From the Oneon Mountains, to the fertile grasslands of the North, and the vast steppes and deserts, the tank served with the Army and the Marines.

=== Army ===
The closest the vehicle got to seeing combat was in early 1951 when tensions with Chaldyria were high. With a border incursion from Chaldyrian aircraft the year prior, officials responded with increased anti-aircraft defenses and mobile radar stations. They were supplemented by elements of the 3rd Republican Army (East), including 1st, 2nd, and 4th battalions being sent out West to conduct military exercises near the border with short notice. This included the U42/85 tanks of the armored companies. They were deployed there for three months before being rotated out. This would continue until the easing of tensions in 1952

== Variants ==
[[File:U42-75.png|left|thumb|U42/76 in 1944 1st Republican Army (East). Only a limited number of this tank was produced before the more powerful 85mm cannon was introduced. ]]
=== U42/76 ===
Initially designed in early 1941 with a medium velocity 76.2mm cannon, the U42/76 had sufficient firepower. However, once in production in 1942 it was clear the design would not keep up with the fast pace of armor effectiveness and thickness advancements due to the TYW. These tanks were produced anyway even with their shortcomings to have a relatively modern tank in service until a better armed variant could be developed. The initial run of 182 U42/76 tanks were eventually brought back to the factory starting in 1945 and had their turrets replaced with the PG-3 85mm turret by the end of 1947.[[File:U42 winter.png|thumb|A U42/85 crew waits for their tracks to thaw as the track pads froze to the road wheels overnight during a 1951 training exercise in the Oneon Mountains. These tanks saw service across the nation, from the hot deserts to the cold mountain tops ]]
=== U42/85 ===
The U42/85 served at the heart of Zandian Army Armored formations throughout the war and into the post-war peace era. With its larger turret and more powerful cannon, crews were initially happy with its performance. However, in the post-war environment it was clear a replacement was necessary even with the upgraded gun. Tank armor had far outpaced the medium tank during the war and tests with captured Iron League tanks given to them by allies proved the DW-7 cannon lacked the penetration to combat modern tanks. However, the tank still preformed well in exercises in infantry support and flanking attacks. The tank served in the secondary line and eventually reserves as the successful U50/100 design replaced them in armored columns. By 1965 most vehicles were scrapped or used as targets.
[[File:U4285B.png|left|thumb|A U42/85B of the 1st Republican Army (East) in 1956. Note the new searchlight, smoke launchers, and improved commanders hatch.]]

=== U42/85B ===
The U42/85 would briefly serve alongside its replacement from late 1950-1953 while production of the U50/100 still ramped up. They would then serve in second line roles after the introduction of the U50/100B variant. In 1954 some tanks began to receive upgrades in an attempt to keep them as a somewhat effective modern platform even in second line service. These upgrades included a strengthened suspension, new communications, and the addition of the standard smoke launcher upgrades. Only 67 of these new vehicles, the U42/85B, would be upgraded by 1956, when the program was cut due to the recession. These vehicles would also be kept in limited service until 1965, when they began to be scrapped.[[File:ZU42-100.png|thumb|The short superstructure provided little protection to the ZU42/100's gun crew, both from enemy fire and the elements. This vehicle was photographed outside Fort Alcut on a training exercise in 1950 before the implementation of the new U50/100 tanks]]
=== ZU42/100 Tank Destroyer ===
In an attempt to increase the firepower of the U42 chassis, a series of design studies commenced to add the new DW-10 100mm cannon to the vehicle in late 1948. The gun was too large for the turret in service, and a larger turret could not be mounted on the chassis. The turret was eventually removed all together, producing a casemate design. The new vehicle retained its hull armor, but had relatively thin protection on the new superstructure that housed the powerful cannon. It was also open-topped, to the protest of crews assigned to the new vehicle. As it lacked a turret, it was designated as a tank destroyer, even though the purpose of the studies was to produce a stop-gap medium tank. In mid 1949 75 U42/85 tanks were retrofitted with this layout. With the introduction of the U50/100 tank mounting the same weaponry, the vehicle's days were numbered. However, with the troublesome production run the U50/100 had, the ZU42/100 stayed in service until 1954, and the vehicles were placed in reserve then scrapped soon after. [[File:U42 155 w crew.png|thumb|A U42/155 SPG of 2nd Republican Army (West) conducting Training Exercise 'Operation Sunburn' in Summer 1963|left]]
=== U42/155 Self-propelled Gun ===
In 1960 work began on a replacement for the [[PTL-12 Transport|ZU-8 Mobile Artillery Platform]], which was retired in 1955 due to its poor mobility and overloaded chassis. Its role was partially succeeded by the [[GMS Z46 Truck|GMS Z55(142) Mobile Rocket Artillery Vehicle]]. While the Z55(142) provided significant artillery fire-support, the vehicles were just not mobile enough to keep up with frontline units through any sort of difficult terrain. With numerous obsolete U42/85 tanks in reserve, the decision was made to combine the powerful 155mm cannon from the old ZU-8 with the mobility of the venerable U42 chassis. Significant changes to the turret were required to accommodate the artillery cannon, resulting in an open top design with thin armor plates along the reworked portions. The resulting vehicle, now named the U42/155 Self Propelled Gun, weighed fractionally more than the original, and therefore retained much of its mobility. 118 tanks were converted to self-propelled guns. The turret was designed with folding hatches along the sides to allow for ammunition to be loaded easier, however crews on the hot steppes quickly learned that opening these hatches allowed for improved ventilation as well. Crews were also issued camouflaged sun shades while resting, after much protest over the conditions inside the turrets on summer days.

These vehicles were retired in 1972, marking the end of the U42 legacy.

== Surviving Examples ==
Four vehicles of the U42 chassis still exist today. Two U42/85s exist as museum pieces, one at the National Military History Museum in the Capital in Brecton, and one at the gates of Fort Alcut. A third vehicle is found on the Fort Alcut proving ground. However, this one is serves as an example of a target, showcasing the effectiveness of the P16 ATGM, the nation's first ATGM. Finally an example of a U42/155 that served in the OSTFOR Mission is on display next to the other U42 at the National Military History Museum. {{Zandas Military Vehicles}}

File:U4285B.png

2026-10-06T00:31:49Z

Nickygio:

Upgraded U42/85

PTL-12 Transport

2026-10-06T00:14:33Z

Nickygio: /* ZU-6 */

{{Infobox weapon|name=PTL-12 Transport|image=PLT-12.png|caption=PTL-12B in 1950|origin={{Flagicon image|Zandas.png}} [[Zandas]] Republic|type=Transport|is_vehicle=yes|service=1943-1972|used_by={{Flagicon image|Zandas.png}} Zandas Republic

{{Flagicon image|Mergovina.png}} [[Mergovina]]

{{Flagicon image|SouthHarab.png}} [[South Harab]]

{{Flagicon image|1=VTECFlag.png}} United Tamerlindian Ore Company (before sale was revoked in 1960)

{{Flagicon image|Dahrat.png}} [[Dahrat]] (through Mergovina)

{{Flagicon image|Ordevita.png}} [[Ordevita]] (through Mergovina)

{{Flagicon image|Zaponiteli.png}} [[Zaponiteli]] (through Mergovina)

{{Flagicon image|WestKursatija.png}} [[West Khursartija]] (through Mergovina)|designer=Reaper Motorworks|design_date=1941-1943|manufacturer=Reaper Motorworks
Mead Truck Company|production_date=1943-1951|number=3,189|variants=PTL-12 A/B/C

ZU-6

ZU-8

PTL-12L

PTL-12M|weight=8.65 tons|length=23ft (7m)|width=6ft 6in (2m)|height=7ft 8in (2.3m)|crew=3|armour=6-12mm|vehicle_range=380km|speed=75kph on road
35kph offroad}}
With nearly four decades in service, the PTL-12 is an iconic [[Zandas|Zandian]] vehicle. From the [[Ten Years' War|TYW]] right through the height of the Zandian-UNICORN Troubles, this all wheel drive vehicle served in various forms throughout the years. Primarily a lightly armored transport, it also served as an anti-tank gun, infantry support vehicle, and even a missile carrier. Serving at home, overseas in OSTFOR, and serving in several nations’ armed forces, it outlived its projected service life by decades. Retired vehicles often served on farms and ranches for years to come, with some reported surviving until the early 2000's.

== History ==
The PTL-12 came from a desire to produce a fast, reliable, a versatile transport for Zandian ground troops. With fears of invasion increasing in the early part of the TYW, a vehicle that could carry responding troops across the rugged terrain of the Zandian steppes and desert was vital. Developed by engineers at Reaper Motorworks, known for their rugged trucks, the PTL-12 was introduced into armored infantry formations in late 1943, followed closely by its smaller relative, the [[PTL-4 Light Transport|PTL-4]], early the next year. From 1943 through 1967, the PTL-12 was the primary mode of protected transportation for infantry.

Upon introduction, the first 100 vehicles were converted to having a flat truck bed instead of seating for troops. This was due to a demand by the Army for a suitable logistical vehicle to replace the failed PG3 trucks in service. With the [[GMS Z46 Truck|Z46]] series several years out from production, the first PTL-12 vehicles served as logistical vehicles, a role it was not designed for. Eventually, after the first 100 vehicles were produced, the vehicle was produced as designed and entered service as a troop transport in 1943. While the initial production run of diesel trucks were produced by Reaper Motorworks, the subsequent switch to a gasoline engine saw production shift to Mead Truck Company factories in 1948.

The vehicle could protect 8 troops from small arms fire and shrapnel. It was capable of towing artillery pieces as well, making it a versatile platform. And while revered by its crews generally, crews suffered during poor weather and winter conditions. Makeshift covers were made by crews, but an official solution was never made by the Army, despite several inquiries.

Starting with the introduction of the PTL-12B in 1948, troops began naming the transport variant the ‘Cougar’. Vehicle crews then adopted the name, and the unofficial name found its way into official documents submitted by high-ranking officers. The name of ‘Cougar’ was officially adopted by the Army for the transport variant in 1950. A similar naming convention continued for future variants, but notably not for the ZU-6 and 8 platforms while they were in service. Some amateur historians have given these two vehicles names after their service ended, however there is no documentation that crews ever referred to their vehicles in such a way.
[[File:PTL-12C 2.png|left|thumb|A PTL-12C 'Cougar' participating in the 1960 training exercise 'Operation Steppe Shield'. One good quality of the vehicle was the excellent visibility the crew had of the surrounding terrain, however it came at the cost of protection.]]
By the mid 1950's the vehicles lagged behind contemporaries with its thin armor, old engine, and open top. Upgrades were being made to the vehicles however, a recession rolled in at the beginning of 1956. With the slashing of the Army's budget, majority of the funds went to improving the [[U50/100 Universal Tank|U50/100]] Universal Tanks. The upgrades to the Cougar stopped, with only 3/4 of all Army vehicles upgraded. These upgrades included the introduction of smoke launchers, an improved communications suite, and an improved transmission. As the 1960's rolled through, the vehicles were showing their age, and while deployed to [[Osterrecht]] for the [[UNICORN]] OSTFOR mission allied crews sympathized with the struggles the Zandian vehicle crews had to go through.

Throughout its service the platform was fitted with various armaments, including 76.2mm and 155mm cannons, 81mm mortar, and the 6Z3 ATGM system. The platform proved itself as more than just a fast transport, providing combat support capabilities for the infantry.

In 1967, the [[PTL-32 Armored Personnel Carrier|PTL-32 Puma]] was introduced, and it was a massive improvement for the soldiers and crews alike. Immediately the Cougar was put into reserve or outright retired as the new transports came online. By 1970 the PTL-12 ceased to function in the transport role, but variants persisted in operation until 1974. The venerable vehicle lasted longer in service than it was ever meant to, but still performed when asked.

== Development ==
[[File:PTL-12 Corthenia Camo.png|thumb|A PTL-12C in Corthenian Theater Camouflage, 1962. Only a few dozen of these vehicles were stationed with the Battalion that was on rotation in the Allied Nation|left]]
In 1941 the Army announced a design project for an all-terrain truck capable of carrying 6-8 men, capable of tow light field weapons, providing bulletproof protection, and have a high speed of at least 70kph on roads. Several companies submitted designs, however the vehicle from Reaper Motorworks, the Kp-12, was chosen. Capable of 75kph on roads and 35kph off-road, the Kp-12 could carry 8 combat loaded troops along with a crew of three. This included a gunner which would cover the dismounting troops with a 7.62mm machine-gun on a mount on the cab. The power-plant and cab of the truck were essentially that of their K-1 series of commercial trucks, equipped with some thin armor plates and a redesigned bed for troop transport. The truck was based on a proven and rugged platform, but there were two issues. The open top was designed to save weight but left the crew passengers completely exposed to artillery fire, debris, and gunfire from elevated positions. The truck was also a diesel, which meant it would share a fuel reserve meant for the tanks, instead of the other gasoline powered cars and trucks already in service. In a time of short supply, such as a conflict, the new trucks and the tanks would both be competing for the same fuel.

The Army decided that positives the vehicle brought to the table outweighed these other issues. Prototypes of the newly named PTL-12 would be tested in late 1942 through 1943, and the initial production would begin later that year. The first PTL-12s would be delivered to troops at the end of 1943.

With the relatively rapid decline in reliability of the PG3 truck, the only large truck in service in 1943, an urgent solution was needed. The Army tasked Reaper Motorworks to modify the PTL-12 that was currently undergoing its initial production to subsidize the logistical forces of the military until a new truck was designed for the role. Within a matter of weeks, the engineers had their answer. Similar to their commercial trucks, the modified vehicle had the entire bed removed and replaced with a flatbed with posts to secure loads. The vehicle could only carry about 1 ton of supplies, and it was produced at the same time as the standard PTL-12, although some production was diverted away from the main line to complete this hurried special order of 100 trucks.

Soon after introduction, some troops began to experiment with the trucks by adding heavy weaponry for mobile support. The Office of Military investigation and Research (OMIR) discovered this and reported it to the Army. The idea of mobile fire support for the infantry with the same chassis as their transport piqued the interest of the Army. A design was ordered to be drafted by Reaper Motorworks for an official version of these vehicles. In late 1944 two vehicles emerged; the ZU-6 Anti-Armor Vehicle and the ZU-8 Artillery Vehicle. With the removal of the troop benches and light weaponry, the vehicles were mounted with a 76.2mm cannon or 155mm cannon respectively. The biggest drawback of these designs was the immense strain placed on the chassis by the large cannons and ammunition. And while the suspensions were replaced by heavier duty parts, the vehicle still suffered more breakdowns than average for the PTL-12 chassis throughout their entire career.

Similar modifications would end up being made to carry a mortar and eventually ATGMs; however, these designs were not plagued with similar suspension issues as these weapon systems weighed significantly less than the old cannons.

In late 1947 the Mead Truck Company would design a gasoline engine that could be installed in the frame of the PTL-12. With the truck’s diesel power-plant being one of the biggest gripes of the Army about the vehicle, they quickly moved to replace it with this new engine. The contract with Reaper Motorworks would end in the middle of 1948, and the Army would approve the Mead Truck Company to build the trucks in the future. The diesel trucks were renamed the ‘A’ version, while the gasoline trucks were named the ‘B’ version.

With the improvement of efficient and more powerful engines, engineers at Mead Truck Company attempted to sell the Army a new gasoline engine for the PTL-12 in 1954. While hesitant to pump more money into the ten-year-old design, there were no other viable transport options available, so the upgrade was approved. From 1954-1956, about 3/4 of the PTL-12Bs would receive the new engine and other small improvements including the updated transmissions and communications suites, and the addition of smoke launchers. The vehicles would receive the new designation of PTL-12C. However, with the recession of 1956, the upgrade program would end due to a lack of funding from the Army.

== Use and Operation ==

=== Army ===
[[File:PTL-12C.png|thumb|A PTL-12C 'Cougar' on a training exercise before being deployed to the OSTFOR Mission in early 1960. ]]Starting service as a troop transport in 1943, the PTL-12 platform became the backbone of Armored Infantry and Support formations for over two decades. They were a common site on all army bases, and all infantry that served during those years were familiar with the vehicles. While never seeing combat, the vehicles went wherever the infantry went. Besides every Army base and outpost in the nation, this including the Zandian base in Corthenia and to Osterrecht in support of the UNICORN OSTFOR Mission. The Army utilized the versatility of the platform to a great extent, producing many variants and upgrades to the chassis over the years. However the drawbacks of the vehicle were apparent from the start, and with the introduction of its replacement the vehicle was phased out quickly from service.

=== Marine Corps ===
Marines used the Cougar sparingly, as they preferred to use and train with the amphibious [[GMS Z46 Truck|GMS ZA46/55]] series of trucks. They began operating the vehicle in 1949 with the PTL-12B variant, later upgrading to the ‘C’ in 1958. They were mostly used to transport troops around Marine bases and serve as OPFOR personnel carriers in training exercises. They also served at the Corthenia Station, rarely leaving Shakercove Naval Base except for joining the Corthenians in exercises. The Marines retired the Cougar in 1969 with the introduction of the PTL-32.

== Foreign Sales ==
From 1956 to early 1960, several hundred PTL-12A and B variants were sold to two nations, [[Mergovina]] and VTEC. Most of these units went to Mergovina, with only 75 unarmed vehicles sold to VTEC. The vehicles lived very different lives depending on which nation they went to.

==== Mergovinian Service ====
[[File:WK_Bankice_I.png|left|thumb|A Mergovinian PTL-12B (OBV-112) in service with the West Khursartija Army, known as the "Bankice" in their service. While the vehicle has had significant modification from Merogvinia, it is still recognizable as a Zandian design.]]Under Mergovinian service, the vehicle was called OBV-112. The Kingdom modified the vehicle to their liking and it served as a transport alongside older [[Belakraine|Belakrainian]] tanks. It was also converted to hold a 40mm cannon for anti-aircraft duties. However the nation was quick to sell off much of their stock of these vehicles as newer vehicles became available. The old OBV-112s were sold to the [[Dahrat|Kingdom of Dahrat]], the [[Ordevita|Republic of Ordevita]], [[West Khursartija]], and much to the dismay of the Zandian government, the [[Zaponiteli|People's Republic of Zaponiteli.]] The vehicles being sold to a [[CERBERUS]] nation was a sore spot amongst Zandian diplomats and contributed to the brief falling out the Zandas and Mergovina had in 1964.

====VTEC Service====
PM Hoya was hesitant to sell to the corporate state in 1960, given their history and questionable ethics. However the two nations enjoyed a healthy trade relationship, and the Office of Military Investigation and Research (OMIR) vetted the sale. PM Hoya even made a public statement that OMIR has vetted that the vehicles will not be used in aggressive actions. He also said the “Zandas reserves the right to reacquire all military assets across the globe if they are believed to cause unnecessary harm to civilians or are used in an unprovoked attack.”

Less than a year later, the [[Tamerlindian War of Independence]] and Operation HARPSICHORD were well underway. There was concern as to whether the vehicles had been armed and if they were being used against Zandian allies, when the infamous photo appeared. A burned out VTEC PTL-4 with a Zandian made LA-16 Recoilless rifle was photographed in Tamerlindia. It was discovered that OMIR Director Ivan Zaitev along with select members of Foreign Intelligence Department secretly negotiated a trade deal with the Tamerlindians. They organized the delivery of armed Zandian military vehicles to VTEC using falsified and forged documents. In exchange, they received stock in VTEC and a cash bribe. An additional 15 armed PTL-12 and 20 armed PTL-4 transports were delivered to VTEC in addition to the legitimate sale made earlier that year. This resulting in the arrest and mass investigation of many within OMIR, and ultimately the Zandian actions in Tamerlindia, resulting in Operation Swift Vengeance. This resulted in the destruction or capture of all Zandian made vehicles in the war torn nation.

==Variants==

===PTL-12A/B/C===
The base model of the PTL-12 was introduced as a troop transport in 1943. With the subsequent changes made to the power-plant from a diesel to gasoline engine in 1948, this new model was considered the 'B' model, while the existing diesel model was re-designated the 'A' model. The last major update to the troop transport version of the vehicle was made in 1956. This included the introduction of the an improved gasoline engine, an improved transmission, a modern communication suite, and smoke grenade launchers. The vehicle was replaced in the troop transport role as soon as the PTL-32 was brought into service starting in 1967. The last Cougars in service were those deployed to Corthenia, which served until late 1970. A small number of these vehicles were present with the Army detachment in Joint Base Shakercove-Orina. They were painted in the special CA-2 camouflage, designed vehicles that were stationed at Orina Army Base in Corthenia.

===ZU-6===
[[File:ZU-8.png|thumb|A ZU-6 mounting the venerable 76.2mm cannon. It was quickly outgunned by the end of the TYW but continued to see limited service through the mid-1950s]]

In 1944 the addition of a powerful 76.2mm anti-tank gun turned the transport into a rapid tank destroyer. Capable of outpacing heavier armored units on roads and easy terrain, they could respond to breakthroughs or set up ambushes with the help of spotters. However, the heavy load of the cannon and ammunition weighed on the chassis and the suspension. With the PTL-12 platform beginning to show it's age in the 1950's, the vehicle was considered for retirement but it was without a suitable replacement. Therefore it saw limited continued service until the vehicles consistently broke down and was considered unreliable. In 1956 it was considered surplus to requirements and removed from service as a cost-cutting measure due to the recession.[[File:ZU-8 2.png|thumb|ZU-8 with its 155mm field cannon trained on a target. While the cannon was excellent, the PTL-12 platform became unreliable after years of stress on the suspension.|left]]

===ZU-8===
The ZU-8 was developed at the same time as the ZU-6, serving in a similar role. Mounting the proven 155mm field cannon, it was designed to support infantry units and quickly move after firing to avoid counter-battery fire. It faced similar challenges as the ZU-6. In 1956 it also was considered surplus to requirements and removed from service as a cost-cutting measure due to the recession. The vehicle did not see a full replacement until the introduction off the superior [[U42/85 Medium Tank|U42/155 SPG]].

=== PTL-12L===
[[File:PTL-12L.png|thumb|A PTL-12L supporting UNICORN troops during the OSTFOR Mission in 1961 during a training exercise.]]
In combat exercises during the early 1950's, the need for close-in fire support was desired. The installation of an 82mm mortar in a PTL-12 gave the infantry a rapid response and mobile platform to receive support from. The new vehicle traded its troop carrying capability for the mortar, crew and ammunition. These new PTL-12L ‘Mongoose’ vehicles were built into armored infantry formations in 1955. The open topped nature of the transport meant that little modification was needed to install and operate the mortar from the vehicle. The platform was replaced when the new PTL-32 was introduced, and the last PTL-12L was retired in 1968.[[File:PLT-12M.png|thumb|The PTL-12M was the only missile-carrier that Zandas deployed to the OSTFOR Mission from 1960-1964.|left]]
=== PTL-12M===
In 1960 the Zandian military produced a license built 6Z3 ATGM from Belakrain, naming it the P16 ATGM. Desperate for anti-armor assets in response to increased tensions from neighboring Chaldyria and CERBERUS, the army mated the missile to the PTL-12 chassis. It was successful enough that it was put into service as the PTL-12M ‘Scorpion’. The vehicle sacrificed its ability to carry troops to instead carry 10 P16 ATGMs. The optically targeted wire-guided missile performed decently for the Zandian Army, allowing for long distance engagements on the open steppe. However the Scorpion itself was plagued with issues. Its small internal size and conversion to a missile carrier caused crews to complain it was cramped. It also began suffering from mechanical breakdowns, as the aging engines and suspension systems were long overdue for overhauls. The platform was successful in terms of implementing strategies for missile carrying vehicles for the Zandians, and was always meant to be a stop gap design. In 1969 it was equipped with the 6Z4 for Belakrain, (P17 in Zandian service), which was a smaller and faster missile but still equally effective. It was eventually retired from service in 1974 after the introduction of the troublesome [[U50/100 Universal Tank|U50-2C STBC]] in 1972.

===PTL-12U===
Briefly produced after the introduction of the vehicle in 1943, the 'U' variant was meant to serve in a logistical role while a replacement for the outdated P3 truck was being designed. While not expressly built for the logistical role, the vehicle could only carry 1 tons of supplies. After the introduction of the Z46 series of trucks into the military, the PTL-12U was retired and either converted back to a transport version, sold to the public, or scrapped in 1946.
[[File:PTL-12U.png|left|thumb|Inferior to the purpose built logistical trucks that followed, the PTL-12U still served as an adequate logistical vehicle for a few years.]]
{{Zandas Military Vehicles}}

U42/85 Medium Tank

2026-09-30T23:33:18Z

Nickygio:

{{Infobox weapon|name=U42/85 Medium Tank|type=Medium Tank|service=1942-1965|used_by={{Flagicon image|Zandas.png}} Zandas Republic|is_vehicle=Yes|origin={{Flagicon image|Zandas.png}} [[Zandas]] Republic|designer=Natuska Automotive
Office of Military Investigation and Research|design_date=1941|manufacturer=Natuska Automotive
Alcua Locomotive Works|production_date=1942-1950|number=648

(480 for the Army)

(168 for the Marines)|variants=U42/76

U42/85

U42/85B

ZU42/100 Tank Destroyer

U42/155 SPG|weight=32 Tons|length=22ft 8in (6.9m)|width=8ft 7 in (2.62m)|height=7ft 10 in (2.4)|crew=4|max_range=350km|armour=45mm at 45° (max)|primary weapon=DW-5|vehicle_range=350km|secondary weapon=7.62mm|Primary Weapon=DW-5|image=U42-85.png|Gun=DW-7|caption=A U42/85 in 1950 sporting 1st Republican Army (East) camouflage
(Credit to Moriskov)}}Vital to providing security to the [[Zandas|Zandas Republic]] while the world was at war, the U42/85 served well in its role as a capable domestically produced medium tank. While never seeing combat, the platform would continue to serve the nation long after the global conflict ended for both the Army and the Marines.

== History ==
In the early years of the [[Ten Years' War|Ten Years’ War]], the [[Zandas]] Military feared an invasion from [[Iron League]] forces due to its trade agreement with [[Belakraine]]. Starting the war with woefully outdated U35/47 tanks, production began in 1940 on a medium tank. The Army requested a capable, reliable, and easy to manufacture tank that could fulfill multiple roles. This was a product of the Meyuer Doctrine, with the Army relying on domestically built equipment during the war. The result of this request would enter service in 1942, known as the U42/76 Medium Tank. Armed with a 76.2mm cannon and was protected by 45mm of frontal armor at a 45 degree angle, the U42 was well protected from light and medium anti-tank weaponry in 1942. It could reach a top speed of 48kph and had an operational range of 350km. It was also armed with two 7.62mm machine guns, one co-axial, and one by the commander’s hatch. An order of 500 tanks was made in 1942 but only 182 would enter service by 1944. After evaluating the performance of the gun compared to the newest armor from the Iron League and allies, the gun was considered underpowered. A new, more powerful gun was equipped in a new turret that would fit on the existing chassis. The new tank, the U42/85, was accepted into service in early 1945, with all new U42 tanks produced after this equipped with the new gun, resulting in an additional 324 tanks. All units using the 76mm were converted to the 85mm by 1947.

The U42/85 was still the backbone of the armored forces in 1950, due to the limited introduction of the failed stopgap, the [[U46/85 Medium Tank|U46/85]]. A modification was introduced to field the 100mm cannon, however this was a casemate rather than a turreted design on only 75 vehicles were converted. With the success of Project U-43 in 1950, the [[U50/100 Universal Tank]] was brought into service later that year, and the U42/85 was slowly sidelined as the new tank came online. In the late 1950’s the military decided to sell their reserve stock of tanks as there was a sufficient number of U50/100s, but there was little foreign interest. The U42/85 remained in reserve and in training units until the early 1960’s. In 1960, 118 tanks were converted to U42/155 Self Propelled Guns. All unconverted tanks were scrapped in 1965 after the introduction of the [[U65/105 Universal Tank|U65/105]] and [[U59/115 Main Battle Tank|U59/115]] Universal Tanks, ending over two decades of service in the medium tank role.

== Development ==
In 1940 a design for a medium tank was requested by the Army. It was required that the tank have 45-55mm of frontal armor, could reach speeds over 40kph, and could be armed with the DW-2 76.2mm cannon. Three designs came in, with the design from Natuska Automotive winning the contest. The vehicle had 45mm of armor sloped at a 45° angle, could reach up to 48kph on level ground and was armed with the DW-2 with impressive elevation and depression angles. However, with the introduction of the Meuyer Doctrine in 1939, the army requested the vehicle use a similar suspension to that of the P44 light tank project that was also in development. Natuska engineers struggled to implement the suspension into their tank. This resulting in the gutting of the entire chassis and starting from scratch. This delayed the process by nearly another year, finally being accepted into service in mid-1942.

== Use and Operation ==
U42/85s were the backbone of Zandian armored formations from its introduction until the end of 1950. They were used as the main force of any armored operations and saw use around the small nation. From the Oneon Mountains, to the fertile grasslands of the North, and the vast steppes and deserts, the tank served with the Army and the Marines.

=== Army ===
The closest the vehicle got to seeing combat was in early 1951 when tensions with Chaldyria were high. With a border incursion from Chaldyrian aircraft the year prior, officials responded with increased anti-aircraft defenses and mobile radar stations. They were supplemented by elements of the 3rd Republican Army (East), including 1st, 2nd, and 4th battalions being sent out West to conduct military exercises near the border with short notice. This included the U42/85 tanks of the armored companies. They were deployed there for three months before being rotated out. This would continue until the easing of tensions in 1952

== Variants ==
[[File:U42-75.png|left|thumb|U42/76 in 1944 1st Republican Army (East). Only a limited number of this tank was produced before the more powerful 85mm cannon was introduced. ]]
=== U42/76 ===
Initially designed in early 1941 with a medium velocity 76.2mm cannon, the U42/76 had sufficient firepower. However, once in production in 1942 it was clear the design would not keep up with the fast pace of armor effectiveness and thickness advancements due to the TYW. These tanks were produced anyway even with their shortcomings to have a relatively modern tank in service until a better armed variant could be developed. The initial run of 182 U42/76 tanks were eventually brought back to the factory starting in 1945 and had their turrets replaced with the PG-3 85mm turret by the end of 1947.[[File:U42 winter.png|thumb|A U42/85 crew waits for their tracks to thaw as the track pads froze to the road wheels overnight during a 1951 training exercise in the Oneon Mountains. These tanks saw service across the nation, from the hot deserts to the cold mountain tops ]]
=== U42/85 ===
Engineers at Kingfisher Armories worked for months after receiving a new request from the army in late 1942 to produce a high velocity cannon capable of penetrating over 125mm of armor. The new weapon was tested in mid 1943 and was capable of penetrating over 142mm of armor from 100 meters and 131mm at 1000m. However, this new DW-7 cannon could not fit in the existing turret of the U42/76. Natuska Automotive and OMIR were tasked with creating a new turret capable of handling the new weapon and being compatible with the new tank. After several months of trial and error, the new PG-3 turret was produced and was tested on the chassis in 1944. After several teething issues were solved, the new turret was approved for production, on the newly named U42/85 tank at the end of that year.

The U42/85 served at the heart of Zandian Army Armored formations throughout the war and into the post-war peace era. However it was clear a replacement was necessary even with the upgraded gun. Tank armor had far outpaced the medium tank during the war and tests with captured Iron League tanks given to them by allies proved the DW-7 cannon lacked the penetration to combat modern tanks. However, the tank still preformed well in exercises in infantry support and flanking attacks. The tank served in the secondary line and eventually reserves as the successful U50/100 design replaced them in armored columns. By 1965 most vehicles were scrapped or used as targets.

=== U42/85B ===
The U42/85 would briefly serve alongside its replacement from late 1950-1953 while production of the U50/100 still ramped up. They would then serve in second line roles after the introduction of the U50/100B variant. In 1954 some tanks began to receive upgrades in an attempt to keep them as a somewhat effective modern platform even in second line service. These upgrades included a strengthened suspension, new communications, and the addition of the standard smoke launcher upgrades. Only 67 of these new vehicles, the U42/85B, would be upgraded by 1956, when the program was cut due to the recession.[[File:ZU42-100.png|left|thumb|The short superstructure provided little protection to the ZU42/100's gun crew, both from enemy fire and the elements. This vehicle was photographed outside Fort Alcut on a training exercise in 1950 before the implementation of the new U50/100 tanks]]
=== ZU42/100 Tank Destroyer ===
In an attempt to increase the firepower of the U42 chassis, a series of design studies commenced to add the new DW-10 100mm cannon to the vehicle in late 1948. The gun was too large for the turret in service, and a larger turret could not be mounted on the chassis. The turret was eventually removed all together, producing a casemate design. The new vehicle retained its hull armor, but had relatively thin protection on the new superstructure that housed the powerful cannon. It was also open-topped, to the protest of crews assigned to the new vehicle. As it lacked a turret, it was designated as a tank destroyer, even though the purpose of the studies was to produce a stop-gap medium tank. In mid 1949 75 U42/85 tanks were retrofitted with this layout. With the introduction of the U50/100 tank mounting the same weaponry, the vehicle's days were numbered. However, with the troublesome production run the U50/100 had, the ZU42/100 stayed in service until 1954, and the vehicles were placed in reserve then scrapped soon after. [[File:U42 155 w crew.png|thumb|A U42/155 SPG of 2nd Republican Army (West) conducting Training Exercise 'Operation Sunburn' in Summer 1963|left]]
=== U42/155 Self-propelled Gun ===
In 1960 work began on a replacement for the [[PTL-12 Transport|ZU-8 Mobile Artillery Platform]], which was retired in 1955 due to its poor mobility and overloaded chassis. Its role was partially succeeded by the [[GMS Z46 Truck|GMS Z55(142) Mobile Rocket Artillery Vehicle]]. While the Z55(142) provided significant artillery fire-support, the vehicles were just not mobile enough to keep up with frontline units through any sort of difficult terrain. With numerous obsolete U42/85 tanks in reserve, the decision was made to combine the powerful 155mm cannon from the old ZU-8 with the mobility of the venerable U42 chassis. Significant changes to the turret were required to accommodate the artillery cannon, resulting in an open top design with thin armor plates along the reworked portions. The resulting vehicle, now named the U42/155 Self Propelled Gun, weighed fractionally more than the original, and therefore retained much of its mobility. 118 tanks were converted to self-propelled guns. The turret was designed with folding hatches along the sides to allow for ammunition to be loaded easier, however crews on the hot steppes quickly learned that opening these hatches allowed for improved ventilation as well. Crews were also issued camouflaged sun shades while resting, after much protest over the conditions inside the turrets on summer days.

These vehicles were retired in 1972, marking the end of the U42 legacy.

== Surviving Examples ==
Four vehicles of the U42 chassis still exist today. Two U42/85s exist as museum pieces, one at the National Military History Museum in the Capital in Brecton, and one at the gates of Fort Alcut. A third vehicle is found on the Fort Alcut proving ground. However, this one is serves as an example of a target, showcasing the effectiveness of the P16 ATGM, the nation's first ATGM. Finally an example of a U42/155 that served in the OSTFOR Mission is on display next to the other U42 at the National Military History Museum. {{Zandas Military Vehicles}}

U50/100 Universal Tank

2026-09-25T23:11:25Z

Nickygio: /* Variants */

{{Infobox weapon|name=U50/100 Universal Tank|image=U50-100.png|caption=U50/100B during the UNICORN OSTFOR Mission, 1960|origin={{Flagicon image|Zandas.png}} [[Zandas]] Republic|type=Main Battle Tank|is_vehicle=yes|service=1950-1984|used_by={{Flagicon image|Zandas.png}} Zandas Republic|designer=Natuska Automotive
Office of Military Investigation and Research|design_date=1948-1950|manufacturer=Natuska Automotive
Reaper Motorworks|production_date=1950-1955|number=545

(421 for the Army)

(124 for the Marine Corps)|variants=U50/100B

U50/100BC

U50R

U50-2C STBC

U50/100MD|weight=36 tons|length=23ft 4in (7.1m)|width=8ft 7 in (2.62m)|height=7ft 5in (2.3m)|crew=4|armour=110m at 45° on the upper front plate
140mm on the turret face|speed=56kph|vehicle_range=400km}}The U50/100 Universal Tank was an important stepping stone in [[Zandas]] Armored development. This tank saw service with the small nation through several crises and while it never saw combat, it proved an effective deterrent to foreign aggression. Kept in service far longer than it was expected to, the platform produced several variants. Many tankers were fond of the design and reliability of the vehicle and it was utilized by both the Zandas Army and Marine Corps before being retired.

==History==
[[File:U50A.png|left|thumb|A U50/100, 1st Republican Army (East) in 1960. This vehicle in particular remained virtually unchanged since it departed the factory in 1951]]
After the failure of the [[U46/85 Medium Tank|U46/85]] in 1946, OMIR (Office of Military Research and Investigation) and Natuska Automotive got to work designing a new turret, weapon, and power-plant that could be used on the existing chassis from the last project. Following the Meyuer Doctrine, the tank was only built with domestic parts and weapons. The [[U42/85 Medium Tank|U42/85]] that was in service was becoming obsolete and a more powerful tank was required. In the beginning of 1950, the prototype underwent testing and after some changes, was accepted into service at the end of that year. Equipped with a better engine, gun, and protection, the U50/100 began to replace the U42/85 in frontline service. However, factory production was slow to get the new tank out in considerable numbers in the early years, due to machining issues and a workers strike in 1952.

With tensions with neighboring [[Chaldyria]] rising, the Army placed an initial order of 275 tanks in 1950. Over the next five years, the total number of tanks built would rise to 545, even with the resolution of the tensions with Chaldyria. The Army now cited possible future [[UNICORN]] commitments for the increase in production, and the Marine Corps requested some as well. However, production was slow, due to the 1952 worker's strike in the Natuska Automotive factory in Fitato as well as a steel shortage. With lower productivity of the iron mines after several mine collapses, steel was at a premium in the small nation. Tank production slowed from 1952-1955, and stopped all together with the 1956 recession and the resulting Army budget cuts.

The vehicle was the premier armored vehicle for the nation after its introduction in 1950. It saw minor upgrades beginning in 1953. The vehicles were upgraded with an improved engine, additional targeting systems and ammunition for the 100mm gun, and smoke launchers. This upgrade was then known as the U50/100B. While the Armored Battalions of the Army desired further improvements, this upgrade brought them into a somewhat competitive state with foreign tank designs. From 1953-1956, 342 Army tanks were brought up or built to to this new standard. The program was cut with the 1956 recession. It was this variant that took part in the Zandas contribution to the UNICORN OSTFOR Mission from 1960-1964. These were the first Zandian tanks ever deployed on foreign soil.

Several modifications to the vehicles occurred over the years, including the conversion to engineering vehicles and mine plow equipped tanks. In 1965, the [[U65/105 Universal Tank|U65/105]] and [[U59/115 Main Battle Tank|U59/115]] Universal Tanks officially replaced the U50/100 in frontline roles. Out of the 421 U50/100 tanks produced for the Army, 79 were still the baseline version. These tanks were kept as spares and finally were relinquished and scrapped in 1968. Many of the remaining tanks of the ‘B’ variant were upgraded further to the 'D' variant, and some further to the 'ZD' variant. These vehicles served alongside their successors in secondary roles until the mid 1970's, when they were put into reserve and eventually retired. The last of the U50 platform to be retired was the U50R Engineering vehicle, which was retired in 1984.

==Development==
[[File:Projecy U-43.png|left|thumb|The first U-43 test vehicle in early 1950. Note the smaller turret, which would later be redesigned after test crew complaints]]
Taking the chassis from the U46/85, work began on a new design for a ‘universal tank’ at the beginning of 1947. This was given the name Proyekt U-43 (or just Proyekt 43) Universal Tank Project. The idea was to design a tank that could serve multiple roles on the battlefield at once, and in such numbers that it would bring a decisive victory. It used a similar torsion bar suspension to that of the [[U42/85 Medium Tank|U42/85]]. It was determined the torsion bar suspension that was in use was adequate for Zandian terrain and would reduce costs and development time of the new tank. The chassis was given an additional 30mm of armor on the front, up to a total of 110mm. The turret ring was also widened to house a larger turret for a larger gun. The turret had a new unique rounded design, and was 140mm thick in the front. It also housed a DW-10 100mm cannon, the most powerful cannon the Zandas Republic had at the time. A new engine and transmission were custom built around the space allocated inside the machine, allowing for a speed of 56kph and an estimated range of 400 km. By the beginning of 1950, the first prototype of the tank rolled out of the factory and onto the proving grounds.

Results from the 1950 tests for the prototype were mixed. While the rounded turret was effective in deflecting incoming rounds from many angles, the cramped turret decreased the effectiveness of the crew. At the end of 1950 a new, rounded turret was introduced, and was approved for production. The U50/100 began to slowly replace the U42/85 at the very end of 1950.
[[File:P U45.png|thumb|Proyekt U45 with the 105mm DW-15 cannon installed, 1958. After initial testing, crews refused to enter the turret again due to the cramped conditions inside.]]
1958 saw the introduction of the DW-15 105mm tank cannon, and an attempt was made to fit the new gun into the turret of the U50/100B. Proyekt U45 was conducted in the same year, and while the gun could physically fit in the turret, the inside of the turret was incredibly cramped the three crew members found it extremely difficult to even get in. Additionally, the cannon had virtually no elevation angles, with only +5/-2 degrees of elevation and depression. To rework the turret would cost too much for the underfunded Army in the late 50's and the project was scrapped in favor allocating resources towards the upcoming replacement tank program.

== Use and Operation ==
[[File:U50B.png|thumb|A U50/100B during the UNICORN OSTFOR Mission. The tank was generally complimented by allied crews, mostly due to its simplicity. The tank preformed well on the international stage, but its limitations did not go unnoticed. ]]The U50/100 and its variants were in operation from 1950-1984. It was used domestically only, despite some foreign inquiry soon after development. With a limited industrial base in the early 1950's, OMIR determined that the factories could not produce the desired amount for the Army and Marine Corps while fulfilling foreign contracts within a reasonable time.

=== Zandas Army ===
Officially adopted by the Army in December 1950, the first run of the tanks were allocated to the Army. Beginning in 1951 crews began to train on the new vehicle and they slowly replaced the U42/85 Medium Tank. By 1954 the tanks completely took over the role in frontline service, and were deployed to every base that housed an armored unit.

Army crews tended to appreciate the tank for its speed and reliability, although there were complaints about the small three man turret, even after the revisions made during development. In time, Zandian tankers began openly complaining about the lack of power behind the 100mm cannon, worried about being unable to effectively engage modern enemy armor. These complaints were a priority for the ongoing Project U71, the project that would result in the U65/105.

The tanks of the 3rd Armored Battalion, 1st Armored Infantry Brigade, 2nd Republican Army (West) were deployed to [[Osterrecht]] in 1960 as part of the [[UNICORN]] mission there known as OSTFOR. These tanks, along with allied vehicles, held the line at the Danau DMZ, protecting Osterrecht from Communist aggression. They had the honor of being the first Zandian tanks ever deployed on foreign soil. Over the next four years several over tank units were rotated through the OSTFOR mission until its abrupt cancellation by PM Hoya in 1964.

It stayed in frontline service until 1970, being fully replaced by the U65/105 and U59/115 by that point. With the increase of budget in 1965 new modifications were introduced that kept the vehicles serving as second-line tanks and support vehicles. These variants survived in Army service well into the 1970's and early 80's, with the last being the U50R, which was retired in 1984.

=== Zandas Marine Corps ===
The Marines received their first 10 tanks for training in 1953, and only received their full order in late 1955. With priority going to the army for the new tank, the slowly delivered tanks served alongside their predecessor, the U42/85. 124 tanks would be delivered to several Marine bases across the nation. 110 of these tanks would be produced from the factory with the U50/100B modifications.

Marine U50/100Bs were briefly considered to assist HARPSICHORD forces during the 1960 [[Tamerlindian War of Independence|Tamerlindian Civil War]], however, this was deemed excessive as the allied forces already had a sufficient armor and the government did not want to commit boots on the ground.

The U50/100 would serve alongside the amphibious UA60/76, as a second line breakthrough vehicle after the light amphibious vehicles cleared a suitable area for large landing craft to offload the heavier tanks.

Marine tankers had similar compliments and complaints to their Army counterparts about the tanks. In 1961 the Marine Corps requested designs for an extensive upgrade package for the vehicle, allowing it to preform better on soft ground, such as sand, and for improved survivability. This resulted in the U50/100MD modification in 1963, and a total of 84 of the U50/100B tanks in service with the Marines would receive this upgrade. A new, more powerful engine was added, and wider tanks were installed. These in combination were shown to improve performance in soft sand. An additional set of smoke launchers were added to each side of the turret, and side skirts were added to protect against flanking shaped-charges. However, crews did not welcome this new addition, as it became more difficult to remove debris, dried mud, or wet sand from the road wheels and tracks, and made maintenance more difficult overall.

The 'MD' served in frontline roles until 1974, with the other modifications seeing limited use or were put in reserve. It served alongside the U65/105, which itself was in limited numbers. The 'MD's was placed in reserve in 1978, and were later scrapped.

==Variants==
===U50/100B===
The 1953 development of the upgraded version, the U50/100B, brought important advancements to the platform. Improvements included the installation of a more efficient and powerful engine, a new rangefinder, and a new HE round for the 100mm. It also brought the standard smoke launcher upgrades that were widespread across all army vehicles at this time. 342 tanks were this variant by the time the 1956 recession hit, and the project was cut. Nonetheless, over 80% of tanks received these important upgrades. These tanks were the premier version of the U50/100 in widespread service, and would represent Zandas amongst its UNICORN allies during the OSTFOR mission from 1960-1964. In turn, many of these would go on to receive additional upgrades and alterations over the years, with any remaining U50/100Bs being retired in 1970.

===U50/100BC===
[[File:U50BC.png|thumb|Introduced into tank columns in 1966, this tank served as a test bed for the B-29 mine-plow, allowing for similar installations on the new U65/105 tanks]]
In 1958, further experimentation was conducted on the U50/100B platform with the installation of mine clearing plows. Designed to clear a path of mines before other armored vehicles arrived, the new plow was tested and equipped on 24 tanks, now known as U50/100BC variants. These were delivered to armor companies in mid to late 1965. The new B-29 plow would end up on the newer U65/105 tanks as well after being successfully tested on the U50 chassis first. These vehicles would serve in active roles until 1972.[[File:U50MD.png|thumb|U50/100MD as seen in Marine Corps service in 1965|left]]

=== U50/100MD ===
Designed in 1961 and produced in 1963, 84 Marine Corps tanks received this upgrade. An extra set of smoke launchers were added on either side of the turret to conceal the tank after landing. It was equipped with a stronger engine and wider tracks to quickly escape a sandy beach and not get bogged down. It also was equipped with side skirts to help combat shaped-charged attacks. While not a perfect upgrade, it remained in frontline service with the Marine Corps until 1974, and was retired in 1978.

===U50R===
Using the improved engine of the ‘B’ variant and adding gear sets designed for high torque, work began on a true armored engineering vehicle in 1962. The turret was removed and replaced with a crane and a structure to house the new hydraulic components. It was also equipped with a dozer blade for earth moving. The new crane and winch system could easily remove engines, turrets, and transmission from other armored vehicles in the field, and could even drag the newer, heavier tanks back to a repair depot if needed. The vehicle retained its smoke launchers for concealment and had a single light machinegun for defense. 76 of these new vehicles, the U50R, were produced and distributed to engineering companies. These vehicles would finally be retired from service in 1984, making them the longest lived of the U50 platform.
{| class="wikitable"
|+Showcase of the U50R with its recovery boom stored and deployed
|[[File:U50r.png]]
|[[File:U50r2.png]]
|}
[[File:U50 D.png|left|thumb|The U50/100D brought the vehicle back to a relatively modern standard after lagging behind for years.]]

=== U50/100D ===
With an increased budget and the completion of the hellish development of the U65/105, money was available for modifications to the U50/100B. Upgrades were desperately needed to increase both protection and firepower, and to add modern systems to the 15 year old tanks. The vehicles were installed with new spaced armor plates on the turret checks and the hull front, along with side skirts. These were meant to provide additional protection to shape-charged weapons. The DW-10 cannon received new ammunition, including a new APFSDS round that could penetrate 268mm of armor at 500m. Additional upgrades included the replacement of the optics and rangefinders with modern versions, the modification of the commander's cupola for better visibility, and replacement view ports for the driver. 245 U50/100B tanks received the new modifications to the U50/100D variant from 1965-1968. These tanks served alongside the new U65/105 and U59/115 tanks until their orders were filled, and then served in secondary roles supporting the frontline tanks. They served in this role until 1975, when they were put in reserve, and most were scrapped starting in 1979.
[[File:U50 ZD.png|thumb|With the introduction of the P20 Missile in 1969, the U50/100 tank could engage the most heavily armored targets on the battlefield, albeit in a limited capacity. ]]

=== U50/100ZD ===
With the proposal to create a tank armed with a new gun-launcher design in 1968, the idea was floated to install ATGMs to current tanks to increase their lethality to heavily armored targets in the meantime. Utilizing the U50/100D platform, a launch rail was installed on top of the main cannon and connected to the gunner's controls through a hole next to the co-axial machine-gun. A new sight was added for the new Belakrainian 6Z4 missile, known as the P20 ATGM in Zandian service. This new missile could easily penetrate over 400mm of RHA. This firepower would greatly increase the effectiveness and viability of the U50 platform, however it came with some drawbacks. The missile would have to be reloaded manually, meaning a crew member would have to exit the vehicle to put a new missile on the rail and wire it correctly. Main gun ammunition was reduced to carry three reloads of the weapon, and a new storage location would be used to handle the reload missiles. The sight was crude, and gunners often had a difficult time training the wire-guided missile onto target effectively. Nonetheless, the Army saw the system as a stop-gap along side the dated [[PTL-12 Transport|PTL-12M]] Missile Carrier until the U50-2C STBC would take over the role. 26 vehicles were upgraded with the 'ZD' modification, and the would serve from 1969-1975.

===U50-2C STBC===
[[File:U50 STBC Proto.png|left|thumb|1969 Prototype of the STBC. This was in the midst of the many struggles with the gun-launcher ]]
[[File:U50 STBC.png|thumb|Training Exercise 'Operation Eagle', 1976]]
Relying mostly on kinetic armaments for anti-tank work, an experiment was started using the U50/100B chassis for an armored missile carrier. The only current ATGM vehicle in the arsenal, the PTL-12M was also needing replacement as it was incredibly outdated. In 1968 a proposal was made to create a gun-launcher, to allow the tanks to fire ATGMs as well as HE rounds. However the new system proved troublesome, and after a long process and a redesign of the turret, the new launcher system was installed in 1969. It was called the Sensor-guided Targeting Ballistic Computer, or STBC for short. The new modification was designated the U50-2C STBC in 1970. This new system was revolutionary for the Zandian Army, but had significant teething issues. The STBC was often referred to as ‘Sh*tting The Bed Constantly’ by the crews that operated them, as the launcher often malfunctioned and was difficult to use. In one case early after adoption, the ammunition misfired and ignited inside of the barrel, killing the tank’s gunner and loader, severely injuring the commander and narrowly avoided cooking the rest of the tank’s ammunition off. Even after these major flaws were fixed in 1976, crews still despised the new modification of the venerable chassis, and fortunately the U50-2 STBC never saw combat. Only 50 U50/100B hulls were fitted with the STBC system, and all were decommissioned in 1982.

== Media ==
The U50/100 Universal Tank is often referred to by its nickname of ‘Huntsman’ in modern media, however there is no documentation of tankers or troops using this name while it was in service. The name was coined in the 1982 novel ‘Desert Wall’ by Sergei Gradolite, a historical fiction book about tensions with Chaldyria boiling over in 1952. The book revolves around a U50/100 tank crew, and the crew named their tank ‘Huntsman’. With the success of the novel, some called all U50/100s 'Huntsman', and this spread around in military circles. The idea took off like wildlife with the invention of the internet and of online military forums. People worldwide recognize the vehicle as the ‘Huntsman’, although it never wore that title. Troops would only refer to it as the U50/100, or more often just U50.

Army troops named some vehicles in the late 1950’s but didn’t start naming tank series until 1965, with the introduction of the U65/105 ‘Steel Horse’ and the U59/115 ‘Belak’. This was initially done to differentiate between the two new tanks, but it spread to naming nearly all vehicles in the Army’s inventory to the modern day.

== Surviving Examples ==
Four examples of the U50/100 remain in museums. A U50/100B that served in the OSTFOR Mission, a U50-2C STBC, and a U50/100ZD live at the National Military History Museum in the Capital in Brecton. One Marine U50/100MD is on display at the Negelenor Naval Base outside the Capital. {{Zandas Military Vehicles}}

File:U50 ZD.png

2026-09-25T22:46:26Z

Nickygio:

Upgraded 1950's tank

File:U50 D.png

2026-09-25T22:44:56Z

Nickygio:

Upgraded 1950's Tank

U50/100 Universal Tank

2026-09-25T20:08:14Z

Nickygio: /* Variants */

{{Infobox weapon|name=U50/100 Universal Tank|image=U50-100.png|caption=U50/100B during the UNICORN OSTFOR Mission, 1960|origin={{Flagicon image|Zandas.png}} [[Zandas]] Republic|type=Main Battle Tank|is_vehicle=yes|service=1950-1984|used_by={{Flagicon image|Zandas.png}} Zandas Republic|designer=Natuska Automotive
Office of Military Investigation and Research|design_date=1948-1950|manufacturer=Natuska Automotive
Reaper Motorworks|production_date=1950-1955|number=545

(421 for the Army)

(124 for the Marine Corps)|variants=U50/100B

U50/100BC

U50R

U50-2C STBC

U50/100MD|weight=36 tons|length=23ft 4in (7.1m)|width=8ft 7 in (2.62m)|height=7ft 5in (2.3m)|crew=4|armour=110m at 45° on the upper front plate
140mm on the turret face|speed=56kph|vehicle_range=400km}}The U50/100 Universal Tank was an important stepping stone in [[Zandas]] Armored development. This tank saw service with the small nation through several crises and while it never saw combat, it proved an effective deterrent to foreign aggression. Kept in service far longer than it was expected to, the platform produced several variants. Many tankers were fond of the design and reliability of the vehicle and it was utilized by both the Zandas Army and Marine Corps before being retired.

==History==
[[File:U50A.png|left|thumb|A U50/100, 1st Republican Army (East) in 1960. This vehicle in particular remained virtually unchanged since it departed the factory in 1951]]
After the failure of the [[U46/85 Medium Tank|U46/85]] in 1946, OMIR and Natuska Automotive got to work designing a new turret, weapon, and power-plant that could be used on the existing chassis from the last project. Following the Meyuer Doctrine, the tank was only to be built with domestic parts and weapons. The [[U42/85 Medium Tank|U42/85]] that was in service was becoming obsolete and a more powerful tank was required. In the beginning of 1950, the prototype underwent testing and after some changes was accepted into service at the end of the year. Equipped with a better engine, gun, and protection, the U50/100 began to replace the U42/85 in frontline service. However factory production was slow to get the new tank out in considerable numbers in the early years, due to machining issues and a workers strike in 1952.

With tensions with neighboring [[Chaldyria]] rising, the Army placed an initial order of 275 tanks in 1950. Over the next five years, the total number of tanks built would rise to 545. The army cited possible future [[UNICORN]] commitments for the increase in production, and the Marine Corps requested some as well. However production was slow, due to the 1952 worker's strike in the Natuska Automotive factory in Fitato as well as a steel shortage. With lower productivity of the iron mines after several mine collapses, steel was at a premium in the small nation. Tank production slowed from 1952-1955, and stopped all together with the Fitato-Alcut mine closure in October of 1955, which the nation into a recession at the start of the following year.

The vehicle became the premier armored vehicle for the nation after its introduction in 1950. It saw minor upgrades beginning in 1953. The vehicles were upgraded with an improved engine, additional targeting systems and ammunition for the 100mm gun, and smoke launchers. This upgrade was then known as the U50/100B. While the Armored Battalions of the Army desired further improvements, this upgrade brought them into a somewhat competitive state with foreign tank designs. From 1953-1956, 342 Army tanks were brought up to this new standard. The program was cut with the 1956 recession. It was this variant that took part in the Zandas contribution to the UNICORN OSTFOR Mission from 1960-1964. These were the first Zandian tanks ever deployed on foreign soil.

Several modifications to the vehicles occurred over the years, including the conversion to engineering vehicles and mine plow equipped tanks. In 1965, the [[U65/105 Universal Tank|U65/105]] and [[U59/115 Main Battle Tank|U59/115]] Universal Tanks officially replaced the U50/100 in frontline roles. Out of the 421 U50/100 tanks produced for the Army, 79 were still the baseline version. These tanks were kept as spares and finally were relinquished and scrapped in 1968. Many of the remaining tanks of the ‘B’ variant were upgraded further to the 'D' variant, and some further to the 'ZD' variant. These vehicles served alongside their successors in secondary roles until the mid 1970's, when they were put into reserve and eventually retired. The last of the U50 platform to be retired was the U50R Engineering vehicle, which were retired in 1984.

==Development==
[[File:Projecy U-43.png|left|thumb|The first U-43 test vehicle in early 1950. Note the smaller turret, which would later be redesigned after test crew complaints]]
Taking the chassis from the U46/85, work began on a new design for a ‘universal tank’ at the beginning of 1947. This was given the name Proyekt U-43 (or just Proyekt 43). The idea was to design a tank that could serve multiple roles on the battlefield at once, and in such numbers that it would bring a decisive victory. It used a similar torsion bar suspension to that of the [[U42/85 Medium Tank|U42/85]]. It was determined the torsion bar suspension that was in use was adequate for Zandian terrain and would reduce costs and development time of the new tank. The chassis was given an additional 30mm of armor, up to a total of 110mm at the front. The turret ring was also widened to house a larger turret for a larger gun. The turret had a new unique rounded design, and was 140mm thick in the front. It also housed a DW-10 100mm cannon, the most powerful cannon the Zandas Republic had at the time. A new engine and transmission were custom built around the space allocated inside the machine, allowing for a speed of 56kph and an estimated range of 400 km. By the beginning of 1950, the first prototype of the tank rolled out of the factory and onto the proving grounds.

Results from the 1950 tests for the prototype were mixed. While the rounded turret was effective in deflecting incoming rounds from many angles, the cramped turret decreased the effectiveness of the crew. At the end of 1950 a new, rounded turret was introduced, and was approved for production. The U50/100 began to slowly replace the U42/85 at the very end of 1950.
[[File:P U45.png|thumb|Proyekt U45 with the 105mm DW-15 cannon installed, 1958. After initial testing, crews refused to enter the turret again due to the cramped conditions inside.]]
1958 saw the introduction of the DW-15 105mm tank cannon, and an attempt was made to fit the new gun into the turret of the U50/100B. Proyekt U75 was conducted in the same year, and while the gun could physically fit in the turret, the inside of the turret was incredibly cramped the three crew members found it extremely difficult to even get in. Additionally, the cannon had virtually no elevation angles, with only +5/-2 degrees of elevation and depression. To rework the turret would cost too much for the underfunded Army in the late 50's and the project was scrapped in favor of the upcoming replacement tank program.

== Use and Operation ==
[[File:U50B.png|thumb|A U50/100B during the UNICORN OSTFOR Mission. The tank was generally complimented by allied crews, mostly due to its simplicity. The tank preformed well on the international stage, but its limitations did not go unnoticed. ]]The U50/100 and its variants were in operation from 1950-1984. It was used domestically only, despite some foreign inquiry soon after development. With a limited industrial base in the early 1950's, OMIR determined that the factories could not produce the desired amount for the Army and Marine Corps while fulfilling foreign contracts within a reasonable time.

=== Zandas Army ===
Officially adopted by the Army in December 1950, the first run of the tanks were allocated to the Army. Beginning in 1951 crews began to train on the new vehicle and they slowly replaced the U42/85 Medium Tank. By 1954 the tanks completely took over the role in frontline service, and were deployed to every base that housed an armored unit.

Army crews tended to appreciate the tank for its speed and reliability, although there were complaints about the small three man turret, even after the revisions made during development. In time, Zandian tankers began openly complaining about the lack of power behind the 100mm cannon, worried about being unable to effectively engage modern enemy armor. These complaints were a priority for the ongoing Project U71, the project that would result in the U65/105.

The tanks of the 3rd Armored Battalion, 1st Armored Infantry Brigade, 2nd Republican Army (West) were deployed to [[Osterrecht]] in 1960 as part of the [[UNICORN]] mission there known as OSTFOR. These tanks, along with allied vehicles, held the line at the Danau DMZ, protecting Osterrecht from Communist aggression. They had the honor of being the first Zandian tanks ever deployed on foreign soil. Over the next four years several over tank units were rotated through the OSTFOR mission until its abrupt cancellation by PM Hoya in 1964.

It stayed in frontline service until 1972, being fully replaced by the U65/105 and U59/115 by that point. With the increase of budget in 1965 new modifications were introduced that kept the vehicles serving as second-line tanks and support vehicles. These variants survived in Army service well into the 1970's and early 80's, with the last being the U50R, which was retired in 1984.

=== Zandas Marine Corps ===
The Marines received their first 10 tanks for training in 1953, and only received their full order in late 1955. With priority going to the army for the new tank, the slowly delivered tanks served alongside their predecessor, the U42/85. 124 tanks would be delivered to several Marine bases across the nation. In 1958 110 of these tanks would rotate back to the factories to receive the U50/100B modification, being fully implemented by 1960.

Marine U50/100Bs were briefly considered to assist HARPSICHORD forces during the 1960 [[Tamerlindian War of Independence|Tamerlindian Civil War]], however, this was deemed excessive as the allied forces already had a sufficient armor and the government did not want to commit boots on the ground.

The U50/100 and later U65/105 would serve alongside the amphibious UA60/76,

Marine tankers had similar compliments and complaints to their Army counterparts about the tanks. In 1961 the Marine Corps requested designs for an extensive upgrade package for the vehicle, allowing it to preform better on soft ground, such as sand, and for improved survivability. This resulted in the U50/100MD modification in 1963, and a total of 84 of the U50/100B tanks in service with the Marines would receive this upgrade. A new, more powerful engine was added, and wider tanks were installed. These in combination were shown to improve performance in soft sand. An additional set of smoke launchers were added to each side of the turret, and side skirts were added to protect against flanking shaped-charges. However, crews did not welcome this new addition, as it became more difficult to remove debris or dried mud from the road wheels and tracks, and made maintenance more difficult overall.

The 'MD' served in frontline roles until 1974, with the other modifications seeing limited use or were put in reserve. It served alongside the U65/105, which itself was in limited numbers. The 'MD's was placed in reserve in 1975, and were later scrapped.

==Variants==
===U50/100B===
The 1953 development of the upgraded version, the U50/100B, brought important advancements to the platform. Improvements included the installation of a more efficient and powerful engine, a new rangefinder, and a new HE round of the 100mm. It also brought the standard smoke launcher upgrades that were widespread across all army vehicles at this time. 342 tanks were converted by the time the 1956 recession hit, and the project was cut. Nonetheless, over 80% of tanks received these important upgrades. These tanks were the premier version of the U50/100 in widespread service, and would represent Zandas amongst its UNICORN allies during the OSTFOR mission from 1960-1964. In turn, many of these would go on to receive additional upgrades and alterations over the years, with any remaining U50/100Bs being retired in 1970.

===U50/100BC===
[[File:U50BC.png|thumb|Introduced into tank columns in 1966, this tank served as a test bed for the B-29 mine-plow, allowing for similar installations on the new U65/105 tanks]]
In 1958 further experimentation was conducted on the U50/100B platform with the installation of mine clearing plows. Designed to clear a path of mines before other armored vehicles arrived, the new plow was tested and equipped on 24 tanks, now known as U50/100BC variants. These were delivered to armor companies in mid to late 1965. The new B-29 plow would end up on the newer U65/105 tanks as well after being successfully tested on the U50 chassis first. These vehicles would serve in active roles until 1972.[[File:U50MD.png|thumb|U50/100MD as seen in Marine Corps service in 1965|left]]

=== U50/100MD ===
Designed in 1961 and produced in 1963, 84 Marine Corps tanks received this upgrade. An extra set of smoke launchers were added on either side of the turret to conceal the tank after landing. It was equipped with a stronger engine and wider tracks to quickly escape a sandy beach and not get bogged down. It also was equipped with side skirts to help combat shaped-charged attacks. While not a perfect upgrade, it remained in frontline service with the Marine Corps until 1970, and was retired in 1975.

===U50R===
Using the improved engine of the ‘B’ variant and adding gear sets designed for high torque, work began on a true armored engineering vehicle. The turret was removed and replaced with a crane and a structure to house the new hydraulic components. It was also equipped with a dozer blade for earth moving. The new crane and winch system could easily remove engines, turrets, and transmission from other armored vehicles in the field, and could even drag the newer, heavier tanks back to a repair depot if needed. The vehicle retained its smoke launchers for concealment and had a single light machinegun for defense. 76 of these new vehicles, the U50R, were produced and distributed to engineering companies. They would finally be retired from service in 1984, making them the longest lived of the U50 platform.
{| class="wikitable"
|+Showcase of the U50R with its recovery boom stored and deployed
|[[File:U50r.png]]
|[[File:U50r2.png]]
|}

=== U50/100D ===
With an increased budget and the completion of the hellish development of the U65/105, money was available for upgrades to the U50/100B. Upgrades were desperately needed to increase both protection and firepower, and to add modern systems to the 15 year old tanks. The vehicles were installed with new spaced armor plates on the turret checks and and the the hull front, along with side skirts. These were meant to provide additional protection to shape-charged weapons. The DW-10 cannon received new ammunition, including a new APFSDS round that could penetrate 268mm of armor at 500m. Additional upgrades included the replacement of the optics and rangefinders with modern versions, the modification of the commander's cupola for better view, and replacement view-ports for the driver. 245 U50/100B tanks received the new modifications to the U50/100D variant from 1965-1968. These tanks served alongside the new U65/105 and U59/115 until their orders were filled, and then served in secondary roles supporting the frontline tanks. They served in this role until 1975, when they were put in reserve, and most were scrapped starting in 1979.

=== U50/100ZD ===
With the proposal to create a tank armed with a new gun-launcher design in 1968, the idea was floated to install ATGMs to current tanks to increase their lethality to heavily armored targets. Utilizing the U50/100D platform, a launch rail was installed on top of the main cannon and connected to the gunner's controls through a hole next to the co-axial machine-gun. A new sight was added for the new Belakrainian 6Z4 missile, known as the P20 ATGM in Zandian service. This new missile could easily penetrate over 400mm of RHA. This firepower would greatly increase the effectiveness and viability of the U50 platform, however it came with some drawbacks. The missile would have to be reloaded manualy, meaning a crew member would have to exit the vehicle to put a new missile on the rail and wire it correctly. Main gun ammunition was reduced to carry three reloads of the weapon, and a new storage location would be used to handle the reload missiles. The sight was crude, and gunner's had a difficult time training the wire-guided missile onto target effectively. Nonetheless, the Army saw the system as a stop-gap along side the dated [[PTL-12 Transport|PTL-12M]] Missile Carrier until the U50-2C STBC would take over the role. 26 vehicles were upgraded with the 'ZD' modification, and the would serve from 1969-1975.

===U50-2C STBC===
[[File:U50 STBC Proto.png|left|thumb|1969 Prototype of the STBC. This was in the midst of the many struggles with the gun-launcher ]]
[[File:U50 STBC.png|thumb|Training Exercise 'Operation Eagle', 1976]]
Relying mostly on kinetic armaments for anti-tank work, an experiment was started using the U50/100B chassis for an armored missile carrier. The only current ATGM vehicle in the arsenal, the PTL-12M was also needing replacement as it was incredibly outdated. In 1968 a proposal was made to create a gun-launcher, to allow the tanks to fire ATGMs as well as HE rounds. However the new system proved troublesome, and after a long process and a redesign of the turret, the new launcher system was installed in 1969. It was called the Sensor-guided Targeting Ballistic Computer, or STBC for short. The new modification was designated the U50-2C STBC in 1970. This new system was revolutionary for the Zandian Army, but had significant teething issues. The STBC was often referred to as ‘Sh*tting The Bed Constantly’ by the troops that operated them, as the launcher often malfunctioned and was difficult to use. In one case early after adoption, the ammunition misfired and ignited inside of the barrel, killing the tank’s gunner and loader, severely injuring the commander and narrowly avoided cooking the rest of the tank’s ammunition off. Even after these major flaws were fixed in 1976, crews still despised the new modification of the venerable chassis, and fortunately the U50-2 STBC never saw combat. Only 50 U50/100B hulls were fitted with the STBC system, and all were decommissioned in 1982.

== Media ==
The U50/100 Universal Tank is often referred to by its nickname of ‘Huntsman’ in modern media, however there is no documentation of tankers or troops using this name while it was in service. The name was coined in the 1982 novel ‘Desert Wall’ by Sergei Gradolite, a historical fiction book about tensions with Chaldyria boiling over in 1952. The book revolves around a U50/100 tank crew, and the crew named their tank ‘Huntsman’. With the success of the novel, some called all U50/100s 'Huntsman', and this spread around in military circles. The idea took off like wildlife with the invention of the internet and of online military forums. People worldwide recognize the vehicle as the ‘Huntsman’, although it never wore that title. Troops would only refer to it as the U50/100, or more often just U50.

Army troops named some vehicles in the late 1950’s but didn’t start naming tank series until 1965, with the introduction of the U65/105 ‘Steel Horse’ and the U59/115 ‘Belak’. This was initially done to differentiate between the two new tanks, but it spread to naming nearly all vehicles in the Army’s inventory to the modern day.

== Surviving Examples ==
Four examples of the U50/100 remain in museums. A U50/100B that served in the OSTFOR Mission, a U50-2C STBC, and a U50/100MD live at the National Military History Museum in the Capital in Brecton. One additional Marine U50/100B is on display at the Negelenor Naval Base outside the Capital. {{Zandas Military Vehicles}}

U50/100 Universal Tank

2026-09-25T19:20:00Z

Nickygio:

{{Infobox weapon|name=U50/100 Universal Tank|image=U50-100.png|caption=U50/100B during the UNICORN OSTFOR Mission, 1960|origin={{Flagicon image|Zandas.png}} [[Zandas]] Republic|type=Main Battle Tank|is_vehicle=yes|service=1950-1984|used_by={{Flagicon image|Zandas.png}} Zandas Republic|designer=Natuska Automotive
Office of Military Investigation and Research|design_date=1948-1950|manufacturer=Natuska Automotive
Reaper Motorworks|production_date=1950-1955|number=545

(421 for the Army)

(124 for the Marine Corps)|variants=U50/100B

U50/100BC

U50R

U50-2C STBC

U50/100MD|weight=36 tons|length=23ft 4in (7.1m)|width=8ft 7 in (2.62m)|height=7ft 5in (2.3m)|crew=4|armour=110m at 45° on the upper front plate
140mm on the turret face|speed=56kph|vehicle_range=400km}}The U50/100 Universal Tank was an important stepping stone in [[Zandas]] Armored development. This tank saw service with the small nation through several crises and while it never saw combat, it proved an effective deterrent to foreign aggression. Kept in service far longer than it was expected to, the platform produced several variants. Many tankers were fond of the design and reliability of the vehicle and it was utilized by both the Zandas Army and Marine Corps before being retired.

==History==
[[File:U50A.png|left|thumb|A U50/100, 1st Republican Army (East) in 1960. This vehicle in particular remained virtually unchanged since it departed the factory in 1951]]
After the failure of the [[U46/85 Medium Tank|U46/85]] in 1946, OMIR and Natuska Automotive got to work designing a new turret, weapon, and power-plant that could be used on the existing chassis from the last project. Following the Meyuer Doctrine, the tank was only to be built with domestic parts and weapons. The [[U42/85 Medium Tank|U42/85]] that was in service was becoming obsolete and a more powerful tank was required. In the beginning of 1950, the prototype underwent testing and after some changes was accepted into service at the end of the year. Equipped with a better engine, gun, and protection, the U50/100 began to replace the U42/85 in frontline service. However factory production was slow to get the new tank out in considerable numbers in the early years, due to machining issues and a workers strike in 1952.

With tensions with neighboring [[Chaldyria]] rising, the Army placed an initial order of 275 tanks in 1950. Over the next five years, the total number of tanks built would rise to 545. The army cited possible future [[UNICORN]] commitments for the increase in production, and the Marine Corps requested some as well. However production was slow, due to the 1952 worker's strike in the Natuska Automotive factory in Fitato as well as a steel shortage. With lower productivity of the iron mines after several mine collapses, steel was at a premium in the small nation. Tank production slowed from 1952-1955, and stopped all together with the Fitato-Alcut mine closure in October of 1955, which the nation into a recession at the start of the following year.

The vehicle became the premier armored vehicle for the nation after its introduction in 1950. However, following the major Zandian economic recession in 1956, military funding was slashed, the contract was canceled, and production ceased. Over the following few years the U50/100 platform was updated with necessary changes. It was upgraded with an improved engine, additional targeting systems and ammunition for the 100mm gun, and smoke launchers. This upgrade was then known as the U50/100B. While the Armored Battalions of the Army desired further improvements, this upgrade brought them into a somewhat competitive state with foreign tank designs. From 1956-1964, 342 Army tanks were brought up to this new standard. It was this variant that took part in the Zandas contribution to the UNICORN OSTFOR Mission from 1960-1964. These were the first Zandian tanks ever deployed on foreign soil.

In 1965, the U65/105 and U59/115 Universal Tanks officially replaced the U50/100 in frontline roles. Out of the 421 U50/100 tanks produced for the Army, 79 were still the baseline version. These tanks were kept as spares and finally were relinquished and scrapped in 1968. Many of the remaining tanks of the ‘B’ variant served in secondary roles and experiments were done using spare tanks. Members of the Army and the Office of Military Investigation and Research (OMIR) attempted to field new variants of the venerable chassis to fill out the armored force's ranks. These included conversions to the U50R Engineering Vehicle and the U50/100BC which was equipped with a mine plow. An experimental gun-missile launcher was equipped, and would enter service in 1972 as the U50-2C STBC. The U50 platform persisted in support roles long after any of its designers would have predicted. The U50/100B and BC would be removed from the reserves in 1974, and the U50-2C STBC would be retired in 1982. The Marine Corps would also update their tanks into the U50/100MD variant and would use it until 1975. The final U50 platform, the U50R, was retired in 1984.

==Development==
[[File:Projecy U-43.png|left|thumb|The first U-43 test vehicle in early 1950. Note the smaller turret, which would later be redesigned after test crew complaints]]
Taking the chassis from the U46/85, work began on a new design for a ‘universal tank’ at the beginning of 1947. This was given the name Proyekt U-43 (or just Proyekt 43). The idea was to design a tank that could serve multiple roles on the battlefield at once, and in such numbers that it would bring a decisive victory. It used a similar torsion bar suspension to that of the [[U42/85 Medium Tank|U42/85]]. It was determined the torsion bar suspension that was in use was adequate for Zandian terrain and would reduce costs and development time of the new tank. The chassis was given an additional 30mm of armor, up to a total of 110mm at the front. The turret ring was also widened to house a larger turret for a larger gun. The turret had a new unique rounded design, and was 140mm thick in the front. It also housed a DW-10 100mm cannon, the most powerful cannon the Zandas Republic had at the time. A new engine and transmission were custom built around the space allocated inside the machine, allowing for a speed of 56kph and an estimated range of 400 km. By the beginning of 1950, the first prototype of the tank rolled out of the factory and onto the proving grounds.

Results from the 1950 tests for the prototype were mixed. While the rounded turret was effective in deflecting incoming rounds from many angles, the cramped turret decreased the effectiveness of the crew. At the end of 1950 a new, rounded turret was introduced, and was approved for production. The U50/100 began to slowly replace the U42/85 at the very end of 1950.
[[File:P U45.png|thumb|Proyekt U45 with the 105mm DW-15 cannon installed, 1958. After initial testing, crews refused to enter the turret again due to the cramped conditions inside.]]
1958 saw the introduction of the DW-15 105mm tank cannon, and an attempt was made to fit the new gun into the turret of the U50/100B. Proyekt U75 was conducted in the same year, and while the gun could physically fit in the turret, the inside of the turret was incredibly cramped the three crew members found it extremely difficult to even get in. Additionally, the cannon had virtually no elevation angles, with only +5/-2 degrees of elevation and depression. To rework the turret would cost too much for the underfunded Army in the late 50's and the project was scrapped in favor of the upcoming replacement tank program.

== Use and Operation ==
[[File:U50B.png|thumb|A U50/100B during the UNICORN OSTFOR Mission. The tank was generally complimented by allied crews, mostly due to its simplicity. The tank preformed well on the international stage, but its limitations did not go unnoticed. ]]The U50/100 and its variants were in operation from 1950-1984. It was used domestically only, despite some foreign inquiry soon after development. With a limited industrial base in the early 1950's, OMIR determined that the factories could not produce the desired amount for the Army and Marine Corps while fulfilling foreign contracts within a reasonable time.

=== Zandas Army ===
Officially adopted by the Army in December 1950, the first run of the tanks were allocated to the Army. Beginning in 1951 crews began to train on the new vehicle and they slowly replaced the U42/85 Medium Tank. By 1954 the tanks completely took over the role in frontline service, and were deployed to every base that housed an armored unit.

Army crews tended to appreciate the tank for its speed and reliability, although there were complaints about the small three man turret, even after the revisions made during development. In time, Zandian tankers began openly complaining about the lack of power behind the 100mm cannon, worried about being unable to effectively engage modern enemy armor. These complaints were a priority for the ongoing Project U71, the project that would result in the U65/105.

The tanks of the 3rd Armored Battalion, 1st Armored Infantry Brigade, 2nd Republican Army (West) were deployed to [[Osterrecht]] in 1960 as part of the [[UNICORN]] mission there known as OSTFOR. These tanks, along with allied vehicles, held the line at the Danau DMZ, protecting Osterrecht from Communist aggression. They had the honor of being the first Zandian tanks ever deployed on foreign soil. Over the next four years several over tank units were rotated through the OSTFOR mission until its abrupt cancellation by PM Hoya in 1964.

It stayed in frontline service until 1972, being fully replaced by the U65/105 and U59/115 by that point. With the increase of budget in 1965 new modifications were introduced that kept the vehicles serving as second-line tanks and support vehicles. These variants survived in Army service well into the 1970's and early 80's, with the last being the U50R, which was retired in 1984.

=== Zandas Marine Corps ===
The Marines received their first 10 tanks for training in 1953, and only received their full order in late 1955. With priority going to the army for the new tank, the slowly delivered tanks served alongside their predecessor, the U42/85. 124 tanks would be delivered to several Marine bases across the nation. In 1958 110 of these tanks would rotate back to the factories to receive the U50/100B modification, being fully implemented by 1960.

Marine U50/100Bs were briefly considered to assist HARPSICHORD forces during the 1960 [[Tamerlindian War of Independence|Tamerlindian Civil War]], however, this was deemed excessive as the allied forces already had a sufficient armor and the government did not want to commit boots on the ground.

The U50/100 and later U65/105 would serve alongside the amphibious UA60/76,

Marine tankers had similar compliments and complaints to their Army counterparts about the tanks. In 1961 the Marine Corps requested designs for an extensive upgrade package for the vehicle, allowing it to preform better on soft ground, such as sand, and for improved survivability. This resulted in the U50/100MD modification in 1963, and a total of 84 of the U50/100B tanks in service with the Marines would receive this upgrade. A new, more powerful engine was added, and wider tanks were installed. These in combination were shown to improve performance in soft sand. An additional set of smoke launchers were added to each side of the turret, and side skirts were added to protect against flanking shaped-charges. However, crews did not welcome this new addition, as it became more difficult to remove debris or dried mud from the road wheels and tracks, and made maintenance more difficult overall.

The 'MD' served in frontline roles until 1974, with the other modifications seeing limited use or were put in reserve. It served alongside the U65/105, which itself was in limited numbers. The 'MD's was placed in reserve in 1975, and were later scrapped.

==Variants==
===U50/100B===
The 1953 development of the upgraded version, the U50/100B, brought important advancements to the platform. Improvements included the installation of a more efficient and powerful engine, a new rangefinder, and a new HE round of the 100mm. It also brought the standard smoke launcher upgrades that were widespread across all army vehicles at this time. 342 tanks were converted by the time the 1956 recession hit, and the project was cut. Nonetheless, over 80% of tanks received these important upgrades. These tanks were the premier version of the U50/100 in widespread service, and would represent Zandas amongst its UNICORN allies during the OSTFOR mission from 1960-1964. In turn, many of these would go on to receive additional upgrades and alterations over the years, with any remaining U50/100Bs being retired in 1970.

===U50/100BC===
[[File:U50BC.png|thumb|Introduced into tank columns in 1966, this tank served as a test bed for the B-29 mine-plow, allowing for similar installations on the new U65/105 tanks]]
In 1958 further experimentation was conducted on the U50/100B platform with the installation of mine clearing plows. Designed to clear a path of mines before other armored vehicles arrived, the new plow was tested and equipped on 24 tanks, now known as U50/100BC variants. These were delivered to armor companies in mid to late 1965. The new B-29 plow would end up on the newer U65/105 tanks as well after being successfully tested on the U50 chassis first. These vehicles would serve in active roles until 1972.

===U50R===
Using the improved engine of the ‘B’ variant and adding gear sets designed for high torque, work began on a true armored engineering vehicle. The turret was removed and replaced with a crane and a structure to house the new hydraulic components. It was also equipped with a dozer blade for earth moving. The new crane and winch system could easily remove engines, turrets, and transmission from other armored vehicles in the field, and could even drag the newer, heavier tanks back to a repair depot if needed. The vehicle retained its smoke launchers for concealment and had a single light machinegun for defense. 76 of these new vehicles, the U50R, were produced and distributed to engineering companies. They would finally be retired from service in 1984, making them the longest lived of the U50 platform.
{| class="wikitable"
|+Showcase of the U50R with its recovery boom stored and deployed
|[[File:U50r.png]]
|[[File:U50r2.png]]
|}

===U50-2C STBC===
[[File:U50 STBC Proto.png|left|thumb|1969 Prototype of the STBC. This was in the midst of the many struggles with the gun-launcher ]]
[[File:U50 STBC.png|thumb|Training Exercise 'Operation Eagle', 1976]]
Relying mostly on kinetic armaments for anti-tank work, an experiment was started using the U50/100B chassis for an armored missile carrier. The only current ATGM vehicle in the arsenal, the PTL-12M was also needing replacement as it was incredibly outdated. Eventually a proposal was made to create a gun-launcher, to allow the tanks to fire ATGMs as well as HE rounds. However the new system proved troublesome, and after a long process and a redesign of the turret, the new launcher system was installed in 1969. It was called the Sensor-guided Targeting Ballistic Computer, or STBC for short. The new modification was designated the U50-2C STBC in 1970. This new system was revolutionary for the Zandian Army, but had significant teething issues. The STBC was often referred to as ‘Sh*tting The Bed Constantly’ by the troops that operated them, as the launcher often malfunctioned and was difficult to use. In one case early after adoption, the ammunition misfired and ignited inside of the barrel, killing the tank’s gunner and loader, severely injuring the commander and narrowly avoided cooking the rest of the tank’s ammunition off. Even after these major flaws were fixed in 1976, crews still despised the new modification of the venerable chassis, and fortunately the U50-2 STBC never saw combat. Only 50 U50/100B hulls were fitted with the STBC system, and all were decommissioned in 1982.
[[File:U50MD.png|thumb|U50/100MD as seen in Marine Corps service in 1965]]

=== U50/100MD ===
Designed in 1961 and produced in 1963, 84 Marine Corps tanks received this upgrade. An extra set of smoke launchers were added on either side of the turret to conceal the tank after landing. It was equipped with a stronger engine and wider tracks to quickly escape a sandy beach and not get bogged down. It also was equipped with side skirts to help combat shaped-charged attacks. While not a perfect upgrade, it remained in frontline service with the Marine Corps until 1970, and was retired in 1975.

== Media ==
The U50/100 Universal Tank is often referred to by its nickname of ‘Huntsman’ in modern media, however there is no documentation of tankers or troops using this name while it was in service. The name was coined in the 1982 novel ‘Desert Wall’ by Sergei Gradolite, a historical fiction book about tensions with Chaldyria boiling over in 1952. The book revolves around a U50/100 tank crew, and the crew named their tank ‘Huntsman’. With the success of the novel, some called all U50/100s 'Huntsman', and this spread around in military circles. The idea took off like wildlife with the invention of the internet and of online military forums. People worldwide recognize the vehicle as the ‘Huntsman’, although it never wore that title. Troops would only refer to it as the U50/100, or more often just U50.

Army troops named some vehicles in the late 1950’s but didn’t start naming tank series until 1965, with the introduction of the U65/105 ‘Steel Horse’ and the U59/115 ‘Belak’. This was initially done to differentiate between the two new tanks, but it spread to naming nearly all vehicles in the Army’s inventory to the modern day.

== Surviving Examples ==
Four examples of the U50/100 remain in museums. A U50/100B that served in the OSTFOR Mission, a U50-2C STBC, and a U50/100MD live at the National Military History Museum in the Capital in Brecton. One additional Marine U50/100B is on display at the Negelenor Naval Base outside the Capital. {{Zandas Military Vehicles}}

File:P U45.png

2026-09-25T18:48:34Z

Nickygio:

Proyekt U45 with the 105mm DW-15 cannon, 1958. After initial testing, crews refused to enter the turret due to how cramped the conditions inside were

P44 Light Tank

2026-09-25T14:38:25Z

Nickygio: /* History */

[[File:P44.png|thumb]]
Placeholder

== History ==
With the outbreak of the TYW and the implementation of the Meyuer Doctrine, the Army began to take bids to replace the current light tank, the U36/50 (P10). The vehicle was slow, thinly armored, and had a mediocre gun. A replacement was needed that could provide recce support for the company, provide flanking support to armored units, and engage infantry effectively. Work began in 1940 to meet these goals, resulting in the P44. Introduced in 1941, it was armed with a modern 76.2mm cannon that was also planned to go on the medium tank project under development, had a speed of 52kph, and had up to 45mm of frontal armor. However, the three-man crew was crammed in the vehicle, and the transmission had issues periodically being unable to downshift while in high gear. The vehicle was then forced to stall out to repair the issue. Nevertheless, the vehicle performed well in exercises and stayed in service through the end of the war and into the 1950’s. Two main variants stemmed from the vehicle extended its service life as a support vehicle, however it would ultimately be retired from frontline roles as a light tank in 1955.

The naming convention for tanks was not formalized until 1941, with the introduction of the ‘U’ series of tanks. This consisted of ‘U’, standing for Utaly or ‘tank; in Zandian, followed by the production year and caliber of gun. Having been brought into service before this, the ‘P’ designation of ‘Pyotly’ or ‘vehicle’ was used.

== Development ==
The P44 used a torsion bar suspension design to quickly carry it across the smooth and flat terrain of the grasslands, deserts, and steppes of the nation.

== Use and Operation ==

=== Army ===
The P44 saw widespread use throughout Armored columns soon after its introduction into the Army in 1941. Highly effective on the flat steppes and deserts, the tank could flank around defensive positions during exercises with ease. The firepower of the main 76.2mm cannon was excellent in 1941 for a light tank and remained satisfactory for the remainer of its service life. Not meant to go toe-to-toe with enemy armor, the medium caliber round remained effective against side and rear armor. Over time, the transmission issues became more widespread with vehicles being stuck in high gear. The vehicle was officially restricted to medium speeds only in 1950 to avoid using the high gear, but the tank lost its only edge in combat. A replacement was desired, and while a true light tank would not be developed for several years, the SR54/47 was introduced in 1954 and the P44 was slowly phased out. It was taken out of service officially in 1956 due to that year’s major budget cuts.

== Variants ==

=== P44(OP) ===

=== P44-40 ===
{{Zandas Military Vehicles}}

GMS Z46 Truck

2026-09-23T23:29:10Z

Nickygio:

[[File:GMS Z46.png|thumb]]
The GMS company’s ‘Z’ series of trucks provided a crucial service to the military’s logistical capability. Providing logistical support from the end of the TYW through the 1960’s, the series was the workhorse for the military. Adaptable, reliable, and capable, the trucks served everywhere [[Zandas|Zandian]] military personnel were located.

== History ==
Stemming from the military’s request for a new medium truck in 1945, the GMS Trucking Company began designing an all-terrain truck capable of carrying 2 ½ tons of supplies and up to 10 troops. The lighter P3 trucks used through the early 1940’s were underpowered and had little carrying capacity, and the [[PTL-12 Transport|PTL-12]] was designed as a personnel transport, not a supply carrier, although it was pressed into this role with the failures of the P3. It was requested that the new trucks used similar wheels to the PTL-12 for a parts similarity between vehicles. This was influenced by the Meyuer Doctrine of 1939, to attempt to produce all equipment domestically in war time.

The result was the GMS Z46 truck equipped with 6x6 all wheel drive and a 160hp engine capable of carrying the desired payload. The design was quickly approved by the Army and Navy in 1946, and an initial production order of 500 for the Army and 300 for the Navy was placed. These vehicles found themselves at every base in the nation quickly, and they were well known for their ease of operation. Serving in the logistical role as well as a transport role, the trucks shaped how supplies were distributed in the Zandian Army. There were also many variants and attachments equipped to vehicles, and they served a wide range of roles. In total 1,235 Z46 trucks were produced.

However, in the 1950’s, a stronger powerplant was desired, and the result was the GMS Z55, introduced in 1955. The new vehicle, the GMS Z55, had an improved engine that produced 210hp allowing for considerably more torque and carrying capability. The truck was now rated to carry 3 tons of material. A total of 1,875 vehicles of this new production run were completed between 1955 and 1966 for both the Army and the Navy. This vehicle was equipped with similar and improved variants of the previous run and was an effective logistical and combat vehicle.

The military used the truck in many roles, including troop transport, logistical vehicle, light and heavy wrecker, dump truck, and aircraft fuel tanker. It also served as an anti-aircraft platform mounting a 40mm gun and rocket artillery platform with 142mm rockets.

== Variants ==

=== Wreckers ===

==== GMS Z46 with Z21 Light Wrecker ====

==== GMS Z55 with Z21 Light Wrecker ====

==== GMS Z46D Heavy Wrecker ====

==== GMS Z55D Heavy Wrecker ====

=== GMS Z46 (40mm) ===

=== GMS Z55 (40mm) ===

=== GMS Z55 (142) ===
{{Zandas Military Vehicles}}

PTL-12 Transport

2026-09-23T23:26:57Z

Nickygio:

{{Infobox weapon|name=PTL-12 Transport|image=PLT-12.png|caption=PTL-12B in 1950|origin={{Flagicon image|Zandas.png}} [[Zandas]] Republic|type=Transport|is_vehicle=yes|service=1943-1972|used_by={{Flagicon image|Zandas.png}} Zandas Republic

{{Flagicon image|Mergovina.png}} [[Mergovina]]

{{Flagicon image|SouthHarab.png}} [[South Harab]]

{{Flagicon image|1=VTECFlag.png}} United Tamerlindian Ore Company (before sale was revoked in 1960)

{{Flagicon image|Dahrat.png}} [[Dahrat]] (through Mergovina)

{{Flagicon image|Ordevita.png}} [[Ordevita]] (through Mergovina)

{{Flagicon image|Zaponiteli.png}} [[Zaponiteli]] (through Mergovina)

{{Flagicon image|WestKursatija.png}} [[West Khursartija]] (through Mergovina)|designer=Reaper Motorworks|design_date=1941-1943|manufacturer=Reaper Motorworks
Mead Truck Company|production_date=1943-1951|number=3,189|variants=PTL-12 A/B/C

ZU-6

ZU-8

PTL-12L

PTL-12M|weight=8.65 tons|length=23ft (7m)|width=6ft 6in (2m)|height=7ft 8in (2.3m)|crew=3|armour=6-12mm|vehicle_range=380km|speed=75kph on road
35kph offroad}}
With nearly four decades in service, the PTL-12 is an iconic [[Zandas|Zandian]] vehicle. From the [[Ten Years' War|TYW]] right through the height of the Zandian-UNICORN Troubles, this all wheel drive vehicle served in various forms throughout the years. Primarily a lightly armored transport, it also served as an anti-tank gun, infantry support vehicle, and even a missile carrier. Serving at home, overseas in OSTFOR, and serving in several nations’ armed forces, it outlived its projected service life by decades. Retired vehicles often served on farms and ranches for years to come, with some reported surviving until the early 2000's.

== History ==
The PTL-12 came from a desire to produce a fast, reliable, a versatile transport for Zandian ground troops. With fears of invasion increasing in the early part of the TYW, a vehicle that could carry responding troops across the rugged terrain of the Zandian steppes and desert was vital. Developed by engineers at Reaper Motorworks, known for their rugged trucks, the PTL-12 was introduced into armored infantry formations in late 1943, followed closely by its smaller relative, the [[PTL-4 Light Transport|PTL-4]], early the next year. From 1943 through 1967, the PTL-12 was the primary mode of protected transportation for infantry.

Upon introduction, the first 100 vehicles were converted to having a flat truck bed instead of seating for troops. This was due to a demand by the Army for a suitable logistical vehicle to replace the failed PG3 trucks in service. With the [[GMS Z46 Truck|Z46]] series several years out from production, the first PTL-12 vehicles served as logistical vehicles, a role it was not designed for. Eventually, after the first 100 vehicles were produced, the vehicle was produced as designed and entered service as a troop transport in 1943. While the initial production run of diesel trucks were produced by Reaper Motorworks, the subsequent switch to a gasoline engine saw production shift to Mead Truck Company factories in 1948.

The vehicle could protect 8 troops from small arms fire and shrapnel. It was capable of towing artillery pieces as well, making it a versatile platform. And while revered by its crews generally, crews suffered during poor weather and winter conditions. Makeshift covers were made by crews, but an official solution was never made by the Army, despite several inquiries.

Starting with the introduction of the PTL-12B in 1948, troops began naming the transport variant the ‘Cougar’. Vehicle crews then adopted the name, and the unofficial name found its way into official documents submitted by high-ranking officers. The name of ‘Cougar’ was officially adopted by the Army for the transport variant in 1950. A similar naming convention continued for future variants, but notably not for the ZU-6 and 8 platforms while they were in service. Some amateur historians have given these two vehicles names after their service ended, however there is no documentation that crews ever referred to their vehicles in such a way.
[[File:PTL-12C 2.png|left|thumb|A PTL-12C 'Cougar' participating in the 1960 training exercise 'Operation Steppe Shield'. One good quality of the vehicle was the excellent visibility the crew had of the surrounding terrain, however it came at the cost of protection.]]
By the mid 1950's the vehicles lagged behind contemporaries with its thin armor, old engine, and open top. Upgrades were being made to the vehicles however, a recession rolled in at the beginning of 1956. With the slashing of the Army's budget, majority of the funds went to improving the [[U50/100 Universal Tank|U50/100]] Universal Tanks. The upgrades to the Cougar stopped, with only 3/4 of all Army vehicles upgraded. These upgrades included the introduction of smoke launchers, an improved communications suite, and an improved transmission. As the 1960's rolled through, the vehicles were showing their age, and while deployed to [[Osterrecht]] for the [[UNICORN]] OSTFOR mission allied crews sympathized with the struggles the Zandian vehicle crews had to go through.

Throughout its service the platform was fitted with various armaments, including 76.2mm and 155mm cannons, 81mm mortar, and the 6Z3 ATGM system. The platform proved itself as more than just a fast transport, providing combat support capabilities for the infantry.

In 1967, the [[PTL-32 Armored Personnel Carrier|PTL-32 Puma]] was introduced, and it was a massive improvement for the soldiers and crews alike. Immediately the Cougar was put into reserve or outright retired as the new transports came online. By 1970 the PTL-12 ceased to function in the transport role, but variants persisted in operation until 1974. The venerable vehicle lasted longer in service than it was ever meant to, but still performed when asked.

== Development ==
[[File:PTL-12 Corthenia Camo.png|thumb|A PTL-12C in Corthenian Theater Camouflage, 1962. Only a few dozen of these vehicles were stationed with the Battalion that was on rotation in the Allied Nation|left]]
In 1941 the Army announced a design project for an all-terrain truck capable of carrying 6-8 men, capable of tow light field weapons, providing bulletproof protection, and have a high speed of at least 70kph on roads. Several companies submitted designs, however the vehicle from Reaper Motorworks, the Kp-12, was chosen. Capable of 75kph on roads and 35kph off-road, the Kp-12 could carry 8 combat loaded troops along with a crew of three. This included a gunner which would cover the dismounting troops with a 7.62mm machine-gun on a mount on the cab. The power-plant and cab of the truck were essentially that of their K-1 series of commercial trucks, equipped with some thin armor plates and a redesigned bed for troop transport. The truck was based on a proven and rugged platform, but there were two issues. The open top was designed to save weight but left the crew passengers completely exposed to artillery fire, debris, and gunfire from elevated positions. The truck was also a diesel, which meant it would share a fuel reserve meant for the tanks, instead of the other gasoline powered cars and trucks already in service. In a time of short supply, such as a conflict, the new trucks and the tanks would both be competing for the same fuel.

The Army decided that positives the vehicle brought to the table outweighed these other issues. Prototypes of the newly named PTL-12 would be tested in late 1942 through 1943, and the initial production would begin later that year. The first PTL-12s would be delivered to troops at the end of 1943.

With the relatively rapid decline in reliability of the PG3 truck, the only large truck in service in 1943, an urgent solution was needed. The Army tasked Reaper Motorworks to modify the PTL-12 that was currently undergoing its initial production to subsidize the logistical forces of the military until a new truck was designed for the role. Within a matter of weeks, the engineers had their answer. Similar to their commercial trucks, the modified vehicle had the entire bed removed and replaced with a flatbed with posts to secure loads. The vehicle could only carry about 1 ton of supplies, and it was produced at the same time as the standard PTL-12, although some production was diverted away from the main line to complete this hurried special order of 100 trucks.

Soon after introduction, some troops began to experiment with the trucks by adding heavy weaponry for mobile support. The Office of Military investigation and Research (OMIR) discovered this and reported it to the Army. The idea of mobile fire support for the infantry with the same chassis as their transport piqued the interest of the Army. A design was ordered to be drafted by Reaper Motorworks for an official version of these vehicles. In late 1944 two vehicles emerged; the ZU-6 Anti-Armor Vehicle and the ZU-8 Artillery Vehicle. With the removal of the troop benches and light weaponry, the vehicles were mounted with a 76.2mm cannon or 155mm cannon respectively. The biggest drawback of these designs was the immense strain placed on the chassis by the large cannons and ammunition. And while the suspensions were replaced by heavier duty parts, the vehicle still suffered more breakdowns than average for the PTL-12 chassis throughout their entire career.

Similar modifications would end up being made to carry a mortar and eventually ATGMs; however, these designs were not plagued with similar suspension issues as these weapon systems weighed significantly less than the old cannons.

In late 1947 the Mead Truck Company would design a gasoline engine that could be installed in the frame of the PTL-12. With the truck’s diesel power-plant being one of the biggest gripes of the Army about the vehicle, they quickly moved to replace it with this new engine. The contract with Reaper Motorworks would end in the middle of 1948, and the Army would approve the Mead Truck Company to build the trucks in the future. The diesel trucks were renamed the ‘A’ version, while the gasoline trucks were named the ‘B’ version.

With the improvement of efficient and more powerful engines, engineers at Mead Truck Company attempted to sell the Army a new gasoline engine for the PTL-12 in 1954. While hesitant to pump more money into the ten-year-old design, there were no other viable transport options available, so the upgrade was approved. From 1954-1956, about 3/4 of the PTL-12Bs would receive the new engine and other small improvements including the updated transmissions and communications suites, and the addition of smoke launchers. The vehicles would receive the new designation of PTL-12C. However, with the recession of 1956, the upgrade program would end due to a lack of funding from the Army.

== Use and Operation ==

=== Army ===
[[File:PTL-12C.png|thumb|A PTL-12C 'Cougar' on a training exercise before being deployed to the OSTFOR Mission in early 1960. ]]Starting service as a troop transport in 1943, the PTL-12 platform became the backbone of Armored Infantry and Support formations for over two decades. They were a common site on all army bases, and all infantry that served during those years were familiar with the vehicles. While never seeing combat, the vehicles went wherever the infantry went. Besides every Army base and outpost in the nation, this including the Zandian base in Corthenia and to Osterrecht in support of the UNICORN OSTFOR Mission. The Army utilized the versatility of the platform to a great extent, producing many variants and upgrades to the chassis over the years. However the drawbacks of the vehicle were apparent from the start, and with the introduction of its replacement the vehicle was phased out quickly from service.

=== Marine Corps ===
Marines used the Cougar sparingly, as they preferred to use and train with the amphibious [[GMS Z46 Truck|GMS ZA46/55]] series of trucks. They began operating the vehicle in 1949 with the PTL-12B variant, later upgrading to the ‘C’ in 1958. They were mostly used to transport troops around Marine bases and serve as OPFOR personnel carriers in training exercises. They also served at the Corthenia Station, rarely leaving Shakercove Naval Base except for joining the Corthenians in exercises. The Marines retired the Cougar in 1969 with the introduction of the PTL-32.

== Foreign Sales ==
From 1956 to early 1960, several hundred PTL-12A and B variants were sold to two nations, [[Mergovina]] and VTEC. Most of these units went to Mergovina, with only 75 unarmed vehicles sold to VTEC. The vehicles lived very different lives depending on which nation they went to.

==== Mergovinian Service ====
[[File:WK_Bankice_I.png|left|thumb|A Mergovinian PTL-12B (OBV-112) in service with the West Khursartija Army, known as the "Bankice" in their service. While the vehicle has had significant modification from Merogvinia, it is still recognizable as a Zandian design.]]Under Mergovinian service, the vehicle was called OBV-112. The Kingdom modified the vehicle to their liking and it served as a transport alongside older [[Belakraine|Belakrainian]] tanks. It was also converted to hold a 40mm cannon for anti-aircraft duties. However the nation was quick to sell off much of their stock of these vehicles as newer vehicles became available. The old OBV-112s were sold to the [[Dahrat|Kingdom of Dahrat]], the [[Ordevita|Republic of Ordevita]], [[West Khursartija]], and much to the dismay of the Zandian government, the [[Zaponiteli|People's Republic of Zaponiteli.]] The vehicles being sold to a [[CERBERUS]] nation was a sore spot amongst Zandian diplomats and contributed to the brief falling out the Zandas and Mergovina had in 1964.

====VTEC Service====
PM Hoya was hesitant to sell to the corporate state in 1960, given their history and questionable ethics. However the two nations enjoyed a healthy trade relationship, and the Office of Military Investigation and Research (OMIR) vetted the sale. PM Hoya even made a public statement that OMIR has vetted that the vehicles will not be used in aggressive actions. He also said the “Zandas reserves the right to reacquire all military assets across the globe if they are believed to cause unnecessary harm to civilians or are used in an unprovoked attack.”

Less than a year later, the [[Tamerlindian War of Independence]] and Operation HARPSICHORD were well underway. There was concern as to whether the vehicles had been armed and if they were being used against Zandian allies, when the infamous photo appeared. A burned out VTEC PTL-4 with a Zandian made LA-16 Recoilless rifle was photographed in Tamerlindia. It was discovered that OMIR Director Ivan Zaitev along with select members of Foreign Intelligence Department secretly negotiated a trade deal with the Tamerlindians. They organized the delivery of armed Zandian military vehicles to VTEC using falsified and forged documents. In exchange, they received stock in VTEC and a cash bribe. An additional 15 armed PTL-12 and 20 armed PTL-4 transports were delivered to VTEC in addition to the legitimate sale made earlier that year. This resulting in the arrest and mass investigation of many within OMIR, and ultimately the Zandian actions in Tamerlindia, resulting in Operation Swift Vengeance. This resulted in the destruction or capture of all Zandian made vehicles in the war torn nation.

==Variants==

===PTL-12A/B/C===
The base model of the PTL-12 was introduced as a troop transport in 1943. With the subsequent changes made to the power-plant from a diesel to gasoline engine in 1948, this new model was considered the 'B' model, while the existing diesel model was re-designated the 'A' model. The last major update to the troop transport version of the vehicle was made in 1956. This included the introduction of the an improved gasoline engine, an improved transmission, a modern communication suite, and smoke grenade launchers. The vehicle was replaced in the troop transport role as soon as the PTL-32 was brought into service starting in 1967. The last Cougars in service were those deployed to Corthenia, which served until late 1970. A small number of these vehicles were present with the Army detachment in Joint Base Shakercove-Orina. They were painted in the special CA-2 camouflage, designed vehicles that were stationed at Orina Army Base in Corthenia.

===ZU-6===
[[File:ZU-8.png|thumb|A ZU-6 mounting the venerable 76.2mm cannon. It was quickly outgunned by the end of the TYW but continued to see limited service through the mid-1950s]]

In 1944 the addition of a powerful 76.2mm anti-tank gun turned the transport into a rapid tank destroyer. Capable of outpacing heavier armored units on roads and easy terrain, they could respond to breakthroughs or set up ambushes with the help of spotters. However, the heavy load of the cannon and ammunition weighed on the chassis and the suspension. With the PTL-12 platform beginning to show it's age in the 1950's, the vehicle was considered for retirement but it was without a suitable replacement. Therefore it saw limited continued service until the vehicles consistently broke down and was considered unreliable. It was ultimately removed from service in 1957 due to these issues and the lacking power of the 76mm cannon.[[File:ZU-8 2.png|thumb|ZU-8 with its 155mm field cannon trained on a target. While the cannon was excellent, the PTL-12 platform became unreliable after years of stress on the suspension.|left]]

===ZU-8===
The ZU-8 was developed at the same time as the ZU-6, serving in a similar role. Mounting the proven 155mm field cannon, it was designed to support infantry units and quickly move after firing to avoid counter-battery fire. It faced similar challenges as the ZU-6 and was taken out of service at the same time, and did not see a full replacement until the introduction off the superior [[U42/85 Medium Tank|U42/155 SPG]]. However the [[GMS Z46 Truck|GMS Z55 (142)]] took over its role partially, although it lacked the same maneuverability and range.

=== PTL-12L===
[[File:PTL-12L.png|thumb|A PTL-12L supporting UNICORN troops during the OSTFOR Mission in 1961 during a training exercise.]]
In combat exercises during the early 1950's, the need for close-in fire support was desired. The installation of an 82mm mortar in a PTL-12 gave the infantry a rapid response and mobile platform to receive support from. The new vehicle traded its troop carrying capability for the mortar, crew and ammunition. These new PTL-12L ‘Mongoose’ vehicles were built into armored infantry formations in 1955. The open topped nature of the transport meant that little modification was needed to install and operate the mortar from the vehicle. The platform was replaced when the new PTL-32 was introduced, and the last PTL-12L was retired in 1968.[[File:PLT-12M.png|thumb|The PTL-12M was the only missile-carrier that Zandas deployed to the OSTFOR Mission from 1960-1964.|left]]
=== PTL-12M===
In 1960 the Zandian military produced a license built 6Z3 ATGM from Belakrain, naming it the P16 ATGM. Desperate for anti-armor assets in response to increased tensions from neighboring Chaldyria and CERBERUS, the army mated the missile to the PTL-12 chassis. It was successful enough that it was put into service as the PTL-12M ‘Scorpion’. The vehicle sacrificed its ability to carry troops to instead carry 10 P16 ATGMs. The optically targeted wire-guided missile performed decently for the Zandian Army, allowing for long distance engagements on the open steppe. However the Scorpion itself was plagued with issues. Its small internal size and conversion to a missile carrier caused crews to complain it was cramped. It also began suffering from mechanical breakdowns, as the aging engines and suspension systems were long overdue for overhauls. The platform was successful in terms of implementing strategies for missile carrying vehicles for the Zandians, and was always meant to be a stop gap design. In 1969 it was equipped with the 6Z4 for Belakrain, (P17 in Zandian service), which was a smaller and faster missile but still equally effective. It was eventually retired from service in 1974 after the introduction of the troublesome [[U50/100 Universal Tank|U50-2C STBC]] in 1972.

===PTL-12U===
Briefly produced after the introduction of the vehicle in 1943, the 'U' variant was meant to serve in a logistical role while a replacement for the outdated P3 truck was being designed. While not expressly built for the logistical role, the vehicle could only carry 1 tons of supplies. After the introduction of the Z46 series of trucks into the military, the PTL-12U was retired and either converted back to a transport version, sold to the public, or scrapped in 1946.
[[File:PTL-12U.png|left|thumb|Inferior to the purpose built logistical trucks that followed, the PTL-12U still served as an adequate logistical vehicle for a few years.]]
{{Zandas Military Vehicles}}

U50/100 Universal Tank

2026-09-22T23:28:53Z

Nickygio: /* Development */

{{Infobox weapon|name=U50/100 Universal Tank|image=U50-100.png|caption=U50/100B during the UNICORN OSTFOR Mission, 1960|origin={{Flagicon image|Zandas.png}} [[Zandas]] Republic|type=Main Battle Tank|is_vehicle=yes|service=1950-1984|used_by={{Flagicon image|Zandas.png}} Zandas Republic|designer=Natuska Automotive
Office of Military Investigation and Research|design_date=1948-1950|manufacturer=Natuska Automotive
Reaper Motorworks|production_date=1950-1955|number=545

(421 for the Army)

(124 for the Marine Corps)|variants=U50/100B

U50/100BC

U50R

U50-2C STBC

U50/100MD|weight=36 tons|length=23ft 4in (7.1m)|width=8ft 7 in (2.62m)|height=7ft 5in (2.3m)|crew=4|armour=110m at 45° on the upper front plate
140mm on the turret face|speed=56kph|vehicle_range=400km}}The U50/100 Universal Tank was an important stepping stone in [[Zandas]] Armored development. This tank saw service with the small nation through several crises and while it never saw combat, it proved an effective deterrent to foreign aggression. Kept in service far longer than it was expected to, the platform produced several variants. Many tankers were fond of the design and reliability of the vehicle and it was utilized by both the Zandas Army and Marine Corps before being retired.

==History==
[[File:U50A.png|left|thumb|A U50/100, 1st Republican Army (East) in 1960. This vehicle in particular remained virtually unchanged since it departed the factory in 1951]]
After the failure of the [[U46/85 Medium Tank|U46/85]] in 1946, OMIR and Natuska Automotive got to work designing a new turret, weapon, and power-plant that could be used on the existing chassis from the last project. Following the Meyuer Doctrine, the tank was only to be built with domestic parts and weapons. The [[U42/85 Medium Tank|U42/85]] that was in service was becoming obsolete and a more powerful tank was required. In the beginning of 1950, the prototype underwent testing and after some changes was accepted into service at the end of the year. Equipped with a better engine, gun, and protection, the U50/100 began to replace the U42/85 in frontline service. However factory production was slow to get the new tank out in considerable numbers in the early years, due to machining issues and a workers strike in 1952.

With tensions with neighboring [[Chaldyria]] rising, the Army placed an initial order of 275 tanks in 1950. Over the next five years, the total number of tanks built would rise to 545. The army cited possible future [[UNICORN]] commitments for the increase in production, and the Marine Corps requested some as well. However production was slow, due to the 1952 worker's strike in the Natuska Automotive factory in Fitato as well as a steel shortage. With lower productivity of the iron mines after several mine collapses, steel was at a premium in the small nation. Tank production slowed from 1952-1955, and stopped all together with the Fitato-Alcut mine closure in October of 1955, which the nation into a recession at the start of the following year.

The vehicle became the premier armored vehicle for the nation after its introduction in 1950. However, following the major Zandian economic recession in 1956, military funding was slashed, the contract was canceled, and production ceased. Over the following few years the U50/100 platform was updated with necessary changes. It was upgraded with an improved engine, additional targeting systems and ammunition for the 100mm gun, and smoke launchers. This upgrade was then known as the U50/100B. While the Armored Battalions of the Army desired further improvements, this upgrade brought them into a somewhat competitive state with foreign tank designs. From 1956-1964, 342 Army tanks were brought up to this new standard. It was this variant that took part in the Zandas contribution to the UNICORN OSTFOR Mission from 1960-1964. These were the first Zandian tanks ever deployed on foreign soil.

In 1965, the U65/105 and U59/115 Universal Tanks officially replaced the U50/100 in frontline roles. Out of the 421 U50/100 tanks produced for the Army, 79 were still the baseline version. These tanks were kept as spares and finally were relinquished and scrapped in 1968. Many of the remaining tanks of the ‘B’ variant served in secondary roles and experiments were done using spare tanks. Members of the Army and the Office of Military Investigation and Research (OMIR) attempted to field new variants of the venerable chassis to fill out the armored force's ranks. These included conversions to the U50R Engineering Vehicle and the U50/100BC which was equipped with a mine plow. An experimental gun-missile launcher was equipped, and would enter service in 1972 as the U50-2C STBC. The U50 platform persisted in support roles long after any of its designers would have predicted. The U50/100B and BC would be removed from the reserves in 1976, and the U50-2C STBC would be retired in 1982. The Marine Corps would also update their tanks into the U50/100MD variant and would use it until 1975. The final U50 platform, the U50R, was retired in 1984.

==Development==
[[File:Projecy U-43.png|left|thumb|The first U-43 test vehicle in early 1950. Note the smaller turret, which would later be redesigned after test crew complaints]]
Taking the chassis from the U46/85, work began on a new design for a ‘universal tank’ at the beginning of 1947. This was given the name Proyekt U-43 or just Proyekt 43. The idea was to design a tank that could serve multiple roles on the battlefield at once, and in such numbers that it would bring a decisive victory. It used a similar torsion bar suspension to that of the [[U42/85 Medium Tank|U42/85]]. It was determined the torsion bar suspension that was in use was adequate for Zandian terrain and would reduce costs and development time of the new tank. The chassis was given an additional 30mm of armor, up to a total of 110mm at the front. The turret ring was also widened to house a larger turret for a larger gun. The turret had a new unique rounded design, and was 140mm thick in the front. It also housed a DW-10 100mm cannon, the most powerful cannon the Zandas Republic had at the time. A new engine and transmission were custom built around the space allocated inside the machine, allowing for a speed of 56kph and an estimated range of 400 km. By the beginning of 1950, the first prototype of the tank rolled out of the factory and onto the proving grounds.

Results from the 1950 tests for the prototype were mixed. While the rounded turret was effective in deflecting incoming rounds from many angles, the cramped turret decreased the effectiveness of the crew. At the end of 1950 a new, rounded turret was introduced, and was approved for production. The U50/100 began to slowly replace the U42/85 at the very end of 1950.

== Use and Operation ==
[[File:U50B.png|thumb|A U50/100B during the UNICORN OSTFOR Mission. The tank was generally complimented by allied crews, mostly due to its simplicity. The tank preformed well on the international stage, but its limitations did not go unnoticed. ]]The U50/100 and its variants were in operation from 1950-1984. It was used domestically only, despite some foreign inquiry soon after development. With a limited industrial base in the early 1950's, OMIR determined that the factories could not produce the desired amount for the Army and Marine Corps while fulfilling foreign contracts within a reasonable time.

=== Zandas Army ===
Officially adopted by the Army in December 1950, the first run of the tanks were allocated to the Army. Beginning in 1951 crews began to train on the new vehicle and they slowly replaced the U42/85 Medium Tank. By 1954 the tanks completely took over the role in frontline service, and were deployed to every base that housed an armored unit.

Army crews tended to appreciate the tank for its speed and reliability, although there were complaints about the small three man turret, even after the revisions made during development. In time, Zandian tankers began openly complaining about the lack of power behind the 100mm cannon, worried about being unable to effectively engage modern enemy armor. These complaints were a priority for the ongoing Project U71, the project that would result in the U65/105.

The tanks of the 3rd Armored Battalion, 1st Armored Infantry Brigade, 2nd Republican Army (West) were deployed to [[Osterrecht]] in 1960 as part of the [[UNICORN]] mission there known as OSTFOR. These tanks, along with allied vehicles, held the line at the Danau DMZ, protecting Osterrecht from Communist aggression. They had the honor of being the first Zandian tanks ever deployed on foreign soil. Over the next four years several over tank units were rotated through the OSTFOR mission until its abrupt cancellation by PM Hoya in 1964.

It stayed in frontline service until 1967, being fully replaced by the U65/105 and U59/115 by that point. The variants survived in Army service well into the 1970's and early 80's, with the retirement of the U50R in 1984.

=== Zandas Marine Corps ===
The Marines received their first 10 tanks for training in 1953, and only received their full order in late 1955. With priority going to the army for the new tank, the slowly delivered tanks served alongside their predecessor, the U42/85. 124 tanks would be delivered to several Marine bases across the nation. In 1958 110 of these tanks would rotate back to the factories to receive the U50/100B modification, being fully implemented by 1960.

Marine U50/100Bs were briefly considered to assist HARPSICHORD forces during the 1960 [[Tamerlindian War of Independence|Tamerlindian Civil War]], however, this was deemed excessive as the allied forces already had a sufficient armor and the government did not want to commit boots on the ground.

Marine tankers had similar compliments and complaints to their Army counterparts about the tanks. In 1961 the Marine Corps requested designs for an extensive upgrade package for the vehicle, allowing it to preform better on soft ground, such as sand, and for improved survivability. This resulted in the U50/100MD modification in 1963, and a total of 84 of the U50/100B tanks in service with the Marines would receive this upgrade. A new, more powerful engine was added, and wider tanks were installed. These in combination were shown to improve performance in soft sand. An additional set of smoke launchers were added to each side of the turret, and side skirts were added to protect against flanking shaped-charges. However, crews did not welcome this new addition, as it became more difficult to remove debris or dried mud from the road wheels and tracks, and made maintenance more difficult overall.

The 'MD' served in frontline roles until 1968, with the other modifications seeing limited use or were put in reserve. The marine corp was slow to adopt the new U65/105 tank. This was due to both the limited production/acquisition of the modern vehicles and the operation limitations the new tanks have. Their increased weight makes it more difficult to transport to shore rapidly as the current fleet of landing craft cannot easily accommodate the new tanks. 'MD' could roll off the deck of a landing craft and immediately engage targets, which the new tanks could not do until 1968. This was because of the way the new tanks had to be stored onboard the landing craft. This was not seen to be a major issue for the Marines as the U50/100 platform was capable, and any significant amphibious landing would later be supported by the Army and their heavier, newer tanks.

However the Marines finally adopted the U65/105 in 1970, and the 'MD' was placed in reserve until 1975, when they were scrapped.

==Variants==
===U50/100B===
The 1956 development of the upgraded version, the U50/100B, was very much a compromise. With a severely slashed budget, many items on the Army's wish-list could not be implemented. This included tests of a larger 105mm cannon in the turret, an improved transmission, additional armor, and research into advanced armor-piercing shells. However, vital upgrades were introduced. These included installation of a more efficient and powerful engine, a new rangefinder, and a new HE round of the 100mm. It also brought the standard smoke launcher upgrades that were widespread across all army vehicles at this time. These tanks were the premier version of the tanks in widespread service, and would represent Zandas amongst its UNICORN allies during the OSTFOR mission from 1960-1964.

===U50/100BC===
[[File:U50BC.png|thumb|Introduced into tank columns in 1966, this tank served as a test bed for the B-29 mine-plow, allowing for similar installations on the new U65/105 tanks]]
With surplus hulls with the introduction of new tanks in 1965, further experimentation was conducted on the U50/100B platform with the installation of mine clearing plows. Designed to clear a path of mines before other armored vehicles arrived, the new plow was tested and equipped on 24 tanks, now known as U50/100BC variants. These were delivered to armor companies in mid to late 1965. The new B-29 plow would end up on the newer U65/105 tanks as well after being successfully tested on the U50 chassis first.

===U50R===
Using the improved engine of the ‘B’ variant and adding gear sets designed for high torque, work began on a true armored engineering vehicle. The turret was removed and replaced with a crane and a structure to house the new hydraulic components. It was also equipped with a dozer blade for earth moving. The new crane and winch system could easily remove engines, turrets, and transmission from other armored vehicles in the field, and could even drag the newer, heavier tanks back to a repair depot if needed. The vehicle retained its smoke launchers for concealment and had a single light machinegun for defense. 76 of these new vehicles, the U50R, were produced and distributed to engineering companies.
{| class="wikitable"
|+Showcase of the U50R with its recovery boom stored and deployed
|[[File:U50r.png]]
|[[File:U50r2.png]]
|}

===U50-2C STBC===
[[File:U50 STBC Proto.png|left|thumb|1969 Prototype of the STBC. This was in the midst of the many struggles with the gun-launcher ]]
[[File:U50 STBC.png|thumb|Training Exercise 'Operation Eagle', 1976]]
Relying mostly on kinetic armaments for anti-tank work, an experiment was started using the U50/100B chassis for an armored missile carrier. The only current ATGM vehicle in the arsenal, the PTL-12M was also needing replacement as it was incredibly outdated. Eventually a proposal was made to create a gun-launcher, to allow the tanks to fire ATGMs as well as HE rounds. However the new system proved troublesome, and after a long process and a redesign of the turret, the new launcher system was installed in 1969. It was called the Sensor-guided Targeting Ballistic Computer, or STBC for short. The new modification was designated the U50-2C STBC in 1970. This new system was revolutionary for the Zandian Army, but had significant teething issues. The STBC was often referred to as ‘Sh*tting The Bed Constantly’ by the troops that operated them, as the launcher often malfunctioned and was difficult to use. In one case early after adoption, the ammunition misfired and ignited inside of the barrel, killing the tank’s gunner and loader, severely injuring the commander and narrowly avoided cooking the rest of the tank’s ammunition off. Even after these major flaws were fixed in 1976, crews still despised the new modification of the venerable chassis, and fortunately the U50-2 STBC never saw combat. Only 50 U50/100B hulls were fitted with the STBC system, and all were decommissioned in 1982.
[[File:U50MD.png|thumb|U50/100MD as seen in Marine Corps service in 1965]]

=== U50/100MD ===
Designed in 1961 and produced in 1963, 84 Marine Corps tanks received this upgrade. An extra set of smoke launchers were added on either side of the turret to conceal the tank after landing. It was equipped with a stronger engine and wider tracks to quickly escape a sandy beach and not get bogged down. It also was equipped with side skirts to help combat shaped-charged attacks. While not a perfect upgrade, it remained in frontline service with the Marine Corps until 1970, and was retired in 1975.

== Media ==
The U50/100 Universal Tank is often referred to by its nickname of ‘Huntsman’ in modern media, however there is no documentation of tankers or troops using this name while it was in service. The name was coined in the 1982 novel ‘Desert Wall’ by Sergei Gradolite, a historical fiction book about tensions with Chaldyria boiling over in 1952. The book revolves around a U50/100 tank crew, and the crew named their tank ‘Huntsman’. With the success of the novel, some called all U50/100s 'Huntsman', and this spread around in military circles. The idea took off like wildlife with the invention of the internet and of online military forums. People worldwide recognize the vehicle as the ‘Huntsman’, although it never wore that title. Troops would only refer to it as the U50/100, or more often just U50.

Army troops named some vehicles in the late 1950’s but didn’t start naming tank series until 1965, with the introduction of the U65/105 ‘Steel Horse’ and the U59/115 ‘Belak’. This was initially done to differentiate between the two new tanks, but it spread to naming nearly all vehicles in the Army’s inventory to the modern day.

== Surviving Examples ==
Four examples of the U50/100 remain in museums. A U50/100B that served in the OSTFOR Mission, a U50-2C STBC, and a U50/100MD live at the National Military History Museum in the Capital in Brecton. One additional Marine U50/100B is on display at the Negelenor Naval Base outside the Capital. {{Zandas Military Vehicles}}

U46/85 Medium Tank

2026-09-22T22:37:06Z

Nickygio:

== History ==
{{Infobox weapon|name=U46/85 Medium Tank|image=U46-85.png|caption=U46/85 shortly after testing in 1946|origin=[[Zandas]] Republic|type=Medium Tank|is_vehicle=Yes|service=1946-1954|used_by=Zandas Republic|designer=Natuska Automotive
Office of Military Investigation and Research|design_date=1945-1946|manufacturer=Reaper Motorworks|production_date=1946|number=20|variants=None|weight=35tons|length=23ft 4in (7.1m)|width=8ft 7 in (2.62m)|height=7ft 7in (2.3m)|crew=4|caliber=85mm|armour=80mm at 45° on the upper front plate
60mm on turret face|vehicle_range=200km|speed=32kph}}
In 1945 Proyekt U-21 was started the [[Zandas]] Army an attempt to modernize the [[U42/85 Medium Tank|U42/85]]. Even with additional firepower, the armor and mobility of the U42 had begun to fall behind the rest of the world. Tests started in 1945, and concluded at the end of 1946. With a new chassis and upgraded suspension, the new tank had excellent cross country performance. Also the frontal armor was thickened to 80mm at a 45 degree angle, and along with a lower profile the tank much more survivable. However the engine and transmission from the U42 did not fit properly in the new space, and a new engine and transmission was required quickly. These new parts did not have favorable performance, limiting the new tank to 32kph and a range of 200km. It also was armed with the same 85mm from the U42/85. It was decided to only make a limited number of this tank to keep in reserve, and to fix the problems with the chassis and propulsion, and ultimately fit a larger turret with a more powerful gun. It was officially designated the U46/85.

A total of 20 U46/85 tanks were produced, and they were put in their own company in defense of the capital. Their poor mobility and range would not hinder them in a defensive role, and it was thought that if any attack took place, that the strongest units should be the last line of defense for the capital city. Along with the co-axial 7.62mm machine gun, a commander’s weapon of the same caliber was installed as well.

With the widespread adoption of the [[U50/100 Universal Tank|U50/100]] and many U42/85s in reserve, the U46/85 was deemed surplus to requirement and all 20 were scrapped in 1954.

== Development ==
[[File:Projecy U-21.png|left|thumb|Project U-21 for the U46/85 Medium Tank in 1945 at Fort Alcut Proving Ground]]
Development of the new chassis went relatively smoothly, and the PG-3 turret from the U42/85 fit well inside. However, there was an issue with the hydraulic drives failing, leaving the turret stuck. This was ironed out after a few weeks, but this was only the start of the issues the prototype had. While it retained the U42/85’s torsion bar suspension, it was hoped that an upgraded power-plant could used by this new chassis. However there was not a larger engine or transmission available that was suitably sized at that time to fit inside the new chassis. Production dragged as a result, and OMIR stepped in. It was decided to equip the tank with engine and transmission from U42/85 instead, however this too had issues fitting. The resulting tank weighed more, had a lower engine output, and retained the same armament. Attempts to place a larger 90mm gun in the turret failed as well, and the Army decided to cut its losses and only produce a limited number of this tank and went back to the drawing board. This chassis, however, would be the basis for the successful U50/100 tank, produced four years later.

{{Zandas Military Vehicles}}

U42/85 Medium Tank

2026-09-22T22:35:55Z

Nickygio:

{{Infobox weapon|name=U42/85 Medium Tank|type=Medium Tank|service=1942-1965|used_by={{Flagicon image|Zandas.png}} Zandas Republic|is_vehicle=Yes|origin={{Flagicon image|Zandas.png}} [[Zandas]] Republic|designer=Natuska Automotive
Office of Military Investigation and Research|design_date=1941|manufacturer=Reaper Motorworks
Alcua Locomotive Works|production_date=1942-1950|number=648

(480 for the Army)

(168 for the Marines)|variants=U42/76

U42/85

U42/85B

ZU42/100 Tank Destroyer

U42/155 SPG|weight=32 Tons|length=22ft 8in (6.9m)|width=8ft 7 in (2.62m)|height=7ft 10 in (2.4)|crew=4|max_range=350km|armour=45mm at 45° (max)|primary weapon=DW-5|vehicle_range=350km|secondary weapon=7.62mm|Primary Weapon=DW-5|image=U42-85.png|Gun=DW-7|caption=A U42/85 in 1950 sporting 1st Republican Army (East) camouflage
(Credit to Moriskov)}}Vital to providing security to the [[Zandas|Zandas Republic]] while the world was at war, the U42/85 served well in its role as a capable domestically produced medium tank. While never seeing combat, the platform would continue to serve the nation long after the global conflict ended for both the Army and the Marines.

== History ==
In the early years of the [[Ten Years' War|Ten Years’ War]], the [[Zandas]] Military feared an invasion from [[Iron League]] forces due to its trade agreement with [[Belakraine]]. Starting the war with woefully outdated U35/47 tanks, production began in 1940 on a medium tank. The Army requested a capable, reliable, and easy to manufacture tank that could fulfill multiple roles. This was a product of the Meyuer Doctrine, with the Army relying on domestically built equipment during the war. The result of this request would enter service in 1942, known as the U42/76 Medium Tank. Armed with a 76.2mm cannon and was protected by 45mm of frontal armor at a 45 degree angle, the U42 was well protected from light and medium anti-tank weaponry in 1942. It could reach a top speed of 48kph and had an operational range of 350km. It was also armed with two 7.62mm machine guns, one co-axial, and one by the commander’s hatch. An order of 500 tanks was made in 1942 but only 182 would enter service by 1944. After evaluating the performance of the gun compared to the newest armor from the Iron League and allies, the gun was considered underpowered. A new, more powerful gun was equipped in a new turret that would fit on the existing chassis. The new tank, the U42/85, was accepted into service in early 1945, with all new U42 tanks produced after this equipped with the new gun, resulting in an additional 324 tanks. All units using the 76mm were converted to the 85mm by 1947.

The U42/85 was still the backbone of the armored forces in 1950, due to the limited introduction of the failed stopgap, the [[U46/85 Medium Tank|U46/85]]. A modification was introduced to field the 100mm cannon, however this was a casemate rather than a turreted design on only 75 vehicles were converted. With the success of Project U-43 in 1950, the [[U50/100 Universal Tank]] was brought into service later that year, and the U42/85 was slowly sidelined as the new tank came online. In the late 1950’s the military decided to sell their reserve stock of tanks as there was a sufficient number of U50/100s, but there was little foreign interest. The U42/85 remained in reserve and in training units until the early 1960’s. In 1960, 118 tanks were converted to U42/155 Self Propelled Guns. All unconverted tanks were scrapped in 1965 after the introduction of the [[U65/105 Universal Tank|U65/105]] and [[U59/115 Main Battle Tank|U59/115]] Universal Tanks, ending over two decades of service in the medium tank role.

== Development ==
To adhere to the Meyuer Doctrine, it was requested the new tank share a parts commonality with the P44 Light tank that was also currently in development. This resulted in the use of a similar torsion bar suspension to the light tank, although it was strengthened and lengthened for the U42 chassis.

== Variants ==

=== U42/76 ===
[[File:U42-75.png|left|thumb|U42/76 in 1944 1st Republican Army (East). Only a limited number of this tank was produced before the more powerful 85mm cannon was introduced. ]]
Initially designed in early 1941 with a medium velocity 76.2mm cannon, the U42/76 had sufficient firepower. However, once in production in 1942 it was clear the design would not keep up with the fast pace of armor effectiveness and thickness advancements due to the TYW. These tanks were produced anyway even with their shortcomings to have a relatively modern tank in service until a better armed variant could be developed. The initial run of 182 U42/76 tanks were eventually brought back to the factory starting in 1945 and had their turrets replaced with the PG-3 85mm turret by the end of 1947.

=== U42/85 ===
[[File:U42 winter.png|thumb|A U42/85 crew waits for their tracks to thaw as the track pads froze to the road wheels overnight during a 1951 training exercise in the Oneon Mountains. These tanks saw service across the nation, from the hot deserts to the cold mountain tops ]]
Engineers at Kingfisher Armories worked for months after receiving a new request from the army in late 1942 to produce a high velocity cannon capable of penetrating over 125mm of armor. The new weapon was tested in mid 1943 and was capable of penetrating over 142mm of armor from 100 meters and 131mm at 1000m. However, this new DW-7 cannon could not fit in the existing turret of the U42/76. Natuska Automotive and OMIR were tasked with creating a new turret capable of handling the new weapon and being compatible with the new tank. After several months of trial and error, the new PG-3 turret was produced and was tested on the chassis in 1944. After several teething issues were solved, the new turret was approved for production, on the newly named U42/85 tank at the end of that year.

The U42/85 served at the heart of Zandian Army Armored formations throughout the war and into the post-war peace era. However it was clear a replacement was necessary even with the upgraded gun. Tank armor had far outpaced the medium tank during the war and tests with captured Iron League tanks given to them by allies proved the DW-7 cannon lacked the penetration to combat modern tanks. However, the tank still preformed well in exercises in infantry support and flanking attacks. The tank served in the secondary line and eventually reserves as the successful U50/100 design replaced them in armored columns. By 1965 most vehicles were scrapped or used as targets.

==== U42/85B ====
With the production of the new U50/100 slowly beginning at the end of 1950, 67 U42/85 tanks were brought back to the factory to receive some upgrades in 1952. These new tanks, the U42/85Bs, were sent to areas that had yet to receive their U50/100 tanks as there was significant factory delays for the new tanks. These upgraded tanks would serve longer in frontline roles until they too were replaced by U50/100s in 1954.

=== ZU42/100 Tank Destroyer ===
[[File:ZU42-100.png|left|thumb|The short superstructure provided little protection to the ZU42/100's gun crew, both from enemy fire and the elements. This vehicle was photographed outside Fort Alcut on a training exercise in 1950 before the implementation of the new U50/100 tanks]]
In an attempt to increase the firepower of the U42 chassis, a series of design studies commenced to add the new DW-10 100mm cannon to the vehicle in late 1948. The gun was too large for the turret in service, and a larger turret could not be mounted on the chassis. The turret was eventually removed all together, producing a casemate design. The new vehicle retained its hull armor, but had relatively thin protection on the new superstructure that housed the powerful cannon. It was also open-topped, to the protest of crews assigned to the new vehicle. As it lacked a turret, it was designated as a tank destroyer, even though the purpose of the studies was to produce a stop-gap medium tank. In mid 1949 75 U42/85 tanks were retrofitted with this layout. With the introduction of the U50/100 tank mounting the same weaponry, the vehicle's days were numbered. However, with the troublesome production run the U50/100 had, the ZU42/100 stayed in service until 1954, and the vehicles were placed in reserve then scrapped soon after.

=== U42/155 Self-propelled Gun ===
[[File:U42 155 w crew.png|thumb|A U42/155 SPG of 2nd Republican Army (West) conducting Training Exercise 'Operation Sunburn' in Summer 1963|left]]
In 1960 work began on a replacement for the [[PTL-12 Transport|ZU-8 Mobile Artillery Platform]], which was retired in 1955 due to its poor mobility and overloaded chassis. Its role was partially succeeded by the [[GMS Z46 Truck|GMS Z55(142) Mobile Rocket Artillery Vehicle]]. While the Z55(142) provided significant artillery fire-support, the vehicles were just not mobile enough to keep up with frontline units through any sort of difficult terrain. With numerous obsolete U42/85 tanks in reserve, the decision was made to combine the powerful 155mm cannon from the old ZU-8 with the mobility of the venerable U42 chassis. Significant changes to the turret were required to accommodate the artillery cannon, resulting in an open top design with thin armor plates along the reworked portions. The resulting vehicle, now named the U42/155 Self Propelled Gun, weighed fractionally more than the original, and therefore retained much of its mobility. 118 tanks were converted to self-propelled guns. The turret was designed with folding hatches along the sides to allow for ammunition to be loaded easier, however crews on the hot steppes quickly learned that opening these hatches allowed for improved ventilation as well. Crews were also issued camouflaged sun shades while resting, after much protest over the conditions inside the turrets on summer days.

These vehicles were retired in 1972, marking the end of the U42 legacy.

== Surviving Examples ==
Four vehicles of the U42 chassis still exist today. Two U42/85s exist as musuem pieces, one at the National Military History Museum in the Capital in Brecton, and one at the gates of Fort Alcut. A third vehicle is found on the Fort Alcut proving ground. However, this one is serves as an example of a target, showcasing the effectiveness of the P16 ATGM, the nation's first ATGM. Finally an example of a U42/155 that served in the OSTFOR Mission is on display next to the other U42 at the National Military History Museum. {{Zandas Military Vehicles}}

P44 Light Tank

2026-09-22T22:35:18Z

Nickygio:

[[File:P44.png|thumb]]
Placeholder

== History ==
With the outbreak of the TYW and the implementation of the Meyuer Doctrine, the Army began to take bids to replace the current light tank, the U36/50 (P10). The vehicle was slow, thinly armored, and had a mediocre gun. A replacement was needed that could provide recce support for the company, provide flanking support to armored units, and engage infantry effectively. Work began in 1940 to meet these goals, resulting in the P44. Introduced in 1941, it was armed with the same cannon as the ongoing U42/76 project, had a speed of 52kph, and had up to 45mm of frontal armor. However, the three-man crew was crammed in the vehicle, and the suspension tended to fail during high-speed maneuvers on rough terrain. Nevertheless, the vehicle performed well in exercises and stayed in service through the end of the war and into the 1950’s. Two main variants stemmed from the vehicle extended its service life as a support vehicle, however it would ultimately be retired from frontline roles as a light tank in 1955.

The naming convention for tanks was not formalized until 1941, with the introduction of the ‘U’ series of tanks. This consisted of ‘U’, standing for Utaly or ‘tank; in Zandian, followed by the production year and caliber of gun. Having been brought into service before this, the ‘P’ designation of ‘Pyotly’ or ‘vehicle’ was used.

== Development ==
The P44 used a torsion bar suspension design to quickly carry it across the smooth and flat terrain of the grasslands, deserts, and steppes of the nation.

== Use and Operation ==

=== Army ===
The P44 saw widespread use throughout armored columns soon after its introduction into the Army in 1941. Highly effective on the flat steppes and deserts, the tank could flank around defensive positions during exercises with ease. The firepower of the main 76.2mm cannon was excellent in 1941 for a light tank and remained satisfactory for the remainder of its service life. Not meant to go toe-to-toe with enemy armor, the medium caliber round remained effective against side and rear armor. Over time, the suspension issues began to cause problems even with while going slower on rough terrain. Officially restricted to only operate on level ground and medium speeds in 1950, the tank lost its only edge in combat. A replacement was desired, and while a true light tank would not be developed for several years, the SR54/47 was introduced in 1954 and the P44 was placed in reserve.

== Variants ==

=== P44(OP) ===

=== P44-40 ===
{{Zandas Military Vehicles}}

U65/105 Universal Tank

2026-09-22T22:34:43Z

Nickygio:

{{Infobox weapon|name=U65/105 Universal Tank|image=U65-105.png|caption=U65/105 Universal Tank soon after its introduction in 1966|origin=[[Zandas]] Republic|type=Universal Tank|is_vehicle=yes|service=1965-2001|used_by={{Flagicon image|Zandas.png}} Zandas Republic|designer=Natuska Autoworks

Office of Military Investigation and Research|design_date=1955-1965|manufacturer=Reaper Motorworks|production_date=1965-1972|number=680

(546 for the Army)

(134 for the Marines)|variants=U65/105

U65/105B

U65/105G

U65/105MA|weight=46 tons|length=24ft 5in (7.4m)|width=8ft 2in (2.5m)|height=7ft 6in (2.3m)|crew=3|armour=100mm at 60° on the upper front plate

200mm on turret face|vehicle_range=365km|speed=35kph}}The U65/105 ‘Steel Horse’ Universal Tank served the small nation of Zandas from the mid-1960’s all the way to the turn of the century. With prolonged development, the tank was a desperately needed replacement for a 15-year old design, and it provided a solid armored platform for years to come. Outlasting foreign designs entering in Zandian service at the same time, the reliable design certainly was deserving of the name ‘Steel Horse’.

== History ==
While a good tank for the time, the [[U50/100 Universal Tank|U50/100]] was incredibly outdated by the mid-1960's. Project U71, started in 1959, was an attempt to mount a more powerful 105mm gun on a new chassis. Previous attempts to mount the weapon on the U50/100 chassis had been unsuccessful, mostly due to turret size and weight issues. This prompted the design of a new tank chassis entirely. With increased funding of the Army in 1965, the project raced to completion after being stuck in developmental hell for years. The new tank was introduced in the middle of that year, called the U65/105 Universal Tank, or more affectionately ‘Sтальnoy коn, or Steel Horse’. While state of the art for Zandas, it still dragged behind the world in MBTs due to the incredibly long development. It utilized an autoloader and was the first Zandian tank to do so, reducing the crew to 3.

The improved tank quickly took over frontline roles along with the imported U59/115 'Belak', often forming composite units until more of the domestic tank could be produced. With little threat from neighbors or CERBERUS as a whole, production was slow, lasting until 1972 when the full order was completed. Likewise upgrades to the tank were far and few between, until the late 70's when the tank was woefully obsolete.

U65/105s were initially meant to lead Zandian forces in the UNICORN DAPMIS Mission in Dahrat in 1975. However due to the small nation's political tensions with UNICORN, Army leaders were unwilling to deploy expensive and valuable tank units to the cause.

In 1978 select tanks were brought back to the factory to receive a major upgrade package. The implementation of this upgrade would take over four years and only 163 were converted to the U65/105MA. These tanks would serve in frontline roles until the introduction of the U84/120 tank. Un-upgraded tanks would be put in reserve and scrapped soon after, and the 'MA's would serve in secondary roles until 2001.

The Marines utilized the tank starting in 1969, with the Army getting priority for the newest tanks. These tanks never saw 'MA' upgrade, and would be retired in 1980 and were replaced by the PTL-32D Leo Heavy Gun System.

== Development ==
[[File:Projecy U-71.png|left|thumb|The second prototype of Project U71 undergoing testing in 1963]]
Starting in 1959, Project U71 had several vital requirements from its onset. These were increased armor penetration, increased protection, and improved crew comfort and performance. Chief complaints from the U50/100 crews were that the gun was weak against modern targets, the armor was only good against light to medium anti-tank rounds, and the three-man turret was cramped. A new chassis and turret had to be designed from the ground up to meet these requirements. However, with the limited funding the army had at the time, and the priority given to continue the improvements on the U50/100, development was slow. The tank’s speed would suffer, as it simply would be too expensive to equip the newer, heavier machine with an engine that could bring it to over 50kph like the U50/100 could do. However, the vehicle used an improved coil spring design as it was determined the old torsion bar suspension used for previous tanks was outdated and in need of a replacement.

The project completed its first prototype in late 1960, however the tank was riddled with problems. The transmission failed, the turret hydraulic drives leaked, and the engine was prone to catch fire. The first prototype was eventually destroyed in one of these engine fires, but thankfully no one was injured. These issues were slowly addressed and fixed over the next few years, as funding continued to trickle in. Additionally, in 1960 several engineers were pulled from the project to assist in the LPTA-22 development over the next three years, which hindered development of the new tank even further. Finally in 1965 with the election of PM Katuska and the sweeping funding changes that followed, the program was finally able to be completed.

It was armed with the new DW-15 105mm cannon, a 7.92mm coaxial machinegun, and a commander’s 14.5mm machinegun on the turret. Armor consisted of 100mm on the upper front plate sloped at 60°, and 200mm on the front of the rounded turret. It was also produced with side skirts installed to defeat shaped-charge attacks. Top speed was 35kph on flat ground, but it suffered significantly on difficult terrain. Armor penetration from the cannon was approximately 225mm at 1000 yards, with a 7 second reload rate. It utilized an autoloader and was the first Zandian tank to do so. This reduced the crew to 3. The larger turret and the reduction of the turret crew to two men was welcomed by crews, even with the large autoloader system installed. The tank was slowly delivered to armored units to replace the old U50/100B in late 1965.

== Use and Operation ==
WiP

Almost used for DAPMIS but pulled out due to political interference {{Zandas Military Vehicles}}

PTL-12 Transport

2026-09-19T17:46:31Z

Nickygio:

{{Infobox weapon|name=PTL-12 Transport|image=PLT-12.png|caption=PTL-12B in 1950|origin={{Flagicon image|Zandas.png}} [[Zandas]] Republic|type=Transport|is_vehicle=yes|service=1943-1972|used_by={{Flagicon image|Zandas.png}} Zandas Republic

{{Flagicon image|Mergovina.png}} [[Mergovina]]

{{Flagicon image|SouthHarab.png}} [[South Harab]]

{{Flagicon image|1=VTECFlag.png}} United Tamerlindian Ore Company (before sale was revoked in 1960)

{{Flagicon image|Dahrat.png}} [[Dahrat]] (through Mergovina)

{{Flagicon image|Ordevita.png}} [[Ordevita]] (through Mergovina)

{{Flagicon image|Zaponiteli.png}} [[Zaponiteli]] (through Mergovina)

{{Flagicon image|WestKursatija.png}} [[West Khursartija]] (through Mergovina)|designer=Reaper Motorworks|design_date=1941-1943|manufacturer=Reaper Motorworks
Mead Truck Company|production_date=1943-1951|number=3,189|variants=PTL-12 A/B/C

ZU-6

ZU-8

PTL-12L

PTL-12M|weight=8.65 tons|length=23ft (7m)|width=6ft 6in (2m)|height=7ft 8in (2.3m)|crew=3|armour=6-12mm|vehicle_range=380km|speed=75kph on road
35kph offroad}}
With nearly four decades in service, the PTL-12 is an iconic [[Zandas|Zandian]] vehicle. From the [[Ten Years' War|TYW]] right through the height of the Zandian-UNICORN Troubles, this all wheel drive vehicle served in various forms throughout the years. Primarily a lightly armored transport, it also served as an anti-tank gun, infantry support vehicle, and even a missile carrier. Serving at home, overseas in OSTFOR, and serving in several nations’ armed forces, it outlived its projected service life by decades. Retired vehicles often served on farms and ranches for years to come, with some reported surviving until the early 2000's.

== History ==
The PTL-12 came from a desire to produce a fast, reliable, a versatile transport for Zandian ground troops. With fears of invasion increasing in the early part of the TYW, a vehicle that could carry responding troops across the rugged terrain of the Zandian steppes and desert was vital. Developed by engineers at Reaper Motorworks, known for their rugged trucks, the PTL-12 was introduced into armored infantry formations in late 1943, followed closely by its smaller relative, the [[PTL-4 Light Transport|PTL-4]], early the next year. From 1943 through 1967, the PTL-12 was the primary mode of protected transportation for infantry.

Upon introduction, the first 100 vehicles were converted to having a flat truck bed instead of seating for troops. This was due to a demand by the Army for a suitable logistical vehicle to replace the failed PG3 trucks in service. With the [[GMS Z46 Truck|Z46]] series several years out from production, the first PTL-12 vehicles served as logistical vehicles, a role it was not designed for. Eventually, after the first 100 vehicles were produced, the vehicle was produced as designed and entered service as a troop transport in 1943. While the initial production run of diesel trucks were produced by Reaper Motorworks, the subsequent switch to a gasoline engine saw production shift to Mead Truck Company factories in 1948.

The vehicle could protect 8 troops from small arms fire and shrapnel. It was capable of towing artillery pieces as well, making it a versatile platform. And while revered by its crews generally, crews suffered during poor weather and winter conditions. Makeshift covers were made by crews, but an official solution was never made by the Army, despite several inquiries.

Starting with the introduction of the PTL-12B in 1948, troops began naming the transport variant the ‘Cougar’. Vehicle crews then adopted the name, and the unofficial name found its way into official documents submitted by high-ranking officers. The name of ‘Cougar’ was officially adopted by the Army for the transport variant in 1950. A similar naming convention continued for future variants, but notably not for the ZU-6 and 8 platforms while they were in service. Some amateur historians have given these two vehicles names after their service ended, however there is no documentation that crews ever referred to their vehicles in such a way.
[[File:PTL-12C 2.png|left|thumb|A PTL-12C 'Cougar' participating in the 1960 training exercise 'Operation Steppe Shield'. One good quality of the vehicle was the excellent visibility the crew had of the surrounding terrain, however it came at the cost of protection.]]
By the mid 1950's the vehicles lagged behind contemporaries with its thin armor, old engine, and open top. With the 1956 recession and the slashing of the Army's budget, majority of the funds went to improving the [[U50/100 Universal Tank|U50/100]] Universal Tanks. Only minor upgrades were introduced to the Cougar with the remaining funding. These upgrades included the introduction of smoke launchers, an improved communications suite, and an improved transmission. As the 1960's rolled through, the vehicles were showing their age, and while deployed to [[Osterrecht]] for the [[UNICORN]] OSTFOR mission, allied crews sympathized with the struggles the vehicle crews had to go through.

Throughout its service the platform was fitted with various armaments, including 76.2mm and 155mm cannons, 81mm mortar, and the 6Z3 ATGM system. The platform proved itself as more than just a fast transport, providing combat support capabilities for the infantry.

In 1967, the [[PTL-32 Armored Personnel Carrier|PTL-32 Puma]] was introduced, and it was a massive improvement for the soldiers and crews alike. Immediately the Cougar was put into reserve or outright retired as the new transports came online. By 1970 the PTL-12 ceased to function in the transport role, but variants persisted in operation until 1974. The venerable vehicle lasted longer in service than it was ever meant to, but still performed when asked.

== Development ==
[[File:PTL-12 Corthenia Camo.png|thumb|A PTL-12C in Corthenian Theater Camouflage, 1962. Only a few dozen of these vehicles were stationed with the Battalion that was on rotation in the Allied Nation|left]]
In 1941 the Army announced a design project for an all-terrain truck capable of carrying 6-8 men, capable of tow light field weapons, providing bulletproof protection, and have a high speed of at least 70kph on roads. Several companies submitted designs, however the vehicle from Reaper Motorworks, the Kp-12, was chosen. Capable of 75kph on roads and 35kph off-road, the Kp-12 could carry 8 combat loaded troops along with a crew of three. This included a gunner which would cover the dismounting troops with a 7.62mm machine-gun on a mount on the cab. The power-plant and cab of the truck were essentially that of their K-1 series of commercial trucks, equipped with some thin armor plates and a redesigned bed for troop transport. The truck was based on a proven and rugged platform, but there were two issues. The open top was designed to save weight but left the crew passengers completely exposed to artillery fire, debris, and gunfire from elevated positions. The truck was also a diesel, which meant it would share a fuel reserve meant for the tanks, instead of the other gasoline powered cars and trucks already in service. In a time of short supply, such as a conflict, the new trucks and the tanks would both be competing for the same fuel.

The Army decided that positives the vehicle brought to the table outweighed these other issues. Prototypes of the newly named PTL-12 would be tested in late 1942 through 1943, and the initial production would begin later that year. The first PTL-12s would be delivered to troops at the end of 1943.

With the relatively rapid decline in reliability of the PG3 truck, the only large truck in service in 1943, an urgent solution was needed. The Army tasked Reaper Motorworks to modify the PTL-12 that was currently undergoing its initial production to subsidize the logistical forces of the military until a new truck was designed for the role. Within a matter of weeks, the engineers had their answer. Similar to their commercial trucks, the modified vehicle had the entire bed removed and replaced with a flatbed with posts to secure loads. The vehicle could only carry about 1 ton of supplies, and it was produced at the same time as the standard PTL-12, although some production was diverted away from the main line to complete this hurried special order of 100 trucks.

Soon after introduction, some troops began to experiment with the trucks by adding heavy weaponry for mobile support. The Office of Military investigation and Research (OMIR) discovered this and reported it to the Army. The idea of mobile fire support for the infantry with the same chassis as their transport piqued the interest of the Army. A design was ordered to be drafted by Reaper Motorworks for an official version of these vehicles. In late 1944 two vehicles emerged; the ZU-6 Anti-Armor Vehicle and the ZU-8 Artillery Vehicle. With the removal of the troop benches and light weaponry, the vehicles were mounted with a 76.2mm cannon or 155mm cannon respectively. The biggest drawback of these designs was the immense strain placed on the chassis by the large cannons and ammunition. And while the suspensions were replaced by heavier duty parts, the vehicle still suffered more breakdowns than average for the PTL-12 chassis throughout their entire career.

Similar modifications would end up being made to carry a mortar and eventually ATGMs; however, these designs were not plagued with similar suspension issues as these weapon systems weighed significantly less than the old cannons.

In late 1947 the Mead Truck Company would design a gasoline engine that could be installed in the frame of the PTL-12. With the truck’s diesel power-plant being one of the biggest gripes of the Army about the vehicle, they quickly moved to replace it with this new engine. The contract with Reaper Motorworks would end in the middle of 1948, and the Army would approve the Mead Truck Company to build the trucks in the future. The diesel trucks were renamed the ‘A’ version, while the gasoline trucks were named the ‘B’ version.

With the improvement of efficient and more powerful engines, engineers at Mead Truck Company attempted to sell the Army a new gasoline engine for the PTL-12 in 1954. The Army could not justify the costs for a marginal upgrade due to a lack of funds though. However, with the 1956 recession, the Army was truly strapped for cash and simultaneously admitted the vehicles needed desperate upgrades. With priority going to the U50/100 program, there was only enough funds for about ¾ of all PTL-12s received the ‘C’ upgrade package from 1956 through 1960.

== Use and Operation ==

=== Army ===
[[File:PTL-12C.png|thumb|A PTL-12C 'Cougar' on a training exercise before being deployed to the OSTFOR Mission in early 1960. ]]Starting service as a troop transport in 1943, the PTL-12 platform became the backbone of Armored Infantry and Support formations for over two decades. They were a common site on all army bases, and all infantry that served during those years were familiar with the vehicles. While never seeing combat, the vehicles went wherever the infantry went. Besides every Army base and outpost in the nation, this including the Zandian base in Corthenia and to Osterrecht in support of the UNICORN OSTFOR Mission. The Army utilized the versatility of the platform to a great extent, producing many variants and upgrades to the chassis over the years. However the drawbacks of the vehicle were apparent from the start, and with the introduction of its replacement the vehicle was phased out quickly from service.

=== Marine Corps ===
Marines used the Cougar sparingly, as they preferred to use and train with the amphibious [[GMS Z46 Truck|GMS ZA46/55]] series of trucks. They began operating the vehicle in 1949 with the PTL-12B variant, later upgrading to the ‘C’ in 1958. They were mostly used to transport troops around Marine bases and serve as OPFOR personnel carriers in training exercises. They also served at the Corthenia Station, rarely leaving Shakercove Naval Base except for joining the Corthenians in exercises. The Marines retired the Cougar in 1968 with the introduction of the PTL-32.

== Foreign Sales ==
From 1956 to early 1960, several hundred PTL-12A and B variants were sold to two nations, [[Mergovina]] and VTEC. Most of these units went to Mergovina, with only 75 unarmed vehicles sold to VTEC. The vehicles lived very different lives depending on which nation they went to.

==== Mergovinian Service ====
[[File:WK_Bankice_I.png|left|thumb|A Mergovinian PTL-12B (OBV-112) in service with the West Khursartija Army, known as the "Bankice" in their service. While the vehicle has had significant modification from Merogvinia, it is still recognizable as a Zandian design.]]Under Mergovinian service, the vehicle was called OBV-112. The Kingdom modified the vehicle to their liking and it served as a transport alongside older Belakrainian tanks. It was also converted to hold a 40mm cannon for anti-aircraft duties. However the nation was quick to sell off much of their stock of these vehicles as newer vehicles became available. The old OBV-112s were sold to the [[Dahrat|Kingdom of Dahrat]], the [[Ordevita|Republic of Ordevita]], [[West Khursartija]], and much to the dismay of the Zandian government, the [[Zaponiteli|People's Republic of Zaponiteli.]] The vehicles being sold to a [[CERBERUS]] nation was a sore spot amongst Zandian diplomats and contributed to the brief falling out the Zandas and Mergovina had in 1964.

====VTEC Service====
PM Hoya was hesitant to sell to the corporate state in 1960, given their history and questionable ethics. However the two nations enjoyed a healthy trade relationship, and the Office of Military Investigation and Research (OMIR) vetted the sale. PM Hoya even made a public statement that OMIR has vetted that the vehicles will not be used in aggressive actions. He also said the “Zandas reserves the right to reacquire all military assets across the globe if they are believed to cause unnecessary harm to civilians or are used in an unprovoked attack.”

Less than a year later, the [[Tamerlindian War of Independence]] and Operation HARPSICHORD were well underway. There was concern as to whether the vehicles had been armed and if they were being used against Zandian allies, when the infamous photo appeared. A burned out VTEC PTL-4 with a Zandian made LA-16 Recoilless rifle was photographed in Tamerlindia. It was discovered that OMIR Director Ivan Zaitev along with select members of Foreign Intelligence Department secretly negotiated a trade deal with the Tamerlindians. They organized the delivery of armed Zandian military vehicles to VTEC using falsified and forged documents. In exchange, they received stock in VTEC and a cash bribe. An additional 15 armed PTL-12 and 20 armed PTL-4 transports were delivered to VTEC in addition to the legitimate sale made earlier that year. This resulting in the arrest and mass investigation of many within OMIR, and ultimately the Zandian actions in Tamerlindia, resulting in Operation Swift Vengeance. This resulted in the destruction or capture of all Zandian made vehicles in the war torn nation.

==Variants==

===PTL-12A/B/C===
The base model of the PTL-12 was introduced as a troop transport in 1943. With the subsequent changes made to the power-plant from a diesel to gasoline engine in 1948, this new model was considered the 'B' model, while the existing diesel model was re-designated the 'A' model. The last major update to the troop transport version of the vehicle was made in 1956. This included the introduction of the an improved gasoline engine, an improved transmission, a modern communication suite, and smoke grenade launchers. The vehicle was replaced in the troop transport role as soon as the PTL-32 was brought into service starting in 1967. The last Cougars in service were those deployed to Corthenia, which served until late 1970. A small number of these vehicles were present with the Army detachment in Joint Base Shakercove-Orina. They were painted in the special CA-2 camouflage, designed vehicles that were stationed at Orina Army Base in Corthenia.

===ZU-6===
[[File:ZU-8.png|thumb|A ZU-6 mounting the venerable 76.2mm cannon. It was quickly outgunned by the end of the TYW but continued to see limited service through the mid-1950s]]

In 1944 the addition of a powerful 76.2mm anti-tank gun turned the transport into a rapid tank destroyer. Capable of outpacing heavier armored units on roads and easy terrain, they could respond to breakthroughs or set up ambushes with the help of spotters. However, the heavy load of the cannon and ammunition weighed on the chassis and the suspension. With the PTL-12 platform beginning to show it's age in the 1950's, the vehicle was considered for retirement but it was without a suitable replacement. Therefore it saw limited continued service until the vehicles consistently broke down and was considered unreliable. It was ultimately removed from service in 1957 due to these issues and the lacking power of the 76mm cannon.[[File:ZU-8 2.png|thumb|ZU-8 with its 155mm field cannon trained on a target. While the cannon was excellent, the PTL-12 platform became unreliable after years of stress on the suspension.|left]]

===ZU-8===
The ZU-8 was developed at the same time as the ZU-6, serving in a similar role. Mounting the proven 155mm field cannon, it was designed to support infantry units and quickly move after firing to avoid counter-battery fire. It faced similar challenges as the ZU-6 and was taken out of service at the same time, and did not see a full replacement until the introduction off the superior [[U42/85 Medium Tank|U42/155 SPG]]. However the [[GMS Z46 Truck|GMS Z55 (142)]] took over its role partially, although it lacked the same maneuverability and range.

=== PTL-12L===
[[File:PTL-12L.png|thumb|A PTL-12L supporting UNICORN troops during the OSTFOR Mission in 1961 during a training exercise.]]
In combat exercises during the early 1950's, the need for close-in fire support was desired. The installation of an 82mm mortar in a PTL-12 gave the infantry a rapid response and mobile platform to receive support from. The new vehicle traded its troop carrying capability for the mortar, crew and ammunition. These new PTL-12L ‘Mongoose’ vehicles were built into armored infantry formations in 1955. The open topped nature of the transport meant that little modification was needed to install and operate the mortar from the vehicle. The platform was replaced when the new PTL-32 was introduced, and the last PTL-12L was retired in 1968.[[File:PLT-12M.png|thumb|The PTL-12M was the only missile-carrier that Zandas deployed to the OSTFOR Mission from 1960-1964.|left]]
=== PTL-12M===
In 1960 the Zandian military produced a license built 6Z3 ATGM from Belakrain, naming it the P16 ATGM. Desperate for anti-armor assets in response to increased tensions from neighboring Chaldyria and CERBERUS, the army mated the missile to the PTL-12 chassis. It was successful enough that it was put into service as the PTL-12M ‘Scorpion’. The vehicle sacrificed its ability to carry troops to instead carry 10 P16 ATGMs. The optically targeted wire-guided missile performed decently for the Zandian Army, allowing for long distance engagements on the open steppe. However the Scorpion itself was plagued with issues. Its small internal size and conversion to a missile carrier caused crews to complain it was cramped. It also began suffering from mechanical breakdowns, as the aging engines and suspension systems were long overdue for overhauls. The platform was successful in terms of implementing strategies for missile carrying vehicles for the Zandians, and was always meant to be a stop gap design. It was retired from service in 1974 after the introduction of the troublesome [[U50/100 Universal Tank|U50-2C STBC]] project.

===PTL-12U===
Briefly produced after the introduction of the vehicle in 1943, the 'U' variant was meant to serve in a logistical role while a replacement for the outdated P3 truck was being designed. While not expressly built for the logistical role, the vehicle could only carry 1 tons of supplies. After the introduction of the Z46 series of trucks into the military, the PTL-12U was retired and either converted back to a transport version, sold to the public, or scrapped in 1946.
[[File:PTL-12U.png|left|thumb|Inferior to the purpose built logistical trucks that followed, the PTL-12U still served as an adequate logistical vehicle for a few years.]]
{{Zandas Military Vehicles}}

List of equipment used by the Zandas Republic Army

2026-09-19T00:38:58Z

Nickygio:

{| class="wikitable"
|+Light Vehicles (Cars, Transports, Trucks, etc)
|-
!Model Name!!Example Image!!Years in Service!!Origin!!Type!!Quantity
(between all variants)
!Notes
|-
|[[UCAT Light Truck|UCAT]]||[[File:UCAT.png]]
UCAT-C 1950
|1941-1973||[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] [[Zandas]]||Staff Car/Light Transport,
Unarmored
|5,468||
|-
|[[GMS Z46 Truck|GMS Z46/Z55]]
|[[File:GMS_Z46.png]]
1951
|1946-1976
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Medium Transport Truck, Unarmored
|3,110
|
|-
|[[GMS Z46 Truck|GMS Z46/Z55 with Z21 Light Wrecker]]
|[[File:GMS Z46 with Z21 Light Wrecker.png]]
1948
|1946-1976
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Light Wrecker
|342
|5,000 lb Wrecker
|-
|[[GMS Z46 Truck|GMS Z46/Z55D Heavy Wrecker]]
|[[File:GMS Z46D Heavy Wrecker.png]]
1952
|1948-1976
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Heavy Wrecker
|152
|70,000lb Wrecker
|-
|[[HA-52 Heavy Wrecker|HA-52]]
|[[File:HA-52.png]]
1960, carrying [[U50/100 Universal Tank|U50/100B]] during OSTFOR Mission
|1951-1972
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Heavy Wrecker, Lightly Armored
|421
|100,000lb Wrecker
|-
|[[LPTA-22 Heavy Amphibious Transport|LPTA-22]]
|[[File:LPTA22.png]]
1963
|1963-1982
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]]Zandas
|Heavy Amphibious Transport, Armored
|106
|Amphibious
|-
|[[PTL-4 Light Transport|PTL-4]]||[[File:PLT-4.png]]
PTL-4A 1950
|1944-1965||[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas||Light Transport, Lightly Armored||1,016||Amphibious
|-
|[[PTL-12 Transport|PTL-12]]||[[File:PLT-12.png]]
PTL-12A 'Cougar' 1950
|1943-1974||[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas||Medium Transport, Lightly Armored||3,189||Basis for many weapon systems
|-
|[[PTL-64 Light Transport|PTL-61]]||[[File:PTL-61.png]]
PTL-61A 1965
|1965-1971||[[File:Mergovina Small Flag.png]] [[Mergovina]] ||Light Transport, Lightly Armored||100||Imported Test Vehicles from Mergovina
|-
|[[PTL-64 Light Transport|PTL-64]]||[[File:PTL-64.png]]
PLT-64A Mk.2 'Weasel Mk.2" 1966
|1965-1980||[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
[[File:Mergovina Small Flag.png]] Mergovina
|Light Transport, Lightly Armored||1,231||License-built from Mergovina
|}
{| class="wikitable"
|+Combat Support Vehicles (Anti-aircraft, Anti-tank, Artillery, Engineering etc)
!Model Name
!Example Image
!Years in Service
!Origin
!Type
!Quantity
!Notes
|-
|[[GMS Z46 Truck|GMS Z46/Z55 (40mm)]]
|[[File:GMS_Z46_40.png]]
1951
|1947-1961
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Anti-Aircraft Truck
|346
|
|-
|[[GMS Z46 Truck|GMS Z55 (142)]]
|[[File:GMS_Z55_142.png]]
1958
|1957-1968
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
[[File:Eternal Mandate Small Flag.png]] [[Eternal Mandate]]
|Rocket Artillery Truck
|162
|Eternal Mandate Rocket System
|-
|[[PTL-12 Transport|ZU-6]]
|[[File:ZU-8.png]]
ZU-6A 1949
|1944-1957
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Mobile Anti-Armor Platform
|564
|PTL-12 used as base
|-
|[[PTL-12 Transport|ZU-8]]
|[[File:ZU-8_2.png]]
ZU-8A 1947
|1944-1957
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Mobile Artillery Platform
|278
|PTL-12 used as base
|-
|[[PTL-12 Transport|PTL-12L 'Mongoose']]
|[[File:PTL-12L.png]]
UNICORN OSTFOR Mission, 1960
|1955-1968
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Mortar Carrier
|224
|
|-
|[[PTL-12 Transport|PTL-12M 'Scorpion']]
|[[File:PLT-12M.png]]
UNICORN OSTFOR Mission, 1960
|1960-1974
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Missile Carrier
|342
|First Zandian ATGM carrier
|-
|[[PTL-32 Armored Personnel Carrier|PTL-32VM 'Hyena']]
|[[File:PTL-32VM.png]]
PLT-32VM/2 Training Exercise, 1981
|1969-1996
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Missile Carrier
|164
|Amphibious
|-
|[[PTL-32 Armored Personnel Carrier|PTL-32RS 'Jackal']]
|[[File:PTL-32RS.png]]
PLT-32RS Commissioning Tests, 1968
|1968-1990
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Radar Guided Anti-Aircraft Platform
|120
|Amphibious
|-
|[[P44 Light Tank|P44(OP)]]
|[[File:P44(OP).png]]
1950
|1944-1954
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Observation Vehicle
|52
|Conversions from P44 tanks
|-
|[[P44 Light Tank|P44-40]]
|[[File:P44-40.png]]
1955
|1943-1961
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Armored Anti-Aircraft Platform
|70
|Conversions from P44 tanks
|-
|[[U42/85 Medium Tank|U42/155]]
|[[File:U42_155.png]]

1961
|1960-1972
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Self-propelled Gun
|118
|Conversions from U42/85 tanks
|-
|[[U50/100 Universal Tank|U50R]]
|[[File:U50r.png]]
1966
|1965-1984
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]]Zandas
|Armored Engineering/Recovery Vehicle
|79
|Conversions from U50/100B tanks
|-
|[[U50/100 Universal Tank|U50-2C STBC]]
|[[File:U50 STBC.png]]
Training Exercise 'Operation Eagle', 1976
|1972-1982
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Missile Tank
|50
|Conversions from U50/100B tanks
|}
{| class="wikitable"
|+Armored Vehicles (IFV, Tanks, SPGs)
!Model Name
!Example Image
!Years in Service
!Origin
!Type
!Quantity (between all variants)
!Notes
|-
|[[SR54/47 Armored Car|SR54/47]]
|[[File:SR54.png]]
1958
|1954-1969
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
[[File:Eternal Mandate Small Flag.png]]Eternal Mandate
|Armored Car
|300
|Eternal Mandate Chassis
|-
|[[PTL-64 Light Transport|PTL-64B 'Ermine']]
|[[File:PTL_64B.png]]
PLT-64B Mk.3 'Ermine Mk.3', 1966
|1965-1984
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
[[File:Mergovina Small Flag.png]] Mergovina
|Armored Personnel Carrier
|456
|License-built from Mergovina
|-
|[[PTL-64 Light Transport|PTL-64F 'Mink']]
|[[File:PTL_64F.png]]
1969
|1968-1990
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
[[File:Mergovina Small Flag.png]] Mergovina
|Infantry Fighting Vehicle
|97
|License-built from Mergovina
Equipped with a modified turret from PTL-32 program
|-
|[[PTL-32 Armored Personnel Carrier|PTL-32 'Puma']]
|[[File:PTL-32.png]]
PTL-32A UNICORN DAPMIS Mission, 1975
|1967-1996
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Armored Personnel Carrier
|1,354
|Amphibious
|-
|[[PTL-32 Armored Personnel Carrier|PTL-32C 'Badger']]
|[[File:PTL-32C.png]]
PTL-32C/2 'Badger' Training Exercise, 1981
|1967-1994
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Infantry Fighting Vehicle
|378
|Amphibious
|-
|[[P44 Light Tank|P44]]
|[[File:P44.png]]
1951
|1941-1961
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Light Tank
|568
|
|-
|[[U42/85 Medium Tank|U42/85]]
|[[File:U42-85.png]]
U42/85, 1950
|1942-1965
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Medium Tank
|648
|All U42/75s were converted to U42/85 by 1947
|-
|[[U42/85 Medium Tank|ZU42/100]]
|[[File:ZU42-100.png]]
1949
|1949-1954
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Tank Destroyer
|75
|Conversions from U42/85 tanks
|-
|[[U46/85 Medium Tank|U46/85]]
|[[File:U46-85.png]]
1949
|1946-1954
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Medium Tank
|20
|Stop-gap design
|-
|[[U50/100 Universal Tank|U50/100]]
|[[File:U50-100.png]]
U50/100B UNICORN OSTFOR Mission, 1960
|1950-1974
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Universal Tank
|421
|
|-
|[[U65/105 Universal Tank|U65/105 'Steel Horse']]
|[[File:U65-105.png]]
U65/105A 1966
|1965-2001
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Universal Tank
|680
|
|-
|[[U59/115 Main Battle Tank|U59/115 'Belak']]
|[[File:U59.png]]1968
|1965-1985
|[[File:Belakrain Small Flag.png]] [[Belakraine|Belakrain]]<nowiki/>e
|Main Battle Tank
|89
|Surplus from Belakrain
|}

PTL-12 Transport

2026-09-19T00:36:34Z

Nickygio:

{{Infobox weapon|name=PTL-12 Transport|image=PLT-12.png|caption=PTL-12B in 1950|origin={{Flagicon image|Zandas.png}} [[Zandas]] Republic|type=Transport|is_vehicle=yes|service=1943-1972|used_by={{Flagicon image|Zandas.png}} Zandas Republic

{{Flagicon image|Mergovina.png}} [[Mergovina]]

{{Flagicon image|SouthHarab.png}} [[South Harab]]

{{Flagicon image|1=VTECFlag.png}} United Tamerlindian Ore Company (before sale was revoked in 1960)

{{Flagicon image|Dahrat.png}} [[Dahrat]] (through Mergovina)

{{Flagicon image|Ordevita.png}} [[Ordevita]] (through Mergovina)

{{Flagicon image|Zaponiteli.png}} [[Zaponiteli]] (through Mergovina)

{{Flagicon image|WestKursatija.png}} [[West Khursartija]] (through Mergovina)|designer=Reaper Motorworks|design_date=1941-1943|manufacturer=Reaper Motorworks
Mead Truck Company|production_date=1943-1951|number=3,189|variants=PTL-12 A/B/C

ZU-6

ZU-8

PTL-12L

PTL-12M|weight=8.65 tons|length=23ft (7m)|width=6ft 6in (2m)|height=7ft 8in (2.3m)|crew=3|armour=6-12mm|vehicle_range=380km|speed=75kph on road
35kph offroad}}
With nearly four decades in service, the PTL-12 is an iconic [[Zandas|Zandian]] vehicle. From the [[Ten Years' War|TYW]] right through the height of the Zandian-UNICORN Troubles, this all wheel drive vehicle served in various forms throughout the years. Primarily a lightly armored transport, it also served as an anti-tank gun, infantry support vehicle, and even a missile carrier. Serving at home, overseas in OSTFOR, and serving in several nations’ armed forces, it outlived its projected service life by decades. Retired vehicles often served on farms and ranches for years to come, with some reported surviving until the early 2000's.

== History ==
The PTL-12 came from a desire to produce a fast, reliable, a versatile transport for Zandian ground troops. With fears of invasion increasing in the early part of the TYW, a vehicle that could carry responding troops across the rugged terrain of the Zandian steppes and desert was vital. Developed by engineers at Reaper Motorworks, known for their rugged trucks, the PTL-12 was introduced into armored infantry formations in late 1943, followed closely by its smaller relative, the [[PTL-4 Light Transport|PTL-4]], early the next year. From 1943 through 1967, the PTL-12 was the primary mode of protected transportation for infantry.

Upon introduction, the first 100 vehicles were converted to having a flat truck bed instead of seating for troops. This was due to a demand by the Army for a suitable logistical vehicle to replace the failed PG3 trucks in service. With the [[GMS Z46 Truck|Z46]] series several years out from production, the first PTL-12 vehicles served as logistical vehicles, a role it was not designed for. Eventually, after the first 100 vehicles were produced, the vehicle was produced as designed and entered service as a troop transport in 1943. While the initial production run of diesel trucks were produced by Reaper Motorworks, the subsequent switch to a gasoline engine saw production shift to Mead Truck Company factories in 1948.

The vehicle could protect 8 troops from small arms fire and shrapnel. It was capable of towing artillery pieces as well, making it a versatile platform. And while reserved by its crews generally, crews suffered during poor weather and winter conditions. Makeshift covers were made by crews, but an official solution was never made by the Army, despite several inquiries.

Starting with the introduction of the PTL-12B in 1948, troops began naming the transport variant the ‘Cougar’. Vehicle crews then adopted the name, and the unofficial name found its way into official documents submitted by high-ranking officers. The name of ‘Cougar’ was officially adopted by the Army for the transport variant in 1950. A similar naming convention continued for future variants, but notably not for the ZU-6 and 8 platforms while they were in service. Some amateur historians have given them names after their service, however there is no documentation that crews ever referred to their vehicles in such a way.
[[File:PTL-12C 2.png|left|thumb|A PTL-12C 'Cougar' participating in the 1960 training exercise 'Operation Steppe Shield'. One good quality of the vehicle was the excellent visibility the crew had of the surrounding terrain, however it came at the cost of protection.]]
By the mid 1950's the vehicles lagged behind contemporaries with its thin armor, old engine, and open top. With the 1956 recession and the slashing of the Army's budget, majority of the funds went to improving the [[U50/100 Universal Tank|U50/100]] Universal Tanks. Only minor upgrades were introduced to the Cougar with the remaining funding. These upgrades included the introduction of smoke launchers, an improved communications suite, and an improved transmission. As the 1960's rolled through, the vehicles were showing their age, and while deployed to [[Osterrecht]] for the [[UNICORN]] OSTFOR mission, allied crews sympathized with the struggles the vehicle crews had to go through. In 1967, the [[PTL-32 Armored Personnel Carrier|PTL-32 Puma]] was introduced, and it was a massive improvement for the soldiers and crews alike. Immediately the Cougar was put into reserve or outright retired as the new transports came online. By 1970 the PTL-12 ceased to function in the transport role, but variants persisted in operation until 1974. The venerable vehicle lasted longer in service than it was ever meant to, but still performed when asked.

=== Foreign Sales ===
From 1956 to early 1960, several hundred PTL-12A and B variants were sold to two nations, [[Mergovina]] and VTEC. Most of these units went to Mergovina, with only 75 unarmed vehicles sold to VTEC. The vehicles lived very different lives depending on which nation they went to.

==== Mergovinian Service ====
[[File:WK_Bankice_I.png|left|thumb|A Mergovinian PTL-12B (OBV-112) in service with the West Khursartija Army, known as the "Bankice" in their service. While the vehicle has had significant modification from Merogvinia, it is still recognizable as a Zandian design.]]Under Mergovinian service, the vehicle was called OBV-112. The Kingdom modified the vehicle to their liking and it served as a transport alongside older Belakrainian tanks. It was also converted to hold a 40mm cannon for anti-aircraft duties. However the nation was quick to sell off much of their stock of these vehicles as newer vehicles became available. The old OBV-112s were sold to the [[Dahrat|Kingdom of Dahrat]], the [[Ordevita|Republic of Ordevita]], [[West Khursartija]], and much to the dismay of the Zandian government, the [[Zaponiteli|People's Republic of Zaponiteli.]] The vehicles being sold to a [[CERBERUS]] nation was a sore spot amongst Zandian diplomats and contributed to the brief falling out the Zandas and Mergovina had in 1964.

====VTEC Service====
PM Hoya was hesitant to sell to the corporate state in 1960, given their history and questionable ethics. However the two nations enjoyed a healthy trade relationship, and the Office of Military Investigation and Research (OMIR) vetted the sale. PM Hoya even made a public statement that OMIR has vetted that the vehicles will not be used in aggressive actions. He also said the “Zandas reserves the right to reacquire all military assets across the globe if they are believed to cause unnecessary harm to civilians or are used in an unprovoked attack.”

Less than a year later, the [[Tamerlindian War of Independence]] and Operation HARPSICHORD were well underway. There was concern as to whether the vehicles had been armed and if they were being used against Zandian allies, when the infamous photo appeared. A burned out VTEC PTL-4 with a Zandian made LA-16 Recoilless rifle was photographed in Tamerlindia. It was discovered that OMIR Director Ivan Zaitev along with select members of Foreign Intelligence Department secretly negotiated a trade deal with the Tamerlindians. They organized the delivery of armed Zandian military vehicles to VTEC using falsified and forged documents. In exchange, they received stock in VTEC and a cash bribe. An additional 15 armed PTL-12 and 20 armed PTL-4 transports were delivered to VTEC in addition to the legitimate sale made earlier that year. This resulting in the arrest and mass investigation of many within OMIR, and ultimately the Zandian actions in Tamerlindia, resulting in Operation Swift Vengeance. This resulted in the destruction or capture of all Zandian made vehicles in the war torn nation.

== Development ==
[[File:PTL-12 Corthenia Camo.png|thumb|A PTL-12C in Corthenian Theater Camouflage, 1962. Only a few dozen of these vehicles were stationed with the Battalion on rotation in the Allied Nation]]
In 1941 the Army announced a design project for an all-terrain truck capable of carrying 6-8 men, capable of tow light field weapons, providing bulletproof protection, and have a high speed of at least 70kph on roads. Several companies submitted designs, however the vehicle from Reaper Motorworks, the Kp-12, was chosen. Capable of 75kph on roads and 35kph off-road, the Kp-12 could carry 8 combat loaded troops along with a crew of three. This included a gunner which would cover the dismounting troops with a 7.62mm machine-gun on a mount on the cab. The power-plant and cab of the truck were essentially that of their K-1 series of commercial trucks, equipped with some thin armor plates and a redesigned bed for troop transport. The truck was based on a proven and rugged platform, but there were two issues. The open top was designed to save weight but left the crew passengers completely exposed to artillery fire, debris, and gunfire from elevated positions. The truck was also a diesel, which meant it would share a fuel reserve meant for the tanks, instead of the other gasoline powered cars and trucks already in service. In a time of short supply, such as a conflict, the new trucks and the tanks would both be competing for the same fuel.

The Army decided that positives the vehicle brought to the table outweighed these other issues. Prototypes of the newly named PTL-12 would be tested in late 1942 through 1943, and the initial production would begin later that year. The first PTL-12s would be delivered to troops at the end of 1943.

With the relatively rapid decline in reliability of the PG3 truck, the only large truck in service in 1943, an urgent solution was needed. The Army tasked Reaper Motorworks to modify the PTL-12 that was currently undergoing its initial production to subsidize the logistical forces of the military until a new truck was designed for the role. Within a matter of weeks, the engineers had their answer. Similar to their commercial trucks, the modified vehicle had the entire bed removed and replaced with a flatbed with posts to secure loads. The vehicle could only carry about 1 ton of supplies, and it was produced at the same time as the standard PTL-12, although some production was diverted away from the main line to complete this hurried special order of 100 trucks.

Soon after introduction, some troops began to experiment with the trucks by adding heavy weaponry for mobile support. The Office of Military investigation and Research (OMIR) discovered this and reported it to the Army. The idea of mobile fire support for the infantry with the same chassis as their transport piqued the interest of the Army. A design was ordered to be drafted by Reaper Motorworks for an official version of these vehicles. In late 1944 two vehicles emerged; the ZU-6 Anti-Armor Vehicle and the ZU-8 Artillery Vehicle. With the removal of the troop benches and light weaponry, the vehicles were mounted with a 76.2mm cannon or 155mm cannon respectively. The biggest drawback of these designs was the immense strain placed on the chassis by the large cannons and ammunition. And while the suspensions were replaced by heavier duty parts, the vehicle still suffered more breakdowns than average for the PTL-12 chassis throughout their entire career.

Similar modifications would end up being made to carry a mortar and eventually ATGMs; however, these designs were not plagued with similar suspension issues as these weapon systems weighed significantly less than the old cannons.

In late 1947 the Mead Truck Company would design a gasoline engine that could be installed in the frame of the PTL-12. With the truck’s diesel power-plant being one of the biggest gripes of the Army about the vehicle, they quickly moved to replace it with this new engine. The contract with Reaper Motorworks would end in the middle of 1948, and the Army would approve the Mead Truck Company to build the trucks in the future. The diesel trucks were renamed the ‘A’ version, while the gasoline trucks were named the ‘B’ version.

With the improvement of efficient and more powerful engines, engineers at Mead Truck Company attempted to sell the Army a new gasoline engine for the PTL-12 in 1954. The Army could not justify the costs for a marginal upgrade due to a lack of funds though. However, with the 1956 recession, the Army was truly strapped for cash and simultaneously admitted the vehicles needed desperate upgrades. With priority going to the U50/100 program, there was only enough funds for about ¾ of all PTL-12s received the ‘C’ upgrade package from 1956 through 1960.

== Use and Operation ==

=== Army ===
[[File:PTL-12C.png|thumb|A PTL-12C 'Cougar' on a training exercise before being deployed to the OSTFOR Mission in early 1960. ]]Starting service as a troop transport in 1943, the PTL-12 platform became the backbone of Armored Infantry and Support formations for over two decades. They were a common site on all army bases, and all infantry that served during those years were familiar with the vehicles. While never seeing combat, the vehicles went wherever the infantry went. Besides every Army base and outpost in the nation, this including the Zandian base in Corthenia and to Osterrecht in support of the UNICORN OSTFOR Mission. The Army utilized the versatility of the platform to a great extent, producing many variants and upgrades to the chassis over the years. However the drawbacks of the vehicle were apparent from the start, and with the introduction of its replacement the vehicle was phased out quickly from service.

=== Marine Corps ===
Marines used the Cougar sparingly, as they preferred to use and train with the amphibious [[GMS Z46 Truck|GMS ZA46/55]] series of trucks. They began operating the vehicle in 1949 with the PTL-12B variant, later upgrading to the ‘C’ in 1958. They were mostly used to transport troops around Marine bases and serve as OPFOR personnel carriers in training exercises. They also served at the Corthenia Station, rarely leaving Shakercove Naval Base except for joining the Corthenians in exercises. The Marines retired the Cougar in 1968 with the introduction of the PTL-32.

==Variants==

===PTL-12A/B/C===
The base model of the PTL-12 was introduced as a troop transport in 1943. With the subsequent changes made to the power-plant from a diesel to gasoline engine in 1948, this new model was considered the 'B' model, while the existing diesel model was re-designated the 'A' model. The last major update to the troop transport version of the vehicle was made in 1956. This included the introduction of the an improved gasoline engine, an improved transmission, a modern communication suite, and smoke grenade launchers. The vehicle was replaced in the troop transport role as soon as the PTL-32 was brought into service starting in 1967. The last Cougars in service were those deployed to Corthenia, which served until late 1970. A small number of these vehicles were present with the Army detachment in Joint Base Shakercove-Orina. They were painted in the special CA-2 camouflage, designed vehicles that were stationed at Orina Army Base in Corthenia.

===ZU-6===
[[File:ZU-8.png|thumb|A ZU-6 mounting the venerable 76.2mm cannon. It was quickly outgunned by the end of the TYW but continued to see limited service through the mid-1950s]]

In 1944 the addition of a powerful 76.2mm anti-tank gun turned the transport into a rapid tank destroyer. Capable of outpacing heavier armored units on roads and easy terrain, they could respond to breakthroughs or set up ambushes with the help of spotters. However, the heavy load of the cannon and ammunition weighed on the chassis and the suspension. With the PTL-12 platform beginning to show it's age in the 1950's, the vehicle was considered for retirement but it was without a suitable replacement. Therefore it saw limited continued service until the vehicles consistently broke down and was considered unreliable. It was ultimately removed from service in 1957 due to these issues and the lacking power of the 76mm cannon.[[File:ZU-8 2.png|thumb|ZU-8 with its 155mm field cannon trained on a target. While the cannon was excellent, the PTL-12 platform became unreliable after years of stress on the suspension.|left]]

===ZU-8===
The ZU-8 was developed at the same time as the ZU-6, serving in a similar role. Mounting the proven 155mm field cannon, it was designed to support infantry units and quickly move after firing to avoid counter-battery fire. It faced similar challenges as the ZU-6 and was taken out of service at the same time, and did not see a full replacement until the introduction off the superior [[U42/85 Medium Tank|U42/155 SPG]]. However the [[GMS Z46 Truck|GMS Z55 (142)]] took over its role partially, although it lacked the same maneuverability and range.

=== PTL-12L===
[[File:PTL-12L.png|thumb|A PTL-12L supporting UNICORN troops during the OSTFOR Mission in 1961 during a training exercise.]]
In combat exercises during the early 1950's, the need for close-in fire support was desired. The installation of an 82mm mortar in a PTL-12 gave the infantry a rapid response and mobile platform to receive support from. The new vehicle traded its troop carrying capability for the mortar, crew and ammunition. These new PTL-12L ‘Mongoose’ vehicles were built into armored infantry formations in 1955. The open topped nature of the transport meant that little modification was needed to install and operate the mortar from the vehicle. The platform was replaced when the new PTL-32 was introduced, and the last PTL-12L was retired in 1968.[[File:PLT-12M.png|thumb|The PTL-12M was the only missile-carrier that Zandas deployed to the OSTFOR Mission from 1960-1964.|left]]
=== PTL-12M===
In 1960 the Zandian military produced a license built 6Z3 ATGM from Belakrain, naming it the P16 ATGM. Desperate for anti-armor assets in response to increased tensions from neighboring Chaldyria and CERBERUS, the army mated the missile to the PTL-12 chassis. It was successful enough that it was put into service as the PTL-12M ‘Scorpion’. The vehicle sacrificed its ability to carry troops to instead carry 10 P16 ATGMs. The optically targeted wire-guided missile performed decently for the Zandian Army, allowing for long distance engagements on the open steppe. However the Scorpion itself was plagued with issues. Its small internal size and conversion to a missile carrier caused crews to complain it was cramped. It also began suffering from mechanical breakdowns, as the aging engines and suspension systems were long overdue for overhauls. The platform was successful in terms of implementing strategies for missile carrying vehicles for the Zandians, and was always meant to be a stop gap design. It was retired from service in 1974 after the introduction of the troublesome [[U50/100 Universal Tank|U50-2C STBC]] project.

===PTL-12U===
Briefly produced after the introduction of the vehicle in 1943, the 'U' variant was meant to serve in a logistical role while a replacement for the outdated P3 truck was being designed. While not expressly built for the logistical role, the vehicle could only carry 1 tons of supplies. After the introduction of the Z46 series of trucks into the military, the PTL-12U was retired and either converted back to a transport version, sold to the public, or scrapped in 1946.
[[File:PTL-12U.png|left|thumb|Inferior to the purpose built logistical trucks that followed, the PTL-12U still served as an adequate logistical vehicle for a few years.]]
{{Zandas Military Vehicles}}

File:PTL-12C 2.png

2026-09-19T00:30:58Z

Nickygio:

PTL-12C in a training exercise

File:PTL-12 Corthenia Camo.png

2026-09-19T00:18:47Z

Nickygio:

PTL-12 Corthenia Camo

U50/100 Universal Tank

2026-09-18T23:25:18Z

Nickygio: /* Surviving Examples */

{{Infobox weapon|name=U50/100 Universal Tank|image=U50-100.png|caption=U50/100B during the UNICORN OSTFOR Mission, 1960|origin={{Flagicon image|Zandas.png}} [[Zandas]] Republic|type=Main Battle Tank|is_vehicle=yes|service=1950-1984|used_by={{Flagicon image|Zandas.png}} Zandas Republic|designer=Natuska Automotive
Office of Military Investigation and Research|design_date=1948-1950|manufacturer=Natuska Automotive
Reaper Motorworks|production_date=1950-1955|number=545

(421 for the Army)

(124 for the Marine Corps)|variants=U50/100B

U50/100BC

U50R

U50-2C STBC

U50/100MD|weight=36 tons|length=23ft 4in (7.1m)|width=8ft 7 in (2.62m)|height=7ft 5in (2.3m)|crew=4|armour=110m at 45° on the upper front plate
140mm on the turret face|speed=56kph|vehicle_range=400km}}The U50/100 Universal Tank was an important stepping stone in [[Zandas]] Armored development. This tank saw service with the small nation through several crises and while it never saw combat, it proved an effective deterrent to foreign aggression. Kept in service far longer than it was expected to, the platform produced several variants. Many tankers were fond of the design and reliability of the vehicle and it was utilized by both the Zandas Army and Marine Corps before being retired.

==History==
[[File:U50A.png|left|thumb|A U50/100, 1st Republican Army (East) in 1960. This vehicle in particular remained virtually unchanged since it departed the factory in 1951]]
After the failure of the [[U46/85 Medium Tank|U46/85]] in 1946, OMIR and Natuska Automotive got to work designing a new turret, weapon, and power-plant that could be used on the existing chassis from the last project. Following the Meyuer Doctrine, the tank was only to be built with domestic parts and weapons. The [[U42/85 Medium Tank|U42/85]] that was in service was becoming obsolete and a more powerful tank was required. In the beginning of 1950, the prototype underwent testing and after some changes was accepted into service at the end of the year. Equipped with a better engine, gun, and protection, the U50/100 began to replace the U42/85 in frontline service. However factory production was slow to get the new tank out in considerable numbers in the early years, due to machining issues and a workers strike in 1952.

With tensions with neighboring [[Chaldyria]] rising, the Army placed an initial order of 275 tanks in 1950. Over the next five years, the total number of tanks built would rise to 545. The army cited possible future [[UNICORN]] commitments for the increase in production, and the Marine Corps requested some as well. However production was slow, due to the 1952 worker's strike in the Natuska Automotive factory in Fitato as well as a steel shortage. With lower productivity of the iron mines after several mine collapses, steel was at a premium in the small nation. Tank production slowed from 1952-1955, and stopped all together with the Fitato-Alcut mine closure in October of 1955, which the nation into a recession at the start of the following year.

The vehicle became the premier armored vehicle for the nation after its introduction in 1950. However, following the major Zandian economic recession in 1956, military funding was slashed, the contract was canceled, and production ceased. Over the following few years the U50/100 platform was updated with necessary changes. It was upgraded with an improved engine, additional targeting systems and ammunition for the 100mm gun, and smoke launchers. This upgrade was then known as the U50/100B. While the Armored Battalions of the Army desired further improvements, this upgrade brought them into a somewhat competitive state with foreign tank designs. From 1956-1964, 342 Army tanks were brought up to this new standard. It was this variant that took part in the Zandas contribution to the UNICORN OSTFOR Mission from 1960-1964. These were the first Zandian tanks ever deployed on foreign soil.

In 1965, the U65/105 and U59/115 Universal Tanks officially replaced the U50/100 in frontline roles. Out of the 421 U50/100 tanks produced for the Army, 79 were still the baseline version. These tanks were kept as spares and finally were relinquished and scrapped in 1968. Many of the remaining tanks of the ‘B’ variant served in secondary roles and experiments were done using spare tanks. Members of the Army and the Office of Military Investigation and Research (OMIR) attempted to field new variants of the venerable chassis to fill out the armored force's ranks. These included conversions to the U50R Engineering Vehicle and the U50/100BC which was equipped with a mine plow. An experimental gun-missile launcher was equipped, and would enter service in 1972 as the U50-2C STBC. The U50 platform persisted in support roles long after any of its designers would have predicted. The U50/100B and BC would be removed from the reserves in 1976, and the U50-2C STBC would be retired in 1982. The Marine Corps would also update their tanks into the U50/100MD variant and would use it until 1975. The final U50 platform, the U50R, was retired in 1984.

==Development==
[[File:Projecy U-43.png|left|thumb|The first U-43 test vehicle in early 1950. Note the smaller turret, which would later be redesigned after test crew complaints]]
Taking the chassis from the U46/85, work began on a new design for a ‘universal tank’ at the beginning of 1947. This was given the name Proyekt U-43 or just Proyekt 43. The idea was to design a tank that could serve multiple roles on the battlefield at once, and in such numbers that it would bring a decisive victory. The chassis was given an additional 30mm of armor, up to a total of 110mm at the front. The turret ring was also widened to house a larger turret for a larger gun. The turret had a new unique rounded design, and was 140mm thick in the front. It also housed a DW-10 100mm cannon, the most powerful cannon the Zandas Republic had at the time. A new engine and transmission were custom built around the space allocated inside the machine, allowing for a speed of 56kph and an estimated range of 400 km. By the beginning of 1950, the first prototype of the tank rolled out of the factory and onto the proving grounds.

Results from the 1950 tests for the prototype were mixed. While the rounded turret was effective in deflecting incoming rounds from many angles, the cramped turret decreased the effectiveness of the crew. At the end of 1950 a new, rounded turret was introduced, and was approved for production. The U50/100 began to slowly replace the U42/85 at the very end of 1950.

== Use and Operation ==
[[File:U50B.png|thumb|A U50/100B during the UNICORN OSTFOR Mission. The tank was generally complimented by allied crews, mostly due to its simplicity. The tank preformed well on the international stage, but its limitations did not go unnoticed. ]]The U50/100 and its variants were in operation from 1950-1984. It was used domestically only, despite some foreign inquiry soon after development. With a limited industrial base in the early 1950's, OMIR determined that the factories could not produce the desired amount for the Army and Marine Corps while fulfilling foreign contracts within a reasonable time.

=== Zandas Army ===
Officially adopted by the Army in December 1950, the first run of the tanks were allocated to the Army. Beginning in 1951 crews began to train on the new vehicle and they slowly replaced the U42/85 Medium Tank. By 1954 the tanks completely took over the role in frontline service, and were deployed to every base that housed an armored unit.

Army crews tended to appreciate the tank for its speed and reliability, although there were complaints about the small three man turret, even after the revisions made during development. In time, Zandian tankers began openly complaining about the lack of power behind the 100mm cannon, worried about being unable to effectively engage modern enemy armor. These complaints were a priority for the ongoing Project U71, the project that would result in the U65/105.

The tanks of the 3rd Armored Battalion, 1st Armored Infantry Brigade, 2nd Republican Army (West) were deployed to [[Osterrecht]] in 1960 as part of the [[UNICORN]] mission there known as OSTFOR. These tanks, along with allied vehicles, held the line at the Danau DMZ, protecting Osterrecht from Communist aggression. They had the honor of being the first Zandian tanks ever deployed on foreign soil. Over the next four years several over tank units were rotated through the OSTFOR mission until its abrupt cancellation by PM Hoya in 1964.

It stayed in frontline service until 1967, being fully replaced by the U65/105 and U59/115 by that point. The variants survived in Army service well into the 1970's and early 80's, with the retirement of the U50R in 1984.

=== Zandas Marine Corps ===
The Marines received their first 10 tanks for training in 1953, and only received their full order in late 1955. With priority going to the army for the new tank, the slowly delivered tanks served alongside their predecessor, the U42/85. 124 tanks would be delivered to several Marine bases across the nation. In 1958 110 of these tanks would rotate back to the factories to receive the U50/100B modification, being fully implemented by 1960.

Marine U50/100Bs were briefly considered to assist HARPSICHORD forces during the 1960 [[Tamerlindian War of Independence|Tamerlindian Civil War]], however, this was deemed excessive as the allied forces already had a sufficient armor and the government did not want to commit boots on the ground.

Marine tankers had similar compliments and complaints to their Army counterparts about the tanks. In 1961 the Marine Corps requested designs for an extensive upgrade package for the vehicle, allowing it to preform better on soft ground, such as sand, and for improved survivability. This resulted in the U50/100MD modification in 1963, and a total of 84 of the U50/100B tanks in service with the Marines would receive this upgrade. A new, more powerful engine was added, and wider tanks were installed. These in combination were shown to improve performance in soft sand. An additional set of smoke launchers were added to each side of the turret, and side skirts were added to protect against flanking shaped-charges. However, crews did not welcome this new addition, as it became more difficult to remove debris or dried mud from the road wheels and tracks, and made maintenance more difficult overall.

The 'MD' served in frontline roles until 1968, with the other modifications seeing limited use or were put in reserve. The marine corp was slow to adopt the new U65/105 tank. This was due to both the limited production/acquisition of the modern vehicles and the operation limitations the new tanks have. Their increased weight makes it more difficult to transport to shore rapidly as the current fleet of landing craft cannot easily accommodate the new tanks. 'MD' could roll off the deck of a landing craft and immediately engage targets, which the new tanks could not do until 1968. This was because of the way the new tanks had to be stored onboard the landing craft. This was not seen to be a major issue for the Marines as the U50/100 platform was capable, and any significant amphibious landing would later be supported by the Army and their heavier, newer tanks.

However the Marines finally adopted the U65/105 in 1970, and the 'MD' was placed in reserve until 1975, when they were scrapped.

==Variants==
===U50/100B===
The 1956 development of the upgraded version, the U50/100B, was very much a compromise. With a severely slashed budget, many items on the Army's wish-list could not be implemented. This included tests of a larger 105mm cannon in the turret, an improved transmission, additional armor, and research into advanced armor-piercing shells. However, vital upgrades were introduced. These included installation of a more efficient and powerful engine, a new rangefinder, and a new HE round of the 100mm. It also brought the standard smoke launcher upgrades that were widespread across all army vehicles at this time. These tanks were the premier version of the tanks in widespread service, and would represent Zandas amongst its UNICORN allies during the OSTFOR mission from 1960-1964.

===U50/100BC===
[[File:U50BC.png|thumb|Introduced into tank columns in 1966, this tank served as a test bed for the B-29 mine-plow, allowing for similar installations on the new U65/105 tanks]]
With surplus hulls with the introduction of new tanks in 1965, further experimentation was conducted on the U50/100B platform with the installation of mine clearing plows. Designed to clear a path of mines before other armored vehicles arrived, the new plow was tested and equipped on 24 tanks, now known as U50/100BC variants. These were delivered to armor companies in mid to late 1965. The new B-29 plow would end up on the newer U65/105 tanks as well after being successfully tested on the U50 chassis first.

===U50R===
Using the improved engine of the ‘B’ variant and adding gear sets designed for high torque, work began on a true armored engineering vehicle. The turret was removed and replaced with a crane and a structure to house the new hydraulic components. It was also equipped with a dozer blade for earth moving. The new crane and winch system could easily remove engines, turrets, and transmission from other armored vehicles in the field, and could even drag the newer, heavier tanks back to a repair depot if needed. The vehicle retained its smoke launchers for concealment and had a single light machinegun for defense. 76 of these new vehicles, the U50R, were produced and distributed to engineering companies.
{| class="wikitable"
|+Showcase of the U50R with its recovery boom stored and deployed
|[[File:U50r.png]]
|[[File:U50r2.png]]
|}

===U50-2C STBC===
[[File:U50 STBC Proto.png|left|thumb|1969 Prototype of the STBC. This was in the midst of the many struggles with the gun-launcher ]]
[[File:U50 STBC.png|thumb|Training Exercise 'Operation Eagle', 1976]]
Relying mostly on kinetic armaments for anti-tank work, an experiment was started using the U50/100B chassis for an armored missile carrier. The only current ATGM vehicle in the arsenal, the PTL-12M was also needing replacement as it was incredibly outdated. Eventually a proposal was made to create a gun-launcher, to allow the tanks to fire ATGMs as well as HE rounds. However the new system proved troublesome, and after a long process and a redesign of the turret, the new launcher system was installed in 1969. It was called the Sensor-guided Targeting Ballistic Computer, or STBC for short. The new modification was designated the U50-2C STBC in 1970. This new system was revolutionary for the Zandian Army, but had significant teething issues. The STBC was often referred to as ‘Sh*tting The Bed Constantly’ by the troops that operated them, as the launcher often malfunctioned and was difficult to use. In one case early after adoption, the ammunition misfired and ignited inside of the barrel, killing the tank’s gunner and loader, severely injuring the commander and narrowly avoided cooking the rest of the tank’s ammunition off. Even after these major flaws were fixed in 1976, crews still despised the new modification of the venerable chassis, and fortunately the U50-2 STBC never saw combat. Only 50 U50/100B hulls were fitted with the STBC system, and all were decommissioned in 1982.
[[File:U50MD.png|thumb|U50/100MD as seen in Marine Corps service in 1965]]

=== U50/100MD ===
Designed in 1961 and produced in 1963, 84 Marine Corps tanks received this upgrade. An extra set of smoke launchers were added on either side of the turret to conceal the tank after landing. It was equipped with a stronger engine and wider tracks to quickly escape a sandy beach and not get bogged down. It also was equipped with side skirts to help combat shaped-charged attacks. While not a perfect upgrade, it remained in frontline service with the Marine Corps until 1970, and was retired in 1975.

== Media ==
The U50/100 Universal Tank is often referred to by its nickname of ‘Huntsman’ in modern media, however there is no documentation of tankers or troops using this name while it was in service. The name was coined in the 1982 novel ‘Desert Wall’ by Sergei Gradolite, a historical fiction book about tensions with Chaldyria boiling over in 1952. The book revolves around a U50/100 tank crew, and the crew named their tank ‘Huntsman’. With the success of the novel, some called all U50/100s 'Huntsman', and this spread around in military circles. The idea took off like wildlife with the invention of the internet and of online military forums. People worldwide recognize the vehicle as the ‘Huntsman’, although it never wore that title. Troops would only refer to it as the U50/100, or more often just U50.

Army troops named some vehicles in the late 1950’s but didn’t start naming tank series until 1965, with the introduction of the U65/105 ‘Steel Horse’ and the U59/115 ‘Belak’. This was initially done to differentiate between the two new tanks, but it spread to naming nearly all vehicles in the Army’s inventory to the modern day.

== Surviving Examples ==
Four examples of the U50/100 remain in museums. A U50/100B that served in the OSTFOR Mission, a U50-2C STBC, and a U50/100MD live at the National Military History Museum in the Capital in Brecton. One additional Marine U50/100B is on display at the Negelenor Naval Base outside the Capital. {{Zandas Military Vehicles}}

PTL-12 Transport

2026-09-17T00:41:32Z

Nickygio:

File:ZU-8 2.png

2026-09-17T00:40:37Z

Nickygio: Nickygio uploaded a new version of File:ZU-8 2.png

Artillery Truck

File:ZU-8.png

2026-09-17T00:40:11Z

Nickygio: Nickygio uploaded a new version of File:ZU-8.png

ZU-6 AT Truck

File:PLT-12.png

2026-09-17T00:39:33Z

Nickygio: Nickygio uploaded a new version of File:PLT-12.png

PTL-12 Truck

PTL-12 Transport

2026-09-17T00:01:21Z

Nickygio:

{{Infobox weapon|name=PTL-12 Transport|image=PLT-12.png|caption=Standard PTL-12A in 1950|origin={{Flagicon image|Zandas.png}} [[Zandas]] Republic|type=Transport|is_vehicle=yes|service=1943-1972|used_by={{Flagicon image|Zandas.png}} Zandas Republic

{{Flagicon image|Mergovina.png}} [[Mergovina]]

{{Flagicon image|SouthHarab.png}} [[South Harab]]

{{Flagicon image|1=VTECFlag.png}} United Tamerlindian Ore Company (before sale was revoked in 1960)

{{Flagicon image|Dahrat.png}} [[Dahrat]] (through Mergovina)

{{Flagicon image|Ordevita.png}} [[Ordevita]] (through Mergovina)

{{Flagicon image|Zaponiteli.png}} [[Zaponiteli]] (through Mergovina)

{{Flagicon image|WestKursatija.png}} [[West Khursartija]] (through Mergovina)|designer=Reaper Motorworks|design_date=1941-1943|manufacturer=Reaper Motorworks
Mead Truck Company|production_date=1943-1951|number=3,189|variants=PTL-12 A/B/C

ZU-6

ZU-8

PTL-12L

PTL-12M|weight=8.65 tons|length=23ft (7m)|width=6ft 6in (2m)|height=7ft 8in (2.3m)|crew=3|armour=6-12mm|vehicle_range=380km|speed=75kph on road
35kph offroad}}
With nearly four decades in service, the PTL-12 is an iconic [[Zandas|Zandian]] vehicle. From the [[Ten Years' War|TYW]] right through the height of the Zandian-UNICORN Troubles, this all wheel drive vehicle served in various forms throughout the years. Primarily a lightly armored transport, it also served as an anti-tank gun, infantry support vehicle, and even a missile carrier. Serving at home, overseas in OSTFOR, and serving in several nations’ armed forces, it outlived its projected service life by decades. Retired vehicles often served on farms and ranches for years to come, with some reported surviving until the early 2000's.

== History ==
The PTL-12 came from a desire to produce a fast, reliable, a versatile transport for Zandian ground troops. With fears of invasion increasing in the early part of the TYW, a vehicle that could carry responding troops across the rugged terrain of the Zandian steppes and desert was vital. Developed by engineers at Reaper Motorworks, known for their rugged trucks, the PTL-12 was introduced into armored infantry formations in late 1943, followed closely by its smaller relative, the [[PTL-4 Light Transport|PTL-4]], early the next year. From 1943 through 1967, the PTL-12 was the primary mode of protected transportation for infantry.

Upon introduction, the first 100 vehicles were converted to having a flat truck bed instead of seating for troops. This was due to a demand by the Army for a suitable logistical vehicle to replace the failed PG3 trucks in service. With the [[GMS Z46 Truck|Z46]] series several years out from production, the first PTL-12 vehicles served as logistical vehicles, a role it was not designed for. Eventually, after the first 100 vehicles were produced, the vehicle was produced as designed and entered service as a troop transport in 1943. While the initial production run of diesel trucks were produced by Reaper Motorworks, the subsequent switch to a gasoline engine saw production shift to Mead Truck Company factories in 1948.

The vehicle could protect 8 troops from small arms fire and shrapnel. It was capable of towing artillery pieces as well, making it a versatile platform. And while reserved by its crews generally, crews suffered during poor weather and winter conditions. Makeshift covers were made by crews, but an official solution was never made by the Army, despite several inquiries.

Starting with the introduction of the PTL-12B in 1948, troops began naming the transport variant the ‘Cougar’. Vehicle crews then adopted the name, and the unofficial name found its way into official documents submitted by high-ranking officers. The name of ‘Cougar’ was officially adopted by the Army for the transport variant in 1950. A similar naming convention continued for future variants, but notably not for the ZU-6 and 8 platforms while they were in service. Some amateur historians have given them names after their service, however there is no documentation that crews ever referred to their vehicles in such a way.

By the mid 1950's the vehicles lagged behind contemporaries with its thin armor, old engine, and open top. With the 1956 recession and the slashing of the Army's budget, majority of the funds went to improving the [[U50/100 Universal Tank|U50/100]] Universal Tanks. Only minor upgrades were introduced to the Cougar with the remaining funding. These upgrades included the introduction of smoke launchers, an improved communications suite, and an improved transmission. As the 1960's rolled through, the vehicles were showing their age, and while deployed to [[Osterrecht]] for the [[UNICORN]] OSTFOR mission, allied crews sympathized with the struggles the vehicle crews had to go through. In 1967, the [[PTL-32 Armored Personnel Carrier|PTL-32 Puma]] was introduced, and it was a massive improvement for the soldiers and crews alike. Immediately the Cougar was put into reserve or outright retired as the new transports came online. By 1968 the PTL-12 ceased to function in the transport role, but variants persisted in operation until 1972. The venerable vehicle lasted longer in service than it was ever meant to, but still performed when asked.

=== Foreign Sales ===
From 1956 to early 1960, several hundred PTL-12A and B variants were sold to two nations, [[Mergovina]] and VTEC. Most of these units went to Mergovina, with only 75 unarmed vehicles sold to VTEC. The vehicles lived very different lives depending on which nation they went to.

==== Mergovinian Service ====
[[File:WK_Bankice_I.png|left|thumb|A Mergovinian PTL-12B (OBV-112) in service with the West Khursartija Army, known as the "Bankice" in their service. While the vehicle has had significant modification from Merogvinia, it is still recognizable as a Zandian design.]]Under Mergovinian service, the vehicle was called OBV-112. The Kingdom modified the vehicle to their liking and it served as a transport alongside older Belakrainian tanks. It was also converted to hold a 40mm cannon for anti-aircraft duties. However the nation was quick to sell off much of their stock of these vehicles as newer vehicles became available. The old OBV-112s were sold to the [[Dahrat|Kingdom of Dahrat]], the [[Ordevita|Republic of Ordevita]], [[West Khursartija]], and much to the dismay of the Zandian government, the [[Zaponiteli|People's Republic of Zaponiteli.]] The vehicles being sold to a [[CERBERUS]] nation was a sore spot amongst Zandian diplomats and contributed to the brief falling out the Zandas and Mergovina had in 1964.

====VTEC Service====
PM Hoya was hesitant to sell to the corporate state in 1960, given their history and questionable ethics. However the two nations enjoyed a healthy trade relationship, and the Office of Military Investigation and Research (OMIR) vetted the sale. PM Hoya even made a public statement that OMIR has vetted that the vehicles will not be used in aggressive actions. He also said the “Zandas reserves the right to reacquire all military assets across the globe if they are believed to cause unnecessary harm to civilians or are used in an unprovoked attack.”

Less than a year later, the [[Tamerlindian War of Independence]] and Operation HARPSICHORD were well underway. There was concern as to whether the vehicles had been armed and if they were being used against Zandian allies, when the infamous photo appeared. A burned out VTEC PTL-4 with a Zandian made LA-16 Recoilless rifle was photographed in Tamerlindia. It was discovered that OMIR Director Ivan Zaitev along with select members of Foreign Intelligence Department secretly negotiated a trade deal with the Tamerlindians. They organized the delivery of armed Zandian military vehicles to VTEC using falsified and forged documents. In exchange, they received stock in VTEC and a cash bribe. An additional 15 armed PTL-12 and 20 armed PTL-4 transports were delivered to VTEC in addition to the legitimate sale made earlier that year. This resulting in the arrest and mass investigation of many within OMIR, and ultimately the Zandian actions in Tamerlindia, resulting in Operation Swift Vengeance. This resulted in the destruction or capture of all Zandian made vehicles in the war torn nation.

==Variants==

===PTL-12A/B/C===
[[File:PTL-12C.png|thumb|A PTL-12C 'Cougar' on a training exercise before being deployed to the OSTFOR Mission in early 1960. ]]
The base model of the PTL-12 was introduced as a troop transport in 1943. With the subsequent changes made to the power-plant from a diesel to gasoline engine in 1948, this new model was considered the 'B' model, while the existing diesel model was re-designated the 'A' model. The last major update to the troop transport version of the vehicle was made in 1956. This included the introduction of the an improved gasoline engine, an improved transmission, a modern communication suite, and smoke grenade launchers. The vehicle was replaced in the troop transport role as soon as the PTL-32 was brought into service starting in 1967. The last Cougars were retired in 1970, and were sold to the civilian market or scrapped.

===ZU-6===
[[File:ZU-8.png|left|thumb|A ZU-6 mounting the venerable 76.2mm cannon. It was quickly outgunned by the end of the TYW but continued to see limited service through the mid-1950s]]

In 1944 the addition of a powerful 76.2mm anti-tank gun turned the transport into a rapid tank destroyer. Capable of outpacing heavier armored units on roads and easy terrain, they could respond to breakthroughs or set up ambushes with the help of spotters. However, the heavy load of the cannon and ammunition weighed on the chassis and the suspension. With the PTL-12 platform beginning to show it's age in the 1950's, the vehicle was considered for retirement but it was without a suitable replacement. Therefore it saw limited continued service until the vehicles consistently broke down and was considered unreliable. It was ultimately removed from service in 1957 due to these issues and the lacking power of the 76mm cannon.

===ZU-8===
[[File:ZU-8 2.png|thumb|ZU-8 with its 155mm field cannon trained on a target. While the cannon was excellent, the PTL-12 platform became unreliable after years of stress on the suspension.]]

The ZU-8 was developed at the same time as the ZU-6, serving in a similar role. Mounting the proven 155mm field cannon, it was designed to support infantry units and quickly move after firing to avoid counter-battery fire. It faced similar challenges as the ZU-6 and was taken out of service at the same time, and did not see a full replacement until the introduction off the superior [[U42/85 Medium Tank|U42/155 SPG]]. However the [[GMS Z46 Truck|GMS Z55 (142)]] took over its role partially, although it lacked the same maneuverability and range.

=== PTL-12L===
[[File:PTL-12L.png|left|thumb|A PTL-12L supporting UNICORN troops during the OSTFOR Mission in 1961 during a training exercise.]]
In combat exercises during the early 1950's, the need for close-in fire support was desired. The installation of an 82mm mortar in a PTL-12 gave the infantry a rapid response and mobile platform to receive support from. The new vehicle traded its troop carrying capability for the mortar, crew and ammunition. These new PTL-12L ‘Mongoose’ vehicles were built into armored infantry formations in 1955. The open topped nature of the transport meant that little modification was needed to install and operate the mortar from the vehicle. The platform was replaced when the new PTL-32 was introduced, and the last PTL-12L was retired in 1968.

=== PTL-12M===
[[File:PLT-12M.png|thumb|The PTL-12M was the only missile-carrier that Zandas deployed to the OSTFOR Mission from 1960-1964.]]
In 1960 the Zandian military produced a license built 6Z3 ATGM from Belakrain, naming it the P16 ATGM. Desperate for anti-armor assets in response to increased tensions from neighboring Chaldyria and CERBERUS, the army mated the missile to the PTL-12 chassis. It was successful enough that it was put into service as the PTL-12M ‘Scorpion’. The vehicle sacrificed its ability to carry troops to instead carry 10 P16 ATGMs. The optically targeted wire-guided missile performed decently for the Zandian Army, allowing for long distance engagements on the open steppe. However the Scorpion itself was plagued with issues. Its small internal size and conversion to a missile carrier caused crews to complain it was cramped. It also began suffering from mechanical breakdowns, as the aging engines and suspension systems were long overdue for overhauls. The platform was successful in terms of implementing strategies for missile carrying vehicles for the Zandians, and was always meant to be a stop gap design. It was retired from service in 1972 after the introduction of the troublesome [[U50/100 Universal Tank|U50-2C STBC]] project.

===PTL-12U===
Briefly produced after the introduction of the vehicle in 1943, the 'U' variant was meant to serve in a logistical role while a replacement for the outdated P3 truck was being designed. While not expressly built for the logistical role, the vehicle could only carry 1 tons of supplies. After the introduction of the Z46 series of trucks into the military, the PTL-12U was retired and either converted back to a transport version, sold to the public, or scrapped in 1946.
[[File:PTL-12U.png|left|thumb|Inferior to the purpose built logistical trucks that followed, the PTL-12U still served as an adequate logistical vehicle for a few years.]]
{{Zandas Military Vehicles}}

PTL-12 Transport

2026-09-16T00:06:37Z

Nickygio:

{{Infobox weapon|name=PTL-12 Transport|image=PLT-12.png|caption=Standard PTL-12A in 1950|origin={{Flagicon image|Zandas.png}} [[Zandas]] Republic|type=Transport|is_vehicle=yes|service=1943-1972|used_by={{Flagicon image|Zandas.png}} Zandas Republic

{{Flagicon image|Mergovina.png}} [[Mergovina]]

{{Flagicon image|SouthHarab.png}} [[South Harab]]

{{Flagicon image|1=VTECFlag.png}} United Tamerlindian Ore Company (before sale was revoked in 1960)

{{Flagicon image|Dahrat.png}} [[Dahrat]] (through Mergovina)

{{Flagicon image|Ordevita.png}} [[Ordevita]] (through Mergovina)

{{Flagicon image|Zaponiteli.png}} [[Zaponiteli]] (through Mergovina)

{{Flagicon image|WestKursatija.png}} [[West Khursartija]] (through Mergovina)|designer=Reaper Motorworks|design_date=1941-1943|manufacturer=Reaper Motorworks
Mead Truck Company|production_date=1943-1951|number=3,189|variants=PTL-12 A/B/C

ZU-6

ZU-8

PTL-12L

PTL-12M|weight=8.65 tons|length=23ft (7m)|width=6ft 6in (2m)|height=7ft 8in (2.3m)|crew=3|armour=6-12mm|vehicle_range=380km|speed=75kph on road
35kph offroad}}
With nearly four decades in service, the PTL-12 is an iconic [[Zandas|Zandian]] vehicle. From the [[Ten Years' War|TYW]] right through the height of the Zandian-UNICORN Troubles, this all wheel drive vehicle served in various forms throughout the years. Primarily a lightly armored transport, it also served as an anti-tank gun, infantry support vehicle, and even a missile carrier. Serving at home, overseas in OSTFOR, and serving in several nations’ armed forces, it outlived its projected service life by decades. Retired vehicles often served on farms and ranches for years to come, with some reported surviving until the early 2000's.

== History ==
The PTL-12 came from a desire to produce a fast, reliable, a versatile transport for Zandian ground troops. With fears of invasion increasing in the early part of the TYW, a vehicle that could carry responding troops across the rugged terrain of the Zandian steppes and desert was vital. Developed by engineers at Reaper Motorworks, known for their rugged trucks, the PTL-12 was introduced into armored infantry formations in late 1943, followed closely by its smaller relative, the [[PTL-4 Light Transport|PTL-4]], early the next year. From 1943 through 1967, the PTL-12 was the primary mode of protected transportation for infantry.

Upon introduction, the first 100 vehicles were converted to having a flat truck bed instead of seating for troops. This was due to a demand by the Army for a suitable logistical vehicle to replace the failed PG3 trucks in service. With the [[GMS Z46 Truck|Z46]] series several years out from production, the first PTL-12 vehicles served as logistical vehicles, a role it was not designed for. Eventually, after the first 100 vehicles were produced, the vehicle was produced as designed and entered service as a troop transport in 1943. While the initial production run of diesel trucks were produced by Reaper Motorworks, the subsequent switch to a gasoline engine saw production shift to Mead Truck Company factories in 1948.

The vehicle could protect 8 troops from small arms fire and shrapnel. It was capable of towing artillery pieces as well, making it a versatile platform. And while reserved by its crews generally, crews suffered during poor weather and winter conditions. Makeshift covers were made by crews, but an official solution was never made by the Army, despite several inquiries. By the mid 1950's the vehicles lagged behind contemporaries with its thin armor, old engine, and open top. With the 1956 recession and the slashing of the Army's budget, majority of the funds went to improving the [[U50/100 Universal Tank|U50/100]] Universal Tanks. Only minor upgrades were introduced to the PTL-12 Transport with the remaining funding. These upgrades included the introduction of smoke launchers, an improved communications suite, and an improved transmission. As the 1960's rolled through, the vehicles were showing their age, and while deployed to [[Osterrecht]] for the [[UNICORN]] OSTFOR mission, allied crews sympathized with the struggles the vehicle crews had to go through. In 1967, the [[PTL-32 Armored Personnel Carrier|PTL-32]] was introduced, and it was a massive improvement for the soldiers and crews alike. Immediately the vehicles started getting put in reserve or outright retired as the new transports came online. By 1968 the PTL-12 ceased to function in the transport role, but variants persisted in operation until 1972. The venerable vehicle lasted longer in service than it was ever meant to, but still performed when asked.

=== Foreign Sales ===
From 1956 to early 1960, several hundred PTL-12A and B variants were sold to two nations, [[Mergovina]] and VTEC. Most of these units went to Mergovina, with only 75 unarmed sold to VTEC. The vehicles lived very different lives depending on which nation they went to.

==== Mergovina Service ====
[[File:WK_Bankice_I.png|left|thumb|A Mergovinian PTL-12B (OBV-112) in service with the West Khursartija Army, known as the "Bankice" in their service. While the vehicle has had significant modification from Merogvinia, it is still recognizable as a Zandian design.]]Under Mergovinian service, the vehicle was called OBV-112. The Kingdom modified the vehicle to their liking it served as a transport alongside older Belakrainian tanks. It was also converted to hold a 40mm cannon for anti-aircraft duties. However the nation was quick to sell off much of their stock of these vehicles as newer vehicles became available to them. These vehicles were sold to the [[Dahrat|Kingdom of Dahrat]], the [[Ordevita|Republic of Ordevita]], [[West Khursartija]], and much to the dismay of the Zandian government, the [[Zaponiteli|People's Republic of Zaponiteli.]] The vehicles being sold to a [[CERBERUS]] nation was a sore spot amongst Zandian diplomats and contributed to the brief falling out the two nations had in 1964.

====VTEC Service====
PM Hoya was hesitant to sell to the corporate state, given their history and questionable ethics. However the two nations enjoyed a healthy trade relationship, and the Office of Military Investigation and Research (OMIR) vetted the sale. PM Hoya even made a public statement that OMIR has vetted that the vehicles will not be used in aggressive actions. He also said the “Zandas reserves the right to reacquire all military assets across the globe if they are believed to cause unnecessary harm to civilians or are used in an unprovoked attack.”

Less than a year later, the [[Tamerlindian War of Independence]] and Operation HARPSICHORD was well underway. There was concern as to whether the vehicles had been armed and if they were being used against Zandian allies, when the infamous photo appeared. A burned out VTEC PTL-4 with a Zandian made LA-16 Recoilless rifle was photographed in Tamerlindia. It was discovered that OMIR Director Ivan Zaitev along with select members of Foreign Intelligence Department secretly negotiated a trade deal with the Tamerlindians. They organized the delivery of armed Zandian military vehicles to VTEC using falsified and forged documents. In exchange, they received stock in VTEC and a cash bribe. An additional 15 armed PTL-12 and 20 armed PTL-4 transports were delivered to VTEC in addition to the legitimate sale made earlier that year. This resulting in the arrest and mass investigation of many within OMIR, and ultimately the Zandian actions in Tamerlindia, resulting in Operation Swift Vengeance. This resulted in the destruction or capture of all Zandian made vehicles in the war torn nation.

==Variants==

===PTL-12A/B/C===
[[File:PTL-12C.png|thumb|A PTL-12C 'Cougar' on a training exercise before being deployed to the OSTFOR Mission in early 1960. ]]
The base model of the PTL-12 was introduced as a troop transport in 1943. With the subsequent changes made to the power-plant from a diesel to gasoline engine in 1948, this new model was considered the 'B' model, while the existing diesel model was re-designated the 'A' model. The late major update to the troop transport version of the vehicle was made in 1956. This included the introduction of the an improved gasoline engine, an improved transmission, a modern communication suite, and smoke grenade launchers. The vehicle was replaced in the troop transport role as soon as the PTL-32 was brought into service starting in 1967. The last PTL-12 transports were retired in 1970, and were sold to the civilian market or scrapped.

===ZU-6===
[[File:ZU-8.png|left|thumb|A ZU-6 mounting the venerable 76.2mm cannon. It was quickly outgunned by the end of the TYW but continued to see limited service through the mid-1950s]]

In 1944 the addition of a powerful 76.2mm anti-tank gun turned the transport into a rapid tank destroyer. Capable of outpacing heavier armored units on roads and easy terrain, they could respond to breakthroughs or set up ambushes with the help of spotters. However, the heavy load of the cannon and ammunition weighed on the chassis and the suspension. With the PTL-12 platform beginning to show it's age in the 1950's, the vehicle was considered for retirement, without a suitable replacement. Therefore it saw limited continued service until the vehicles consistently broke down and was considered unreliable. It was ultimately removed from service in 1957 due to these issues and the lacking power of the 76mm cannon.

===ZU-8===
[[File:ZU-8 2.png|thumb|ZU-8 with its 155mm field cannon trained on a target. While the cannon was excellent, the PTL-12 platform became unreliable after years of stress on the suspension.]]

The ZU-8 was developed at the same time as the ZU-6, serving in a similar role. Mounting the proven 155mm field cannon, it was designed to support infantry units and quickly move after firing to avoid counter-battery fire. It faced similar challenges as the ZU-6 and was taken out of service at the same time, and did not see a full replacement until the introduction off the superior [[U42/85 Medium Tank|U42/155 SPG]]. However the [[GMS Z46 Truck|GMS Z55 (142)]] took over its role partial, although it lacked the same maneuverability and range.

=== PTL-12L===
[[File:PTL-12L.png|left|thumb|A PTL-12L supporting UNICORN troops during the OSTFOR Mission in 1961 during a training exercise.]]
In combat exercises during the early 1950's, the need for close-in fire support was desired. The installation of an 82mm mortar in a PTL-12 gave the infantry a rapid response and mobile platform to receive support from. The new vehicle traded its troop carrying capability for the mortar, crew and ammunition. These new PTL-12L ‘Mongoose’ vehicles were built into armored infantry formations. The open topped nature of the transport meant that little modification was needed to install and operate the mortar from the vehicle. The platform was replaced when the new PTL-32 was introduced, and the last PTL-12L was retired in 1968.

=== PTL-12M===
[[File:PLT-12M.png|thumb|The PTL-12M was the only missile-carrier that Zandas deployed to the OSTFOR Mission from 1960-1964.]]
In 1960 the Zandian military produced a license built 6Z3 ATGM from Belakrain, naming it the P16 ATGM. Desperate for anti-armor assets in response to increased tensions from neighboring Chaldyria, the army mated the missile to the PTL-12 chassis. It was successful enough that it was put into service as the PTL-12M ‘Scorpion’. The vehicle sacrificed its ability to carry troops to instead carry 10 P16 ATGMs. The optically targeted wire-guided missile performed decently for the Zandian Army, allowing for long distance engagements on the open steppe. However the Scorpion itself was plagued with issues. Its small internal size and conversion to a missile carrier caused crews to complain it was cramped. It also began suffering from mechanical breakdowns, as the aging engines and suspension systems were long overdue for overhauls. The platform was successful in terms of implementing strategies for missile carrying vehicles for the Zandians, and was always meant to be a stop gap design. It was retired from service in 1972 after the introduction of the troublesome [[U50/100 Universal Tank|U50-2C STBC]] project.

===PTL-12U===
Briefly produced after the introduction of the vehicle in 1943, the 'U' variant was meant to serve in a logistical role while a replacement for the outdated P3 truck was being designed. While not expressly built for the logistical role, the vehicle could only carry 1 tons of supplies. After the introduction of the Z46 series of trucks into the military, the PTL-12U was retired and either converted back to a transport version, sold to the public, or scrapped in 1946.
[[File:PTL-12U.png|left|thumb|Inferior to the purpose built logistical trucks that followed, the PTL-12U still served as an adequate logistical vehicle for a few years.]]
{{Zandas Military Vehicles}}

PTL-12 Transport

2026-09-15T23:58:56Z

Nickygio:

{{Infobox weapon|name=PTL-12 Transport|image=PLT-12.png|caption=Standard PTL-12A in 1950|origin={{Flagicon image|Zandas.png}} [[Zandas]] Republic|type=Transport|is_vehicle=yes|service=1943-1972|used_by={{Flagicon image|Zandas.png}} Zandas Republic

{{Flagicon image|Mergovina.png}} [[Mergovina]]

{{Flagicon image|SouthHarab.png}} [[South Harab]]

{{Flagicon image|1=VTECFlag.png}} United Tamerlindian Ore Company (before sale was revoked in 1960)

{{Flagicon image|Dahrat.png}} [[Dahrat]] (through Mergovina)

{{Flagicon image|Ordevita.png}} [[Ordevita]] (through Mergovina)

{{Flagicon image|Zaponiteli.png}} [[Zaponiteli]] (through Mergovina)

{{Flagicon image|WestKursatija.png}} [[West Khursartija]] (through Mergovina)|designer=Reaper Motorworks|design_date=1941-1943|manufacturer=Reaper Motorworks
Mead Truck Company|production_date=1943-1951|number=3,189|variants=PTL-12 A/B/C

ZU-6

ZU-8

PTL-12L

PTL-12M|weight=8.65 tons|length=23ft (7m)|width=6ft 6in (2m)|height=7ft 8in (2.3m)|crew=3|armour=6-12mm|vehicle_range=380km|speed=75kph on road
35kph offroad}}
With nearly four decades in service, the PTL-12 is an iconic [[Zandas|Zandian]] vehicle. From the [[Ten Years' War|TYW]] right through the height of the Zandian-UNICORN Troubles, this all wheel drive vehicle served in various forms throughout the years. Primarily a lightly armored transport, it also served as an anti-tank gun, infantry support vehicle, and even a missile carrier. Serving at home, overseas in OSTFOR, and serving in several nations’ armed forces, it outlived its projected service life by decades. Retired vehicles often served on farms and ranches for years to come, with some reported surviving until the early 2000's.

== History ==
The PTL-12 came from a desire to produce a fast, reliable, a versatile transport for Zandian ground troops. With fears of invasion increasing in the early part of the TYW, a vehicle that could carry responding troops across the rugged terrain of the Zandian steppes and desert was vital. Developed by engineers at Reaper Motorworks, known for their rugged trucks, the PTL-12 was introduced into armored infantry formations in late 1943, followed closely by its smaller relative, the [[PTL-4 Light Transport|PTL-4]], early the next year. From 1943 through 1967, the PTL-12 was the primary mode of protected transportation for infantry.

Upon introduction, the first 100 vehicles were converted to having a flat truck bed instead of seating for troops. This was due to a demand by the Army for a suitable logistical vehicle to replace the failed PG3 trucks in service. With the [[GMS Z46 Truck|Z46]] series several years out from production, the first PTL-12 vehicles served as logistical vehicles, a role it was not designed for. Eventually, after the first 100 vehicles were produced, the vehicle was produced as designed and entered service as a troop transport in 1943. While the initial production run of diesel trucks were produced by Reaper Motorworks, the subsequent switch to a gasoline engine saw production shift to Mead Truck Company factories in 1948.

The vehicle could protect 8 troops from small arms fire and shrapnel. It was capable of towing artillery pieces as well, making it a versatile platform. And while reserved by its crews generally, crews suffered during poor weather and winter conditions. Makeshift covers were made by crews, but an official solution was never made by the Army, despite several inquiries. By the mid 1950's the vehicles lagged behind contemporaries with its thin armor, old engine, and open top. With the 1956 recession and the slashing of the Army's budget, majority of the funds went to improving the [[U50/100 Universal Tank|U50/100]] Universal Tanks. Only minor upgrades were introduced to the PTL-12 Transport with the remaining funding. These upgrades included the introduction of smoke launchers, an improved communications suite, and an improved transmission. As the 1960's rolled through, the vehicles were showing their age, and while deployed to [[Osterrecht]] for the [[UNICORN]] OSTFOR mission, allied crews sympathized with the struggles the vehicle crews had to go through. In 1967, the [[PTL-32 Armored Personnel Carrier|PTL-32]] was introduced, and it was a massive improvement for the soldiers and crews alike. Immediately the vehicles started getting put in reserve or outright retired as the new transports came online. By 1968 the PTL-12 ceased to function in the transport role, but variants persisted in operation until 1972. The venerable vehicle lasted longer in service than it was ever meant to, but still performed when asked.

=== Foreign Sales ===
From 1956 to early 1960, several hundred PTL-12A and B variants were sold to two nations, [[Mergovina]] and VTEC. Most of these units went to Mergovina, with only 75 unarmed sold to VTEC. The vehicles lived very different lives depending on which nation they went to.

==== Mergovina Service ====
Under Mergovinian service, the vehicle was called OBV-112. The Kingdom modified the vehicle to their liking it served as a transport alongside older Belakrainian tanks. It was also converted to hold a 40mm cannon for anti-aircraft duties. However the nation was quick to sell off much of their stock of these vehicles as newer vehicles became available to them. These vehicles were sold to the [[Dahrat|Kingdom of Dahrat]], the [[Ordevita|Republic of Ordevita]], [[West Khursartija]], and much to the dismay of the Zandian government, the [[Zaponiteli|People's Republic of Zaponiteli.]] The vehicles being sold to a [[CERBERUS]] nation was a sore spot amongst Zandian diplomats and contributed to the brief falling out the two nations had in 1964.

==== VTEC Service ====
PM Hoya was hesitant to sell to the corporate state, given their history and questionable ethics. However the two nations enjoyed a healthy trade relationship, and the Office of Military Investigation and Research (OMIR) vetted the sale. PM Hoya even made a public statement that OMIR has vetted that the vehicles will not be used in aggressive actions. He also said the “Zandas reserves the right to reacquire all military assets across the globe if they are believed to cause unnecessary harm to civilians or are used in an unprovoked attack.”

Less than a year later, the [[Tamerlindian War of Independence]] and Operation HARPSICHORD was well underway. There was concern as to whether the vehicles had been armed and if they were being used against Zandian allies, when the infamous photo appeared. A burned out VTEC PTL-4 with a Zandian made LA-16 Recoilless rifle was photographed in Tamerlindia. It was discovered that OMIR Director Ivan Zaitev along with select members of Foreign Intelligence Department secretly negotiated a trade deal with the Tamerlindians. They organized the delivery of armed Zandian military vehicles to VTEC using falsified and forged documents. In exchange, they received stock in VTEC and a cash bribe. An additional 15 armed PTL-12 and 20 armed PTL-4 transports were delivered to VTEC in addition to the legitimate sale made earlier that year. This resulting in the arrest and mass investigation of many within OMIR, and ultimately the Zandian actions in Tamerlindia, resulting in Operation Swift Vengeance. This resulted in the destruction or capture of all Zandian made vehicles in the war torn nation.

== Variants ==

=== PTL-12A/B/C ===
[[File:PTL-12C.png|thumb|A PTL-12C 'Cougar' on a training exercise before being deployed to the OSTFOR Mission in early 1960. ]]
The base model of the PTL-12 was introduced as a troop transport in 1943. With the subsequent changes made to the power-plant from a diesel to gasoline engine in 1948, this new model was considered the 'B' model, while the existing diesel model was re-designated the 'A' model. The late major update to the troop transport version of the vehicle was made in 1956. This included the introduction of the an improved gasoline engine, an improved transmission, a modern communication suite, and smoke grenade launchers. The vehicle was replaced in the troop transport role as soon as the PTL-32 was brought into service starting in 1967. The last PTL-12 transports were retired in 1970, and were sold to the civilian market or scrapped.

=== ZU-6 ===
[[File:ZU-8.png|left|thumb|A ZU-6 mounting the venerable 76.2mm cannon. It was quickly outgunned by the end of the TYW but continued to see limited service through the mid-1950s]]

In 1944 the addition of a powerful 76.2mm anti-tank gun turned the transport into a rapid tank destroyer. Capable of outpacing heavier armored units on roads and easy terrain, they could respond to breakthroughs or set up ambushes with the help of spotters. However, the heavy load of the cannon and ammunition weighed on the chassis and the suspension. With the PTL-12 platform beginning to show it's age in the 1950's, the vehicle was considered for retirement, without a suitable replacement. Therefore it saw limited continued service until the vehicles consistently broke down and was considered unreliable. It was ultimately removed from service in 1957 due to these issues and the lacking power of the 76mm cannon.

=== ZU-8 ===
[[File:ZU-8 2.png|thumb|ZU-8 with its 155mm field cannon trained on a target. While the cannon was excellent, the PTL-12 platform became unreliable after years of stress on the suspension.]]

The ZU-8 was developed at the same time as the ZU-6, serving in a similar role. Mounting the proven 155mm field cannon, it was designed to support infantry units and quickly move after firing to avoid counter-battery fire. It faced similar challenges as the ZU-6 and was taken out of service at the same time, and did not see a full replacement until the introduction off the superior [[U42/85 Medium Tank|U42/155 SPG]]. However the [[GMS Z46 Truck|GMS Z55 (142)]] took over its role partial, although it lacked the same maneuverability and range.

=== PTL-12L ===
[[File:PTL-12L.png|left|thumb|A PTL-12L supporting UNICORN troops during the OSTFOR Mission in 1961 during a training exercise.]]
In combat exercises during the early 1950's, the need for close-in fire support was desired. The installation of an 82mm mortar in a PTL-12 gave the infantry a rapid response and mobile platform to receive support from. The new vehicle traded its troop carrying capability for the mortar, crew and ammunition. These new PTL-12L ‘Mongoose’ vehicles were built into armored infantry formations. The open topped nature of the transport meant that little modification was needed to install and operate the mortar from the vehicle. The platform was replaced when the new PTL-32 was introduced, and the last PTL-12L was retired in 1968.

=== PTL-12M ===
[[File:PLT-12M.png|thumb|The PTL-12M was the only missile-carrier that Zandas deployed to the OSTFOR Mission from 1960-1964.]]
In 1960 the Zandian military produced a license built 6Z3 ATGM from Belakrain, naming it the P16 ATGM. Desperate for anti-armor assets in response to increased tensions from neighboring Chaldyria, the army mated the missile to the PTL-12 chassis. It was successful enough that it was put into service as the PTL-12M ‘Scorpion’. The vehicle sacrificed its ability to carry troops to instead carry 10 P16 ATGMs. The optically targeted wire-guided missile performed decently for the Zandian Army, allowing for long distance engagements on the open steppe. However the Scorpion itself was plagued with issues. Its small internal size and conversion to a missile carrier caused crews to complain it was cramped. It also began suffering from mechanical breakdowns, as the aging engines and suspension systems were long overdue for overhauls. The platform was successful in terms of implementing strategies for missile carrying vehicles for the Zandians, and was always meant to be a stop gap design. It was retired from service in 1972 after the introduction of the troublesome [[U50/100 Universal Tank|U50-2C STBC]] project.

=== PTL-12U ===
Briefly produced after the introduction of the vehicle in 1943, the 'U' variant was meant to serve in a logistical role while a replacement for the outdated P3 truck was being designed. While not expressly built for the logistical role, the vehicle could only carry 1 tons of supplies. After the introduction of the Z46 series of trucks into the military, the PTL-12U was retired and either converted back to a transport version, sold to the public, or scrapped in 1946.
[[File:PTL-12U.png|left|thumb|Inferior to the purpose built logistical trucks that followed, the PTL-12U still served as an adequate logistical vehicle for a few years.]]
{{Zandas Military Vehicles}}

PTL-12 Transport

2026-09-15T23:58:19Z

Nickygio: /* Variants */

{{Infobox weapon|name=PTL-12 Transport|image=PLT-12.png|caption=Standard PTL-12A in 1950|origin=[[Zandas]] Republic|type=Transport|is_vehicle=yes|service=1943-1972|used_by={{Flagicon image|Zandas.png}} Zandas Republic

{{Flagicon image|Mergovina.png}} [[Mergovina]]

{{Flagicon image|SouthHarab.png}} [[South Harab]]

{{Flagicon image|1=VTECFlag.png}} United Tamerlindian Ore Company (before sale was revoked in 1960)

{{Flagicon image|Dahrat.png}} [[Dahrat]] (through Mergovina)

{{Flagicon image|Ordevita.png}} [[Ordevita]] (through Mergovina)

{{Flagicon image|Zaponiteli.png}} [[Zaponiteli]] (through Mergovina)

{{Flagicon image|WestKursatija.png}} [[West Khursartija]] (through Mergovina)|designer=Reaper Motorworks|design_date=1941-1943|manufacturer=Reaper Motorworks
Mead Truck Company|production_date=1943-1951|number=3,189|variants=PTL-12 A/B/C

ZU-6

ZU-8

PTL-12L

PTL-12M|weight=8.65 tons|length=23ft (7m)|width=6ft 6in (2m)|height=7ft 8in (2.3m)|crew=3|armour=6-12mm|vehicle_range=380km|speed=75kph on road
35kph offroad}}
With nearly four decades in service, the PTL-12 is an iconic [[Zandas|Zandian]] vehicle. From the [[Ten Years' War|TYW]] right through the height of the Zandian-UNICORN Troubles, this all wheel drive vehicle served in various forms throughout the years. Primarily a lightly armored transport, it also served as an anti-tank gun, infantry support vehicle, and even a missile carrier. Serving at home, overseas in OSTFOR, and serving in several nations’ armed forces, it outlived its projected service life by decades. Retired vehicles often served on farms and ranches for years to come, with some reported surviving until the early 2000's.

== History ==
The PTL-12 came from a desire to produce a fast, reliable, a versatile transport for Zandian ground troops. With fears of invasion increasing in the early part of the TYW, a vehicle that could carry responding troops across the rugged terrain of the Zandian steppes and desert was vital. Developed by engineers at Reaper Motorworks, known for their rugged trucks, the PTL-12 was introduced into armored infantry formations in late 1943, followed closely by its smaller relative, the [[PTL-4 Light Transport|PTL-4]], early the next year. From 1943 through 1967, the PTL-12 was the primary mode of protected transportation for infantry.

Upon introduction, the first 100 vehicles were converted to having a flat truck bed instead of seating for troops. This was due to a demand by the Army for a suitable logistical vehicle to replace the failed PG3 trucks in service. With the [[GMS Z46 Truck|Z46]] series several years out from production, the first PTL-12 vehicles served as logistical vehicles, a role it was not designed for. Eventually, after the first 100 vehicles were produced, the vehicle was produced as designed and entered service as a troop transport in 1943. While the initial production run of diesel trucks were produced by Reaper Motorworks, the subsequent switch to a gasoline engine saw production shift to Mead Truck Company factories in 1948.

The vehicle could protect 8 troops from small arms fire and shrapnel. It was capable of towing artillery pieces as well, making it a versatile platform. And while reserved by its crews generally, crews suffered during poor weather and winter conditions. Makeshift covers were made by crews, but an official solution was never made by the Army, despite several inquiries. By the mid 1950's the vehicles lagged behind contemporaries with its thin armor, old engine, and open top. With the 1956 recession and the slashing of the Army's budget, majority of the funds went to improving the [[U50/100 Universal Tank|U50/100]] Universal Tanks. Only minor upgrades were introduced to the PTL-12 Transport with the remaining funding. These upgrades included the introduction of smoke launchers, an improved communications suite, and an improved transmission. As the 1960's rolled through, the vehicles were showing their age, and while deployed to [[Osterrecht]] for the [[UNICORN]] OSTFOR mission, allied crews sympathized with the struggles the vehicle crews had to go through. In 1967, the [[PTL-32 Armored Personnel Carrier|PTL-32]] was introduced, and it was a massive improvement for the soldiers and crews alike. Immediately the vehicles started getting put in reserve or outright retired as the new transports came online. By 1968 the PTL-12 ceased to function in the transport role, but variants persisted in operation until 1972. The venerable vehicle lasted longer in service than it was ever meant to, but still performed when asked.

=== Foreign Sales ===
From 1956 to early 1960, several hundred PTL-12A and B variants were sold to two nations, [[Mergovina]] and VTEC. Most of these units went to Mergovina, with only 75 unarmed sold to VTEC. The vehicles lived very different lives depending on which nation they went to.

==== Mergovina Service ====
Under Mergovinian service, the vehicle was called OBV-112. The Kingdom modified the vehicle to their liking it served as a transport alongside older Belakrainian tanks. It was also converted to hold a 40mm cannon for anti-aircraft duties. However the nation was quick to sell off much of their stock of these vehicles as newer vehicles became available to them. These vehicles were sold to the [[Dahrat|Kingdom of Dahrat]], the [[Ordevita|Republic of Ordevita]], [[West Khursartija]], and much to the dismay of the Zandian government, the [[Zaponiteli|People's Republic of Zaponiteli.]] The vehicles being sold to a [[CERBERUS]] nation was a sore spot amongst Zandian diplomats and contributed to the brief falling out the two nations had in 1964.

==== VTEC Service ====
PM Hoya was hesitant to sell to the corporate state, given their history and questionable ethics. However the two nations enjoyed a healthy trade relationship, and the Office of Military Investigation and Research (OMIR) vetted the sale. PM Hoya even made a public statement that OMIR has vetted that the vehicles will not be used in aggressive actions. He also said the “Zandas reserves the right to reacquire all military assets across the globe if they are believed to cause unnecessary harm to civilians or are used in an unprovoked attack.”

Less than a year later, the [[Tamerlindian War of Independence]] and Operation HARPSICHORD was well underway. There was concern as to whether the vehicles had been armed and if they were being used against Zandian allies, when the infamous photo appeared. A burned out VTEC PTL-4 with a Zandian made LA-16 Recoilless rifle was photographed in Tamerlindia. It was discovered that OMIR Director Ivan Zaitev along with select members of Foreign Intelligence Department secretly negotiated a trade deal with the Tamerlindians. They organized the delivery of armed Zandian military vehicles to VTEC using falsified and forged documents. In exchange, they received stock in VTEC and a cash bribe. An additional 15 armed PTL-12 and 20 armed PTL-4 transports were delivered to VTEC in addition to the legitimate sale made earlier that year. This resulting in the arrest and mass investigation of many within OMIR, and ultimately the Zandian actions in Tamerlindia, resulting in Operation Swift Vengeance. This resulted in the destruction or capture of all Zandian made vehicles in the war torn nation.

== Variants ==

=== PTL-12A/B/C ===
[[File:PTL-12C.png|thumb|A PTL-12C 'Cougar' on a training exercise before being deployed to the OSTFOR Mission in early 1960. ]]
The base model of the PTL-12 was introduced as a troop transport in 1943. With the subsequent changes made to the power-plant from a diesel to gasoline engine in 1948, this new model was considered the 'B' model, while the existing diesel model was re-designated the 'A' model. The late major update to the troop transport version of the vehicle was made in 1956. This included the introduction of the an improved gasoline engine, an improved transmission, a modern communication suite, and smoke grenade launchers. The vehicle was replaced in the troop transport role as soon as the PTL-32 was brought into service starting in 1967. The last PTL-12 transports were retired in 1970, and were sold to the civilian market or scrapped.

=== ZU-6 ===
[[File:ZU-8.png|left|thumb|A ZU-6 mounting the venerable 76.2mm cannon. It was quickly outgunned by the end of the TYW but continued to see limited service through the mid-1950s]]

In 1944 the addition of a powerful 76.2mm anti-tank gun turned the transport into a rapid tank destroyer. Capable of outpacing heavier armored units on roads and easy terrain, they could respond to breakthroughs or set up ambushes with the help of spotters. However, the heavy load of the cannon and ammunition weighed on the chassis and the suspension. With the PTL-12 platform beginning to show it's age in the 1950's, the vehicle was considered for retirement, without a suitable replacement. Therefore it saw limited continued service until the vehicles consistently broke down and was considered unreliable. It was ultimately removed from service in 1957 due to these issues and the lacking power of the 76mm cannon.

=== ZU-8 ===
[[File:ZU-8 2.png|thumb|ZU-8 with its 155mm field cannon trained on a target. While the cannon was excellent, the PTL-12 platform became unreliable after years of stress on the suspension.]]

The ZU-8 was developed at the same time as the ZU-6, serving in a similar role. Mounting the proven 155mm field cannon, it was designed to support infantry units and quickly move after firing to avoid counter-battery fire. It faced similar challenges as the ZU-6 and was taken out of service at the same time, and did not see a full replacement until the introduction off the superior [[U42/85 Medium Tank|U42/155 SPG]]. However the [[GMS Z46 Truck|GMS Z55 (142)]] took over its role partial, although it lacked the same maneuverability and range.

=== PTL-12L ===
[[File:PTL-12L.png|left|thumb|A PTL-12L supporting UNICORN troops during the OSTFOR Mission in 1961 during a training exercise.]]
In combat exercises during the early 1950's, the need for close-in fire support was desired. The installation of an 82mm mortar in a PTL-12 gave the infantry a rapid response and mobile platform to receive support from. The new vehicle traded its troop carrying capability for the mortar, crew and ammunition. These new PTL-12L ‘Mongoose’ vehicles were built into armored infantry formations. The open topped nature of the transport meant that little modification was needed to install and operate the mortar from the vehicle. The platform was replaced when the new PTL-32 was introduced, and the last PTL-12L was retired in 1968.

=== PTL-12M ===
[[File:PLT-12M.png|thumb|The PTL-12M was the only missile-carrier that Zandas deployed to the OSTFOR Mission from 1960-1964.]]
In 1960 the Zandian military produced a license built 6Z3 ATGM from Belakrain, naming it the P16 ATGM. Desperate for anti-armor assets in response to increased tensions from neighboring Chaldyria, the army mated the missile to the PTL-12 chassis. It was successful enough that it was put into service as the PTL-12M ‘Scorpion’. The vehicle sacrificed its ability to carry troops to instead carry 10 P16 ATGMs. The optically targeted wire-guided missile performed decently for the Zandian Army, allowing for long distance engagements on the open steppe. However the Scorpion itself was plagued with issues. Its small internal size and conversion to a missile carrier caused crews to complain it was cramped. It also began suffering from mechanical breakdowns, as the aging engines and suspension systems were long overdue for overhauls. The platform was successful in terms of implementing strategies for missile carrying vehicles for the Zandians, and was always meant to be a stop gap design. It was retired from service in 1972 after the introduction of the troublesome [[U50/100 Universal Tank|U50-2C STBC]] project.

=== PTL-12U ===
Briefly produced after the introduction of the vehicle in 1943, the 'U' variant was meant to serve in a logistical role while a replacement for the outdated P3 truck was being designed. While not expressly built for the logistical role, the vehicle could only carry 1 tons of supplies. After the introduction of the Z46 series of trucks into the military, the PTL-12U was retired and either converted back to a transport version, sold to the public, or scrapped in 1946.
[[File:PTL-12U.png|left|thumb|Inferior to the purpose built logistical trucks that followed, the PTL-12U still served as an adequate logistical vehicle for a few years.]]
{{Zandas Military Vehicles}}

File:PTL-12C.png

2026-09-15T23:37:54Z

Nickygio:

PTL-12'C'

File:PTL-12U.png

2026-09-15T23:16:28Z

Nickygio:

Logistical Version of PTL-12

U50/100 Universal Tank

2026-09-13T15:58:58Z

Nickygio: /* U50/100MD */

{{Infobox weapon|name=U50/100 Universal Tank|image=U50-100.png|caption=U50/100B during the UNICORN OSTFOR Mission, 1960|origin={{Flagicon image|Zandas.png}} [[Zandas]] Republic|type=Main Battle Tank|is_vehicle=yes|service=1950-1984|used_by={{Flagicon image|Zandas.png}} Zandas Republic|designer=Natuska Automotive
Office of Military Investigation and Research|design_date=1948-1950|manufacturer=Natuska Automotive
Reaper Motorworks|production_date=1950-1955|number=545

(421 for the Army)

(124 for the Marine Corps)|variants=U50/100B

U50/100BC

U50R

U50-2C STBC

U50/100MD|weight=36 tons|length=23ft 4in (7.1m)|width=8ft 7 in (2.62m)|height=7ft 5in (2.3m)|crew=4|armour=110m at 45° on the upper front plate
140mm on the turret face|speed=56kph|vehicle_range=400km}}The U50/100 Universal Tank was an important stepping stone in [[Zandas]] Armored development. This tank saw service with the small nation through several crises and while it never saw combat, it proved an effective deterrent to foreign aggression. Kept in service far longer than it was expected to, the platform produced several variants. Many tankers were fond of the design and reliability of the vehicle and it was utilized by both the Zandas Army and Marine Corps before being retired.

==History==
[[File:U50A.png|left|thumb|A U50/100, 1st Republican Army (East) in 1960. This vehicle in particular remained virtually unchanged since it departed the factory in 1951]]
After the failure of the [[U46/85 Medium Tank|U46/85]] in 1946, OMIR and Natuska Automotive got to work designing a new turret, weapon, and power-plant that could be used on the existing chassis from the last project. Following the Meyuer Doctrine, the tank was only to be built with domestic parts and weapons. The [[U42/85 Medium Tank|U42/85]] that was in service was becoming obsolete and a more powerful tank was required. In the beginning of 1950, the prototype underwent testing and after some changes was accepted into service at the end of the year. Equipped with a better engine, gun, and protection, the U50/100 began to replace the U42/85 in frontline service. However factory production was slow to get the new tank out in considerable numbers in the early years, due to machining issues and a workers strike in 1952.

With tensions with neighboring [[Chaldyria]] rising, the Army placed an initial order of 275 tanks in 1950. Over the next five years, the total number of tanks built would rise to 545. The army cited possible future [[UNICORN]] commitments for the increase in production, and the Marine Corps requested some as well. However production was slow, due to the 1952 worker's strike in the Natuska Automotive factory in Fitato as well as a steel shortage. With lower productivity of the iron mines after several mine collapses, steel was at a premium in the small nation. Tank production slowed from 1952-1955, and stopped all together with the Fitato-Alcut mine closure in October of 1955, which the nation into a recession at the start of the following year.

The vehicle became the premier armored vehicle for the nation after its introduction in 1950. However, following the major Zandian economic recession in 1956, military funding was slashed, the contract was canceled, and production ceased. Over the following few years the U50/100 platform was updated with necessary changes. It was upgraded with an improved engine, additional targeting systems and ammunition for the 100mm gun, and smoke launchers. This upgrade was then known as the U50/100B. While the Armored Battalions of the Army desired further improvements, this upgrade brought them into a somewhat competitive state with foreign tank designs. From 1956-1964, 342 Army tanks were brought up to this new standard. It was this variant that took part in the Zandas contribution to the UNICORN OSTFOR Mission from 1960-1964. These were the first Zandian tanks ever deployed on foreign soil.

In 1965, the U65/105 and U59/115 Universal Tanks officially replaced the U50/100 in frontline roles. Out of the 421 U50/100 tanks produced for the Army, 79 were still the baseline version. These tanks were kept as spares and finally were relinquished and scrapped in 1968. Many of the remaining tanks of the ‘B’ variant served in secondary roles and experiments were done using spare tanks. Members of the Army and the Office of Military Investigation and Research (OMIR) attempted to field new variants of the venerable chassis to fill out the armored force's ranks. These included conversions to the U50R Engineering Vehicle and the U50/100BC which was equipped with a mine plow. An experimental gun-missile launcher was equipped, and would enter service in 1972 as the U50-2C STBC. The U50 platform persisted in support roles long after any of its designers would have predicted. The U50/100B and BC would be removed from the reserves in 1976, and the U50-2C STBC would be retired in 1982. The Marine Corps would also update their tanks into the U50/100MD variant and would use it until 1975. The final U50 platform, the U50R, was retired in 1984.

==Development==
[[File:Projecy U-43.png|left|thumb|The first U-43 test vehicle in early 1950. Note the smaller turret, which would later be redesigned after test crew complaints]]
Taking the chassis from the U46/85, work began on a new design for a ‘universal tank’ at the beginning of 1947. This was given the name Proyekt U-43 or just Proyekt 43. The idea was to design a tank that could serve multiple roles on the battlefield at once, and in such numbers that it would bring a decisive victory. The chassis was given an additional 30mm of armor, up to a total of 110mm at the front. The turret ring was also widened to house a larger turret for a larger gun. The turret had a new unique rounded design, and was 140mm thick in the front. It also housed a DW-10 100mm cannon, the most powerful cannon the Zandas Republic had at the time. A new engine and transmission were custom built around the space allocated inside the machine, allowing for a speed of 56kph and an estimated range of 400 km. By the beginning of 1950, the first prototype of the tank rolled out of the factory and onto the proving grounds.

Results from the 1950 tests for the prototype were mixed. While the rounded turret was effective in deflecting incoming rounds from many angles, the cramped turret decreased the effectiveness of the crew. At the end of 1950 a new, rounded turret was introduced, and was approved for production. The U50/100 began to slowly replace the U42/85 at the very end of 1950.

== Use and Operation ==
[[File:U50B.png|thumb|A U50/100B during the UNICORN OSTFOR Mission. The tank was generally complimented by allied crews, mostly due to its simplicity. The tank preformed well on the international stage, but its limitations did not go unnoticed. ]]The U50/100 and its variants were in operation from 1950-1984. It was used domestically only, despite some foreign inquiry soon after development. With a limited industrial base in the early 1950's, OMIR determined that the factories could not produce the desired amount for the Army and Marine Corps while fulfilling foreign contracts within a reasonable time.

=== Zandas Army ===
Officially adopted by the Army in December 1950, the first run of the tanks were allocated to the Army. Beginning in 1951 crews began to train on the new vehicle and they slowly replaced the U42/85 Medium Tank. By 1954 the tanks completely took over the role in frontline service, and were deployed to every base that housed an armored unit.

Army crews tended to appreciate the tank for its speed and reliability, although there were complaints about the small three man turret, even after the revisions made during development. In time, Zandian tankers began openly complaining about the lack of power behind the 100mm cannon, worried about being unable to effectively engage modern enemy armor. These complaints were a priority for the ongoing Project U71, the project that would result in the U65/105.

The tanks of the 3rd Armored Battalion, 1st Armored Infantry Brigade, 2nd Republican Army (West) were deployed to [[Osterrecht]] in 1960 as part of the [[UNICORN]] mission there known as OSTFOR. These tanks, along with allied vehicles, held the line at the Danau DMZ, protecting Osterrecht from Communist aggression. They had the honor of being the first Zandian tanks ever deployed on foreign soil. Over the next four years several over tank units were rotated through the OSTFOR mission until its abrupt cancellation by PM Hoya in 1964.

It stayed in frontline service until 1967, being fully replaced by the U65/105 and U59/115 by that point. The variants survived in Army service well into the 1970's and early 80's, with the retirement of the U50R in 1984.

=== Zandas Marine Corps ===
The Marines received their first 10 tanks for training in 1953, and only received their full order in late 1955. With priority going to the army for the new tank, the slowly delivered tanks served alongside their predecessor, the U42/85. 124 tanks would be delivered to several Marine bases across the nation. In 1958 110 of these tanks would rotate back to the factories to receive the U50/100B modification, being fully implemented by 1960.

Marine U50/100Bs were briefly considered to assist HARPSICHORD forces during the 1960 [[Tamerlindian War of Independence|Tamerlindian Civil War]], however, this was deemed excessive as the allied forces already had a sufficient armor and the government did not want to commit boots on the ground.

Marine tankers had similar compliments and complaints to their Army counterparts about the tanks. In 1961 the Marine Corps requested designs for an extensive upgrade package for the vehicle, allowing it to preform better on soft ground, such as sand, and for improved survivability. This resulted in the U50/100MD modification in 1963, and a total of 84 of the U50/100B tanks in service with the Marines would receive this upgrade. A new, more powerful engine was added, and wider tanks were installed. These in combination were shown to improve performance in soft sand. An additional set of smoke launchers were added to each side of the turret, and side skirts were added to protect against flanking shaped-charges. However, crews did not welcome this new addition, as it became more difficult to remove debris or dried mud from the road wheels and tracks, and made maintenance more difficult overall.

The 'MD' served in frontline roles until 1968, with the other modifications seeing limited use or were put in reserve. The marine corp was slow to adopt the new U65/105 tank. This was due to both the limited production/acquisition of the modern vehicles and the operation limitations the new tanks have. Their increased weight makes it more difficult to transport to shore rapidly as the current fleet of landing craft cannot easily accommodate the new tanks. 'MD' could roll off the deck of a landing craft and immediately engage targets, which the new tanks could not do until 1968. This was because of the way the new tanks had to be stored onboard the landing craft. This was not seen to be a major issue for the Marines as the U50/100 platform was capable, and any significant amphibious landing would later be supported by the Army and their heavier, newer tanks.

However the Marines finally adopted the U65/105 in 1970, and the 'MD' was placed in reserve until 1975, when they were scrapped.

==Variants==
===U50/100B===
The 1956 development of the upgraded version, the U50/100B, was very much a compromise. With a severely slashed budget, many items on the Army's wish-list could not be implemented. This included tests of a larger 105mm cannon in the turret, an improved transmission, additional armor, and research into advanced armor-piercing shells. However, vital upgrades were introduced. These included installation of a more efficient and powerful engine, a new rangefinder, and a new HE round of the 100mm. It also brought the standard smoke launcher upgrades that were widespread across all army vehicles at this time. These tanks were the premier version of the tanks in widespread service, and would represent Zandas amongst its UNICORN allies during the OSTFOR mission from 1960-1964.

===U50/100BC===
[[File:U50BC.png|thumb|Introduced into tank columns in 1966, this tank served as a test bed for the B-29 mine-plow, allowing for similar installations on the new U65/105 tanks]]
With surplus hulls with the introduction of new tanks in 1965, further experimentation was conducted on the U50/100B platform with the installation of mine clearing plows. Designed to clear a path of mines before other armored vehicles arrived, the new plow was tested and equipped on 24 tanks, now known as U50/100BC variants. These were delivered to armor companies in mid to late 1965. The new B-29 plow would end up on the newer U65/105 tanks as well after being successfully tested on the U50 chassis first.

===U50R===
Using the improved engine of the ‘B’ variant and adding gear sets designed for high torque, work began on a true armored engineering vehicle. The turret was removed and replaced with a crane and a structure to house the new hydraulic components. It was also equipped with a dozer blade for earth moving. The new crane and winch system could easily remove engines, turrets, and transmission from other armored vehicles in the field, and could even drag the newer, heavier tanks back to a repair depot if needed. The vehicle retained its smoke launchers for concealment and had a single light machinegun for defense. 76 of these new vehicles, the U50R, were produced and distributed to engineering companies.
{| class="wikitable"
|+Showcase of the U50R with its recovery boom stored and deployed
|[[File:U50r.png]]
|[[File:U50r2.png]]
|}

===U50-2C STBC===
[[File:U50 STBC Proto.png|left|thumb|1969 Prototype of the STBC. This was in the midst of the many struggles with the gun-launcher ]]
[[File:U50 STBC.png|thumb|Training Exercise 'Operation Eagle', 1976]]
Relying mostly on kinetic armaments for anti-tank work, an experiment was started using the U50/100B chassis for an armored missile carrier. The only current ATGM vehicle in the arsenal, the PTL-12M was also needing replacement as it was incredibly outdated. Eventually a proposal was made to create a gun-launcher, to allow the tanks to fire ATGMs as well as HE rounds. However the new system proved troublesome, and after a long process and a redesign of the turret, the new launcher system was installed in 1969. It was called the Sensor-guided Targeting Ballistic Computer, or STBC for short. The new modification was designated the U50-2C STBC in 1970. This new system was revolutionary for the Zandian Army, but had significant teething issues. The STBC was often referred to as ‘Sh*tting The Bed Constantly’ by the troops that operated them, as the launcher often malfunctioned and was difficult to use. In one case early after adoption, the ammunition misfired and ignited inside of the barrel, killing the tank’s gunner and loader, severely injuring the commander and narrowly avoided cooking the rest of the tank’s ammunition off. Even after these major flaws were fixed in 1976, crews still despised the new modification of the venerable chassis, and fortunately the U50-2 STBC never saw combat. Only 50 U50/100B hulls were fitted with the STBC system, and all were decommissioned in 1982.
[[File:U50MD.png|thumb|U50/100MD as seen in Marine Corps service in 1965]]

=== U50/100MD ===
Designed in 1961 and produced in 1963, 84 Marine Corps tanks received this upgrade. An extra set of smoke launchers were added on either side of the turret to conceal the tank after landing. It was equipped with a stronger engine and wider tracks to quickly escape a sandy beach and not get bogged down. It also was equipped with side skirts to help combat shaped-charged attacks. While not a perfect upgrade, it remained in frontline service with the Marine Corps until 1970, and was retired in 1975.

== Media ==
The U50/100 Universal Tank is often referred to by its nickname of ‘Huntsman’ in modern media, however there is no documentation of tankers or troops using this name while it was in service. The name was coined in the 1982 novel ‘Desert Wall’ by Sergei Gradolite, a historical fiction book about tensions with Chaldyria boiling over in 1952. The book revolves around a U50/100 tank crew, and the crew named their tank ‘Huntsman’. With the success of the novel, some called all U50/100s 'Huntsman', and this spread around in military circles. The idea took off like wildlife with the invention of the internet and of online military forums. People worldwide recognize the vehicle as the ‘Huntsman’, although it never wore that title. Troops would only refer to it as the U50/100, or more often just U50.

Army troops named some vehicles in the late 1950’s but didn’t start naming tank series until 1965, with the introduction of the U65/105 ‘Steel Horse’ and the U59/115 ‘Belak’. This was initially done to differentiate between the two new tanks, but it spread to naming nearly all vehicles in the Army’s inventory to the modern day.

== Surviving Examples ==
Four examples of the U50/100 remain in museums. A U50/100B that served in the OSTFOR Mission, a U50-2C STBC, and a U50/100MD live at the National Military History Museum in the Capital in Brecton. One additional Marine U50/100B is on display at the Shakercove Naval Base outside the Capital. {{Zandas Military Vehicles}}

U42/85 Medium Tank

2026-09-13T15:44:37Z

Nickygio:

{{Infobox weapon|name=U42/85 Medium Tank|type=Medium Tank|service=1942-1965|used_by={{Flagicon image|Zandas.png}} Zandas Republic|is_vehicle=Yes|origin={{Flagicon image|Zandas.png}} [[Zandas]] Republic|designer=Natuska Automotive
Office of Military Investigation and Research|design_date=1941|manufacturer=Reaper Motorworks
Alcua Locomotive Works|production_date=1942-1950|number=648

(480 for the Army)

(168 for the Marines)|variants=U42/76

U42/85

U42/85B

ZU42/100 Tank Destroyer

U42/155 SPG|weight=32 Tons|length=22ft 8in (6.9m)|width=8ft 7 in (2.62m)|height=7ft 10 in (2.4)|crew=4|max_range=350km|armour=45mm at 45° (max)|primary weapon=DW-5|vehicle_range=350km|secondary weapon=7.62mm|Primary Weapon=DW-5|image=U42-85.png|Gun=DW-7|caption=A U42/85 in 1950 sporting 1st Republican Army (East) camouflage
(Credit to Moriskov)}}Vital to providing security to the [[Zandas|Zandas Republic]] while the world was at war, the U42/85 served well in its role as a capable domestically produced medium tank. While never seeing combat, the platform would continue to serve the nation long after the global conflict ended for both the Army and the Marines.

== History ==
In the early years of the [[Ten Years' War|Ten Years’ War]], the [[Zandas]] Military feared an invasion from [[Iron League]] forces due to its trade agreement with [[Belakraine]]. Starting the war with woefully outdated U35/47 tanks, production began in 1940 on a medium tank. The Army requested a capable, reliable, and easy to manufacture tank that could fulfill multiple roles. This was a product of the Meyuer Doctrine, with the Army relying on domestically built equipment during the war. The result of this request would enter service in 1942, known as the U42/76 Medium Tank. Armed with a 76.2mm cannon and was protected by 45mm of frontal armor at a 45 degree angle, the U42 was well protected from light and medium anti-tank weaponry in 1942. It could reach a top speed of 48kph and had an operational range of 350km. It was also armed with two 7.62mm machine guns, one co-axial, and one by the commander’s hatch. An order of 500 tanks was made in 1942 but only 182 would enter service by 1944. After evaluating the performance of the gun compared to the newest armor from the Iron League and allies, the gun was considered underpowered. A new, more powerful gun was equipped in a new turret that would fit on the existing chassis. The new tank, the U42/85, was accepted into service in early 1945, with all new U42 tanks produced after this equipped with the new gun, resulting in an additional 324 tanks. All units using the 76mm were converted to the 85mm by 1947.

The U42/85 was still the backbone of the armored forces in 1950, due to the limited introduction of the failed stopgap, the [[U46/85 Medium Tank|U46/85]]. A modification was introduced to field the 100mm cannon, however this was a casemate rather than a turreted design on only 75 vehicles were converted. With the success of Project U-43 in 1950, the [[U50/100 Universal Tank]] was brought into service later that year, and the U42/85 was slowly sidelined as the new tank came online. In the late 1950’s the military decided to sell their reserve stock of tanks as there was a sufficient number of U50/100s, but there was little foreign interest. The U42/85 remained in reserve and in training units until the early 1960’s. In 1960, 118 tanks were converted to U42/155 Self Propelled Guns. All unconverted tanks were scrapped in 1965 after the introduction of the [[U65/105 Universal Tank|U65/105]] and [[U59/115 Main Battle Tank|U59/115]] Universal Tanks, ending over two decades of service in the medium tank role.

== Variants ==

=== U42/76 ===
[[File:U42-75.png|left|thumb|U42/76 in 1944 1st Republican Army (East). Only a limited number of this tank was produced before the more powerful 85mm cannon was introduced. ]]
Initially designed in early 1941 with a medium velocity 76.2mm cannon, the U42/76 had sufficient firepower. However, once in production in 1942 it was clear the design would not keep up with the fast pace of armor effectiveness and thickness advancements due to the TYW. These tanks were produced anyway even with their shortcomings to have a relatively modern tank in service until a better armed variant could be developed. The initial run of 182 U42/76 tanks were eventually brought back to the factory starting in 1945 and had their turrets replaced with the PG-3 85mm turret by the end of 1947.

=== U42/85 ===
[[File:U42 winter.png|thumb|A U42/85 crew waits for their tracks to thaw as the track pads froze to the road wheels overnight during a 1951 training exercise in the Oneon Mountains. These tanks saw service across the nation, from the hot deserts to the cold mountain tops ]]
Engineers at Kingfisher Armories worked for months after receiving a new request from the army in late 1942 to produce a high velocity cannon capable of penetrating over 125mm of armor. The new weapon was tested in mid 1943 and was capable of penetrating over 142mm of armor from 100 meters and 131mm at 1000m. However, this new DW-7 cannon could not fit in the existing turret of the U42/76. Natuska Automotive and OMIR were tasked with creating a new turret capable of handling the new weapon and being compatible with the new tank. After several months of trial and error, the new PG-3 turret was produced and was tested on the chassis in 1944. After several teething issues were solved, the new turret was approved for production, on the newly named U42/85 tank at the end of that year.

The U42/85 served at the heart of Zandian Army Armored formations throughout the war and into the post-war peace era. However it was clear a replacement was necessary even with the upgraded gun. Tank armor had far outpaced the medium tank during the war and tests with captured Iron League tanks given to them by allies proved the DW-7 cannon lacked the penetration to combat modern tanks. However, the tank still preformed well in exercises in infantry support and flanking attacks. The tank served in the secondary line and eventually reserves as the successful U50/100 design replaced them in armored columns. By 1965 most vehicles were scrapped or used as targets.

==== U42/85B ====
With the production of the new U50/100 slowly beginning at the end of 1950, 67 U42/85 tanks were brought back to the factory to receive some upgrades in 1952. These new tanks, the U42/85Bs, were sent to areas that had yet to receive their U50/100 tanks as there was significant factory delays for the new tanks. These upgraded tanks would serve longer in frontline roles until they too were replaced by U50/100s in 1954.

=== ZU42/100 Tank Destroyer ===
[[File:ZU42-100.png|left|thumb|The short superstructure provided little protection to the ZU42/100's gun crew, both from enemy fire and the elements. This vehicle was photographed outside Fort Alcut on a training exercise in 1950 before the implementation of the new U50/100 tanks]]
In an attempt to increase the firepower of the U42 chassis, a series of design studies commenced to add the new DW-10 100mm cannon to the vehicle in late 1948. The gun was too large for the turret in service, and a larger turret could not be mounted on the chassis. The turret was eventually removed all together, producing a casemate design. The new vehicle retained its hull armor, but had relatively thin protection on the new superstructure that housed the powerful cannon. It was also open-topped, to the protest of crews assigned to the new vehicle. As it lacked a turret, it was designated as a tank destroyer, even though the purpose of the studies was to produce a stop-gap medium tank. In mid 1949 75 U42/85 tanks were retrofitted with this layout. With the introduction of the U50/100 tank mounting the same weaponry, the vehicle's days were numbered. However, with the troublesome production run the U50/100 had, the ZU42/100 stayed in service until 1954, and the vehicles were placed in reserve then scrapped soon after.

=== U42/155 Self-propelled Gun ===
[[File:U42 155 w crew.png|thumb|A U42/155 SPG of 2nd Republican Army (West) conducting Training Exercise 'Operation Sunburn' in Summer 1963|left]]
In 1960 work began on a replacement for the [[PTL-12 Transport|ZU-8 Mobile Artillery Platform]], which was retired in 1955 due to its poor mobility and overloaded chassis. Its role was partially succeeded by the [[GMS Z46 Truck|GMS Z55(142) Mobile Rocket Artillery Vehicle]]. While the Z55(142) provided significant artillery fire-support, the vehicles were just not mobile enough to keep up with frontline units through any sort of difficult terrain. With numerous obsolete U42/85 tanks in reserve, the decision was made to combine the powerful 155mm cannon from the old ZU-8 with the mobility of the venerable U42 chassis. Significant changes to the turret were required to accommodate the artillery cannon, resulting in an open top design with thin armor plates along the reworked portions. The resulting vehicle, now named the U42/155 Self Propelled Gun, weighed fractionally more than the original, and therefore retained much of its mobility. 118 tanks were converted to self-propelled guns. The turret was designed with folding hatches along the sides to allow for ammunition to be loaded easier, however crews on the hot steppes quickly learned that opening these hatches allowed for improved ventilation as well. Crews were also issued camouflaged sun shades while resting, after much protest over the conditions inside the turrets on summer days.

These vehicles were retired in 1972, marking the end of the U42 legacy.

== Surviving Examples ==
Four vehicles of the U42 chassis still exist today. Two U42/85s exist as musuem pieces, one at the National Military History Museum in the Capital in Brecton, and one at the gates of Fort Alcut. A third vehicle is found on the Fort Alcut proving ground. However, this one is serves as an example of a target, showcasing the effectiveness of the P16 ATGM, the nation's first ATGM. Finally an example of a U42/155 that served in the OSTFOR Mission is on display next to the other U42 at the National Military History Museum. {{Zandas Military Vehicles}}

U42/85 Medium Tank

2026-09-13T15:44:13Z

Nickygio:

{{Infobox weapon|name=U42/85 Medium Tank|type=Medium Tank|service=1942-1965|used_by={{Flagicon image|Zandas.png}} Zandas Republic|is_vehicle=Yes|origin=[[Zandas]] Republic|designer=Natuska Automotive
Office of Military Investigation and Research|design_date=1941|manufacturer=Reaper Motorworks
Alcua Locomotive Works|production_date=1942-1950|number=648

(480 for the Army)

(168 for the Marines)|variants=U42/76

U42/85

U42/85B

ZU42/100 Tank Destroyer

U42/155 SPG|weight=32 Tons|length=22ft 8in (6.9m)|width=8ft 7 in (2.62m)|height=7ft 10 in (2.4)|crew=4|max_range=350km|armour=45mm at 45° (max)|primary weapon=DW-5|vehicle_range=350km|secondary weapon=7.62mm|Primary Weapon=DW-5|image=U42-85.png|Gun=DW-7|caption=A U42/85 in 1950 sporting 1st Republican Army (East) camouflage
(Credit to Moriskov)}}Vital to providing security to the [[Zandas|Zandas Republic]] while the world was at war, the U42/85 served well in its role as a capable domestically produced medium tank. While never seeing combat, the platform would continue to serve the nation long after the global conflict ended for both the Army and the Marines.

== History ==
In the early years of the [[Ten Years' War|Ten Years’ War]], the [[Zandas]] Military feared an invasion from [[Iron League]] forces due to its trade agreement with [[Belakraine]]. Starting the war with woefully outdated U35/47 tanks, production began in 1940 on a medium tank. The Army requested a capable, reliable, and easy to manufacture tank that could fulfill multiple roles. This was a product of the Meyuer Doctrine, with the Army relying on domestically built equipment during the war. The result of this request would enter service in 1942, known as the U42/76 Medium Tank. Armed with a 76.2mm cannon and was protected by 45mm of frontal armor at a 45 degree angle, the U42 was well protected from light and medium anti-tank weaponry in 1942. It could reach a top speed of 48kph and had an operational range of 350km. It was also armed with two 7.62mm machine guns, one co-axial, and one by the commander’s hatch. An order of 500 tanks was made in 1942 but only 182 would enter service by 1944. After evaluating the performance of the gun compared to the newest armor from the Iron League and allies, the gun was considered underpowered. A new, more powerful gun was equipped in a new turret that would fit on the existing chassis. The new tank, the U42/85, was accepted into service in early 1945, with all new U42 tanks produced after this equipped with the new gun, resulting in an additional 324 tanks. All units using the 76mm were converted to the 85mm by 1947.

The U42/85 was still the backbone of the armored forces in 1950, due to the limited introduction of the failed stopgap, the [[U46/85 Medium Tank|U46/85]]. A modification was introduced to field the 100mm cannon, however this was a casemate rather than a turreted design on only 75 vehicles were converted. With the success of Project U-43 in 1950, the [[U50/100 Universal Tank]] was brought into service later that year, and the U42/85 was slowly sidelined as the new tank came online. In the late 1950’s the military decided to sell their reserve stock of tanks as there was a sufficient number of U50/100s, but there was little foreign interest. The U42/85 remained in reserve and in training units until the early 1960’s. In 1960, 118 tanks were converted to U42/155 Self Propelled Guns. All unconverted tanks were scrapped in 1965 after the introduction of the [[U65/105 Universal Tank|U65/105]] and [[U59/115 Main Battle Tank|U59/115]] Universal Tanks, ending over two decades of service in the medium tank role.

== Variants ==

=== U42/76 ===
[[File:U42-75.png|left|thumb|U42/76 in 1944 1st Republican Army (East). Only a limited number of this tank was produced before the more powerful 85mm cannon was introduced. ]]
Initially designed in early 1941 with a medium velocity 76.2mm cannon, the U42/76 had sufficient firepower. However, once in production in 1942 it was clear the design would not keep up with the fast pace of armor effectiveness and thickness advancements due to the TYW. These tanks were produced anyway even with their shortcomings to have a relatively modern tank in service until a better armed variant could be developed. The initial run of 182 U42/76 tanks were eventually brought back to the factory starting in 1945 and had their turrets replaced with the PG-3 85mm turret by the end of 1947.

=== U42/85 ===
[[File:U42 winter.png|thumb|A U42/85 crew waits for their tracks to thaw as the track pads froze to the road wheels overnight during a 1951 training exercise in the Oneon Mountains. These tanks saw service across the nation, from the hot deserts to the cold mountain tops ]]
Engineers at Kingfisher Armories worked for months after receiving a new request from the army in late 1942 to produce a high velocity cannon capable of penetrating over 125mm of armor. The new weapon was tested in mid 1943 and was capable of penetrating over 142mm of armor from 100 meters and 131mm at 1000m. However, this new DW-7 cannon could not fit in the existing turret of the U42/76. Natuska Automotive and OMIR were tasked with creating a new turret capable of handling the new weapon and being compatible with the new tank. After several months of trial and error, the new PG-3 turret was produced and was tested on the chassis in 1944. After several teething issues were solved, the new turret was approved for production, on the newly named U42/85 tank at the end of that year.

The U42/85 served at the heart of Zandian Army Armored formations throughout the war and into the post-war peace era. However it was clear a replacement was necessary even with the upgraded gun. Tank armor had far outpaced the medium tank during the war and tests with captured Iron League tanks given to them by allies proved the DW-7 cannon lacked the penetration to combat modern tanks. However, the tank still preformed well in exercises in infantry support and flanking attacks. The tank served in the secondary line and eventually reserves as the successful U50/100 design replaced them in armored columns. By 1965 most vehicles were scrapped or used as targets.

==== U42/85B ====
With the production of the new U50/100 slowly beginning at the end of 1950, 67 U42/85 tanks were brought back to the factory to receive some upgrades in 1952. These new tanks, the U42/85Bs, were sent to areas that had yet to receive their U50/100 tanks as there was significant factory delays for the new tanks. These upgraded tanks would serve longer in frontline roles until they too were replaced by U50/100s in 1954.

=== ZU42/100 Tank Destroyer ===
[[File:ZU42-100.png|left|thumb|The short superstructure provided little protection to the ZU42/100's gun crew, both from enemy fire and the elements. This vehicle was photographed outside Fort Alcut on a training exercise in 1950 before the implementation of the new U50/100 tanks]]
In an attempt to increase the firepower of the U42 chassis, a series of design studies commenced to add the new DW-10 100mm cannon to the vehicle in late 1948. The gun was too large for the turret in service, and a larger turret could not be mounted on the chassis. The turret was eventually removed all together, producing a casemate design. The new vehicle retained its hull armor, but had relatively thin protection on the new superstructure that housed the powerful cannon. It was also open-topped, to the protest of crews assigned to the new vehicle. As it lacked a turret, it was designated as a tank destroyer, even though the purpose of the studies was to produce a stop-gap medium tank. In mid 1949 75 U42/85 tanks were retrofitted with this layout. With the introduction of the U50/100 tank mounting the same weaponry, the vehicle's days were numbered. However, with the troublesome production run the U50/100 had, the ZU42/100 stayed in service until 1954, and the vehicles were placed in reserve then scrapped soon after.

=== U42/155 Self-propelled Gun ===
[[File:U42 155 w crew.png|thumb|A U42/155 SPG of 2nd Republican Army (West) conducting Training Exercise 'Operation Sunburn' in Summer 1963|left]]
In 1960 work began on a replacement for the [[PTL-12 Transport|ZU-8 Mobile Artillery Platform]], which was retired in 1955 due to its poor mobility and overloaded chassis. Its role was partially succeeded by the [[GMS Z46 Truck|GMS Z55(142) Mobile Rocket Artillery Vehicle]]. While the Z55(142) provided significant artillery fire-support, the vehicles were just not mobile enough to keep up with frontline units through any sort of difficult terrain. With numerous obsolete U42/85 tanks in reserve, the decision was made to combine the powerful 155mm cannon from the old ZU-8 with the mobility of the venerable U42 chassis. Significant changes to the turret were required to accommodate the artillery cannon, resulting in an open top design with thin armor plates along the reworked portions. The resulting vehicle, now named the U42/155 Self Propelled Gun, weighed fractionally more than the original, and therefore retained much of its mobility. 118 tanks were converted to self-propelled guns. The turret was designed with folding hatches along the sides to allow for ammunition to be loaded easier, however crews on the hot steppes quickly learned that opening these hatches allowed for improved ventilation as well. Crews were also issued camouflaged sun shades while resting, after much protest over the conditions inside the turrets on summer days.

These vehicles were retired in 1972, marking the end of the U42 legacy.

== Surviving Examples ==
Four vehicles of the U42 chassis still exist today. Two U42/85s exist as musuem pieces, one at the National Military History Museum in the Capital in Brecton, and one at the gates of Fort Alcut. A third vehicle is found on the Fort Alcut proving ground. However, this one is serves as an example of a target, showcasing the effectiveness of the P16 ATGM, the nation's first ATGM. Finally an example of a U42/155 that served in the OSTFOR Mission is on display next to the other U42 at the National Military History Museum. {{Zandas Military Vehicles}}

U50/100 Universal Tank

2026-09-13T13:49:59Z

Nickygio:

{{Infobox weapon|name=U50/100 Universal Tank|image=U50-100.png|caption=U50/100B during the UNICORN OSTFOR Mission, 1960|origin={{Flagicon image|Zandas.png}} [[Zandas]] Republic|type=Main Battle Tank|is_vehicle=yes|service=1950-1984|used_by={{Flagicon image|Zandas.png}} Zandas Republic|designer=Natuska Automotive
Office of Military Investigation and Research|design_date=1948-1950|manufacturer=Natuska Automotive
Reaper Motorworks|production_date=1950-1955|number=545

(421 for the Army)

(124 for the Marine Corps)|variants=U50/100B

U50/100BC

U50R

U50-2C STBC

U50/100MD|weight=36 tons|length=23ft 4in (7.1m)|width=8ft 7 in (2.62m)|height=7ft 5in (2.3m)|crew=4|armour=110m at 45° on the upper front plate
140mm on the turret face|speed=56kph|vehicle_range=400km}}The U50/100 Universal Tank was an important stepping stone in [[Zandas]] Armored development. This tank saw service with the small nation through several crises and while it never saw combat, it proved an effective deterrent to foreign aggression. Kept in service far longer than it was expected to, the platform produced several variants. Many tankers were fond of the design and reliability of the vehicle and it was utilized by both the Zandas Army and Marine Corps before being retired.

==History==
[[File:U50A.png|left|thumb|A U50/100, 1st Republican Army (East) in 1960. This vehicle in particular remained virtually unchanged since it departed the factory in 1951]]
After the failure of the [[U46/85 Medium Tank|U46/85]] in 1946, OMIR and Natuska Automotive got to work designing a new turret, weapon, and power-plant that could be used on the existing chassis from the last project. Following the Meyuer Doctrine, the tank was only to be built with domestic parts and weapons. The [[U42/85 Medium Tank|U42/85]] that was in service was becoming obsolete and a more powerful tank was required. In the beginning of 1950, the prototype underwent testing and after some changes was accepted into service at the end of the year. Equipped with a better engine, gun, and protection, the U50/100 began to replace the U42/85 in frontline service. However factory production was slow to get the new tank out in considerable numbers in the early years, due to machining issues and a workers strike in 1952.

With tensions with neighboring [[Chaldyria]] rising, the Army placed an initial order of 275 tanks in 1950. Over the next five years, the total number of tanks built would rise to 545. The army cited possible future [[UNICORN]] commitments for the increase in production, and the Marine Corps requested some as well. However production was slow, due to the 1952 worker's strike in the Natuska Automotive factory in Fitato as well as a steel shortage. With lower productivity of the iron mines after several mine collapses, steel was at a premium in the small nation. Tank production slowed from 1952-1955, and stopped all together with the Fitato-Alcut mine closure in October of 1955, which the nation into a recession at the start of the following year.

The vehicle became the premier armored vehicle for the nation after its introduction in 1950. However, following the major Zandian economic recession in 1956, military funding was slashed, the contract was canceled, and production ceased. Over the following few years the U50/100 platform was updated with necessary changes. It was upgraded with an improved engine, additional targeting systems and ammunition for the 100mm gun, and smoke launchers. This upgrade was then known as the U50/100B. While the Armored Battalions of the Army desired further improvements, this upgrade brought them into a somewhat competitive state with foreign tank designs. From 1956-1964, 342 Army tanks were brought up to this new standard. It was this variant that took part in the Zandas contribution to the UNICORN OSTFOR Mission from 1960-1964. These were the first Zandian tanks ever deployed on foreign soil.

In 1965, the U65/105 and U59/115 Universal Tanks officially replaced the U50/100 in frontline roles. Out of the 421 U50/100 tanks produced for the Army, 79 were still the baseline version. These tanks were kept as spares and finally were relinquished and scrapped in 1968. Many of the remaining tanks of the ‘B’ variant served in secondary roles and experiments were done using spare tanks. Members of the Army and the Office of Military Investigation and Research (OMIR) attempted to field new variants of the venerable chassis to fill out the armored force's ranks. These included conversions to the U50R Engineering Vehicle and the U50/100BC which was equipped with a mine plow. An experimental gun-missile launcher was equipped, and would enter service in 1972 as the U50-2C STBC. The U50 platform persisted in support roles long after any of its designers would have predicted. The U50/100B and BC would be removed from the reserves in 1976, and the U50-2C STBC would be retired in 1982. The Marine Corps would also update their tanks into the U50/100MD variant and would use it until 1975. The final U50 platform, the U50R, was retired in 1984.

==Development==
[[File:Projecy U-43.png|left|thumb|The first U-43 test vehicle in early 1950. Note the smaller turret, which would later be redesigned after test crew complaints]]
Taking the chassis from the U46/85, work began on a new design for a ‘universal tank’ at the beginning of 1947. This was given the name Proyekt U-43 or just Proyekt 43. The idea was to design a tank that could serve multiple roles on the battlefield at once, and in such numbers that it would bring a decisive victory. The chassis was given an additional 30mm of armor, up to a total of 110mm at the front. The turret ring was also widened to house a larger turret for a larger gun. The turret had a new unique rounded design, and was 140mm thick in the front. It also housed a DW-10 100mm cannon, the most powerful cannon the Zandas Republic had at the time. A new engine and transmission were custom built around the space allocated inside the machine, allowing for a speed of 56kph and an estimated range of 400 km. By the beginning of 1950, the first prototype of the tank rolled out of the factory and onto the proving grounds.

Results from the 1950 tests for the prototype were mixed. While the rounded turret was effective in deflecting incoming rounds from many angles, the cramped turret decreased the effectiveness of the crew. At the end of 1950 a new, rounded turret was introduced, and was approved for production. The U50/100 began to slowly replace the U42/85 at the very end of 1950.

== Use and Operation ==
[[File:U50B.png|thumb|A U50/100B during the UNICORN OSTFOR Mission. The tank was generally complimented by allied crews, mostly due to its simplicity. The tank preformed well on the international stage, but its limitations did not go unnoticed. ]]The U50/100 and its variants were in operation from 1950-1984. It was used domestically only, despite some foreign inquiry soon after development. With a limited industrial base in the early 1950's, OMIR determined that the factories could not produce the desired amount for the Army and Marine Corps while fulfilling foreign contracts within a reasonable time.

=== Zandas Army ===
Officially adopted by the Army in December 1950, the first run of the tanks were allocated to the Army. Beginning in 1951 crews began to train on the new vehicle and they slowly replaced the U42/85 Medium Tank. By 1954 the tanks completely took over the role in frontline service, and were deployed to every base that housed an armored unit.

Army crews tended to appreciate the tank for its speed and reliability, although there were complaints about the small three man turret, even after the revisions made during development. In time, Zandian tankers began openly complaining about the lack of power behind the 100mm cannon, worried about being unable to effectively engage modern enemy armor. These complaints were a priority for the ongoing Project U71, the project that would result in the U65/105.

The tanks of the 3rd Armored Battalion, 1st Armored Infantry Brigade, 2nd Republican Army (West) were deployed to [[Osterrecht]] in 1960 as part of the [[UNICORN]] mission there known as OSTFOR. These tanks, along with allied vehicles, held the line at the Danau DMZ, protecting Osterrecht from Communist aggression. They had the honor of being the first Zandian tanks ever deployed on foreign soil. Over the next four years several over tank units were rotated through the OSTFOR mission until its abrupt cancellation by PM Hoya in 1964.

It stayed in frontline service until 1967, being fully replaced by the U65/105 and U59/115 by that point. The variants survived in Army service well into the 1970's and early 80's, with the retirement of the U50R in 1984.

=== Zandas Marine Corps ===
The Marines received their first 10 tanks for training in 1953, and only received their full order in late 1955. With priority going to the army for the new tank, the slowly delivered tanks served alongside their predecessor, the U42/85. 124 tanks would be delivered to several Marine bases across the nation. In 1958 110 of these tanks would rotate back to the factories to receive the U50/100B modification, being fully implemented by 1960.

Marine U50/100Bs were briefly considered to assist HARPSICHORD forces during the 1960 [[Tamerlindian War of Independence|Tamerlindian Civil War]], however, this was deemed excessive as the allied forces already had a sufficient armor and the government did not want to commit boots on the ground.

Marine tankers had similar compliments and complaints to their Army counterparts about the tanks. In 1961 the Marine Corps requested designs for an extensive upgrade package for the vehicle, allowing it to preform better on soft ground, such as sand, and for improved survivability. This resulted in the U50/100MD modification in 1963, and a total of 84 of the U50/100B tanks in service with the Marines would receive this upgrade. A new, more powerful engine was added, and wider tanks were installed. These in combination were shown to improve performance in soft sand. An additional set of smoke launchers were added to each side of the turret, and side skirts were added to protect against flanking shaped-charges. However, crews did not welcome this new addition, as it became more difficult to remove debris or dried mud from the road wheels and tracks, and made maintenance more difficult overall.

The 'MD' served in frontline roles until 1968, with the other modifications seeing limited use or were put in reserve. The marine corp was slow to adopt the new U65/105 tank. This was due to both the limited production/acquisition of the modern vehicles and the operation limitations the new tanks have. Their increased weight makes it more difficult to transport to shore rapidly as the current fleet of landing craft cannot easily accommodate the new tanks. 'MD' could roll off the deck of a landing craft and immediately engage targets, which the new tanks could not do until 1968. This was because of the way the new tanks had to be stored onboard the landing craft. This was not seen to be a major issue for the Marines as the U50/100 platform was capable, and any significant amphibious landing would later be supported by the Army and their heavier, newer tanks.

However the Marines finally adopted the U65/105 in 1970, and the 'MD' was placed in reserve until 1975, when they were scrapped.

==Variants==
===U50/100B===
The 1956 development of the upgraded version, the U50/100B, was very much a compromise. With a severely slashed budget, many items on the Army's wish-list could not be implemented. This included tests of a larger 105mm cannon in the turret, an improved transmission, additional armor, and research into advanced armor-piercing shells. However, vital upgrades were introduced. These included installation of a more efficient and powerful engine, a new rangefinder, and a new HE round of the 100mm. It also brought the standard smoke launcher upgrades that were widespread across all army vehicles at this time. These tanks were the premier version of the tanks in widespread service, and would represent Zandas amongst its UNICORN allies during the OSTFOR mission from 1960-1964.

===U50/100BC===
[[File:U50BC.png|thumb|Introduced into tank columns in 1966, this tank served as a test bed for the B-29 mine-plow, allowing for similar installations on the new U65/105 tanks]]
With surplus hulls with the introduction of new tanks in 1965, further experimentation was conducted on the U50/100B platform with the installation of mine clearing plows. Designed to clear a path of mines before other armored vehicles arrived, the new plow was tested and equipped on 24 tanks, now known as U50/100BC variants. These were delivered to armor companies in mid to late 1965. The new B-29 plow would end up on the newer U65/105 tanks as well after being successfully tested on the U50 chassis first.

===U50R===
Using the improved engine of the ‘B’ variant and adding gear sets designed for high torque, work began on a true armored engineering vehicle. The turret was removed and replaced with a crane and a structure to house the new hydraulic components. It was also equipped with a dozer blade for earth moving. The new crane and winch system could easily remove engines, turrets, and transmission from other armored vehicles in the field, and could even drag the newer, heavier tanks back to a repair depot if needed. The vehicle retained its smoke launchers for concealment and had a single light machinegun for defense. 76 of these new vehicles, the U50R, were produced and distributed to engineering companies.
{| class="wikitable"
|+Showcase of the U50R with its recovery boom stored and deployed
|[[File:U50r.png]]
|[[File:U50r2.png]]
|}

===U50-2C STBC===
[[File:U50 STBC Proto.png|left|thumb|1969 Prototype of the STBC. This was in the midst of the many struggles with the gun-launcher ]]
[[File:U50 STBC.png|thumb|Training Exercise 'Operation Eagle', 1976]]
Relying mostly on kinetic armaments for anti-tank work, an experiment was started using the U50/100B chassis for an armored missile carrier. The only current ATGM vehicle in the arsenal, the PTL-12M was also needing replacement as it was incredibly outdated. Eventually a proposal was made to create a gun-launcher, to allow the tanks to fire ATGMs as well as HE rounds. However the new system proved troublesome, and after a long process and a redesign of the turret, the new launcher system was installed in 1969. It was called the Sensor-guided Targeting Ballistic Computer, or STBC for short. The new modification was designated the U50-2C STBC in 1970. This new system was revolutionary for the Zandian Army, but had significant teething issues. The STBC was often referred to as ‘Sh*tting The Bed Constantly’ by the troops that operated them, as the launcher often malfunctioned and was difficult to use. In one case early after adoption, the ammunition misfired and ignited inside of the barrel, killing the tank’s gunner and loader, severely injuring the commander and narrowly avoided cooking the rest of the tank’s ammunition off. Even after these major flaws were fixed in 1976, crews still despised the new modification of the venerable chassis, and fortunately the U50-2 STBC never saw combat. Only 50 U50/100B hulls were fitted with the STBC system, and all were decommissioned in 1982.
[[File:U50MD.png|thumb|U50/100MD as seen in Marine Corps service in 1965]]

=== U50/100MD ===
Designed in 1961 and produced in 1963, 84 Marine Corps tanks received this upgrade. An extra set of smoke launchers have been added on either side of the turret to conceal the tank in case it takes fire soon after landing. It has been equipped with a stronger engine and wider tracks to quickly escape a sandy beach and not get bogged down. It also has been equipped with side skirts to help combat shaped-charged attacks. While not a perfect upgrade, it remained in frontline service with the Marine Corps until 1970, and was retired in 1975.

== Media ==
The U50/100 Universal Tank is often referred to by its nickname of ‘Huntsman’ in modern media, however there is no documentation of tankers or troops using this name while it was in service. The name was coined in the 1982 novel ‘Desert Wall’ by Sergei Gradolite, a historical fiction book about tensions with Chaldyria boiling over in 1952. The book revolves around a U50/100 tank crew, and the crew named their tank ‘Huntsman’. With the success of the novel, some called all U50/100s 'Huntsman', and this spread around in military circles. The idea took off like wildlife with the invention of the internet and of online military forums. People worldwide recognize the vehicle as the ‘Huntsman’, although it never wore that title. Troops would only refer to it as the U50/100, or more often just U50.

Army troops named some vehicles in the late 1950’s but didn’t start naming tank series until 1965, with the introduction of the U65/105 ‘Steel Horse’ and the U59/115 ‘Belak’. This was initially done to differentiate between the two new tanks, but it spread to naming nearly all vehicles in the Army’s inventory to the modern day.

{{Zandas Military Vehicles}}

GMS Z46 Truck

2026-09-09T00:45:44Z

Nickygio:

[[File:GMS Z46.png|thumb]]
The GMS company’s ‘Z’ series of trucks provided a crucial service to the military’s logistical capability. Providing logistical support from the end of the TYW through the 1960’s, the series was the workhorse for the military. Adaptable, reliable, and capable, the trucks served everywhere [[Zandas|Zandian]] military personnel were located.

== History ==
Stemming from the military’s request for a new medium truck in 1945, the GMS Trucking Company began designing an all-terrain truck capable of carrying 2 ½ tons of supplies and up to 10 troops. The lighter P3 trucks used through the early 1940’s were underpowered and had little carrying capacity, and the [[PTL-12 Transport|PTL-12]] was designed as a personnel transport, not a supply carrier, although it was pressed into this role with the failures of the P3.

The result was the GMS Z46 truck equipped with 6x6 all wheel drive and a 160hp engine capable of carrying the desired payload. The design was quickly approved by the Army and Navy in 1946, and an initial production order of 500 for the Army and 300 for the Navy was placed. These vehicles found themselves at every base in the nation quickly, and they were well known for their ease of operation. Serving in the logistical role as well as a transport role, the trucks shaped how supplies were distributed in the Zandian Army. There were also many variants and attachments equipped to vehicles, and they served a wide range of roles. In total 1,235 Z46 trucks were produced.

However, in the 1950’s, a stronger powerplant was desired, and the result was the GMS Z55, introduced in 1955. The new vehicle, the GMS Z55, had an improved engine that produced 210hp allowing for considerably more torque and carrying capability. The truck was now rated to carry 3 tons of material. A total of 1,875 vehicles of this new production run were completed between 1955 and 1966 for both the Army and the Navy. This vehicle was equipped with similar and improved variants of the previous run and was an effective logistical and combat vehicle.

The military used the truck in many roles, including troop transport, logistical vehicle, light and heavy wrecker, dump truck, and aircraft fuel tanker. It also served as an anti-aircraft platform mounting a 40mm gun and rocket artillery platform with 142mm rockets.

== Variants ==

=== Wreckers ===

==== GMS Z46 with Z21 Light Wrecker ====

==== GMS Z55 with Z21 Light Wrecker ====

==== GMS Z46D Heavy Wrecker ====

==== GMS Z55D Heavy Wrecker ====

=== GMS Z46 (40mm) ===

=== GMS Z55 (40mm) ===

=== GMS Z55 (142) ===
{{Zandas Military Vehicles}}

GMS Z46 Truck

2026-09-09T00:45:06Z

Nickygio:

[[File:GMS Z46.png|thumb]]
The GMS company’s ‘Z’ series of trucks provided a crucial service to the military’s logistical capability. Providing logistical support from the end of the TYW through the 1960’s, the series was the workhorse for the military. Adaptable, reliable, and capable, the trucks served everywhere Zandian military personnel were located.

== History ==
Stemming from the military’s request for a new medium truck in 1945, the GMS Trucking Company began designing an all-terrain truck capable of carrying 2 ½ tons of supplies and up to 10 troops. The lighter P3 trucks used through the early 1940’s were underpowered and had little carrying capacity, and the PTL-12 was designed as a personnel transport, not a supply carrier, although it was pressed into this role with the failures of the P3.

The result was the GMS Z46 truck equipped with 6x6 all wheel drive and a 160hp engine capable of carrying the desired payload. The design was quickly approved by the Army and Navy in 1946, and an initial production order of 500 for the Army and 300 for the Navy was placed. These vehicles found themselves at every base in the nation quickly, and they were well known for their ease of operation. Serving in the logistical role as well as a transport role, the trucks shaped how supplies were distributed in the Zandian Army. There were also many variants and attachments equipped to vehicles, and they served a wide range of roles. In total 1,235 Z46 trucks were produced.

However, in the 1950’s, a stronger powerplant was desired, and the result was the GMS Z55, introduced in 1955. The new vehicle, the GMS Z55, had an improved engine that produced 210hp allowing for considerably more torque and carrying capability. The truck was now rated to carry 3 tons of material. A total of 1,875 vehicles of this new production run were completed between 1955 and 1966 for both the Army and the Navy. This vehicle was equipped with similar and improved variants of the previous run and was an effective logistical and combat vehicle.

The military used the truck in many roles, including troop transport, logistical vehicle, light and heavy wrecker, dump truck, and aircraft fuel tanker. It also served as an anti-aircraft platform mounting a 40mm gun and rocket artillery platform with 142mm rockets.

== Variants ==

=== Wreckers ===

==== GMS Z46 with Z21 Light Wrecker ====

==== GMS Z55 with Z21 Light Wrecker ====

==== GMS Z46D Heavy Wrecker ====

==== GMS Z55D Heavy Wrecker ====

=== GMS Z46 (40mm) ===

=== GMS Z55 (40mm) ===

=== GMS Z55 (142) ===
{{Zandas Military Vehicles}}

List of equipment used by the Zandas Republic Army

2026-08-28T16:58:21Z

Nickygio:

{| class="wikitable"
|+Light Vehicles (Cars, Transports, Trucks, etc)
|-
!Model Name!!Example Image!!Years in Service!!Origin!!Type!!Quantity
(between all variants)
!Notes
|-
|[[UCAT Light Truck|UCAT]]||[[File:UCAT.png]]
UCAT-C 1950
|1941-1973||[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] [[Zandas]]||Staff Car/Light Transport,
Unarmored
|5,468||
|-
|[[GMS Z46 Truck|GMS Z46/Z55]]
|[[File:GMS_Z46.png]]
1951
|1946-1976
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Medium Transport Truck, Unarmored
|3,110
|
|-
|[[GMS Z46 Truck|GMS Z46/Z55 with Z21 Light Wrecker]]
|[[File:GMS Z46 with Z21 Light Wrecker.png]]
1948
|1946-1976
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Light Wrecker
|342
|5,000 lb Wrecker
|-
|[[GMS Z46 Truck|GMS Z46/Z55D Heavy Wrecker]]
|[[File:GMS Z46D Heavy Wrecker.png]]
1952
|1948-1976
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Heavy Wrecker
|152
|70,000lb Wrecker
|-
|[[HA-52 Heavy Wrecker|HA-52]]
|[[File:HA-52.png]]
1960, carrying [[U50/100 Universal Tank|U50/100B]] during OSTFOR Mission
|1951-1972
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Heavy Wrecker, Lightly Armored
|421
|100,000lb Wrecker
|-
|[[LPTA-22 Heavy Amphibious Transport|LPTA-22]]
|[[File:LPTA22.png]]
1963
|1963-1982
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]]Zandas
|Heavy Amphibious Transport, Armored
|106
|Amphibious
|-
|[[PTL-4 Light Transport|PTL-4]]||[[File:PLT-4.png]]
PTL-4A 1950
|1944-1965||[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas||Light Transport, Lightly Armored||1,016||Amphibious
|-
|[[PTL-12 Transport|PTL-12]]||[[File:PLT-12.png]]
PTL-12A 'Cougar' 1950
|1943-1972||[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas||Medium Transport, Lightly Armored||3,189||Basis for many weapon systems
|-
|[[PTL-64 Light Transport|PTL-61]]||[[File:PTL-61.png]]
PTL-61A 1965
|1965-1971||[[File:Mergovina Small Flag.png]] [[Mergovina]] ||Light Transport, Lightly Armored||100||Imported Test Vehicles from Mergovina
|-
|[[PTL-64 Light Transport|PTL-64]]||[[File:PTL-64.png]]
PLT-64A Mk.2 'Weasel Mk.2" 1966
|1965-1980||[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
[[File:Mergovina Small Flag.png]] Mergovina
|Light Transport, Lightly Armored||1,231||License-built from Mergovina
|}
{| class="wikitable"
|+Combat Support Vehicles (Anti-aircraft, Anti-tank, Artillery, Engineering etc)
!Model Name
!Example Image
!Years in Service
!Origin
!Type
!Quantity
!Notes
|-
|[[GMS Z46 Truck|GMS Z46/Z55 (40mm)]]
|[[File:GMS_Z46_40.png]]
1951
|1947-1961
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Anti-Aircraft Truck
|346
|
|-
|[[GMS Z46 Truck|GMS Z55 (142)]]
|[[File:GMS_Z55_142.png]]
1958
|1957-1968
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
[[File:Eternal Mandate Small Flag.png]] [[Eternal Mandate]]
|Rocket Artillery Truck
|162
|Eternal Mandate Rocket System
|-
|[[PTL-12 Transport|ZU-6]]
|[[File:ZU-8.png]]
ZU-6A 1949
|1944-1957
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Mobile Anti-Armor Platform
|564
|PTL-12 used as base
|-
|[[PTL-12 Transport|ZU-8]]
|[[File:ZU-8_2.png]]
ZU-8A 1947
|1944-1957
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Mobile Artillery Platform
|278
|PTL-12 used as base
|-
|[[PTL-12 Transport|PTL-12L 'Mongoose']]
|[[File:PTL-12L.png]]
UNICORN OSTFOR Mission, 1960
|1955-1968
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Mortar Carrier
|224
|
|-
|[[PTL-12 Transport|PTL-12M 'Scorpion']]
|[[File:PLT-12M.png]]
UNICORN OSTFOR Mission, 1960
|1960-1972
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Missile Carrier
|342
|First Zandian ATGM carrier
|-
|[[PTL-32 Armored Personnel Carrier|PTL-32VM 'Hyena']]
|[[File:PTL-32VM.png]]
PLT-32VM/2 Training Exercise, 1981
|1969-1996
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Missile Carrier
|164
|Amphibious
|-
|[[PTL-32 Armored Personnel Carrier|PTL-32RS 'Jackal']]
|[[File:PTL-32RS.png]]
PLT-32RS Commissioning Tests, 1968
|1968-1990
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Radar Guided Anti-Aircraft Platform
|120
|Amphibious
|-
|[[P44 Light Tank|P44(OP)]]
|[[File:P44(OP).png]]
1950
|1944-1954
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Observation Vehicle
|52
|Conversions from P44 tanks
|-
|[[P44 Light Tank|P44-40]]
|[[File:P44-40.png]]
1955
|1943-1961
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Armored Anti-Aircraft Platform
|70
|Conversions from P44 tanks
|-
|[[U42/85 Medium Tank|U42/155]]
|[[File:U42_155.png]]

1961
|1960-1972
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Self-propelled Gun
|118
|Conversions from U42/85 tanks
|-
|[[U50/100 Universal Tank|U50R]]
|[[File:U50r.png]]
1966
|1965-1984
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]]Zandas
|Armored Engineering/Recovery Vehicle
|79
|Conversions from U50/100B tanks
|-
|[[U50/100 Universal Tank|U50-2C STBC]]
|[[File:U50 STBC.png]]
Training Exercise 'Operation Eagle', 1976
|1972-1982
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Missile Tank
|50
|Conversions from U50/100B tanks
|}
{| class="wikitable"
|+Armored Vehicles (IFV, Tanks, SPGs)
!Model Name
!Example Image
!Years in Service
!Origin
!Type
!Quantity (between all variants)
!Notes
|-
|[[SR54/47 Armored Car|SR54/47]]
|[[File:SR54.png]]
1958
|1954-1969
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
[[File:Eternal Mandate Small Flag.png]]Eternal Mandate
|Armored Car
|300
|Eternal Mandate Chassis
|-
|[[PTL-64 Light Transport|PTL-64B 'Ermine']]
|[[File:PTL_64B.png]]
PLT-64B Mk.3 'Ermine Mk.3', 1966
|1965-1984
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
[[File:Mergovina Small Flag.png]] Mergovina
|Armored Personnel Carrier
|456
|License-built from Mergovina
|-
|[[PTL-64 Light Transport|PTL-64F 'Mink']]
|[[File:PTL_64F.png]]
1969
|1968-1990
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
[[File:Mergovina Small Flag.png]] Mergovina
|Infantry Fighting Vehicle
|97
|License-built from Mergovina
Equipped with a modified turret from PTL-32 program
|-
|[[PTL-32 Armored Personnel Carrier|PTL-32 'Puma']]
|[[File:PTL-32.png]]
PTL-32A UNICORN DAPMIS Mission, 1975
|1967-1996
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Armored Personnel Carrier
|1,354
|Amphibious
|-
|[[PTL-32 Armored Personnel Carrier|PTL-32C 'Badger']]
|[[File:PTL-32C.png]]
PTL-32C/2 'Badger' Training Exercise, 1981
|1967-1994
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Infantry Fighting Vehicle
|378
|Amphibious
|-
|[[P44 Light Tank|P44]]
|[[File:P44.png]]
1951
|1941-1961
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Light Tank
|568
|
|-
|[[U42/85 Medium Tank|U42/85]]
|[[File:U42-85.png]]
U42/85, 1950
|1942-1965
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Medium Tank
|648
|All U42/75s were converted to U42/85 by 1947
|-
|[[U42/85 Medium Tank|ZU42/100]]
|[[File:ZU42-100.png]]
1949
|1949-1954
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Tank Destroyer
|75
|Conversions from U42/85 tanks
|-
|[[U46/85 Medium Tank|U46/85]]
|[[File:U46-85.png]]
1949
|1946-1954
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Medium Tank
|20
|Stop-gap design
|-
|[[U50/100 Universal Tank|U50/100]]
|[[File:U50-100.png]]
U50/100B UNICORN OSTFOR Mission, 1960
|1950-1974
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Universal Tank
|421
|
|-
|[[U65/105 Universal Tank|U65/105 'Steel Horse']]
|[[File:U65-105.png]]
U65/105A 1966
|1965-2001
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Universal Tank
|680
|
|-
|[[U59/115 Main Battle Tank|U59/115 'Belak']]
|[[File:U59.png]]1968
|1965-1985
|[[File:Belakrain Small Flag.png]] [[Belakraine|Belakrain]]<nowiki/>e
|Main Battle Tank
|89
|Surplus from Belakrain
|}

Template:Zandas Military Vehicles

2026-08-27T00:50:33Z

Nickygio:

{{Navbox
| name = Zandas Republic Army Vehicles
| title = Zandas Republic Army Vehicles
| style = wide
| bodyclass = hlist

| group1 = Light Vehicles
| list1 =
* [[UCAT Light Truck|UCAT]]
* [[GMS Z46 Truck|GMS Z46/Z55]]
* [[GMS Z46 Truck#Variants|GMS Z46 with Z21 Light Wrecker]]
* [[GMS Z46 Truck#Variants|GMS Z46/Z55D Heavy Wrecker]]
* [[HA-52 Heavy Wrecker|HA-52]]
* [[LPTA-22 Heavy Amphibious Transport|LPTA-22]]
* [[PTL-4 Light Transport|PTL-4]]
* [[PTL-12 Transport|PTL-12]]
* [[PTL-64 Light Transport#Variants|PTL-61]]
* [[PTL-64 Light Transport|PTL-64]]

| group2 = Combat Support Vehicles
| list2 =
* [[GMS Z46 Truck#Variants|GMS Z46 (40mm)]]
* [[GMS Z46 Truck#Variants|GMS Z55 (142)]]
* [[PTL-12 Transport#Variants|ZU-6]]
* [[PTL-12 Transport#Variants|ZU-8]]
* [[PTL-12 Transport#Variants|PTL-12L]]
* [[PTL-12 Transport#Variants|PTL-12M]]
* [[PTL-32 Armored Personnel Carrier#Variants|PTL-32VM]]
* [[PTL-32 Armored Personnel Carrier#Variants|PTL-32RS]]
* [[P44 Light Tank#Variants|P44(OP)]]
* [[P44 Light Tank#Variants|P44-40]]
* [[U42/85 Medium Tank#Variants|U42/155]]
* [[U50/100 Universal Tank#Variants|U50R]]
* [[U50/100 Universal Tank#Variants|U50-2 STBC]]

| group3 = Armored Vehicles
| list3 =
* [[SR54/47 Armored Car|SR54/47]]
* [[PTL-64 Light Transport#Variants|PTL-64B]]
* [[PTL-64 Light Transport#Variants|PTL-64F]]
* [[PTL-32 Armored Personnel Carrier|PTL-32]]
* [[PTL-32 Armored Personnel Carrier#Variants|PTL-32C]]
* [[P44 Light Tank|P44]]
* [[U42/85 Medium Tank|U42/85]]
* [[U42/85 Medium Tank#Variants|ZU42/100]]
* [[U46/85 Medium Tank|U46/85]]
* [[U50/100 Universal Tank|U50/100]]
* [[U65/105 Universal Tank|U65/105]]
* [[U59/115 Main Battle Tank|U59/115]]

}}

List of equipment used by the Zandas Republic Army

2026-08-27T00:45:39Z

Nickygio: ZU42/100

{| class="wikitable"
|+Light Vehicles (Cars, Transports, Trucks, etc)
|-
!Model Name!!Example Image!!Years in Service!!Origin!!Type!!Quantity
(between all variants)
!Notes
|-
|[[UCAT Light Truck|UCAT]]||[[File:UCAT.png]]
UCAT-C 1950
|1941-1973||[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] [[Zandas]]||Staff Car/Light Transport,
Unarmored
|5,468||
|-
|[[GMS Z46 Truck|GMS Z46/Z55]]
|[[File:GMS_Z46.png]]
1951
|1946-1976
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Medium Transport Truck, Unarmored
|3,110
|
|-
|[[GMS Z46 Truck|GMS Z46/Z55 with Z21 Light Wrecker]]
|[[File:GMS Z46 with Z21 Light Wrecker.png]]
1948
|1946-1976
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Light Wrecker
|342
|5,000 lb Wrecker
|-
|[[GMS Z46 Truck|GMS Z46/Z55D Heavy Wrecker]]
|[[File:GMS Z46D Heavy Wrecker.png]]
1952
|1948-1976
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Heavy Wrecker
|152
|70,000lb Wrecker
|-
|[[HA-52 Heavy Wrecker|HA-52]]
|[[File:HA-52.png]]
1960, carrying [[U50/100 Universal Tank|U50/100B]] during OSTFOR Mission
|1951-1972
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Heavy Wrecker, Lightly Armored
|421
|100,000lb Wrecker
|-
|[[LPTA-22 Heavy Amphibious Transport|LPTA-22]]
|[[File:LPTA22.png]]
1963
|1963-1982
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]]Zandas
|Heavy Amphibious Transport, Armored
|106
|Amphibious
|-
|[[PTL-4 Light Transport|PTL-4]]||[[File:PLT-4.png]]
PTL-4A 1950
|1944-1965||[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas||Light Transport, Lightly Armored||1,016||Amphibious
|-
|[[PTL-12 Transport|PTL-12]]||[[File:PLT-12.png]]
PTL-12A 'Cougar' 1950
|1943-1972||[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas||Medium Transport, Lightly Armored||3,189||Basis for many weapon systems
|-
|[[PTL-64 Light Transport|PTL-61]]||[[File:PTL-61.png]]
PTL-61A 1965
|1965-1971||[[File:Mergovina Small Flag.png]] [[Mergovina]] ||Light Transport, Lightly Armored||100||Imported Test Vehicles from Mergovina
|-
|[[PTL-64 Light Transport|PTL-64]]||[[File:PTL-64.png]]
PLT-64A Mk.2 'Weasel Mk.2" 1966
|1965-1980||[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
[[File:Mergovina Small Flag.png]] Mergovina
|Light Transport, Lightly Armored||1,231||License-built from Mergovina
|}
{| class="wikitable"
|+Combat Support Vehicles (Anti-aircraft, Anti-tank, Artillery, Engineering etc)
!Model Name
!Example Image
!Years in Service
!Origin
!Type
!Quantity
!Notes
|-
|[[GMS Z46 Truck|GMS Z46/Z55 (40mm)]]
|[[File:GMS_Z46_40.png]]
1951
|1947-1961
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Anti-Aircraft Truck
|346
|
|-
|[[GMS Z46 Truck|GMS Z55 (142)]]
|[[File:GMS_Z55_142.png]]
1958
|1957-1968
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
[[File:Eternal Mandate Small Flag.png]] [[Eternal Mandate]]
|Rocket Artillery Truck
|162
|Eternal Mandate Rocket System
|-
|[[PTL-12 Transport|ZU-6]]
|[[File:ZU-8.png]]
ZU-6A 1949
|1944-1957
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Mobile Anti-Armor Platform
|564
|PTL-12 used as base
|-
|[[PTL-12 Transport|ZU-8]]
|[[File:ZU-8_2.png]]
ZU-8A 1947
|1944-1957
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Mobile Artillery Platform
|278
|PTL-12 used as base
|-
|[[PTL-12 Transport|PTL-12L 'Mongoose']]
|[[File:PTL-12L.png]]
UNICORN OSTFOR Mission, 1960
|1955-1968
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Mortar Carrier
|224
|
|-
|[[PTL-12 Transport|PTL-12M 'Scorpion']]
|[[File:PLT-12M.png]]
UNICORN OSTFOR Mission, 1960
|1960-1972
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Missile Carrier
|342
|First Zandian ATGM carrier
|-
|[[PTL-32 Armored Personnel Carrier|PTL-32VM 'Hyena']]
|[[File:PTL-32VM.png]]
PLT-32VM/2 Training Exercise, 1981
|1969-1996
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Missile Carrier
|164
|Amphibious
|-
|[[PTL-32 Armored Personnel Carrier|PTL-32RS 'Jackal']]
|[[File:PTL-32RS.png]]
PLT-32RS Commissioning Tests, 1968
|1968-1990
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Radar Guided Anti-Aircraft Platform
|120
|Amphibious
|-
|[[P44 Light Tank|P44(OP)]]
|[[File:P44(OP).png]]
1950
|1944-1954
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Observation Vehicle
|52
|Conversions from P44 tanks
|-
|[[P44 Light Tank|P44-40]]
|[[File:P44-40.png]]
1955
|1943-1961
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Armored Anti-Aircraft Platform
|70
|Conversions from P44 tanks
|-
|[[U42/85 Medium Tank|U42/155]]
|[[File:U42_155.png]]

1961
|1960-1972
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Self-propelled Gun
|118
|Conversions from U42/85 tanks
|-
|[[U50/100 Universal Tank|U50R]]
|[[File:U50r.png]]\
1966
|1965-1984
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]]Zandas
|Armored Engineering/Recovery Vehicle
|79
|Conversions from U50/100B tanks
|-
|[[U50/100 Universal Tank|U50-2C STBC]]
|[[File:U50 STBC.png]]
Training Exercise 'Operation Eagle', 1976
|1972-1982
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Missile Tank
|50
|Conversions from U50/100B tanks
|}
{| class="wikitable"
|+Armored Vehicles (IFV, Tanks, SPGs)
!Model Name
!Example Image
!Years in Service
!Origin
!Type
!Quantity (between all variants)
!Notes
|-
|[[SR54/47 Armored Car|SR54/47]]
|[[File:SR54.png]]
1958
|1954-1969
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
[[File:Eternal Mandate Small Flag.png]]Eternal Mandate
|Armored Car
|300
|Eternal Mandate Chassis
|-
|[[PTL-64 Light Transport|PTL-64B 'Ermine']]
|[[File:PTL_64B.png]]
PLT-64B Mk.3 'Ermine Mk.3', 1966
|1965-1984
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
[[File:Mergovina Small Flag.png]] Mergovina
|Armored Personnel Carrier
|456
|License-built from Mergovina
|-
|[[PTL-64 Light Transport|PTL-64F 'Mink']]
|[[File:PTL_64F.png]]
1969
|1968-1990
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
[[File:Mergovina Small Flag.png]] Mergovina
|Infantry Fighting Vehicle
|97
|License-built from Mergovina
Equipped with a modified turret from PTL-32 program
|-
|[[PTL-32 Armored Personnel Carrier|PTL-32 'Puma']]
|[[File:PTL-32.png]]
PTL-32A UNICORN DAPMIS Mission, 1975
|1967-1996
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Armored Personnel Carrier
|1,354
|Amphibious
|-
|[[PTL-32 Armored Personnel Carrier|PTL-32C 'Badger']]
|[[File:PTL-32C.png]]
PTL-32C/2 'Badger' Training Exercise, 1981
|1967-1994
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Infantry Fighting Vehicle
|378
|Amphibious
|-
|[[P44 Light Tank|P44]]
|[[File:P44.png]]
1951
|1941-1961
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Light Tank
|568
|
|-
|[[U42/85 Medium Tank|U42/85]]
|[[File:U42-85.png]]
U42/85, 1950
|1942-1965
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Medium Tank
|648
|All U42/75s were converted to U42/85 by 1947
|-
|ZU42/100
|[[File:ZU42-100.png]]
1949
|1949-1954
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Tank Destroyer
|75
|Conversions from U42/85 tanks
|-
|[[U46/85 Medium Tank|U46/85]]
|[[File:U46-85.png]]
1949
|1946-1954
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Medium Tank
|20
|Stop-gap design
|-
|[[U50/100 Universal Tank|U50/100]]
|[[File:U50-100.png]]
U50/100B UNICORN OSTFOR Mission, 1960
|1950-1974
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Universal Tank
|421
|
|-
|[[U65/105 Universal Tank|U65/105 'Steel Horse']]
|[[File:U65-105.png]]
U65/105A 1966
|1965-2001
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Universal Tank
|680
|
|-
|[[U59/115 Main Battle Tank|U59/115 'Belak']]
|[[File:U59.png]]1968
|1965-1985
|[[File:Belakrain Small Flag.png]] [[Belakraine|Belakrain]]<nowiki/>e
|Main Battle Tank
|89
|Surplus from Belakrain
|}

U42/85 Medium Tank

2026-08-27T00:43:08Z

Nickygio: ZU42/100

{{Infobox weapon|name=U42/85 Medium Tank|type=Medium Tank|service=1942-1965|used_by={{Flagicon image|Zandas.png}} Zandas Republic|is_vehicle=Yes|origin=[[Zandas]] Republic|designer=Natuska Automotive
Office of Military Investigation and Research|design_date=1941|manufacturer=Reaper Motorworks
Alcua Locomotive Works|production_date=1942-1950|number=648

(480 for the Army)

(168 for the Marines)|variants=U42/76

U42/85

U42/85B

ZU42/100 Tank Destroyer

U42/155 SPG|weight=32 Tons|length=22ft 8in (6.9m)|width=8ft 7 in (2.62m)|height=7ft 10 in (2.4)|crew=4|max_range=350km|armour=45mm at 45° (max)|primary weapon=DW-5|vehicle_range=350km|secondary weapon=7.62mm|Primary Weapon=DW-5|image=U42-85.png|Gun=DW-7|caption=A U42/85 in 1950 sporting 1st Republican Army (East) camouflage
(Credit to Moriskov)}}Vital to providing security to the [[Zandas]] Republic while the world was at war, the U42/85 served well in its role as a capable domestically produced medium tank. While never seeing combat, the platform would continue to serve the nation long after the global conflict ended for both the Army and the Marines.

== History ==
In the early years of the [[Ten Years' War|Ten Years’ War]], the [[Zandas]] Military feared an invasion from [[Iron League]] forces due to its trade agreement with [[Belakraine]]. Starting the war with woefully outdated U35/47 tanks, production began in 1940 on a medium tank. The Army requested a capable, reliable, and easy to manufacture tank that could fulfill multiple roles. This was a product of the Meyuer Doctrine, with the Army relying on domestically built equipment during the war. The result of this request would enter service in 1942, known as the U42/76 Medium Tank. Armed with a 76.2mm cannon and was protected by 45mm of frontal armor at a 45 degree angle, the U42 was well protected from light and medium anti-tank weaponry in 1942. It could reach a top speed of 48kph and had an operational range of 350km. It was also armed with two 7.62mm machine guns, one co-axial, and one by the commander’s hatch. An order of 500 tanks was made in 1942 but only 182 would enter service by 1944. Evaluating the performance of the gun compared to the newest armor from the Iron League and allies, the gun was considered underpowered. A new, more powerful gun was equipped in a new turret that would fit on the existing chassis. The new tank, the U42/85, was accepted into service in early 1945, with all new U42 tanks produced equipped with the new gun, resulting in an additional 324 tanks. All units using the 76mm were converted to the 85mm by 1947.

The U42/85 was still the backbone of the armored forces in 1950, due to the limited introduction of the failed stopgap, the U46/85. However with the success of Project U-43, the [[U50/100 Universal Tank]] was introduced at the end of 1950. The U42/85 was slowly sidelined as the new tank came online. In the late 1950’s the military decided to sell their reserve stock of tanks as there was a sufficient number of U50/100s, but there was little interest. The U42/85 remained in reserve and in training units until the early 1960’s. In 1960, 118 tanks were converted to U42/155 Self Propelled Guns. All unconverted tanks were scrapped in 1965 after the introduction of the [[U65/105 Universal Tank|U65/105]] and [[U59/115 Main Battle Tank|U59/115]] Universal Tanks, ending over two decades of service in the medium tank role.

== Variants ==

=== U42/76 ===
[[File:U42-75.png|left|thumb|U42/76 in 1944 1st Republican Army (East). Only a limited number of this tank was produced before the more powerful 85mm cannon was introduced. ]]
Initially designed with a medium velocity 76mm cannon, the U42/76 had sufficient firepower in 1941. However once in production in 1942 it was clear the design would not keep up with the fast pace of armor effectiveness and thickness advancements due to the TYW. Plans were crafted to produce these tanks anyway as to have some sort of defense against a possible invasion until a better armed variant could be developed.

=== U42/85 ===
[[File:U42 winter.png|thumb|A U42/85 crew waits for their tracks to thaw as the track pads froze to the road wheels overnight during a 1951 training exercise in the Oneon Mountains. These tanks saw service across the nation, from the hot deserts to the cold mountain tops ]]
Engineers at Kingfisher Armories worked for months after receiving a new request from the army in late 1942 to produce a high velocity cannon capable of penetrating over 125mm of armor. The new weapon was tested in mid 1943 and was capable of penetrating over 142mm of armor from 100 meters and 131mm at 1000m. However, this new DW-7 cannon could not fit in the existing turret of the U42/76. Natuska Automotive and OMIR were tasked with creating a new turret capable of handling the new weapon and being compatible with the new tank. After several months of trial and error, the new PG-3 turret was produced and was tested on the chassis in 1944. After several teething issues were solved, the new turret was approved for production, on the newly named U42/85 tank at the end of that year. The initial run of 182 U42/76 tanks were brought back to the factory and had their turrets replaced by the end of 1947.

The U42/85 served at the heart of Zandian Army Armored formations throughout the war and into the post-war peace era. However it was clear a replacement was necessary even with the upgraded gun. Tank armor had far outpaced the medium tank during the war and tests with captured Iron League tanks given to them by allies proved the DW-7 cannon lacked the penetration to combat modern tanks. However, the tank still preformed well in exercises in infantry support and flanking attacks. The tank served in the secondary line and eventually reserves as the successful U50/100 design replaced them in armored columns.

==== U42/85B ====
With the production of the new U50/100 slowly beginning at the end of 1950, 67 U42/85 tanks were brought back to the factory to receive some upgrades in 1952. These new tanks, the U42/85Bs, were sent to areas that had yet to receive their U50/100 tanks as there was significant factory delays for the new tanks. These upgraded tanks would serve longer in frontline roles until they too were replaced by U50/100s in 1954.

=== ZU42/100 Tank Destroyer ===
[[File:ZU42-100.png|left|thumb|The short superstructure provided little protection to the ZU42/100's gun crew, both from enemy fire and the elements. This vehicle was photographed outside Fort Alcut on a training exercise in 1950 before the implementation of the new U50/100 tanks]]
In an attempt to increase the firepower of the U42 chassis, a series of design studies commenced to add the new DW-10 100mm cannon to the vehicle in late 1948. The gun was too large for the turret in service, and a larger turret could not be mounted on the chassis. The turret was eventually removed all together, producing a casemate design. The new vehicle retained its hull armor, but had relatively thin protection on the new superstructure that housed the powerful cannon. It was also open-topped, to the protest of crews assigned to the new vehicle. As it lacked a turret, it was designated as a tank destroyer, even though the purpose of the studies was to produce a stop-gap medium tank. In mid 1949 75 U42/85 tanks were retrofitted with this layout. With the introduction of the U50/100 tank mounting the same weaponry, the vehicle's days were numbered. However, with the troublesome production run the U50/100 had, the ZU42/100 stayed in service until 1954, and the vehicles were placed in reserve or scrapped soon after.

=== U42/155 Self-propelled Gun ===
[[File:U42 155 w crew.png|thumb|A U42/155 SPG of 2nd Republican Army (West) conducting Training Exercise 'Operation Sunburn' in Summer 1963|left]]
In 1960 work began on a replacement for the [[PTL-12 Transport|ZU-8 Mobile Artillery Platform]], which was retired in 1955 due to its poor mobility and overloaded chassis. Its role was partially succeeded by the [[GMS Z46 Truck|GMS Z55(142) Mobile Rocket Artillery Vehicle]]. While the Z55(142) provided significant artillery fire-support, the vehicles were just not mobile enough to keep up with frontline units through any sort of difficult terrain. With numerous obsolete U42/85 tanks in reserve, the decision was made to combine the powerful 155mm cannon from the old ZU-8 with the mobility of the venerable U42 chassis. Significant changes to the turret were required to accommodate the artillery cannon, resulting in an open top design with thin armor plates along the reworked portions. The resulting vehicle, now named the U42/155 Self Propelled Gun, weighed fractionally more than the original, and therefore retained much of its mobility. 118 tanks were converted to self-propelled guns. The turret was designed with folding hatches along the sides to allow for ammunition to be loaded easier, however crews on the hot steppes quickly learned that opening these hatches allowed for improved ventilation as well. Crews were also issued camouflaged sun shades while resting, after much protest over the conditions inside the turrets on summer days.

These vehicles were retired in 1972, marking the end of the U42 legacy.

{{Zandas Military Vehicles}}

File:ZU42-100.png

2026-08-27T00:40:47Z

Nickygio:

TD Modification of U42/85

List of equipment used by the Zandas Republic Army

2026-08-25T23:37:57Z

Nickygio:

{| class="wikitable"
|+Light Vehicles (Cars, Transports, Trucks, etc)
|-
!Model Name!!Example Image!!Years in Service!!Origin!!Type!!Quantity
(between all variants)
!Notes
|-
|[[UCAT Light Truck|UCAT]]||[[File:UCAT.png]]
UCAT-C 1950
|1941-1973||[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] [[Zandas]]||Staff Car/Light Transport,
Unarmored
|5,468||
|-
|[[GMS Z46 Truck|GMS Z46/Z55]]
|[[File:GMS_Z46.png]]
1951
|1946-1976
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Medium Transport Truck, Unarmored
|3,110
|
|-
|[[GMS Z46 Truck|GMS Z46/Z55 with Z21 Light Wrecker]]
|[[File:GMS Z46 with Z21 Light Wrecker.png]]
1948
|1946-1976
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Light Wrecker
|342
|5,000 lb Wrecker
|-
|[[GMS Z46 Truck|GMS Z46/Z55D Heavy Wrecker]]
|[[File:GMS Z46D Heavy Wrecker.png]]
1952
|1948-1976
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Heavy Wrecker
|152
|70,000lb Wrecker
|-
|[[HA-52 Heavy Wrecker|HA-52]]
|[[File:HA-52.png]]
1960, carrying [[U50/100 Universal Tank|U50/100B]] during OSTFOR Mission
|1951-1972
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Heavy Wrecker, Lightly Armored
|421
|100,000lb Wrecker
|-
|[[LPTA-22 Heavy Amphibious Transport|LPTA-22]]
|[[File:LPTA22.png]]
1963
|1963-1982
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]]Zandas
|Heavy Amphibious Transport, Armored
|106
|Amphibious
|-
|[[PTL-4 Light Transport|PTL-4]]||[[File:PLT-4.png]]
PTL-4A 1950
|1944-1965||[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas||Light Transport, Lightly Armored||1,016||Amphibious
|-
|[[PTL-12 Transport|PTL-12]]||[[File:PLT-12.png]]
PTL-12A 'Cougar' 1950
|1943-1972||[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas||Medium Transport, Lightly Armored||3,189||Basis for many weapon systems
|-
|[[PTL-64 Light Transport|PTL-61]]||[[File:PTL-61.png]]
PTL-61A 1965
|1965-1971||[[File:Mergovina Small Flag.png]] [[Mergovina]] ||Light Transport, Lightly Armored||100||Imported Test Vehicles from Mergovina
|-
|[[PTL-64 Light Transport|PTL-64]]||[[File:PTL-64.png]]
PLT-64A Mk.2 'Weasel Mk.2" 1966
|1965-1980||[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
[[File:Mergovina Small Flag.png]] Mergovina
|Light Transport, Lightly Armored||1,231||License-built from Mergovina
|}
{| class="wikitable"
|+Combat Support Vehicles (Anti-aircraft, Anti-tank, Artillery, Engineering etc)
!Model Name
!Example Image
!Years in Service
!Origin
!Type
!Quantity
!Notes
|-
|[[GMS Z46 Truck|GMS Z46/Z55 (40mm)]]
|[[File:GMS_Z46_40.png]]
1951
|1947-1961
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Anti-Aircraft Truck
|346
|
|-
|[[GMS Z46 Truck|GMS Z55 (142)]]
|[[File:GMS_Z55_142.png]]
1958
|1957-1968
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
[[File:Eternal Mandate Small Flag.png]] [[Eternal Mandate]]
|Rocket Artillery Truck
|162
|Eternal Mandate Rocket System
|-
|[[PTL-12 Transport|ZU-6]]
|[[File:ZU-8.png]]
ZU-6A 1949
|1944-1957
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Mobile Anti-Armor Platform
|564
|PTL-12 used as base
|-
|[[PTL-12 Transport|ZU-8]]
|[[File:ZU-8_2.png]]
ZU-8A 1947
|1944-1957
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Mobile Artillery Platform
|278
|PTL-12 used as base
|-
|[[PTL-12 Transport|PTL-12L 'Mongoose']]
|[[File:PTL-12L.png]]
UNICORN OSTFOR Mission, 1960
|1955-1968
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Mortar Carrier
|224
|
|-
|[[PTL-12 Transport|PTL-12M 'Scorpion']]
|[[File:PLT-12M.png]]
UNICORN OSTFOR Mission, 1960
|1960-1972
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Missile Carrier
|342
|First Zandian ATGM carrier
|-
|[[PTL-32 Armored Personnel Carrier|PTL-32VM 'Hyena']]
|[[File:PTL-32VM.png]]
PLT-32VM/2 Training Exercise, 1981
|1969-1996
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Missile Carrier
|164
|Amphibious
|-
|[[PTL-32 Armored Personnel Carrier|PTL-32RS 'Jackal']]
|[[File:PTL-32RS.png]]
PLT-32RS Commissioning Tests, 1968
|1968-1990
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Radar Guided Anti-Aircraft Platform
|120
|Amphibious
|-
|[[P44 Light Tank|P44(OP)]]
|[[File:P44(OP).png]]
1950
|1944-1954
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Observation Vehicle
|52
|Conversions from P44 tanks
|-
|[[P44 Light Tank|P44-40]]
|[[File:P44-40.png]]
1955
|1943-1961
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Armored Anti-Aircraft Platform
|70
|Conversions from P44 tanks
|-
|[[U42/85 Medium Tank|U42/155]]
|[[File:U42_155.png]]

1961
|1960-1972
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Self-propelled Gun
|118
|Conversions from U42/85 tanks
|-
|[[U50/100 Universal Tank|U50R]]
|[[File:U50r.png]]\
1966
|1965-1984
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]]Zandas
|Armored Engineering/Recovery Vehicle
|79
|Conversions from U50/100B tanks
|-
|[[U50/100 Universal Tank|U50-2C STBC]]
|[[File:U50 STBC.png]]
Training Exercise 'Operation Eagle', 1976
|1972-1982
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Missile Tank
|50
|Conversions from U50/100B tanks
|}
{| class="wikitable"
|+Armored Vehicles (IFV, Tanks, SPGs)
!Model Name
!Example Image
!Years in Service
!Origin
!Type
!Quantity (between all variants)
!Notes
|-
|[[SR54/47 Armored Car|SR54/47]]
|[[File:SR54.png]]
1958
|1954-1969
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
[[File:Eternal Mandate Small Flag.png]]Eternal Mandate
|Armored Car
|300
|Eternal Mandate Chassis
|-
|[[PTL-64 Light Transport|PTL-64B 'Ermine']]
|[[File:PTL_64B.png]]
PLT-64B Mk.3 'Ermine Mk.3', 1966
|1965-1984
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
[[File:Mergovina Small Flag.png]] Mergovina
|Armored Personnel Carrier
|456
|License-built from Mergovina
|-
|[[PTL-64 Light Transport|PTL-64F 'Mink']]
|[[File:PTL_64F.png]]
1969
|1968-1990
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
[[File:Mergovina Small Flag.png]] Mergovina
|Infantry Fighting Vehicle
|97
|License-built from Mergovina
Equipped with a modified turret from PTL-32 program
|-
|[[PTL-32 Armored Personnel Carrier|PTL-32 'Puma']]
|[[File:PTL-32.png]]
PTL-32A UNICORN DAPMIS Mission, 1975
|1967-1996
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Armored Personnel Carrier
|1,354
|Amphibious
|-
|[[PTL-32 Armored Personnel Carrier|PTL-32C 'Badger']]
|[[File:PTL-32C.png]]
PTL-32C/2 'Badger' Training Exercise, 1981
|1967-1994
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Infantry Fighting Vehicle
|378
|Amphibious
|-
|[[P44 Light Tank|P44]]
|[[File:P44.png]]
1951
|1941-1961
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Light Tank
|568
|
|-
|[[U42/85 Medium Tank|U42/85]]
|[[File:U42-85.png]]
U42/85, 1950
|1942-1965
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Medium Tank
|648
|All U42/75s were converted to U42/85 by 1947
|-
|[[U46/85 Medium Tank|U46/85]]
|[[File:U46-85.png]]
1949
|1946-1954
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Medium Tank
|20
|Stop-gap design
|-
|[[U50/100 Universal Tank|U50/100]]
|[[File:U50-100.png]]
U50/100B UNICORN OSTFOR Mission, 1960
|1950-1974
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Universal Tank
|421
|
|-
|[[U65/105 Universal Tank|U65/105 'Steel Horse']]
|[[File:U65-105.png]]
U65/105A 1966
|1965-2001
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Universal Tank
|680
|
|-
|[[U59/115 Main Battle Tank|U59/115 'Belak']]
|[[File:U59.png]]1968
|1965-1985
|[[File:Belakrain Small Flag.png]] [[Belakraine|Belakrain]]<nowiki/>e
|Main Battle Tank
|89
|Surplus from Belakrain
|}

List of equipment used by the Zandas Republic Army

2026-08-25T23:37:00Z

Nickygio:

{| class="wikitable"
|+Light Vehicles (Cars, Transports, Trucks, etc)
|-
!Model Name!!Example Image!!Years in Service!!Origin!!Type!!Quantity
(between all variants)
!Notes
|-
|[[UCAT Light Truck|UCAT]]||[[File:UCAT.png]]
UCAT-C 1950
|1941-1973||[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] [[Zandas]]||Staff Car/Light Transport,
Unarmored
|5,468||
|-
|[[GMS Z46 Truck|GMS Z46/Z55]]
|[[File:GMS_Z46.png]]
1951
|1946-1976
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Medium Transport Truck, Unarmored
|3,110
|
|-
|[[GMS Z46 Truck|GMS Z46/Z55 with Z21 Light Wrecker]]
|[[File:GMS Z46 with Z21 Light Wrecker.png]]
1948
|1946-1976
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Light Wrecker
|342
|5,000 lb Wrecker
|-
|[[GMS Z46 Truck|GMS Z46/Z55D Heavy Wrecker]]
|[[File:GMS Z46D Heavy Wrecker.png]]
1952
|1948-1976
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Heavy Wrecker
|152
|70,000lb Wrecker
|-
|[[HA-52 Heavy Wrecker|HA-52]]
|[[File:HA-52.png]]
1960, carrying [[U50/100 Universal Tank|U50/100B]] during OSTFOR Mission
|1951-1972
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Heavy Wrecker, Lightly Armored
|421
|100,000lb Wrecker
|-
|[[LPTA-22 Heavy Amphibious Transport|LPTA-22]]
|[[File:LPTA22.png]]
1963
|1963-1982
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]]Zandas
|Heavy Amphibious Transport, Armored
|106
|Amphibious
|-
|[[PTL-4 Light Transport|PTL-4]]||[[File:PLT-4.png]]
PTL-4A 1950
|1944-1965||[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas||Light Transport, Lightly Armored||1,016||Amphibious
|-
|[[PTL-12 Transport|PTL-12]]||[[File:PLT-12.png]]
PTL-12A 'Cougar' 1950
|1943-1972||[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas||Medium Transport, Lightly Armored||3,189||Basis for many weapon systems
|-
|[[PTL-64 Light Transport|PTL-61]]||[[File:PTL-61.png]]
PTL-61A 1965
|1965-1971||[[File:Mergovina Small Flag.png]] [[Mergovina]] ||Light Transport, Lightly Armored||100||Imported Test Vehicles from Mergovina
|-
|[[PTL-64 Light Transport|PTL-64]]||[[File:PTL-64.png]]
PLT-64A Mk.2 'Weasel Mk.2" 1966
|1965-1980||[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
[[File:Mergovina Small Flag.png]] Mergovina
|Light Transport, Lightly Armored||1,231||License-built from Mergovina
|}
{| class="wikitable"
|+Combat Support Vehicles (Anti-aircraft, Anti-tank, Artillery, Engineering etc)
!Model Name
!Example Image
!Years in Service
!Origin
!Type
!Quantity
!Notes
|-
|[[GMS Z46 Truck|GMS Z46/Z55 (40mm)]]
|[[File:GMS_Z46_40.png]]
1951
|1947-1961
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Anti-Aircraft Truck
|346
|
|-
|[[GMS Z46 Truck|GMS Z55 (142)]]
|[[File:GMS_Z55_142.png]]
1958
|1957-1968
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
[[File:Eternal Mandate Small Flag.png]] [[Eternal Mandate]]
|Rocket Artillery Truck
|162
|Eternal Mandate Rocket System
|-
|[[PTL-12 Transport|ZU-6]]
|[[File:ZU-8.png]]
ZU-6A 1949
|1944-1957
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Mobile Anti-Armor Platform
|564
|PTL-12 used as base
|-
|[[PTL-12 Transport|ZU-8]]
|[[File:ZU-8_2.png]]
ZU-8A 1947
|1944-1957
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Mobile Artillery Platform
|278
|PTL-12 used as base
|-
|[[PTL-12 Transport|PTL-12L 'Mongoose']]
|[[File:PTL-12L.png]]
UNICORN OSTFOR Mission, 1960
|1955-1968
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Mortar Carrier
|224
|
|-
|[[PTL-12 Transport|PTL-12M 'Scorpion']]
|[[File:PLT-12M.png]]
UNICORN OSTFOR Mission, 1960
|1960-1972
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Missile Carrier
|342
|First Zandian ATGM carrier
|-
|[[PTL-32 Armored Personnel Carrier|PTL-32VM 'Hyena']]
|[[File:PTL-32VM.png]]
PLT-32VM/2 Training Exercise, 1981
|1969-1996
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Missile Carrier
|164
|Amphibious
|-
|[[PTL-32 Armored Personnel Carrier|PTL-32RS 'Jackal']]
|[[File:PTL-32RS.png]]
PLT-32RS Commissioning Tests, 1968
|1968-1990
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Radar Guided Anti-Aircraft Platform
|120
|Amphibious
|-
|[[P44 Light Tank|P44(OP)]]
|[[File:P44(OP).png]]
1950
|1944-1952
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Observation Vehicle
|52
|Conversions from P44 tanks
|-
|[[P44 Light Tank|P44-40]]
|[[File:P44-40.png]]
1955
|1943-1956
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Armored Anti-Aircraft Platform
|70
|Conversions from P44 tanks
|-
|[[U42/85 Medium Tank|U42/155]]
|[[File:U42_155.png]]

1961
|1960-1972
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Self-propelled Gun
|118
|Conversions from U42/85 tanks
|-
|[[U50/100 Universal Tank|U50R]]
|[[File:U50r.png]]\
1966
|1965-1984
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]]Zandas
|Armored Engineering/Recovery Vehicle
|79
|Conversions from U50/100B tanks
|-
|[[U50/100 Universal Tank|U50-2C STBC]]
|[[File:U50 STBC.png]]
Training Exercise 'Operation Eagle', 1976
|1972-1982
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Missile Tank
|50
|Conversions from U50/100B tanks
|}
{| class="wikitable"
|+Armored Vehicles (IFV, Tanks, SPGs)
!Model Name
!Example Image
!Years in Service
!Origin
!Type
!Quantity (between all variants)
!Notes
|-
|[[SR54/47 Armored Car|SR54/47]]
|[[File:SR54.png]]
1958
|1954-1969
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
[[File:Eternal Mandate Small Flag.png]]Eternal Mandate
|Armored Car
|300
|Eternal Mandate Chassis
|-
|[[PTL-64 Light Transport|PTL-64B 'Ermine']]
|[[File:PTL_64B.png]]
PLT-64B Mk.3 'Ermine Mk.3', 1966
|1965-1984
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
[[File:Mergovina Small Flag.png]] Mergovina
|Armored Personnel Carrier
|456
|License-built from Mergovina
|-
|[[PTL-64 Light Transport|PTL-64F 'Mink']]
|[[File:PTL_64F.png]]
1969
|1968-1990
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
[[File:Mergovina Small Flag.png]] Mergovina
|Infantry Fighting Vehicle
|97
|License-built from Mergovina
Equipped with a modified turret from PTL-32 program
|-
|[[PTL-32 Armored Personnel Carrier|PTL-32 'Puma']]
|[[File:PTL-32.png]]
PTL-32A UNICORN DAPMIS Mission, 1975
|1967-1996
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Armored Personnel Carrier
|1,354
|Amphibious
|-
|[[PTL-32 Armored Personnel Carrier|PTL-32C 'Badger']]
|[[File:PTL-32C.png]]
PTL-32C/2 'Badger' Training Exercise, 1981
|1967-1994
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Infantry Fighting Vehicle
|378
|Amphibious
|-
|[[P44 Light Tank|P44]]
|[[File:P44.png]]
1951
|1941-1956
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Light Tank
|568
|
|-
|[[U42/85 Medium Tank|U42/85]]
|[[File:U42-85.png]]
U42/85, 1950
|1942-1965
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Medium Tank
|648
|All U42/75s were converted to U42/85 by 1947
|-
|[[U46/85 Medium Tank|U46/85]]
|[[File:U46-85.png]]
1949
|1946-1954
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Medium Tank
|20
|Stop-gap design
|-
|[[U50/100 Universal Tank|U50/100]]
|[[File:U50-100.png]]
U50/100B UNICORN OSTFOR Mission, 1960
|1950-1974
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Universal Tank
|421
|
|-
|[[U65/105 Universal Tank|U65/105 'Steel Horse']]
|[[File:U65-105.png]]
U65/105A 1966
|1965-2001
|[[File:Zandas Small Flag.png]] Zandas
|Universal Tank
|680
|
|-
|[[U59/115 Main Battle Tank|U59/115 'Belak']]
|[[File:U59.png]]1968
|1965-1985
|[[File:Belakrain Small Flag.png]] [[Belakraine|Belakrain]]<nowiki/>e
|Main Battle Tank
|89
|Surplus from Belakrain
|}