The Patton Museum has one of the few prototype Leopard Is still in existence. Nevertheless, this is somewhat of an irritant to a few volunteers, since the museum is actually meant for fielded operational types. One volunteer insisted, with some justification, that prototypes should be sent to Aberdeen Proving Grounds. Note that this vehicle does not have the coincidence rangefinder in the turret. Instead, it was equiped with a ranging machine gun, much like early models of the British Chieftain.
The tank commander's position on this Leopard I is not much different from those in the field, with the major exception being the addition of the coincidence rangefinder. The commander's over ride is clearly visible, the purple item being the magnetic safety brake to prevent accidental rotation. Note that the over ride is on its side, which is a strange arrangement for such an item. This tank commander found such to be quite awkward, but can image that once used to, could well be ergonomically superior.
The Leopard I automotively drew inspiration from numerous sources, but the primary ones were U.S. The road wheel layout came out of U.S. experience with the M-24 and M-26 tanks of late WW II, while the fundamental track design was extensively proven by usage on the M-4 Sherman. The larger roadwheels provide a better ride over rough ground.
The Leopard I was one of the first western tanks other than in the U.S. to use a "live track" which incorporated rubber bushings around the track block pins, as well as using two pins per block. The design is technically sound, and is still used today in the M-1 Abrams, Leopard II, Leclerc and AMX-30, and the latest Soviet T-80s and 90s.
Cooling for the Leopard I's MTU MB 838 10 cylinder 830 hp engine is through a rear deck grill, while the exhaust is vented out of the sides. The side exhaust louvers are angled (from the inside out) upward and then downward. This is to prevent debris from getting into the engine compartment. The system works, but provides a side weakness directly into the engine compartment. Soviet 14.5mm rounds could penetrate these louver areas, thereby immobilizing the tank. This design flaw has been corrected in the Leopard II.
