Image source: Photo: UVZ. Tankodrome, Bravery2004
T-84-120The development in Russia of a new generation tank "Black Eagle" became known in 1997.
Then, in September, a running model of this car was presented for the first time at an exhibition in Omsk. It was noted that, in case of successful implementation of the project, its purchases by the Russian army and deliveries abroad are possible.
Two years later, a modified version was rolled out with a semiopor undercarriage and a significantly modified turret, which had an impressive niche where the automatic loader, which, as reported, had thirty-two projectiles, was supposed to fit.
Image source: Photo: UVZ. Tankodrome, Bravery2004
T-72-120A kind of response to the first show of the "Black Eagle" in Omsk was the demonstration in 1999 of the Ukrainian T-72-120 tank, which had a pronounced export orientation.
It was equipped with a "NATO" 120-mm cannon and also an automatic loader designed for 22 unitary projectiles.
A new "heart" was transplanted to the "seventy-second" - a 1200-horsepower 6TD-2 engine. The tank was often shown at exhibitions, but no country decided to modernize its T-72 fleet in this way. Probably, first of all, because there was no real tank, and a large amount of money was needed to get a really functioning car.
The same thing later happened with another Kharkov development - the T-84-120, introduced in 2000.
Image source: Photo: UVZ. Tankodrome, Bravery2004
Scimitar T-84-120For a certain external similarity, some of the military experts called him a "Black Eagle in Ukrainian".
This machine was intended for a Turkish tender and, accordingly, it was called a "Scimitar".
As a basis, they took a modified diesel T-80UD, on which they mounted a welded turret with a loading system in the aft niche, the already mentioned 120 mm cannon and a 1200 hp engine.
However, the Turks rejected this project because it turned out to be so crude that it was easier for them to buy a tank already in service with NATO countries.
The tank-loser had been rusting for a long time in a septic tank near Kharkov, sometimes it was pulled out for some shows. In 2018, he even took part in the Kiev parade. However, he broke down during one of the rehearsals, and was dragged away in tow. It was said that he flashed in August at the line of contact, but, as it turned out later, he was confused with another tank.
Dmitry Lemeshko
