While doing a little motorcoach research, I came across this leviathan. I initially thought it was one of those massive arctic glacier tour buses, but discovered it’s something quite different. It’s a Lauster MF60 “Messfahrzeug”, and was a prototype tank recovery vehicle made for the West German Armed Forces in the mid-1970’s.
Germany had its Leopard I tank in service from 1965, and in the 1970s was developing the follow-on Leopard II which was larger and about twelve tons heavier. As such, the Bundeswehr put forth a requirement for a tank recovery vehicle that could transport this new model.
One of the manufacturers that submitted a prototype was the firm Lauster, renowned for building large, off-road equipment. The vehicle they submitted was certainly impressive and given the model designation MF60 – the “60” representing how much in tons it could tow. It was massive, with a length of 15.5 meters (51 feet), a width of 3.6 meters (12 feet), and a height of 4.5 meters (14 feet), weighing approximately 80 tons. Just as impressive was its motive power – not one but two of the Leopard’s V-10 MTU MB838 Ca-M500 supercharged diesel engines, which were used to power two 600 kilovolt ampere (kVA) generators. These generators supplied electricity to four 240 kW electric motors – one on each axle. Total horsepower was 1850. Additionally, all four axles were steerable and there were driver’s cockpits at both ends.
Early in the evaluation process,, it became apparent that while not optimal as a recovery vehicle, the MF60 was perfect as a mobile large vehicle testing and evaluation platform. Its size and interior volume allowed it to hold a wide variety of testing equipment and the accompanying technicians. Moreover, its hybrid powertrain and regenerative braking offered the ability to simulate a variety of conditions to include gradient climbs and traction force. It was in this role that the vehicle earned its name “Messfahrzeug” which translates to “Measuring Vehicle.”
It served from 1975 to the mid-90s, when it was retired. Lauster GmbH is still in business today, no longer building vehicles, but focusing on drivetrain systems and testing.
The video below is in German but with English subtitles. If you haven’t the time to watch in its entirety, skip to the 2:00 mark to listen to the sound as it rolls by – that is impressive.
Never heard of this intriguing monster before. It looks like a cross between a supersized coach and some sort of on-road locomotive.
You had me there for a second Jim. The Lauster name didn’t ring a bell at all, and when I read ‘Impressive Tank Towing Titan’ I thought the subject was something like this below…I’m sure it can tow a battle tank too (on a low-loader).
A locomotive for the roads. Impressive.
A skyscraper-on-wheels!
Truly fascinating. I can see why it wouldn’t be optimal as a recovery vehicle – seems that if a tank became disabled in the field, it would need to be recovered by another tracked tank-like vehicle, but on the open road, towing a tank is undoubtedly easier using a tractor-trailer. I loved the video here too.
On the subject of tanks, about 20 years ago I visited the US Army Ordnance Museum at Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland. It was a neat place, with probably 100+ tanks and tank-support vehicles parked in a giant field. There was an inside component to the museum too, but the tank field was the most memorable. Unfortunately it’s been closed, and though I think there’s plans to reopen the museum at Ft. Lee in Virginia, I doubt the raw, unadorned tank display will be duplicated. Too bad, because this kind of equipment is great to admire.
Yeah, I’m wondering if the primary purpose of the Lauster as a tank ‘recovery’ vehicle doesn’t really translate as something to tow a mammoth tank back to a repair facility. Rather, it’s more of a mobile repair vehicle designed to get to a disabled tank that something else (like another tank) has moved to an accessible roadway.
In effect, the Lauster is driven to the tank and then an onboard crew repairs it with the added ability to move it around a bit, if needed. Considering the time and resources needed to tow a tank back to a repair facility, then return it to the field, I suppose it makes sense.
8 legger with all wheel drive and steer whats not to like? what a beast.
Just, _WOW_ .
-Nate
I agree with Paul in that this is a road locomotive. Now, if we can find it, get it to the U.S., then we can find a limousine operator who wants a unique party bus. Uh, driver, watch those overhead clearance signs! Thanks for the interesting presentation.
The shape of the windshields remind of the MAN class 1 cross country trucks and the Faun tractors that were actually used to transport Leopard tanks.