Panhard EBR: Armoured Reconnaissance Vehicle
This 1950’s platform saw action mainly during the French and Portuguese colonial wars.
Design and Mobility
The EBR could be driven as a 4X4 on roads (4 run-flat rubber tires) and as an 8X8 off-road, with an additional 4 steel wheels that could be raised and lowered as needed. With all 8 wheels used, the ground pressure was very low, giving the vehicle good mobility over soft terrain.
The vehicle had a very low silhouette (1.80m), was relatively fast, well protected, and had a crew of four. The front and rear of the vehicle were symmetrical, and there was a driver at both ends! This means the EBR could be driven forward or backward at the same speed. The other two crew members sat in the turret.
Variants and Armament
The EBR went through several variants and modernization cycles. It started life in 1951 with the oscillating turret from the AMX-13, sporting a rifled 75mm gun.
The second variant from 1954 onwards saw the EBR adopting a high-velocity 75mm gun.
The third iteration came in 1964 and saw some of the original 1951 EBRs’ gun being re-bored as a low-velocity 90mm unit (still rifled).
Conclusion
In typical fashion for French recon units of the time, the Panhard EBR was well-armored and armed.
-RBM
