Tigers in Libya?

Romano · 03-21-2011, 01:56 AM,

Hey guys, on CNN today they have a flash video for Libya. However I have Flash disabled in my IE9, so instead they post a photo in that area. I swear this looks like a WWII Tiger. Have a look, here is the URL of the photo:
http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2011/images...afp.gi.jpg
Does anyone know what that is?

von Manstein · (This post was last modified: 03-21-2011, 02:35 AM by von Manstein.)

No, it's definitely not Tiger.

It looks more like Soviet ISU 122 self propelled gun

But probably it's a 155mm Palmaria self-propelled howitzer

Jim von Krieg · 03-21-2011, 03:05 AM,

I saw this and was wondering the same thing when I saw it. I just haven't had time to match it up yet.

It is not a tank, it is SPARTY. It appears that von Manstein is correct. Bogie count matches, muzzle brake matches, barrel matches, hull matches, bustle rack matches, turret doors match, and hull grills match. Also, noted in the Palmaria write up is the fact that Libya purchased 210.

The Otobreda Palmaria is a 155 mm self-propelled howitzer which was developed by the Italian Company OTO Melara for the export market. This vehicle share many components with the Italian main battle tank OF-40, which was in service in the United Arab Emirates Army. The first Palmaria prototype was completed in 1981, and production vehicles were completed in the following year. The first customer to order the Palmaria was Libya, with an order for 210. Nigeria ordered 25 during 1982 and a further 20 Palmaria turrets were ordered by Argentina to be fitted on locally built TAM medium tank chassis. These were completed late in 1986 by which time final deliveries had been made to Libya and Nigeria.