it is true that it is dangerous to start petrol powered tanks.
The problem is that the engine room is closed, not open like=20
in a car.=20
Petrol can drop down to the engine room floor and vaporize
there, while the tank is not in use. If you then start the
engine, you can get a nice explosion.
In our batallion (1st tank recon. batallion of the Bundeswehr)
we had M113 APCs. Most were converted to Detroit Diesel engines,
but some were still petrol powered. One time a tank driver
started the petrol engine in the morning, without opening the
engine room hood before. There was an explosion which threw
the driver out of the tank like an ejection seat. He was
seriously injured.
>From this time there was a rule: Before starting the petrol
engine the driver must open the engine room hood and check=20
the engine room for any fuel leaks. After this he may start
the engine, while a second man from the crew has a fire
extinguisher ready for action.
At that time (1976) there were no MBTs with petrol engines
left. But older comrades told me, that they had big trouble
starting the M47 and M48 tanks with petrol engines. There
was always a big risk of fire. They were happy to have the
diesel powered LEOPARD MBTs now.
Regards
Andreas
===
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