In 2018 while traveling through the Czech Republic I decided to treat myself to a tank drive. I booked through Offroad Action - http://www.offroadaction.cz/en/homepage/ The driving range was on a former (NATO) military base about 30 kilometres outside Prague. The company had an interesting assortment of vehicles which you could hire, ranging from quad bikes right through to a Soviet T72 tank.
We chose the BMP-1, armoured personnel carrier. The BMP was designed to be a simple to operate, semi-aquatic, multi-purpose armoured personnel carrier. It proved to be so versatile it is still in operational use in dozens of armies around the world. http://tanks-encyclopedia.com/coldwar/USSR/soviet_BMP-1.php
Driving the BMP is easy for anyone who has driven a car. Controls are simple to use and you do not need to use gearbox steering. Turning the BMP is easily done by gently turning the horizontal steering bar. Gently is the optimum word as a sharp turn on the steering bar would throw the tracks in opposite directions, virtually spinning the vehicle like a top. My instructor was very clear - "Do not do this!"
He was also very clear never to use the foot brake. "It will stop too quickly!" The inertia of the tracks is enough to stop the vehicle dead simply by lifting your foot off the accelerator.
A five minute briefing and then a quick orientation when in the cockpit was enough and then we were away.
Both hands on the wheel! Eyes on the road!
We drove the BMP for about half an hour around the track. It was great fun and a real pleasure. Highly recommended.
For more history of the BMP check out here:
https://militarymuseum.blogspot.com/2019/06/musee-des-blindes-samur-tank-museum.html
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