The AMX-13 is a French light tank produced from 1952 to 1987. It's also the first tank that Singapore had. The tank was purchased from Israel in 1969, four years after the 1965 independence, to strengthen the military. The tank was upgraded to AMX-13 SM1 in 1988, was in service until 2008 and was replaced eventually Leopard 2SG from Germany. Singapore used to have the largest fleet of AMX-13 which is incredibly impressive for a small island country.

Weight of this tank is 13.7 tonnes without load. Maximum speed is up to 60 km/h.

That's my sketch of the tank drawn with pen, ink and watercolour. Tools used are Uniball Air, Da Vinci Casaneo pocket watercolour brush, Daniel Smith watercolour and a custom made sketchbook with Arches watercolour paper.

I haven't been out urban sketching for a long time and it's was fun sketching this on a hot day.

The tank is out on display in front of the National Museum of Singapore as part of the exhibition Dislocations: Memory & Meaning of the Fall of Singapore, 1942 which is running from 29 Jan to 29 May 2022. The exhibition marks the 80th anniversary of the British Surrender to the Imperial Japanese Army in Singapore on 15 February 1942. Admission is free for Singaporeans and Permanent Residents.

More can be learned about WWII and Singapore at Changi Chapel and Museum and Reflections at Bukit Chandu.