People: Sep. 29, 1986

Admirers and critics alike have dubbed her the "Iron Lady," but who knew that PM also stood for perfect marksman? Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher was taking no flak last week as she fired a round from a Challenger tank at the NATO training ground near Fallingbostel, West Germany. She and West German + Chancellor Helmut Kohl were making their first joint visit to British forces stationed in the area. Decked out in stout walking shoes, flowing scarf and goggles, Thatcher looked like a "cross between Isadora Duncan and Lawrence of Arabia," as the Daily Telegraph affectionately put it. With the help of a few tips from the commander of the Royal Hussars' regiment, the British leader locked on her target with a laser beam and pulled the trigger, sending a 6-lb. practice shell 1,000 yds. directly to its mark. Kohl too scored a hit. "I loved it!" exclaimed Thatcher. Asked if her performance meant that women should be frontline soldiers, she dodged, but only slightly. "I'm sure after today you would approve of having a woman Prime Minister, who, after all, has to make some very difficult decisions should things ever get problematic." Yes, ma'am.