Rob, I read where you began your career in a M48 series tank, so here’s a question.
When the M2 was removed from the cupola, was the barrel port blanked off? If so how? I’ve seen pics from VN that show the .50 on the top of the cupola, and the barrel port covered. I just dont know, nor can I tell, how it was done.
Knowing some jarhead armor types, it wouldn’t surprise me if they stuck a beer can in there. [whstl]
G
The M48A5 I started on used the low profile cupola with an M60D (anti-aircraft-type M60 with butterfly triggers and a circular flip up sight). It was mounted on a pintle that was raised and lowered and held in place with a quick release pin.
There were some tanks in the battalion that had the original style cupola with the M2, but I never rode on one of those. Just remember the type of M2 in the cupola is not the same as the flexible mount M2 that the crews in Vietnam mounted on a pintle.
The cupola type M2 is the same as the type currently used on the M1/A1A2 Abrams series tank. It doesn’t have the butterfly grips or the wooden charging handle. Instead there’s this crappy M10 charging cable that wears out quickly.
Gotcha, thanks!
I’m just gonna plug the hole and build from there.
G
I asked my granpa that question bout 15 yrs ago. He said he used to like to ride on them during convoy support. He said in that platoon all were diffrent. Some used torn canvas stuffed in there and some used a tin can wedged in. He even said this one tc was all gittery and had both 50"s mounted. So I guess you could go any route and be correct. Tankers are just like anything else some ride sloppy and some ride tight. Especially in nam.