Students ask some interesting questions. Today, one asked me ‘how many’ tanks I’ve seen and driven, so I started compiling a list. It’s not done yet, but I’ll post it on this thread when I’m done. Would anybody else care to share which tanks / armor he or she has seen, been in, driven, crewed? I’m sure there are a lot of interesting experiences out there!
Personally, I’m surprised how much I’ve been on the ‘Dark Side’[}:)] over my 46 years!
Ron.
Well Ron, I’ve seen everything in the current Army arsenal when I was stationed on Camp Doha, Kuwait for 4 months last year. I haven’t been in any though, I’m an Airman [:D] Let me rephrase that, I’ve been in HumVee’s but I don’t count that as armor [:p]
I was mad that they had security so tight that I couldn’t get any pictures while I was there. I had my digi cam and laptop and could have collected a marvelous modern photo reference. [:(]
Eric
We spent the weekend at Moody AFB in scouts and they had alot of stuff for us to climb all over. They had an armored car that was pretty cool. Of coarse we left an officer scratching his head on how the back door got torn off. He made some comment about how it had made it through desert storm without being damaged and then a bunch of kids tear it up when it got back. Did get to sit in the cockpit of one of the first F-16 to bomb baghdad the first time, not a tank but still cool to do. Of coarse they used the same plane as our alarm clock the next day by flying it right on the trees above us.
Do trips to museums count? [:p] If so, I’ve been to the Imperial War Museum, the museum at Aberdeen, and I’ve seen a trainload of M1’s back in the late 80’s, in Bayonne NJ – they were en route to being shipped over to Germany.
Oh yeah, there are also the M60 and the T-72 at the Intrepid. [:)]
Back when I was in the army I saw M1’s, and I also tried to crawl around a Soviet T62 ? about all I remember about that though is at 6 ft tall and 180 lbs it was a damn tight fit.
If museums count, I’ve seen lots of stuff at Bovington over three visits and earlier this year I paid to drive a Chieftain mk4 and an Abbot SP.
Countless pieces that I have seen in real life and museums.
I have operated M728 CEV, M48 and M60 hulled AVLB, M48A5, M1, M1IP, M1A1, M1A1HA, M1A2, M60A3TTS, M113A2, M113A3, M106A2, M901, M981, M577, M3, M3A1, M88A1, M548, M578 VTR, M551 Sheridan, M60A1, T-59 (ride only), M-84 (Yugo T-72, ride only), M109A4, M109A5, M1064, probably others. I assist my soldiers in “exercising” (read: joyride) the various armor and wheeled vehicles in my motor pool.
I have crewed a lot in my 20 years in the Army (3 National Guard, 16+ active Army). I even got to swim an M113A2 in the Guard and an M3 during drivers training in my Cav course.
I’m a Platoon Sgt. in the New York National Guard and I’ve crewed M60A3 and M-1IP, M1A1 and M1A2. Rode M-113 and M-109. Been in a M2A2 and Climbed all over a Challenger I. Seen…Hmmm Everything in the Patton museum. Russian tanks, T-72, 62, 55, PT-76, BMD and the T-34. IFVs the BMP1 & 2, BTR 60, MTLB and a BRDM. German tanks Leopard II.
Seen what was on display at:
During my 21 years in the army I was a crew member of the following vehicles: M60A1, M551, M48A5, M60A1 Rise Passive, M1, M1A1, M1A1 HA, M113A1 and M577. I’ve been to 3 different U.S. Army museums and the German museum at Munster Lager. I had the honor of working closely with UK troops using FV 432’s, Challenger I and Chieftan. Germans using Leo IA4 and Leo II. Dutch with the same and French troops using AMX 30.
As the Shermster mentioned, UK equipment en route to Alberta.
Plus Bovington Museum, Worthy memorial, and someothers a long time ago which I cannot remember now.
I haven’t got around too much.
Patton Museum and I saw the some vehicles (mainly LAV-25 coyotes) when the CAF was training for peacekeeping duties at Bosnia. They were training in the interlake region in Manitoba. They had it all set up fairly realistic. They had camps in about 7 towns. Helicopters and truck convoys everywhere.
Hmmmm let’s see…
Museums:
At the Fort Stewart Armor Museum, I 've seen an M4 Sherman, M24 Chaffee, M48 Patton, M60 Patton, and a bunch of Iraqi armor including T-55s and T-72s. A local VFW has an M47 Patton, in very good condition.
In Saipan, I’ve seen Chi-Has, Ha-Gos, and even a Sherman.
As for active duty vehicles, I’ve been in and around M-109s, Bradleys and M1A1s at Fort Stewart, and here in Japan I’ve gotten to ride in Type 61 and Type 74 MBTs, along with assorted APCs. I’ve only gotten to see Type 90 MBTs from a distance, unfortunately. And they were tarped!
Okay, finally finished my list! Like Major G. I’ve been in for a looonnnng time: starting in 1975 to 89 with a 12 year break in service until 2000. During the break, I was very active with the Patton Museum as a volunteer / driver. I was also fortunate enough to become a designated Sherman driver for a collector friend. Soooo…
Tanks and AFV’s I’ve crewed:
M109; M109A1; M548; M577 (and A1); M113 (and A1, A2); M60 (slick ‘60); M1 IP; M109A6 Paladin; M992 FAASV (Cat)
Tanks and AFV’s I’ve crewed for shows etc. (operated, driven)
M7 Priest; M32B3E8 Armored Recovery Veh.; M5 Half track; M4A1 Sherman (Canadian Grizzly); M3 Stuart (Diesel); M4A3 Sherman (Mid-Production); T-34/85 Soviet tank; M5A1 Stuart
Tanks and AFV’s I’ve operated for various reasons:
M60A3 Patton; M3 Half Track; M26 Pershing; M48A5 Patton; M20 Utility Car (Armored Car); M4 High Speed Tractor; Trained on M102 (105mm) and M110 (8 inch) Howitzers at Sill also.
Armor I’ve ridden in:
M3 light (gasoline radial), Hetzer, Jagd Panzer IV L70, M728 engineer (M60 series), M114 APC, M60A2 Patton (Starship), Demog D7, M88 / A1
Been in? I can’t remember them all:
M2 / M3 Bradley, M1A1, A2, A3, M1916 (US post WWI), MkIV* (WWI), Churchill, King Tiger (Mk VI, long 75mm), Panther (Mk V), Mk III (Panzer III), Stug III (75mm 105mm), Leopard, Luchs (Lynx? armored car, 1970’s vintage), Leopard I, M8 Armored car, M2 Med, M3A3 Med, M3A3 Light (cleaned out prior to restoration)–also 1st tank I was in in 3rd grade. M3 light (octagonal and ‘horseshoe’ turrets), M4 Sherman 75mm dry, M4A1(E8?) flame thower, M4A3E1 Jumbo (has a full turret floor), M4A3 Early w/ driver’s vision slots, M4A3E8, M4A1E8, M5 Stuart, M24 Chaffee (several), M18 Hellcat, M10, M36, Staghound, LVT4, LVT A / A5, M47, M46, Ontos, M41 Bulldog, M48A3 Patton, M60A1 Patton, T62, T72, BMP, BRDM ,BTR 50, BTR70, PT17 ,T54, T54A, T55, T55 Iraqi, Cheiftan, Centurion, Challenger ,AMX 13, M103A3 and its associated recovery vehicle, T26? (M2 medium w/ twin 37mm cannon), T26 Heavy ,T34 US Heavy, T-95 and E2 US experimentals, MBT70, M108 105mm sph, M8 HMC, Puma Armored car (Tight fit!!)
Been to museums at: Aberdeen Proving Ground, Forts Knox, Hood, Carson, Riley, Sill, McCoy, De Rusie (sp??) in Hawaii. Indianapolis Military Museum (Fred Ropkey’s). Would like to go to Bovington, etc. in Europe… I don’t feel like I’ve been to enough!
Other military vehicles:
M7 Snow tractor (owner), CCKW WWII 2 1/2 ton truck, M151 Mutt, 5 Ton, 2.5 Ton, Gamma Goat, Dodge M37, MB Jeep, Willys Jeep, Diamond T (M19) transporter w/ M4 High Speed tractor in tow. Other ‘wheels’… just can’t remember them… too many.
Like I said, I’d like to go to MORE museums! They’re the best place to see all types of armor[:D]
Ron.
Let’s see…
Drove a 113 a few times, rode in an M1, M2, and M3… Climbed on, over and in Chalengers and Scorpions… Have seen an M4, M5, the old M3 (had on of them as a memorial in a town I grew up near) M109, M60, M48, T-26, Chaffe, and a few others I am sure but can’t remember off the top of my head… I did get to see a burnt up Tiger when I was stationed in Germany back in the 80’s…
Tom
Ron,
I think a list of AFVs you HAVEN’T been in would have been shorter!
That’s an amazing list!
the Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Maryland. mostly WW II’s but i think it’s a good start for me who haven’t seen a real tank before.[;)]
J-Hulk
I started climbing on tanks in 1962 (age 5) and in them in 3rd grade… I think it shows my age and my milage[:(] But, it sure is fun climbing around in them with a camera![:D] I hope that never ends!
I’m impressed with how much everybody has done and how much everybody enjoys armor (when I was in grade school I thought I was the only one who like tanks). We should plan a trip / meet someplace! (bring a model!)
Ron.
Hey Ron, you’re only 6 years older than me!
Yeah, it’s interesting to see everyone’s armor experiences.
My only claim to fame here is that so far I’m the only one who has ridden in modern Japanese armor!
I don’t live near any arsenals except for a National guard training center, and the sargent in charge of the M1A1 theresad I can take a ride in it! He will look at his schedule to see when is a good time, but hopefully it will be soon!