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Hi Gang,

We’ve added our photos of the M103 to the gallery - now we have the complete set - M103 & M60A3. Enjoy!

Loren worked her high-angle magic - plenty of shots of the interesting engine deck.

Gallery link:
www.vgbimages.com/AFV-...706_Rnnvrm

M103 Teasers:

nice! Those are better than my pictures of that vehicle. How did you get the high angle pictures?

- Walter_Sobchak

nice! Those are better than my pictures of that vehicle. How did you get the high angle pictures?

Some of our more dedicated photographers have cobbled together some extendable camera poles. There are also some commercial versions, such as this one Trevor tipped us to:

www.quikpod.com/dslr-m...ripod.html


On wider ranging pic discussion, there's a whole multi-page thread dedicated to takin' pitchers..

www.com-central.net/in...mp;t=13085

Camera Pole is the way to go to get some really good high angle shots or over fences. Also helps when they won't let you climb on them.

Thanks for posting the pics VB.

This tank is definitely an odd ball. Hull has small drivers hatch and does not have the turntable opening for the M24IR drivers night sight. All M103's had the night sight, part of BII. Makes her one of the early T43/43E1 tanks that didn't get upgraded to M103 standards. RN number is bogus, missing a digit and all wrong. Shame, might help ID her. Of the initial batch of T43E1's all but 6 were converted to M103. The remaining 6 we kept for testing. Some hulls were used for experimental turrets like the T57 and T58. Others for testing upgrades to automotive and turret improvements eventually for use in M103A1 and A2 Tanks. Based on these pictures I'd bet the hull was one of those 6 and eventually was used to test the AVDS-1790 set up used in the M103A2. The turret looks like an M103A1. Cupola and lack of searchlight fittings indicate so, but with these pictures I can confirm it's not an M103A2. The bulge located under the turret bustle where the gunner was originally located in the M103 is complete. When they converted M103's to A1's they moved the gunner forward but the bulge remained. When upgraded to M103A2 standards they had to cut part of the bulge off and plate it over in order for it to clear the newer, higher rear deck. This one isn't cut. Just wish I had a better image of the sight housing opening and top of turret.

There is an odd chance this tank started off as a T43E1, then was used to make one of the pilot T43E2/M103A1's, then eventually was used to test the M103A2 diesel setup. Also could be they stuck this excess M103A1 turret on this hull that was used for all sorts of experiments. That's the problem with the standard 85" turret ring. You can plop any turret with the same diameter on it for display, Covers M48's all the way to M1A2SEP version whatever.

Great pics as usual VB! Thanks for sharing.

Walter, if you have question or looking for suggestion on "poles" or any other photographic equipment, just ask on the dedicated thread.

Massimo