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BTW, good to hear from Doug again. Hope you are doing well my friend!

I drove around north fort today and I found 1-M4, 1- M60, 2- M3 halftracks, 1- M113, a 75mm pack howitzer, and a recently retired 155mm towed howitzer. I have serial number for everything but the howitzers. I will try and get the photo's uploaded here on Sunday.

I am having issues getting pictures to post but will attempt it again. Serial numbers were as follows;
M4 = 673
M60= 9B4544
Halftracks were= M3 6236 and 293739
M113= 12PO6268 /C4742

Hi Folks! Hi Jeff!

Welcome back to the states!

That first M3 is a converted APC to M16 Quad 50 MG carrier.
There is one of those here at Ft. Bliss.

The M113 is a mo-gasser that was upgraded with a diesel engine.
Notice the left rear fender which still has the drain channel for the original fuel tank drain.

Sgt, Scouts out!

- SFC_Jeff_Button

I am having issues getting pictures to post but will attempt it again. Serial numbers were as follows;
M4 = 673

673 can't be the serial number for this M4A1(76). Here is the range of Serials for that type of Shermans :

Production Order T-4166/2 : 1130 tanks with VVSS manufactured: Serial Number 37900 / USA 3070497 through S/N 39029 / USA 3071626

Production Order T-4344/1 : 831 tanks with VVSS manufactured: Serial Number 51850 / USA 3084447 through S/N 52680 / USA 3085277

Production Order T-14608/1 : 1327 tanks with VVSS or HVSS manufactured: Serial Number 67701 / USA 30125680 through S/N 69027 / USA 30127006

if you can locate the "side number", this would help to estimate the correct SN :

I have SN 52499 for this M4A1(76)W, provided by Kurt Laughlin.

Michel

- SFC_Jeff_Button

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Jeff,
Here's a totally noob question from an admittedly non-redleg:

Looking at that direct fire range plate, it seems that at least a couple of projectiles require some elevation (presumably above "level") to reach ranges in the "few hundred meters" range, while others do not. Does that mean that those with no elevation spec are shooting flat from 400-1,400 meters? Am I interpreting that right? If so, what accounts for the necessary elevation on the other rounds...weight of projectile, charge weight? And does no elevation mean fired straight and true "on the bubble", that is, dead level?

What is the second specification (one the second line) for each projectile (to what does it refer)?. For example, for the L15 HE projo, what is denoted by the "M203 PC (RB)" reference (and for any of the other projos, if you know).

While these are all HE projos (from what I can make out) and probably intended for use against soft targets advancing on position, I'm surprised to see that you can fire to over a thousand meters with no appreciable "projo drop" (at least, none that needs to be corrected for since it'll be splashing the ground). Presumably there's a direct fire sight that is bubbled to level, can you tell us (or maybe just me, since I might be the only one that doesn't know) how that works?

I suppose if you're firing on targets at 600 meters with this thing, the battleplan has gone severely pear-shaped.

D.

- SFC_Jeff_Button

I drove around north fort today and I found 1-M4, 1- M60, 2- M3 halftracks, 1- M113, a 75mm pack howitzer, and a recently retired 155mm towed howitzer. I have serial number for everything but the howitzers. I will try and get the photo's uploaded here on Sunday.

Looks like the maintenance budget for them is non-existant?

Doug

the top line represents the shell type, M107 is the old style 155 artillery shell from the fifties, L15 is the shell designed by the British/German for the FH70and the first probably is the M795 shell that replaced the M107.
Second line is the type of charge, M4A2 is the old style bag type with charge 1-7 (1 and 2 are hardly used) WB stands for white bag I believe. M119A1 was designed to be used with the longer barrel howitsers and was only available as charge 8, again WB stands for white bag. The M203 charge is also a charge 8, equiped with a central igniter core and used for extended range ammunition and only with long barrel howitsers, in this case RB stands for red bag.
The reason the M107 shell needs elevation is probably the less aerodynamical shape and the less powerfull charge used with this type of shells.

Michel

Tichenor,
I will go back this week and see if I can find that serial number. I doubt the museum knows anything about this M4, which is why I would like to find out as much as possible on it as well as any of their vehicles so I can relay that information to them. I like learning about build dates and orders as well as where a tank has been and if possible, finding out if it was ever used in combat.