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Ghosts of Fort Knox
The AFV ASSOCIATION was formed in 1964 to support the thoughts and research of all those interested in Armored Fighting Vehicles and related topics, such as AFV drawings. The emphasis has always been on sharing information and communicating with other members of similar interests; e.g. German armor, Japanese AFVs, or whatever.

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silviop15
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Posted: Mon Jan 18, 2016 5:32 pm Post subject: Ghosts of Fort Knox
I remember reading on armorfortheages.com that mutiple range searches had been conducted on Fort Knox. Was anything recovered? Lots of M3/M4 turrets looked like they could of been salvaged. Are there any plans for future searches?

Garry_Redmon
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Posted: Mon Jan 18, 2016 7:19 pm
Post subject: Re: Ghosts of Fort Knox

Texas National Guard Museum volunteers have recovered two M1918 caissons from one of the ranges, but nothing else has been recovered. We searched the ranges in hopes of finding some items to re-populate the exhibits inside the Patton Museum. We thought that what was found, M3A4 Lee, two M3 Stuarts, caissons, Christie tank and such would be good additions to the museum in regards to the history of Fort Knox, but the director at that time said no.

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silviop15
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Posted: Mon Jan 18, 2016 7:33 pm Post subject: Re: Ghosts of Fort Knox
Is there a new director? Is any of the stuff in danger?

Garry_Redmon
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Posted: Mon Jan 18, 2016 7:50 pm Post subject: Re: Ghosts of Fort Knox
Yes, there is a new director but she has not shown any interest either. While the ranges are not being used as extensively as in the past, there is always a danger that these relics could be damaged even more. _________________ armorfortheages.com/

silviop15
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Posted: Mon Jan 18, 2016 7:59 pm Post subject: Re: Ghosts of Fort Knox
I thought all the armor went down south? What is still shooting at them? Is it possible to just salvage them to get them off the range, even if they are not put on display?

Pzkpfw-e
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Posted: Tue Jan 19, 2016 11:28 am
Post subject: Re: Ghosts of Fort Knox

- silviop15

I thought all the armor went down south? What is still shooting at them?

Is it possible to just salvage them to get them off the range, even if they are not put on display?

The antique bits probably aren't used as targets anymore.
Getting stuff off even inactive ranges isn't easy these days. Health & safety kick in, ranges tend to have various bits of unexploded ordnance lying around, which will need clearing first ($$$$$), then you need the kit to get whatever you've found out of the hole it's in & off the range ($$$$$$$$$$$) It'll need checking for noxious substances ($$$$$$$$$$) and before any of that is done, whoever's in charge of the range needs to give their OK.
Just getting your rusty lump off & leaving it in a heap somewhere, even with a tarpaulin over it, isn't much better than leaving it in-situ. The tidy military mind may kick in and unless it's paintable,it'll probably get lobbed into the recycling skip!
Historically, those in charge of ranges haven't necessarily been too interested in the historical significance of what's been shot to bits.

Garry_Redmon
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Posted: Tue Jan 19, 2016 4:00 pm
Post subject: Re: Ghosts of Fort Knox

- Pzkpfw-e

- silviop15

I thought all the armor went down south? What is still shooting at them?

Is it possible to just salvage them to get them off the range, even if they are not put on display?

The antique bits probably aren't used as targets anymore.
Getting stuff off even inactive ranges isn't easy these days. Health & safety kick in, ranges tend to have various bits of unexploded ordnance lying around, which will need clearing first ($$$$$), then you need the kit to get whatever you've found out of the hole it's in & off the range ($$$$$$$$$$$) It'll need checking for noxious substances ($$$$$$$$$$) and before any of that is done, whoever's in charge of the range needs to give their OK.
Just getting your rusty lump off & leaving it in a heap somewhere, even with a tarpaulin over it, isn't much better than leaving it in-situ. The tidy military mind may kick in and unless it's paintable,it'll probably get lobbed into the recycling skip!
Historically, those in charge of ranges haven't necessarily been too interested in the historical significance of what's been shot to bits.

Army National Guard units are still using the ranges from time to time. Even the Navy, Marines, the FBI and Secret Service use them occasionally. There are still aerial bombardment and helo areas. So far the most intact of the vehicles we found are not in prime range areas. We marked off the Christie hulk before we left, but vegetation has probably reclaimed our efforts.

As cooperative as the Range Control staff were in helping with our searches, they are not inclined to incur the cost of reclaiming these artifacts because, as Pzkpfw-e stated, it is an expensive and time-consuming process. They have been cut back in staff and funds and have no reason to do salvage work. However, a museum, like the Texas National Guard Museum, that wants to salvage items need only contact Knox Range Control, make the arrangements and pay for it all.

Garry

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