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Dontos · Posted: Sun Apr 09, 2006 2:31 am Post subject: Vehicle Restoration: M50A1 Ontos

To any (or all) Interested:

Its been awhile since I've bored ya'll with Ontos stuff. Here is a link to the updated Patton Museum Volunteers Ontos Restoration website

" Project Ontos " Restoration Update

Hope ya'll enjoy
Don

SFC_Jeff_Button

Dontos, there is NO way you could bore people, ( at leats not me). I was able to get some cool pictures today because I volunteer, ( and some smooth talking). You're posting is the shizz-nit!! Man, I wish I were doing that. But hey, I'm learning 88N stuff about loading aircraft, ships, trains, and trucks, which is all new to me and very interesting right now. take care and keep us posted on the Ontos project. I WILL be there someday to visit you at Knox!!!

Jens_O_Mehner

Not too worry DOn,

I love your Ontos stuff, I've always had a soft spot for the little beast and still am working on getting at least a 1/87 kit released- you wouldn't know a good source for drawings or plans, since it is so underrepresented in the publishing world?

Cheers,

Jens O.

JeffStringer · ***Power User*** Offline Joined: Jan 24, 2006 Posts: 637

Great stuff!!

And never boring!!

MarkHolloway

{Standing Ovation!}

Dontos

Thanks guys...

Doug_Kibbey

Great stuff, Don!
I hadn't realized previously, that the upper hull attached to the lower just like some oversized plastic scale model. Not a typical arrangement in AFV's.

I guess that means "seam lines" on a model would be perfectly acceptable!

Looking good!
Doug

Dontos

The ability to pull the upper hull greatly ease access to the engine compartment. When setting the pac, for a test run, the process was very easy.

We failed to locate the USMC engine 'shoe horn' to get the pac squeezed into place with the hull on. Shocked

(I'm sure 'ole top' can comment on that tricky manuever.) The pack is a 'hair' smaller than the engine access opening. Very tricky task.

In my experience, I've 'pulled & set' many pacs. The Ontos is perhaps THE most difficult (without causing undue damage), I've ever encountered

FYI:
A seam line would be covered by the fenders, as they bolt on after reattachment of upper and lower. Oddly enough there is a canvas gaskit like strap material which is bolted between primary steel parts(ie upper & lower hull, fenders & hull seam). crude but quite effective.

Don

Dontos

- Jens_O_Mehner

Not too worry DOn,

I love your Ontos stuff, I've always had a soft spot for the little beast and still am working on getting at least a 1/87 kit released- you wouldn't know a good source for drawings or plans, since it is so underrepresented in the publishing world?

Cheers,

Jens O.

uh, maaaaaybeeeee,.... Cool

Don

oldtop · ***Power User*** Offline Joined: Mar 17, 2006 Posts: 70

The power pack is a "red pubic hair" smaller then the opening, the issue sling had an adjustable center point which was adjusted with a long screw to move it (power pack) off center and tilt it as you shoehorned it in.
The issued sling was poorly design and the adjustment screw would strip as you crank it and the pack would slip and drop one end..with luck no one was under it. All maint section built their own slings. I pulled a pack in Nam with a 2" thick rope and snatch block at night with no lights, all by feel.
...Hey Don did you guys have fun connecting the lower radiator hose and oil lines to the heat exchanger! If you guys ever have to change the spark plugs with the pack in you'll have a ball with the right bank plugs. Did your ex-crewmen show you how to check track tention with a string and "Zippo " lighter?..don't forget to count the threads on both sides of the adjuster on the rear idler/roadwheels...there some things you never forget!!!
To clarify: I was a plt. mech in Nam (22 months) had the joy of being on the first "pig" knocked out of action due to enemy action and also both a company and Bn maint chief in the real world..total a little over 5 years...god how I hated "pigs".

Dontos

- oldtop

The power pack is a "red pubic hair" smaller then the opening, the issue sling had an adjustable center point which was adjusted with a long screw to move it (power pack) off center and tilt it as you shoehorned it in.

We used a series of heavy chains and a block & tackle, along with the over head lift.

...Hey Don did you guys have fun connecting the lower radiator hose and oil lines to the heat exchanger!

Fun? yeah I had to get that, but in the knuckle busting effort, there sure didn't seem to be any fun involved!!

If you guys ever have to change the spark plugs with the pack in you'll have a ball with the right bank plugs.

I located 16 brand new milspec plugs. Hope to never have to do that. Rather pull pac than wrestle that....

To clarify: I was a plt. mech in Nam (22 months) had the joy of being on the first "pig" knocked out of action due to enemy action and also both a company and Bn maint chief in the real world..total a little over 5 years...god how I hated "pigs".

I know your 'qualifications', no need to justify that ... When you gonna make a visit? We got a M103A2 & 'your' M51 that could use some love.... Wink

Don

toadmanstankpictures · ***Power User*** Offline Joined: Jan 24, 2006 Posts: 704

Don,
Thanks for posting the update. I've added a link to your site on mine.

Chris

Roy_A_Lingle

Hi Dontos! Hi Folks!

Never bored with your posts about the great work all you folks are doing.

1. Thanks for doing it.
2. Thanks for keeping us informed.

Sgt, Scouts Out! Smile

SHAWN · ***Power User*** Offline Joined: Jan 31, 2006 Posts: 484

thanks don,
gotta love ya. i had been missing your ontos trivia and ontos related postings here at the site. why would any of us be bored with your ontos restoration project?????????????? because of you i have paid more attention the ontos related photos, etc.
anyway, good job don.

Dontos

- SHAWN

thanks don,
gotta love ya. i had been missing your ontos trivia and ontos related postings here at the site. why would any of us be bored with your ontos restoration project?????????????? because of you i have paid more attention the ontos related photos, etc.
anyway, good job don.

Thanks, BTW....

'Your' photo is on the Ontos History (Allis-Chalmers) page. I firmly believe that that 'may be' the first M50.

I'm hoping to find out more on the upgrade transition in 63-65, soon. It might be from that time also.

Trivia: Did you know that M50 Ontos landed at Gallipoli ? Shocked

.....but it was in 1957 with 'Operation Deep Water'...!!! Mr. Green