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Hi Folks!

I think we have a number of newer members sense the last time the M-60
A0 name came up, so I though it would be a good time to go over the use of that term.

Back when the M-60 (no A number) was starting to be replaced by the M-60A1, many tankers would refur to the M-60 (no A number) as the 'Slick 60'. A term I have always heard.

Others used the term 'Turtle' when talking about the M-60 (no A number) vis the later M-60A1s and M-60A2s. A term I first heard after I started hanging out here so I have no idea when it came into use.

A few years back, I notice in a number of articles in Army and Armor magazines that refered to the M-2 (no A number) Bradleys as M-2A0s. That sounded like a good idea to me so that others would understand which vehicle was being talked about. Kind of a common sense idea.

I starting using A0 (zero) with the M-60A0 so that others would understand I was talking about that version and not the A1, A2, or A3s.

Being lazy, I figured that A0 (zero) was faster to type and was just as clear as Slick 60 or Turtle.

I guess it might be time for an update now that Sabot has explained the differences between the early vis later versions of the M-60A0. we could use M-60A0E (early) and M-60A0L (late). That's not much different than M-60A1 Rise or M-1A2 Sep is it?

Hope this explains why different folks are using different terms when they are all talking about the same vehicle.
Sgt, Scouts Out!

Other than the quick visual location of the lift rings, I don't know of any real differences between the two sub-variants of the Slick 60.

Early turret with M48 style lift rings


Later style with A1/A3 style lift rings

Roy, Sabot, everyone.
I agree with you Roy, M60A0 will now be how I refer to the "Turtle Top" , "Slick" or "M60". (TM 9-2350-215-10). It just makes sense.

As far as telling the difference from a an early turret and late, Sabot said it all. There isn't any. Just the lifting rings. Remember, the first 360 were made in Newark Delaware before production moved to Detroit. Other than the serial number I haven't been able to tell the difference. It doesn't help that they got upgraded and rebuilt numerous times over the years.

Joe D

M60A0 makes sense to me too - easy to use. I'll call my modeling efforts along those lines accordingly.

For the M1A2 SEP - the visual external differences are easy to spot - but not dramatic. One can't miss the trunking underneath the Turret Bustle for the Thermal Management System. Same for the UAAPU fit for the left rear corner of the Hull, in place of the fuel tank that iis there in previous variants of the Abrams Tank.

Jim