Com-Central.net

Hi Folks!

Yesterday, Oct 22, 2007, I took the day and drove up to Santa Rosa NM in search of a M-728 that I had heard about on another DG.

The serial number is 280, I think the registration number is JP000. ((Joe D! Does that sound right to you?)) The bumper marking on the right rear fender looks like 34 ENG-34. Which didn't make sense to me at that time. None of the other bumper markings are readable under all the paint.

Went looking for the VFW post to see if I could learn anything about the history of the vehicle. A combat engineer vehicle in New Mexico is a bit out of place. There is no history of engineer units from New Mexico AFAIK. I ran acrossed the local National Guard Armory, possible a long haul transportation unit. Found a SFC who remembered the vehicle arriving in Santa Rosa. It was started and driven off the carrier under it's own power! Went looking for the VFW post again and found a city office for Tourism and Informantion. Stop in and asked them were the VFW post was. Met a Mr Richard Delgado who was very helpfull. He was able to track down the Commander of the local American Legion Post who took time out to come by the Informantion office and talk with me. He remember the day it arrivied in Santa Rosa also. They had to get the National Guard Armory to send out two Hummers to jump start the vehicle because the batteries were ran down. He also told me he though the vehicle had come from Ft. Bliss, Texas.

At that point the right rear bumper marking made sense to me. The vehicle had come from the 34th Engineer COMPANY of the 3rd ACR! I also figured out what the bits and pieces may have been on the left rear bumper, they were for the III Corps, 3rd ACR.

Me, The VFW sign and the ONLY M-728 CEV in the state of New Mexico!


The odometer reading, 1,016.? miles:
i41.photobucket.com/al...sview1.jpg

The driver's compartment serial number data plate, SERIAL Nu is 280, the data plate also has, what I think is, overhaul data of A N A D with a date of 11-89.
i41.photobucket.com/al...AD1108.jpg

The left rear hull stampings, 280 and JP000:
i41.photobucket.com/al...arhull.jpg

Special thanks to Mr. Delgado, Tourism Director for Santa Rosa, Post Commander Edward Salazar of the American Legion Post in Santa Rosa, and that SFC, I forgot to stop and ask his name, at the National Guard Armory.

I had a great day and learned that my new digital camera does a good job even though I can't see just what it is doing!
Spot Report!
Sgt, Scouts Out!

Interesting. Did you find out when it was delivered (just curious). I just checked the TACOM list and it is listed but with a bogus serial number.

You mentioned talking to the A.L. post commander. Is there a VFW Post in town also?

Hi Bob! Hi Folks!

- bsmart

Interesting. Did you find out when it was delivered (just curious). I just checked the TACOM list and it is listed but with a bogus serial number.

Me too, but I didn't think to ask sense I was hoping to make contact with one of the officers of the VFW Post.
Does the TACOM list have the registration numbers?

- bsmart

You mentioned talking to the A.L. post commander. Is there a VFW Post in town also?

I have the name of the VFW Post Commander and a second member, but I ran out of time and wasn't able to track either of them down.

Question folks. Could A N A D stand for Anniston Depot?

Hey Joe! I have been looking for the post were you (??) stated how many CEVs were build. Do you remember that? Also, do you know how many M60A1s were build?

I could use those numbers if anyone has them so I can show the folks in Santa Rosa just how rare that vehicle is. They were thinking is was a recovery vehicle.

Sgt, Scouts Out!

ANAD is definately Anniston Army Depot. Something a little rare I think, it still has a searchlight mount. At least I guess that's what that is.

Hi Mark! Hi Folks!

- MarkHolloway

ANAD is definately Anniston Army Depot. Something a little rare I think, it still has a searchlight mount. At least I guess that's what that is.

That is the searchlight mount! The last version of the searchlight was a bit smaller that the one the M60s had during our days. It was about the same size as the type the Sheridans used.
Close up of the mount:

i41.photobucket.com/al...CEV068.jpg

Spot Report!
Sgt, Scouts Out!

Roy,

Do you have a picture showing a complete side view, I can't tell if she is a Generation 3 or 4 hull. From the picture you posted and the rebuild date she has all the latest upgrades. Passive instead of IR sights, VSS-3 searchlight (Hence the mounting bracket) low IR heater exhaust, VDES air cleaners plus of course upgrade to RISE engine and electrics.

About M728 production numbers, One number published said 243 another I read said 291. I tend to believe 291. My reasoning is the 243 number was from 1966-72. These hulls would be generation 2 and 3 hulls, yet I've seen GEN 4 hulls which had to have been made post 1972. All CEV's produced were made at the Detroit Tank Plant by Chrysler. There were reports of CEV's being made from M60A0 and M60A2 Hulls at Anniston but I have seen no evidence of this. The generally accepted number of M60A1 production in the US has been 7948. In addition to that OTO Melera in Italy made 200 under license. Of all production M60 series vehicles, the CEV was the least produced, More AVLB's and M60A2's were made so they are pretty unusual to see on display. I'm tracking 18 still around but I'm sure there are more stored somewhere. I've seen them in war stock as late as 2000.

If you look at Piney's M60 spotters guide it will show you where the serial and registration number is located on the front hull, which is different than the M60 because of the blade. I wasn't aware of that until Chris Hughes (Toadman) posted pictures of the CEV in Santa Rosa California. I believe this one is missing a digit, should have 6, yours is showing 5. But again these registrations can be wierd sometimes with some having 7 or 8. Never seen a 5 though, and this is a later style number starting with a "J".

Hope this helps and wasn't to long winded

Joe D

Hi Joe! Hi Folks!

- Joe_D

Do you have a picture showing a complete side view, I can't tell if she is a Generation 3 or 4 hull. From the picture you posted and the rebuild date she has all the latest upgrades. Passive instead of IR sights, VSS-3 searchlight (Hence the mounting bracket) low IR heater exhaust, VDES air cleaners plus of course upgrade to RISE engine and electrics.
Joe D

I noticed all that also, but forgot to take a good close look at the hull sides. Hopefully one of the following photos will tell the story:

i41.photobucket.com/al...ntSide.jpg

i41.photobucket.com/al...ftSide.jpg

i41.photobucket.com/al...wheels.jpg

i41.photobucket.com/al...wheels.jpg

i41.photobucket.com/al...wheels.jpg

i41.photobucket.com/al...houtme.jpg

- Joe_D

If you look at Piney's M60 spotters guide it will show you where the serial and registration number is located on the front hull, which is different than the M60 because of the blade. I wasn't aware of that until Chris Hughes (Toadman) posted pictures of the CEV in Santa Rosa California. I believe this one is missing a digit, should have 6, yours is showing 5. But again these registrations can be wierd sometimes with some having 7 or 8. Never seen a 5 though, and this is a later style number starting with a "J".
Joe D

Now you tell me! I took a good look around the front slope and didn't notice any numbers.

Follow up report!
Sgt, Scouts Out!

P.S. Folks!
I have about 200+ photo of this vehicle which I am slowly replacing the file numbers with names so I will be able to remember what part of the vehicle I am looking at!

- Roy_A_Lingle

Hi Joe! Hi Folks!

- Joe_D

If you look at Piney's M60 spotters guide it will show you where the serial and registration number is located on the front hull, which is different than the M60 because of the blade. I wasn't aware of that until Chris Hughes (Toadman) posted pictures of the CEV in Santa Rosa California. I believe this one is missing a digit, should have 6, yours is showing 5. But again these registrations can be wierd sometimes with some having 7 or 8. Never seen a 5 though, and this is a later style number starting with a "J".
Joe D

Now you tell me! I took a good look around the front slope and didn't notice any numbers.

Follow up report!
Sgt, Scouts Out!

The spotters guide was posted in a prominant locatiion it was your responsibility as a respected CIA member to avail your self of the resource

Seriously it is worth printing off and keeping handy if you think you may wander across any member of the M60 family on your travels. Jeff spent a lot of time (with Joe_D's guidance) in putting it together for all of us

Roy,

Here's a picture showing the location on the front slope. Much higher up than the tanks or AVLB's. It will have the SN and RN.

Larger image>ComCentral

Are you gonna use this baby for your 1/35 scale CEV project???


I've been hoping to take some good pictures here at Knox (Been here since Sunday night) but it's rained since:evil: . Freaking miserable weather!!! Wish I could send it Doug's way.

Joe D

- Joe_D

I've been hoping to take some good pictures here at Knox (Been here since Sunday night) but it's rained since:evil: . Freaking miserable weather!!!

Taken a couple of years ago....



M728 in Collection


I had a visit last thursday, from a 'collector' from Texas. He brought that bad Texas weather with him.....

Let's do the 'circuit' tomorrow. Meet at Richardson? (time ??? Anytime after 0800 is good with me....Let me know)

Anybody need anything...? detailed info or pics from Richardson MP?? Any specific vehicle pics???

Let me know

Don

Dontos,

Sounds good to me, hopefully things will dry up. Plan on around 1300 at the earliest.

Joe D

Hi Joe! Hi Folks!

- Joe_D

Here's a picture showing the location on the front slope. Much higher up than the tanks or AVLB's. It will have the SN and RN.

Thanks Joe. I guess I should start making a list of things to do if I get time to make another trip to Santa Rosa.
1. Better pictures of the hull so the Gen can be nailed down.
2. Check the upper right slope for a reg. number.

- Joe_D

Are you gonna use this baby for your 1/35 scale CEV project???

I have placed a special order for a resin conversion kit. With the data and photos you have given me, this set of photos, and a few others I have downloaded over the years, I should get started. I am thinking I will try to make 2008, the year of Engineer type tanks. After all, who needs another Sherman?

- Joe_D

I've been hoping to take some good pictures here at Knox (Been here since Sunday night) but it's rained since:evil: . Freaking miserable weather!!! Wish I could send it Doug's way.

During my last year in the Marines, I was stationed at the El Toro MCAS in southern Orange County. I know what those dry Santa Anna winds can be like. Not good.

Take care and good luck Doug and all the Com-Central folks in the area!

Sgt, Scouts Out!

Roy,

Forgot to say, She's a Generation 4 hull, only 2 heavy lifting eyes per side. From what I can tell she has a later model chin armor turret too.


Joe D

Hi Joe! Hi Folks!

- Joe_D

She's a Generation 4 hull, only 2 heavy lifting eyes per side. From what I can tell she has a later model chin armor turret too.

I may have forgotten to check for the hull generation type, but I did remember to look for later model chin armor!

i41.photobucket.com/al...nArmor.jpg

Spot Report!
Sgt, Scouts Out!

Hi Bob! Hi Folks!

- bsmart

I just checked the TACOM list and it is listed but with a bogus serial number.

Hey Bob! Question, was that vehicle listed at Santa Rosa in

New Mexico OR California?

If you check Toadman's posts, he has pictures of a vehicle that is at Santa Rosa, California.

Interesting how two vehicles end up in two different towns by the same name.
Sgt, Scouts Out!