Com-Central.net

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

I know most have seen this video on the A2.

www.youtube.com/watch?...annel_page

I just thought it was worth another look.

Joe_D

I haven't seen it,

BTW, the RN makes her actually one of the FT Knox original M60A1E2's that later were called M60A2's. Wish it was clearer to get an exact #, but is definitely 09A----. Probably one of Doug's former rides. Know the area well where they filmed.

Thanks for posting

Doug_Kibbey

- Joe_D

I haven't seen it,

BTW, the RN makes her actually one of the FT Knox original M60A1E2's that later were called M60A2's. Wish it was clearer to get an exact #, but is definitely 09A----. Probably one of Doug's former rides. Know the area well where they filmed.

Thanks for posting

Joe,

I'm thinking this was before the IPT (or possibly after, but my guess is before). Our vehicles did not have those three white blocks on right front glacis (is that an artifact of a mounting ladder there, can't tell from the video?). "Test Operation" markings are not readily apparent and the few crew visible are not wearing Nomex (which we'd be authorized and issued well beforehand, and everybody preferred). No patches on right shoulders, either. Given that they are wearing the old "dome" CVC's, I think this pre-dates my Board time. Vehicle might also belong to the Armor School, as they trained us. I can't make out bumper markings in this video.
For sure some of the neighborhood is familar ground.

Quiz question: At 1:44, what switch has the loader just thrown? Wink

Joe_D

He's either opening or closing the breech from what I can tell.

Loaders panel

Doug_Kibbey

- Joe_D

He's either opening or closing the breech from what I can tell.

Loaders panel

You are correct, Sir. I always thought this switch was poorly placed and should have been swapped with the turret blower switch at top left, which just made more sense to me in a combat vehicle. Opening/closing breach is the most important think a loader does in live fire, why make the switch obscure and difficult to reach?

Joe_D

Should've been on the breech assembly and made more durable, much like the later Arm/Safe lever on the 105mm IMO. I could see an excited loader flipping the wrong switch or even breaking it off Shocked

After close study here are my conclusions (FWIW)
Time frame of the video had to be after Nov 1971, since the system wasn't designated M60A2 until then.

Looking closer it seems it's a collage using at least 2 different tanks. At 2:13 you can make out white stenciling on the front fender supports. Although illegible, the only tanks I've seen with markings in that location were pictures of the ones at Knox, right fender having TEC Armor/Engineer Board and left the bumper number. At 2:41 you see a shot of the rear stowage box with lettering which could be "Test Operations". Also a known location where "Test Operations" markings were.

About the uniforms and Dome CVC's,
I think those scenes showing the Loader and Driver are of 1st ATB trainee's doing evacuation drills. Until you got orders to a specific Division/Unit you didn't get to wear a patch. I didn't until I got to West Germany, since my orders were Generic 21st Replacement. Would explain the dome helmets and lack of Nomex too. We still had some of those old CVC's in our Squadron as late as 1985 as loaners when the later ones tore up, called them " Gazoo" CVC's Laughing

. I don't even want to discuss NOMEX, never had them until I got on M1's in 1990. Most M60 crews just didn't get them. Were told they were "War Time use only". I doubt very seriously they would give NOMEX and the newer CVC's to a bunch of trainee's to tear up.

As far as those white blocks on the front go, I have no idea at all. Some weird recognition system maybe for test ops?????