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Museo della motorizzazione dell'Esercito" it's the exact name, it translate to something like "Army's motorization museum", so it's not just about AFVs. It's located in Roma, inside army's barracks, it has a large amount of soft-skins, many AFVs and a bunch of artillery as well.

Pictures were taken back in 1998, before I "went digital". Hope to be there again, later this year and cover all the vehicles I missed last time (among them M47, M60, Leopard and more).

M7 Priest:



M24:



M29:



M32:



M41. I am afraid the one behind it is an M60, I don't have pictures of this, sorry Joe




M53:




M74:




Massimo

The M41, that's actually an M44.

Those are pretty good pictures for being 11 years old. Thanks for sharing!

Thanks Jeff. Of course you are right, the M41 is the tank.

Massimo

Massimo,

That's OK, She should be an M60A1.

When you do go back I sure would love to see better pictures of her. I also would really appreciate a Serial Number and if possible identify if this particular one is of the 200 OTO Melera constructed.

Some pictures of italian M60:

The tank

Interior

Massimo

- Massimo_Foti

Some pictures of italian M60:

The tank

Interior

Massimo

Fotografie interne fantastiche! Grazie molto!

That website is full of interesting photo galleries. Not the easiest to navigate, but worth investigating for sure:

Reference galleries

Massimo

Thank you Massimo,

That M60A1 is an IR sight non stabilized gun model, in other words, basic version that was made during the 60's. It even has the older intercom system installed. Looking at the pictures closely I believe she was one of the tanks made from kits by OTO Melera. My reasoning is because all the interior data plates are in Italian. Export models would be in English to my knowledge. The M60A1's Austria and Iran got around the same period were all in English originally, Unless they replaced them when she was rebuilt. There is an exterior picture showing a rebuild plate below the grill doors. That is where Chrysler placed their build plates on the Generation 2 hulled vehicles. I'd sure would love a serial number of of her. Would help correctly ID her.

Are there any M60's on display in Italy close to the Austrian border? If so I might be able to see them since I'm supposed to travel to Graz this fall. I plan on seeing the Austrian M60's too. That is if time permits.

I am pretty sure Brigata Ariete keeps at least an M60 in Pordenone, but that's inside their barracks. Typically those aren't accessible unless on "Army day", November 4th or other special events.

It's a problem that affects many historical AFVs in Italy. Army units keep their own "collections" inside their barracks, they take care of them, but they hard to visits.

Before travelling to Pordenone (not too far away from the austrian border), I suggest you try to get in touch with Ariete's PR officer

Italian Army page on Ariete

Contact info for Ariete

Massimo

My experience with getting into foreign military collections suggests that it's alway best to "aim high" on your contact person and be clear about your purpose. Approaches to junior officers and other are more uncertain....it's always safer for them to say "no" and no good can come of taking a risk and saying "yes".

With senior figures, they have no one to answer to on whether access is granted so it's a no-risk proposition for them. Apply as far up the food chain as you can get a name and be clear about purpose. And never give up...sometimes it takes 2-3 attempts to get the access that you desire.

Those are definitely good suggestions

In my experience it tends to be easier to deal with air force people, since they are much more used to having enthusiasts and want to visit and take pictures. There are more books, magazines and the like covering aviation fans, life is harder for AFVs geeks

Massimo

Massimo said:

life is harder for AFVs geeks

Same same could be said between Air Crews and AFV crews for the most part.

- Joe_D

Massimo said:

life is harder for AFVs geeks

Same same could be said between Air Crews and AFV crews for the most part.

Even if you make it the aircraft maintainers vs the AFV crews since the Air Crew is almost exclusively Officers and doesn't really do any work I would agree.

But I'll admit that was one of the reasons I joined the Air Force instead of the Army. It sure wasn't because of the chance for promotion