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M3 Halftrack, something new at Ft Bliss Nu4
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Roy_A_Lingle
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Location: El Paso & Ft Bliss, Texas

Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2009 12:00 am
Post subject: M3 Halftrack, something new at Ft Bliss Nu4

Hi Folks!

Staff member showed me this one last Thurday. Per the shipping label the serial number is "4072070". Didn't notice any numbers stamped into the armor. Anyone know if they were stamped into the armor? Staff member though this one might be a runner, or maybe had been a runner.
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Staff member told me that she now has three halftracks and this one is in the best shape.

Spot Report!
Sgt, Scouts Out!

_________________
"You can never have too much reconnaissance."
General G.S. Patton Jr.

tanker2010
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Location: Kansas City, Mo.

Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2009 4:54 am Post subject: Re: M3 Halftrack, something new at Ft Bliss Nu4
Well, sort of a M3. From the boxes on the rear and the interior set up, I'd say it was configured as a M16A1 at some point. M16A1s were converted from M3s, so like I said, sort of a M3.

Roy_A_Lingle
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Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2009 5:24 am
Post subject: Re: M3 Halftrack, something new at Ft Bliss Nu4

Hi KC Amps! Hi Folks!

M16 with a troop door in the rear plate? I noticed those boxes seamed out of place along with the rack for a five gallon bucket. The museum staff member thinks it might have been used a parade vehicle which would explain some of the differences.

M16A1would expain that bulkhead between the cab and the rear compartment.

Interesting.
Sgt, Scouts out!

_________________
"You can never have too much reconnaissance."
General G.S. Patton Jr.

Neil_Baumgardner
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Posted: Tue Nov 10, 2009 2:03 am Post subject: Re: M3 Halftrack, something new at Ft Bliss Nu4
Joe Demarco suggests looking for the "USA Number [RN] stamped into the front bumper on the passenger's side." He also has a "theory that the entire US postwar inventory of M3 type HTs was converted to M16A1 for the Korean War." Neil

Roy_A_Lingle
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Location: El Paso & Ft Bliss, Texas

Posted: Tue Nov 10, 2009 5:26 am
Post subject: Re: M3 Halftrack, something new at Ft Bliss Nu4

Hi Folks!

I didn't even notice that what I reported as the possible serial number off the shipping label was also the RN number painted on the vehicle. Today I noticed on a couple of shipping labels that serial and bumper numbers match the RN painted on the vehicles.

Will have to check the front bumper next time I am in there. I didn't look at the bumper to closely. I was thinking any serial number would be on something that was not removable from the vehicle.

Neil, would a CMH number help you? If so, this halftrack has a Center of Military History (CMH) data plate on the inside of the driver's door. The CMH number is: 970000083.

Follow up spot Report,
Sgt, Scouts out!

_________________
"You can never have too much reconnaissance."
General G.S. Patton Jr.

Neil_Baumgardner
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Posted: Tue Nov 10, 2009 5:33 am
Post subject: Re: M3 Halftrack, something new at Ft Bliss Nu4

- Roy_A_Lingle

Hi Folks!

Will have to check the front bumper next time I am in there. I didn't look at the bumper to closely. I was thinking any serial number would be on something that was not removable from the vehicle.

Funny, I had an M48 veteran once tell me the same thing about tow lugs Wink

Neil, would a CMH number help you? If so, this halftrack has a Center of Military History (CMH) data plate on the inside of the driver's door. The CMH number is: 970000083.

Nah, I've not become quite insidious enough yet to be tracking CMH's numbering system Wink

BTW, here's a couple of similar half-track bumper examples from Joe DeMarco.

Dont feel too bad, I had no idea where to really look on half-tracks myself until today...

Neil

Roy_A_Lingle
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Posted: Tue Nov 10, 2009 5:46 am
Post subject: Re: M3 Halftrack, something new at Ft Bliss Nu4

Hi Neil! Hi Folks!

Thanks to you and Joe for those photos. Now I have a better idea where to look. I am surpised the number would be put on something that could can be removed like a bumper. But then looking at the halftrack today (Monday) it was almost impossable to see a part other than the frame that wasn't removeable.

Sgt, Scouts out!

_________________
"You can never have too much reconnaissance."
General G.S. Patton Jr.

Roy_A_Lingle
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Posts: 1997
Location: El Paso & Ft Bliss, Texas

Posted: Fri Nov 13, 2009 11:02 pm
Post subject: Re: M3 Halftrack, something new at Ft Bliss Nu4

Hi Folks!

Looked this one over last Monday, Didn't find any numbers.
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The front bumper didn't have any numbers on the top. It might be that there is a SN on the front and under one of these two hinges for a tow bar.

Check out this photo. Look at the top front edge of the door frames.
[img]

[/img]
I had noticed the towing lugs before and thought they were just setting up there. Last Monday I noticed they are welded to the top of the door frames.

Follow up spot report.
Sgt, Scouts Out!

_________________
"You can never have too much reconnaissance."
General G.S. Patton Jr.

Neil_Baumgardner
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Location: Arlington, VA

Posted: Sat Nov 14, 2009 12:35 am Post subject: Re: M3 Halftrack, something new at Ft Bliss Nu4
Roy, I assume there's no dataplate inside? You can often see it & photograph it without even needing to open the door or get inside... Neil

Roy_A_Lingle
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Posts: 1997
Location: El Paso & Ft Bliss, Texas

Posted: Sat Nov 14, 2009 4:21 am Post subject: Re: M3 Halftrack, something new at Ft Bliss Nu4
Hi Neil! Hi Folks! The only data plate inside the cab area is one with that CMH number. Sgt, Scouts Out! _________________ "You can never have too much reconnaissance." General G.S. Patton Jr.

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