±Recent Visitors

Recent Visitors to Com-Central!

±User Info-big


Welcome Anonymous

Nickname
Password

Membership:
Latest: HighestAce
New Today: 0
New Yesterday: 0
Overall: 6648

People Online:
Members: 0
Visitors: 230
Total: 230
Who Is Where:
 Visitors:
01: Community Forums
02: Member Screenshots
03: Community Forums
04: Home
05: Home
06: Community Forums
07: Photo Gallery
08: Downloads
09: Home
10: Home
11: Member Screenshots
12: Community Forums
13: Community Forums
14: Statistics
15: Community Forums
16: Photo Gallery
17: Home
18: Your Account
19: Home
20: Community Forums
21: Photo Gallery
22: Community Forums
23: Community Forums
24: Community Forums
25: Member Screenshots
26: Home
27: Home
28: Home
29: Home
30: Home
31: Photo Gallery
32: Photo Gallery
33: Photo Gallery
34: Home
35: Home
36: Photo Gallery
37: Photo Gallery
38: Community Forums
39: Downloads
40: Community Forums
41: Community Forums
42: Home
43: Community Forums
44: Community Forums
45: Home
46: Downloads
47: Home
48: Community Forums
49: Photo Gallery
50: Home
51: Member Screenshots
52: Photo Gallery
53: Community Forums
54: Photo Gallery
55: Home
56: Community Forums
57: Home
58: Statistics
59: Home
60: Community Forums
61: Home
62: Downloads
63: Photo Gallery
64: Home
65: Community Forums
66: Community Forums
67: Home
68: Community Forums
69: Member Screenshots
70: Community Forums
71: Home
72: Home
73: Home
74: Photo Gallery
75: Community Forums
76: Community Forums
77: Home
78: Community Forums
79: Member Screenshots
80: Home
81: Home
82: Community Forums
83: Home
84: Home
85: Home
86: Your Account
87: Home
88: Community Forums
89: News Archive
90: Community Forums
91: Photo Gallery
92: Photo Gallery
93: Community Forums
94: Community Forums
95: Home
96: Home
97: Home
98: Home
99: Home
100: Photo Gallery
101: Home
102: Community Forums
103: Photo Gallery
104: Community Forums
105: Member Screenshots
106: Community Forums
107: Home
108: Home
109: Community Forums
110: Your Account
111: Community Forums
112: Home
113: Photo Gallery
114: Home
115: Photo Gallery
116: Home
117: Community Forums
118: Downloads
119: Home
120: Member Screenshots
121: Home
122: Downloads
123: Home
124: Community Forums
125: Community Forums
126: Photo Gallery
127: Home
128: Home
129: Member Screenshots
130: News Archive
131: News
132: Your Account
133: Community Forums
134: Community Forums
135: Home
136: Community Forums
137: Community Forums
138: Member Screenshots
139: Community Forums
140: Home
141: Downloads
142: Photo Gallery
143: Home
144: Member Screenshots
145: Home
146: Photo Gallery
147: Community Forums
148: Community Forums
149: Community Forums
150: Community Forums
151: Member Screenshots
152: Community Forums
153: Statistics
154: Community Forums
155: Home
156: Community Forums
157: Community Forums
158: Community Forums
159: Community Forums
160: Community Forums
161: Home
162: Community Forums
163: Downloads
164: Your Account
165: Home
166: Home
167: Home
168: Photo Gallery
169: Community Forums
170: Home
171: Home
172: Home
173: Downloads
174: Home
175: Community Forums
176: Community Forums
177: Home
178: Community Forums
179: Home
180: Community Forums
181: Community Forums
182: Community Forums
183: Community Forums
184: News Archive
185: Downloads
186: Photo Gallery
187: Community Forums
188: Community Forums
189: Home
190: Home
191: Home
192: Home
193: Home
194: Photo Gallery
195: Photo Gallery
196: Home
197: Home
198: Home
199: Member Screenshots
200: Home
201: Home
202: Photo Gallery
203: Home
204: Community Forums
205: Downloads
206: Community Forums
207: Home
208: Community Forums
209: Home
210: Home
211: Home
212: Community Forums
213: Your Account
214: Home
215: Member Screenshots
216: Home
217: Community Forums
218: Home
219: Home
220: Home
221: Photo Gallery
222: Photo Gallery
223: Community Forums
224: Home
225: Member Screenshots
226: Community Forums
227: Home
228: Home
229: Home
230: Community Forums

Staff Online:

No staff members are online!
New 'Franken-Tanks' Discovered !!
The AFV ASSOCIATION was formed in 1964 to support the thoughts and research of all those interested in Armored Fighting Vehicles and related topics, such as AFV drawings. The emphasis has always been on sharing information and communicating with other members of similar interests; e.g. German armor, Japanese AFVs, or whatever.
Go to page 1, 2  Next
Post new topic    Reply to topic    Printer Friendly Page     Forum Index ›  AFV News Discussion Board

View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
Dontos
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 24, 2006
Posts: 3436
Location: Vine Grove, KY
PostPosted: Tue Nov 17, 2009 2:45 am
Post subject: New 'Franken-Tanks' Discovered !!

Hey all

These photos were forwarded to me. They were taken over the weekend, during a local MVPA 'trail ride' in the area of the old 'GMD' recovery area.



Regards
Don
Back to top
View user's profile Send e-mail Visit poster's website AIM Address Yahoo Messenger Photo Gallery
MarkHolloway
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Apr 08, 2006
Posts: 2054
Location: Beatty, Nevada
PostPosted: Tue Nov 17, 2009 7:14 pm
Post subject: Re: New 'Franken-Tanks' Discovered !!

Wow! That's an M48 hull. I'll bet there weren't many of these built.

_________________
"TUMBLEWEED"
Back to top
View user's profile Send e-mail Photo Gallery
panamadan
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 29, 2006
Posts: 174

PostPosted: Tue Nov 17, 2009 8:03 pm
Post subject: Re: New 'Franken-Tanks' Discovered !!

Don,
What is the GMD area? Is this tank buried or been outside a LONG time?
Dan
Back to top
View user's profile Send e-mail
Dontos
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 24, 2006
Posts: 3436
Location: Vine Grove, KY
PostPosted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 10:40 pm
Post subject: Re: New 'Franken-Tanks' Discovered !!

Dan

'GMD' or 'Ground Mobility Division' taught Tank Mechanic Track Vehicle Recovery, that these vehicles were a part of.

I have bee further informed that this is 4 seperate vehicles, and the hulls are M48A1's. Although I have not been provided with any additional photos, I was also told that there was an M103 & an M103A1, in the cluster of vehicles.

I am hoping that other individuals present may have taken additional photos. I'll post whatever else I am forwarded.

Regards
Don
Back to top
View user's profile Send e-mail Visit poster's website AIM Address Yahoo Messenger Photo Gallery
Joe_D
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 29, 2006
Posts: 2068
Location: Razorback Country
PostPosted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 11:27 pm
Post subject: Re: New 'Franken-Tanks' Discovered !!

I see an M60A3 in the mix (top left picture, bottom right) Shocked ,

Also, the "Franken Tank" that's stood on to take the pictures in the bottom images appears to be to an M48A3/A5 hull (I believe it's the same one that's missing the right track and idler in the top right picture). Give away is the area where the pack should be and in the front image you can see the comp idler re enforcing extension boss that was used when the hulls were upgraded from A1's to A3's. Pretty sure this is the same one that had been posted a while back in a different location.

Barrel in the bottom left image looks like the old 120mm used on M103's.

Gotta be a reason for the consolidation, most likely they are cleaning up the area since that class is also moving to Fort Benning Sad , These old girls might be scrapped real soon, be a shame to let them get away without salvaging some decent parts.

_________________
Joe_D
Back to top
View user's profile Photo Gallery
Geoff_walden
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 26, 2006
Posts: 133

PostPosted: Sun Nov 22, 2009 10:47 pm
Post subject: Re: New 'Franken-Tanks' Discovered !!

I don't want to start an unfounded rumor, but I heard that there were 21 (yeah, 21!) M2A1 Medium Tanks dug up on Fort Knox this past week. This was supposed to be at GMD as well. I talked to some guys at GMD on Friday, and they said they had heard the same thing, but it wasn't at GMD - it was out in the range or impact area somewhere.

A guy I work with was tasked to certify that these tanks are clear of ammo, and he was asking me for an ammo storage plan or load plan. He didn't actually see the tanks himself.

Did anyone else hear this? This sounds suspiciously like the tanks shown above, except misidentified (badly!) by someone.

Geoff Walden
Back to top
View user's profile
Dontos
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 24, 2006
Posts: 3436
Location: Vine Grove, KY
PostPosted: Sun Nov 22, 2009 11:14 pm
Post subject: Re: New 'Franken-Tanks' Discovered !!

Geoff

I've heard a number of urban legends regarding stuff on Ft Knox, but nothing about M2A1's.

Between the ranges, GMD, & Zussman there is a lot to be discovered and/or accounted for.

Regards
Don
Back to top
View user's profile Send e-mail Visit poster's website AIM Address Yahoo Messenger Photo Gallery
Michel_Krauss
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Oct 30, 2009
Posts: 953
Location: Zuid-Holland, The Netherlands
PostPosted: Mon Nov 23, 2009 12:02 am
Post subject: Re: New 'Franken-Tanks' Discovered !!

Hi folks,

sorry to bother, maybe an strange question

what is an "Franken-Tank" and what is so special about them ?? Confused Confused

All I see is an tank hull in the M48-M60 style with an very special turret

Michel

_________________
I'm Not Crazy, I'm Just Not You
Back to top
View user's profile
Joe_D
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 29, 2006
Posts: 2068
Location: Razorback Country
PostPosted: Mon Nov 23, 2009 2:02 am
Post subject: Re: New 'Franken-Tanks' Discovered !!

Michel,

Name was coined on this site when referring to these creations. All have old M60A2 turrets that were excess when the tanks were turned in and converted to AVLB bridgelayers. These turrets were placed on obsolete hulls (Mostly M48/M48A1) and were used for hard targets at Fort Knox. One eventually ended as a display tank in front of the VFW in Valley Station Kentucky. The rest as far as we know are the ones on the ranges at Fort Knox. Seems to be unique to that post as far as I know.

_________________
Joe_D
Back to top
View user's profile Photo Gallery
JG300-Ascout
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 05, 2005
Posts: 6257
Location: Cyberspace
PostPosted: Mon Nov 23, 2009 2:11 am
Post subject: Re: New 'Franken-Tanks' Discovered !!

- Dontos
Geoff

I've heard a number of urban legends regarding stuff on Ft Knox
Regards
Don


Some things aren't legends, or accounted for....

...like a circular area at CTA (near the river) about 100 meters in diameter where nothing grew or lived. I've seen the effects of defoliation, and that doesn't explain it.

No idea what was behind it.

_________________
"All facts go to clearly prove that Shades is a thrice-cursed traitor & mentally deranged person steeped in inveterate enmity toward mankind"
Back to top
View user's profile Photo Gallery
Dontos
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 24, 2006
Posts: 3436
Location: Vine Grove, KY
PostPosted: Mon Nov 23, 2009 12:32 pm
Post subject: Re: New 'Franken-Tanks' Discovered !!

This is the first 'Franken-Tank' located in Valley Station Ky.



Regards
Don
Back to top
View user's profile Send e-mail Visit poster's website AIM Address Yahoo Messenger Photo Gallery
Michel_Krauss
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Oct 30, 2009
Posts: 953
Location: Zuid-Holland, The Netherlands
PostPosted: Mon Nov 23, 2009 1:07 pm
Post subject: Re: New 'Franken-Tanks' Discovered !!

Joe-D,

thanks for the explanation, so it is an sort of Frankenstein tank

Is putting an obsolete turret on to an obsolte hull not an lot of work for an hard target?
I guess that the M48 hull's have been from complete M48 tanks, so hull with turret

And if it have been complete M48 tanks, what use was there for these M48 turret's?

Michel

_________________
I'm Not Crazy, I'm Just Not You
Back to top
View user's profile
Doug_Kibbey
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 23, 2006
Posts: 4678
Location: The Great Satan
PostPosted: Mon Nov 23, 2009 3:07 pm
Post subject: Re: New 'Franken-Tanks' Discovered !!

- Dontos
This is the first 'Franken-Tank' located in Valley Station Ky.
Regards
Don


Whaddaya' know....the same guy who mis-spelled my name on a couple of my orders is apparently still out there!
Back to top
View user's profile Visit poster's website Photo Gallery
Joe_D
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 29, 2006
Posts: 2068
Location: Razorback Country
PostPosted: Mon Nov 23, 2009 5:45 pm
Post subject: Re: New 'Franken-Tanks' Discovered !!

Is putting an obsolete turret on to an obsolete hull not an lot of work for an hard target?


No, not really with these examples. Turret ring and diameter is the same between M48 and M60, 85 inches. Unbolt the turret ring and the slip ring connections and that's it. M88 has enough lift capability. Only problem would be the crew platform on the M60 series hangs lower than for the M48. In this case that wouldn't matter since those M60A2 turrets didn't come with the platforms (both examples I inspected didn't have them). Just place on top and your done, using just enough bolts for transport. Anniston Army Depot had many M60A2 turrets left over when the converted the hulls to AVLB's

And if it have been complete M48 tanks, what use was there for these M48 turret's?


I still wonder about that myself. With the exception of the one that uses a later M48A3/A5 hull, all the other "Frankentanks" I've seen use M48A1 hulls. The M48A3/A5 hull may have been damaged and unrepairable. I'm pretty sure the turrets from these were sold as parts after being upgraded to 105mm with M60A3 fire control components. Taiwan comes to mind (CM-11). These M48 Hulls would be pretty much useless to anyone since they would require a major retrofit to bring up to M48A5/M60A3 standards. I'm guessing Fort Knox requested some hard targets and Anniston Army Depot created these from junk laying around. They used to do a demonstration Combined Arms Live Fire Exercise once a year that destroyed a lot of old tanks (Do they still do this Don ?). Last time I was there they used a bunch of really nice M60A3's for Targets Crying or Very sad

Anyway, that's my theory

_________________
Joe_D
Back to top
View user's profile Photo Gallery
JimWeb
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 24, 2006
Posts: 1439
Location: The back of beyond
PostPosted: Mon Nov 23, 2009 5:56 pm
Post subject: Re: New 'Franken-Tanks' Discovered !!

- Joe_D


I still wonder about that myself. With the exception of the one that uses a later M48A3/A5 hull, all the other "Frankentanks" I've seen use M48A1 hulls. The M48A3/A5 hull may have been damaged and unrepairable. I'm pretty sure the turrets from these were sold as parts after being upgraded to 105mm with M60A3 fire control components. Taiwan comes to mind (CM-11). These M48 Hulls would be pretty much useless to anyone since they would require a major retrofit to bring up to M48A5/M60A3 standards. I'm guessing Fort Knox requested some hard targets and Anniston Army Depot created these from junk laying around. They used to do a demonstration Combined Arms Live Fire Exercise once a year that destroyed a lot of old tanks (Do they still do this Don ?). Last time I was there they used a bunch of really nice M60A3's for Targets Crying or Very sad

Anyway, that's my theory


Yeah I can confirm that the turrets went to Taiwan.

Also some M60A2 turrets went there as well and were supposed to have been used on fortifications. About two years ago one of the european ammunition manufacturers got a big order from Taiwan for 152mm HEAT ammunition which one assumes were for these turrets.

_________________
TTFN
Jim

If your not a member of JED then your
not serious about anything military..

***********************
www.jedsite.info
JED Military Equipment
***********************
Back to top
View user's profile Visit poster's website ICQ Number
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic    Reply to topic    Printer Friendly Page    Forum Index ›  AFV News Discussion Board
Page 1 of 2
All times are GMT - 6 Hours
Go to page 1, 2  Next



Jump to:  


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You cannot attach files in this forum
You cannot download files in this forum