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Thanks to Vic Pitts!

Very nice set of pictures,

From what I can read, the RN is 9B3204 or 9B3084. Do you know which it is and what year these were taken ???

BTW, the last photo looks like the original improvised kit made at Fort Knox, you can tell by the TC's "Conning Tower" which I believe used a modified 55 gallon steel drum.

I'd say you had it right the first time, 9B3204, courtesy of enhancement in PhotoShop:

Joe, I emailed bigger immages to you.

And on the A1....

ISTR the conning tower sections on the later iteration were purpose-built and could be extended more-or-less indefinitely. The other purpose we used them for was the safety and salvage diver training for the "Armor Board Navy" (see boat overseeing operation). This was for photography, crew rescue and salvage (should a vehicle sink, including Fordex ops with M551's and M113's). I was recruited to a safety diver position at the Board and we sank some of those extended tubes for training in evacuaton. As you can see, it means a swim-through without your SCUBA rig in a very enclosed space. It holds your attention.

Doug

Does the life preserver bouy hanging off the TC 'stack' say 'SS Minnow' ?

My vision isn't the best these days, and if you squint just right & for long enough......

Regards
Don

What is the device on the tube of the dozer? It looks like an M1897 75mm gun used as a subcaliber training gun, but I don't know how you'd operated the breech or load it.

KL

Kurt,

It is the predecessor to the Hoffman Simulated Tank Firing Device. The bracket hanging from grunt rail below the loaders hatch has the Oxygen and Propane tanks used to make the "Boom", much like those old noise makers they use at runways. No longer in use but the smaller machine gun version was still available from TASC as of 2004 (I had to sign for one at Campbell).

What I find interesting is it being mounted along with the deep ford kit. It would not work after being submerged (unless they modified it too for deep fording ). Curious why both were mounted, maybe it was a demonstrator tank for the Deep Ford Kit, M9 Blade Kit, and the Simulator during an Armor Conference.

Mark, does Mr. Pitts give an explanation for this set up ?

He didn't say anything about the M60 photos. I'm sure he'd love to hear from any of you guys who have questions. vctpit @ aol.com

- Joe_D

Kurt,

It is the predecessor to the Hoffman Simulated Tank Firing Device. The bracket hanging from grunt rail below the loaders hatch has the Oxygen and Propane tanks used to make the "Boom", much like those old noise makers they use at runways. No longer in use but the smaller machine gun version was still available from TASC as of 2004 (I had to sign for one at

That same type of device was at one time on the M4 on Brooks(?) Field in the center of Ft. Knox as a ceremonial and evening retreat gun. They did something more modern to the "Thunderbolt" in later years. For sure the old rig was on there from '71-'73.

I have a picture of that setup, but it's not mine to post. I think it belongs to our member the Agusta 109 pilot (a former gunship driver) who was there about the same time I was or somewhat before. Had pics very similar to mine of the old Patton Museum.

Doug

You are correct. I've seen a number of images of the Brooks Field M4A3E8 with the Sim-Fire Device mounted. I'm not sure which specific vehicle that was.

The current 'salute' vehicle, an M4A3E8, uses blank 75mm rounds fired from a 'live' breech.

Regards
Don