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Dontos · Posted: Sat Sep 04, 2010 7:51 pm Post subject: Focus on the M47

I spent several hours in RMP on Friday (yesterday).

In the past few weeks, there has been alot of movement within the Motor Pool. Vehicles have been grouped together based on destination. More on that later....

I noticed that the escape hatch was open in the M47 that has been stored in the LST building, and a former foreign service vehicle. I assume the markings indicate that it was a former Belgian Army vehicle.....

I was amazed by the interior. Climbing into the bow gunner escape hatch, I found it is a right hand drive. The drivers compartment is filled with an aux ammo rack. This was new to me, as this is my first M47 experience.

The drivers ontrols are the same as the Prototype Heavy tanks. 'Joy Stick' driven...

More to follow
Regards
Don

Dontos · Posted: Sat Sep 04, 2010 8:02 pm Post subject: Re: Focus on the M47

The breech was up, so I opened it. It is fully functional & lubricated.

All markings & data plates were present and all seemed original US stuff with no Belgian Army markings.

The original vehicle data plate was present, but can't get a decent shot of it since the 'drivers side' ammo rack was obstructing the view.

More to follow
Regards
Don

Dontos · Posted: Sat Sep 04, 2010 8:18 pm Post subject: Re: Focus on the M47

The tank seems to be complete. The sights are still mounted but these ballistic table kind of caught my eye.

Mounted on the right side of the turret, above the gunners position:

Mounted on the left side of the turret, above the loaders position:

Regards
Don

L.Delsing · ***Power User*** Offline Joined: Feb 10, 2006 Posts: 960

Interesting, indeed it looks like a Belgian r/n. could you read the complete number??

Regards,
Lesley

MarkHolloway · Posted: Sat Sep 04, 2010 8:51 pm Post subject: Re: Focus on the M47

You lucky dog!

Dontos · Posted: Sat Sep 04, 2010 9:57 pm Post subject: Re: Focus on the M47

Lesley

I don't seem to have any good clear close up shots of the R/N.

The best I can make out is '538_ _ '.

I'll be back to RMP on Wednesday so I'll check on that and see if I can make out the missing digits.

Regards
Don

TrevorLarkum · Posted: Sat Sep 04, 2010 10:34 pm Post subject: Re: Focus on the M47

I saw and photographed a number of M47's at Fort Knox when I visited in 1983, including this one. Oddly, though, it had no registration painted on it then, which I'm at a loss to understand.

MarkHolloway · Posted: Sat Sep 04, 2010 11:21 pm Post subject: Re: Focus on the M47

- TrevorLarkum

I saw and photographed a number of M47's at Fort Knox when I visited in 1983, including this one. Oddly, though, it had no registration painted on it then, which I'm at a loss to understand.

I wonder if that's because it wasn't in US service?

TrevorLarkum · Posted: Sat Sep 04, 2010 11:41 pm Post subject: Re: Focus on the M47

I mean that it's the same tank that's in Don's photo, but in 1983 the part that now has a faded registration number appears then to have been blank.

tankbarrell · ***Power User*** Offline Joined: Jan 24, 2006 Posts: 56

I seem to remember that it was the Bundeswehr M47s that were rh drive. There were a few imported into the UK for use as range targets.

Kurt_Laughlin · ***Power User*** Offline Joined: Jan 24, 2006 Posts: 577

- Dontos

The original vehicle data plate was present, but can't get a decent shot of it since the 'drivers side' ammo rack was obstructing the view.

Try to wipe the grime off with a rag on a stick, then use a mirror on a stick to photo the S/N.

(Something like this one, but I have a larger rectangular one.)

In any case, let us know if the plate and tow lug numbers match.

In the same vein, are there any M41s or M42s accessible? The question of the two numbers on the mod plate is still open.

Thx,
KL

Dontos · Posted: Sun Sep 05, 2010 4:55 pm Post subject: Re: Focus on the M47

Kurt

I'll try you suggestion and see if I get better results

As for the M41's available there are 2 in RMP that I may be able to access.

The duster question I thought was answered with the M42 data plate I found. I'll dig thru my various harddrives to find those photos. Unfortunately the M42 has been shipped to Ft Benning back in Feb, so I can't check it.

I'll see about getting some good photos on the M41's .....after I trace that box in the drivers hole of the T34......ha ha ha

Regards
Don

Tichenor · Posted: Sun Sep 05, 2010 7:21 pm Post subject: Re: Focus on the M47

- Dontos

I assume the markings indicate that it was a former Belgian Army vehicle.....

Don, the only marking I'm seeing is a part of the R/N, but with 538.. its exactly in the range for the M47's we had. Normaly a Belgian Army vehicle should have at least a black square with the unit number in the upper corner. A regimental insign is frequently applied.

All markings & data plates were present and all seemed original US stuff with no Belgian Army markings.

We usually don't change the data plates or markings on our vehicles, even the vehicles witch where build here in Belgium have data plates and markings in the original language (lucky we haven't got any russian or chinees vehicles).

tichenor

Tichenor · Posted: Sun Sep 05, 2010 7:25 pm Post subject: Re: Focus on the M47

- TrevorLarkum

I saw and photographed a number of M47's at Fort Knox when I visited in 1983, including this one. Oddly, though, it had no registration painted on it then, which I'm at a loss to understand.

If the R/N has been applied after 1983, it shouldn't look like that, we have
a M47 here with the markings on it from the fifties and they look far better than those.
Tichenor

Dontos · Posted: Sun Sep 05, 2010 8:43 pm Post subject: Re: Focus on the M47

Currently there are 4 M47's on Ft Knox. 3 are in RMP and one is at Stithton Traffic Circle.

I did recently locate photos of the 'cut-away' M47, prior to it being cut open. It was on display in the museum for many years. As I recall, 'we' pulled it out of the museum in 2002 or so.

Regards
Don

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