±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: 300
Total: 300
Who Is Where:
 Visitors:
01: Community Forums
02: Community Forums
03: Home
04: Statistics
05: Community Forums
06: Member Screenshots
07: Home
08: Downloads
09: Community Forums
10: Community Forums
11: Community Forums
12: Member Screenshots
13: Home
14: Member Screenshots
15: Community Forums
16: Downloads
17: Your Account
18: Community Forums
19: Member Screenshots
20: Home
21: Home
22: Home
23: Member Screenshots
24: Community Forums
25: Photo Gallery
26: Home
27: Home
28: Home
29: Downloads
30: Member Screenshots
31: Community Forums
32: Contact
33: Downloads
34: Member Screenshots
35: Home
36: Community Forums
37: Community Forums
38: Community Forums
39: Home
40: Community Forums
41: Photo Gallery
42: Community Forums
43: Home
44: Home
45: Photo Gallery
46: Community Forums
47: Community Forums
48: Community Forums
49: Community Forums
50: News Archive
51: Member Screenshots
52: Community Forums
53: Community Forums
54: Community Forums
55: Community Forums
56: Community Forums
57: Member Screenshots
58: Photo Gallery
59: Community Forums
60: Home
61: Home
62: Community Forums
63: Community Forums
64: Home
65: Member Screenshots
66: Home
67: Community Forums
68: Home
69: Photo Gallery
70: Home
71: Photo Gallery
72: Community Forums
73: Home
74: Home
75: Photo Gallery
76: Home
77: Home
78: Community Forums
79: Community Forums
80: Downloads
81: Community Forums
82: Community Forums
83: Community Forums
84: Member Screenshots
85: Community Forums
86: Member Screenshots
87: Community Forums
88: Community Forums
89: Community Forums
90: Community Forums
91: Community Forums
92: Community Forums
93: Community Forums
94: Community Forums
95: Community Forums
96: Community Forums
97: Community Forums
98: Member Screenshots
99: Home
100: Home
101: News Archive
102: Member Screenshots
103: Community Forums
104: Community Forums
105: News
106: Home
107: Home
108: Community Forums
109: Member Screenshots
110: Downloads
111: Community Forums
112: Member Screenshots
113: Home
114: Community Forums
115: Home
116: Home
117: Downloads
118: Community Forums
119: Photo Gallery
120: Photo Gallery
121: Community Forums
122: Home
123: Community Forums
124: News
125: Community Forums
126: Community Forums
127: Member Screenshots
128: Photo Gallery
129: Home
130: Home
131: Home
132: Community Forums
133: Member Screenshots
134: Community Forums
135: Community Forums
136: Community Forums
137: Home
138: Member Screenshots
139: Community Forums
140: Photo Gallery
141: Community Forums
142: Photo Gallery
143: Member Screenshots
144: Home
145: Community Forums
146: Community Forums
147: Community Forums
148: Community Forums
149: Member Screenshots
150: Member Screenshots
151: Community Forums
152: Community Forums
153: Photo Gallery
154: Home
155: Home
156: Community Forums
157: Community Forums
158: Community Forums
159: Community Forums
160: Community Forums
161: Downloads
162: Community Forums
163: Downloads
164: Home
165: Photo Gallery
166: Downloads
167: Home
168: Community Forums
169: Home
170: Community Forums
171: Community Forums
172: Member Screenshots
173: Home
174: Community Forums
175: Member Screenshots
176: Community Forums
177: Statistics
178: Photo Gallery
179: Home
180: Home
181: Community Forums
182: Community Forums
183: Member Screenshots
184: Home
185: Member Screenshots
186: Home
187: Treasury
188: Home
189: Community Forums
190: Home
191: Community Forums
192: Member Screenshots
193: News Archive
194: Downloads
195: Photo Gallery
196: Home
197: Home
198: Home
199: Community Forums
200: Community Forums
201: Community Forums
202: Home
203: Home
204: Photo Gallery
205: Community Forums
206: Community Forums
207: Community Forums
208: Downloads
209: Home
210: Community Forums
211: News Archive
212: Member Screenshots
213: Home
214: News Archive
215: Community Forums
216: News Archive
217: Member Screenshots
218: Community Forums
219: Home
220: Community Forums
221: Home
222: Home
223: Community Forums
224: Home
225: Home
226: Photo Gallery
227: Home
228: Community Forums
229: Community Forums
230: Member Screenshots
231: Member Screenshots
232: Home
233: Member Screenshots
234: Downloads
235: Community Forums
236: Community Forums
237: Home
238: Home
239: Photo Gallery
240: Member Screenshots
241: Photo Gallery
242: Home
243: News
244: LinkToUs
245: Photo Gallery
246: Downloads
247: News Archive
248: Home
249: Community Forums
250: Downloads
251: Community Forums
252: Member Screenshots
253: Community Forums
254: Community Forums
255: Photo Gallery
256: Member Screenshots
257: Home
258: Downloads
259: Community Forums
260: Statistics
261: Community Forums
262: Downloads
263: Photo Gallery
264: Member Screenshots
265: News Archive
266: Downloads
267: Photo Gallery
268: Community Forums
269: Home
270: Home
271: Downloads
272: Community Forums
273: Community Forums
274: Community Forums
275: Home
276: Photo Gallery
277: Community Forums
278: Community Forums
279: Home
280: Community Forums
281: Member Screenshots
282: Downloads
283: Member Screenshots
284: Community Forums
285: Community Forums
286: Home
287: Home
288: Member Screenshots
289: Community Forums
290: Community Forums
291: Community Forums
292: Community Forums
293: Member Screenshots
294: Member Screenshots
295: Member Screenshots
296: Home
297: Home
298: News Archive
299: Home
300: Community Forums

Staff Online:

No staff members are online!
Fort AP Hill / Fort Belvoir
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
Neil_Baumgardner
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 24, 2006
Posts: 3942
Location: Arlington, VA
PostPosted: Mon Apr 16, 2012 3:29 pm
Post subject: Fort AP Hill / Fort Belvoir

Looks like I will finally get onto AP Hill today, or maybe tomorrow. I'm also hoping to get into 1 or 2 other places, but they're more iffy - we'll see.

Let me know if there are any requests. I already have the SN guide downloaded and aim to get the Sherman's SN if I can.

Let me know if there are any other requests.

And no, I wont be going to check to see the Sherman range wrecks are still there after 50 years...

Neil


Last edited by Neil_Baumgardner on Tue Apr 17, 2012 5:46 pm; edited 2 times in total
Back to top
View user's profile
the_shadock
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: May 27, 2006
Posts: 2865
Location: Normandy, France
PostPosted: Mon Apr 16, 2012 5:34 pm
Post subject: Re: Visiting Fort AP Hill

this where to look to see the M7B2 Serial Number, just above the differential cover bolt strip, quite easy to find :



The M4A3E8 SN should be read on the rear tow lugs.

P-O

_________________
soldat_ryan @ hotmail.com

Looking for photos of Sherman manufacturer's plates
Back to top
View user's profile Send e-mail Visit poster's website MSN Messenger
Neil_Baumgardner
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 24, 2006
Posts: 3942
Location: Arlington, VA
PostPosted: Mon Apr 16, 2012 6:25 pm
Post subject: Re: Visiting Fort AP Hill

Visit did not go well. What they told me over the phone wss not the truth when I got there. Very bad experience, never going back again. Thankfully I wasnt arrested, just merely escorted off post.

Next visit should be more promising...
Back to top
View user's profile
Rick_Eshleman
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Apr 26, 2011
Posts: 909
Location: Lewes, Delaware, USA
PostPosted: Mon Apr 16, 2012 11:50 pm
Post subject: Re: Visiting Fort AP Hill

Neil,
Sorry to hear you had a bad experience at AP Hill. I''m scratching them off my list of places to visit. Is Ft. Belvoir worth a visit? I'm still hoping to visit Ft. Lee this year, but if everything is covered or not open to public, may skip it for now. Has there been any problems for people trying to visit there?
When I last visited Aberdeen, I called 2 Public Affairs Offices to make sure I could get on Museum grounds, at least they were truthful!
Rick
Back to top
View user's profile Send e-mail AIM Address Photo Gallery
Neil_Baumgardner
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 24, 2006
Posts: 3942
Location: Arlington, VA
PostPosted: Tue Apr 17, 2012 1:22 am
Post subject: Re: Visiting Fort AP Hill

So here's the story: I called ahead to see what I needed to do for photography. In contrast to what they told me on the phone, I discovered in person that the only photography allowed is for official publication/press - ie no personal photos.

Needless to say, after driving 2 hours, I wasnt happy. I expressed my frustration, but never raised my voice or anything like that. I pointed out that this higher security than I have seen in 10 years of visiting Army posts. He "suggested" that I be on my way lest I find the police stopping me due to my "bad attitude." I was flabbergasted.

I briefly stopped at the display, which is very forlorn, off in a corner and essentially forgotten. But I did not take any photos. I took a wrong turn on my way out and sure enough found two vehicles behind me with lights on. It was reported that I had been taking photos - which I hadnt. They checked my ID, my camera, etc. They thoroughly checked me out and then escorted me out.

Yes, I was stopped and escorted out (again, I was already on my way) due to having a "bad attitude."

Though I should clarify that the officers never said that and in fact were quite nice and polite (I'm sure I was the highlight of their week/month).

I should hasten to add AP Hill is the smallest Army post I have ever seen. I think the HQ had like 3 rooms. Having been to APG, Detroit Arsenal, Fort Bragg, Fort Jackson, Fort Meade, etc - I have to conclude that security restrictions are directly related to the isolation and size of a post, and inverse to its actual security concerns...

Needless to say I didnt need this trouble, and was glad to be on my way. To add injury to insult, I sprained my ankle after I fell leaving the HQ building. Like I said, I dont ever plan on returning. It's not worth it.

To paraphrase 2010: ATTEMPT NO ENTRY OR PHOTOGRAPHS THERE!


Last edited by Neil_Baumgardner on Tue Apr 17, 2012 1:38 am; edited 1 time in total
Back to top
View user's profile
Neil_Baumgardner
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 24, 2006
Posts: 3942
Location: Arlington, VA
PostPosted: Tue Apr 17, 2012 1:33 am
Post subject: Re: Visiting Fort AP Hill

Rick,
I dont know of anything at Belvoir to see - at least until the national museum is built and opens.

I also visited Lee - much better reception of course. There's only a few items on display - including the big bomb, M3 Bradley, M74 and Pershing launcher. All of the other Ordnance Museum items, except for Anzio Annie, are now inside expandable structures - which frankly is better than they have had in 70 years. One bit of news is that the Army coastal rail gun that was formerly at Dahlgren is now on display by the new Ordnance campus.

I'll have more about the Lee visit later.

Neil
Back to top
View user's profile
Neil_Baumgardner
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 24, 2006
Posts: 3942
Location: Arlington, VA
PostPosted: Tue Apr 17, 2012 1:36 am
Post subject: Re: Visiting Fort AP Hill

I should also add that this should be a cautionary tale. Be careful out there. Not every post has the same regulations. Some of the smaller ones are particularly zealous. Get as much permission in advance as you can, and try to confirm every little detail.

Be safe.

Neil
Back to top
View user's profile
Rick_Eshleman
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Apr 26, 2011
Posts: 909
Location: Lewes, Delaware, USA
PostPosted: Tue Apr 17, 2012 1:46 am
Post subject: Re: Visiting Fort AP Hill

Neil,
Sorry to hear about your experience, but it will save others hassles. Hope the ankle is feeling better! I visited many bases (Aberdeen, Ft. Indiantown Gap, New Cumberland Depot, etc, and never experienced anything like you have! Worst I ever got was an SP at Washington DC Naval Imaging Command yelling at me for no reason, which I then and now just laugh off!
I have some vacation this summer, and plan on hitting Ft. Lee and maybe some other spots. Ft. Belvoir, years ago, was supposed to have test areas for engineering equipment, I never had chance to go there. It's gotten worse since 911 to enjoy visits to bases. You could at one time just drive by the empty Guard shack on Rt 22 at Aberdeen and go straight to the Museum! Can't even go onto base that way anymore! Take care, Rick
Back to top
View user's profile Send e-mail AIM Address Photo Gallery
Neil_Baumgardner
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 24, 2006
Posts: 3942
Location: Arlington, VA
PostPosted: Tue Apr 17, 2012 1:57 am
Post subject: Re: Visiting Fort AP Hill

Rick,
Many years ago the Engineering Proving Grounds were located at Fort Belvoir - what is now called the "North Area" - that is where the T28 and at least one of the T30s was found. The EPG closed with the Engineering Corps' move to Fort Leonard Wood in 1988. You can look on a map and see lots of new construction and woods. The North Area is also where the future National Museum of the US Army (NMUSA) will be.

AFAIK, there is no armor anymore at Belvoir - that's what I have been told several times, and I have never seen any there myself. There may be some 75mm pack howitzer salute guns (as on most posts), but no artillery other than that.

Neil


Last edited by Neil_Baumgardner on Tue Apr 17, 2012 5:45 pm; edited 2 times in total
Back to top
View user's profile
armyjunk2
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Sep 22, 2006
Posts: 1416

PostPosted: Tue Apr 17, 2012 4:25 pm
Post subject: Re: Fort AP Hill

Is this a really old Google Earth pic ??? its what they have up now..

Back to top
View user's profile
Neil_Baumgardner
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 24, 2006
Posts: 3942
Location: Arlington, VA
PostPosted: Tue Apr 17, 2012 4:57 pm
Post subject: Re: Fort AP Hill

armyjunk2,
Is that Belvoir? Can you provide the cross-street or coordinates?

Neil
Back to top
View user's profile
Neil_Baumgardner
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 24, 2006
Posts: 3942
Location: Arlington, VA
PostPosted: Tue Apr 17, 2012 5:33 pm
Post subject: Re: Fort AP Hill

Good find. Looks like a T-72 and a BMP? I'll have to make some phone calls...

binged.it/HQuFc1

Neil
Back to top
View user's profile
armyjunk2
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Sep 22, 2006
Posts: 1416

PostPosted: Tue Apr 17, 2012 5:36 pm
Post subject: Re: Fort AP Hill

38.719246° -77.156113° is this still Belvoir??
Back to top
View user's profile
Neil_Baumgardner
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 24, 2006
Posts: 3942
Location: Arlington, VA
PostPosted: Tue Apr 17, 2012 5:43 pm
Post subject: Re: Fort AP Hill

Yep, that's the main campus - just not a part I've been by before. Already made some phone calls - gonna make sure all Ts are crossed and Is are dotted before I do anything. Thankfully its just a few miles away, so I wouldnt waste too much time - but I dont want to see blue lights again...

Hopefully they'll be more receptive...

Neil
Back to top
View user's profile
Neil_Baumgardner
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 24, 2006
Posts: 3942
Location: Arlington, VA
PostPosted: Tue Apr 17, 2012 5:43 pm
Post subject: Re: Fort AP Hill

Yep, that's the main campus - just not a part I've been by before. Already made some phone calls - gonna make sure all Ts are crossed and Is are dotted before I do anything. Thankfully its just a few miles away, so I wouldnt waste too much time - but I dont want to see blue lights again...

Hopefully they'll be more receptive...

Neil
Back to top
View user's profile
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