Com-Central.net

There's one for sale on Ebay:



Ebay Auction

Neil

Neil:

Is that this vehicle?

- Dontos

Neil:

Is that this vehicle?

Don, good question/catch! I shouldnt have taken that pic for granted. Its not an XM803 - its MBT-70 Pilot No. 5. Look at the RN in the pic: 09A 005 67. The XM803 is 09A 007 67.

The tank in the picture in fact appears to be this one:



Pilot No. 5 appears to have been the real workhorse of the group - Tested at White Sands Missile Range, later at APG. Seen in 1980 photo in Museum Ordnance at the Ordnance Museum collection in very poor condition, lacking right-side track. Reported by same to be "behind the fence" as of 1991. Appears to be the pilot now located at the Military Museum of Southern New England.

Neil

Taken at White Sands. Sounds like a digital scan of an original print. I have numerous original prints of other projects from our Photo & Graphics Branch at the former Armor Board. All (B&W and color) are printed on paper labeled 'this paper manufactured by Kodak Corp'.

Unusual to see a turret traversed over the side for a missile test...probably because it's White Sands, and this better accomodated their support van with cameras and stuff behind the turret, where it could not be if facing forward. I can only assume the ductwork going in was for cooling air as I can't think of any other reason for it to be there.

- Doug_Kibbey

Taken at White Sands. Sounds like a digital scan of an original print. I have numerous original prints of other projects from our Photo & Graphics Branch at the former Armor Board. All (B&W and color) are printed on paper labeled 'this paper manufactured by Kodak Corp'.

I believe I have seen this pic in Crismon's tracked US military vehicles book.

Neil

Neil

The seller is legit. I've gotten a number of photos from him. All were original with descriptive narrative on back, as advertised.

Just note what you are getting, from the post itself:

"This digital photograph has been sent to Professional Photographic Developers to ensure maximum quality. It is on glossy photographic paper. Note that in some instances small amounts of the image-edge may be missing in the actual print."

and he lists his grades:

"Photo Grading Standards and Terms Used

1st Generation: This is a photo manufactured near the time when the image was created. Most often from the original negative but not always. Except for VELOX and CROWN paper plus a few others, the film company name does not appear on the back of the paper except in the case of more recent photos. News Agency and Official photos fall into this category automatically.
Vintage: These are items of great age but I am unable to date them with precision. An example would be a WWI photo manufactured in 1920-30s or a WWII photo manufactured in the 1950-70s. These are normally very fine collectables and well worth purchasing.
Modern Reproduction: Has KODAK or film-name on the back of the paper or some other markings that positively identify it as of recent manufacture. Mostly this covers photos produced from the very late 1980s through today.
Real-Photo: This has been developed on film stock and is not a simulated photo like what you would find in a newspaper.
Photo: Can be of any type of manufacture but is not a real-photo "
_________________________________________________________
None of this means there isn't a reason to buy it if it's of interest to you...