±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: 337
Total: 337
Who Is Where:
 Visitors:
01: Community Forums
02: Community Forums
03: Member Screenshots
04: Home
05: Community Forums
06: Home
07: Community Forums
08: Community Forums
09: Community Forums
10: Downloads
11: Community Forums
12: Community Forums
13: Your Account
14: Community Forums
15: Community Forums
16: Home
17: Community Forums
18: Home
19: Member Screenshots
20: Community Forums
21: Home
22: Community Forums
23: Home
24: Home
25: Community Forums
26: Home
27: Home
28: Member Screenshots
29: Home
30: Home
31: Community Forums
32: Community Forums
33: Community Forums
34: Member Screenshots
35: Community Forums
36: Home
37: Photo Gallery
38: Member Screenshots
39: Home
40: Home
41: News Archive
42: Home
43: News Archive
44: Home
45: Community Forums
46: Home
47: Your Account
48: News Archive
49: Downloads
50: Home
51: Statistics
52: Home
53: Photo Gallery
54: Community Forums
55: Home
56: Community Forums
57: Community Forums
58: Home
59: Community Forums
60: Photo Gallery
61: News Archive
62: Home
63: Home
64: Member Screenshots
65: Member Screenshots
66: Community Forums
67: Home
68: Community Forums
69: Community Forums
70: Community Forums
71: Home
72: News
73: Community Forums
74: Community Forums
75: Community Forums
76: Photo Gallery
77: Home
78: Home
79: Community Forums
80: Downloads
81: Home
82: Member Screenshots
83: Home
84: Home
85: Member Screenshots
86: News Archive
87: News Archive
88: Home
89: Community Forums
90: Community Forums
91: Community Forums
92: News Archive
93: Home
94: Member Screenshots
95: Community Forums
96: Community Forums
97: Community Forums
98: Downloads
99: Home
100: Community Forums
101: Community Forums
102: Community Forums
103: Community Forums
104: Photo Gallery
105: Community Forums
106: Community Forums
107: Home
108: Community Forums
109: Member Screenshots
110: Home
111: Community Forums
112: Community Forums
113: Home
114: Home
115: Community Forums
116: Community Forums
117: Community Forums
118: Home
119: Photo Gallery
120: Community Forums
121: Photo Gallery
122: Downloads
123: Community Forums
124: Community Forums
125: Home
126: Community Forums
127: Member Screenshots
128: Community Forums
129: Community Forums
130: News Archive
131: Photo Gallery
132: Home
133: Community Forums
134: Home
135: Photo Gallery
136: Member Screenshots
137: Home
138: Photo Gallery
139: Photo Gallery
140: Home
141: News
142: News Archive
143: Photo Gallery
144: Photo Gallery
145: Home
146: Community Forums
147: Home
148: News Archive
149: Community Forums
150: Home
151: Community Forums
152: Community Forums
153: Community Forums
154: Member Screenshots
155: Downloads
156: Home
157: News Archive
158: Home
159: Community Forums
160: Home
161: Home
162: Home
163: Photo Gallery
164: Home
165: Home
166: Community Forums
167: Home
168: Photo Gallery
169: Home
170: Community Forums
171: Home
172: Home
173: Photo Gallery
174: Community Forums
175: Photo Gallery
176: Community Forums
177: Community Forums
178: News Archive
179: Home
180: Home
181: Member Screenshots
182: Member Screenshots
183: Photo Gallery
184: Photo Gallery
185: Home
186: Community Forums
187: Community Forums
188: Home
189: Community Forums
190: Community Forums
191: Home
192: Home
193: Home
194: Home
195: Member Screenshots
196: Member Screenshots
197: Downloads
198: Home
199: Home
200: Community Forums
201: Community Forums
202: Member Screenshots
203: Member Screenshots
204: Home
205: Community Forums
206: Member Screenshots
207: Home
208: Home
209: Community Forums
210: Member Screenshots
211: News Archive
212: Home
213: Home
214: Photo Gallery
215: Statistics
216: Home
217: Home
218: Community Forums
219: Home
220: Community Forums
221: Home
222: Community Forums
223: Home
224: Community Forums
225: Home
226: Community Forums
227: Home
228: Community Forums
229: Member Screenshots
230: Home
231: Community Forums
232: Community Forums
233: Home
234: Community Forums
235: Photo Gallery
236: Photo Gallery
237: Community Forums
238: Community Forums
239: Downloads
240: Home
241: Member Screenshots
242: Home
243: Photo Gallery
244: Community Forums
245: Member Screenshots
246: News Archive
247: Home
248: Community Forums
249: Community Forums
250: Community Forums
251: Home
252: News Archive
253: News Archive
254: Community Forums
255: News Archive
256: Photo Gallery
257: Community Forums
258: Downloads
259: Home
260: Community Forums
261: Community Forums
262: Community Forums
263: Community Forums
264: Community Forums
265: Community Forums
266: Community Forums
267: Community Forums
268: Downloads
269: Photo Gallery
270: Community Forums
271: Community Forums
272: Home
273: Home
274: Photo Gallery
275: Home
276: Home
277: Home
278: Member Screenshots
279: Community Forums
280: Community Forums
281: Community Forums
282: Home
283: Member Screenshots
284: Photo Gallery
285: Home
286: Downloads
287: Home
288: Community Forums
289: Community Forums
290: Home
291: Home
292: Member Screenshots
293: Home
294: Home
295: Photo Gallery
296: Home
297: Home
298: Home
299: Home
300: Downloads
301: Home
302: News Archive
303: Downloads
304: Community Forums
305: Home
306: Community Forums
307: Community Forums
308: Home
309: Community Forums
310: Community Forums
311: Home
312: Photo Gallery
313: Downloads
314: Downloads
315: Home
316: Downloads
317: Member Screenshots
318: Photo Gallery
319: Downloads
320: Home
321: Community Forums
322: Member Screenshots
323: Home
324: Home
325: Photo Gallery
326: Home
327: News Archive
328: Community Forums
329: Photo Gallery
330: Community Forums
331: Community Forums
332: Community Forums
333: Community Forums
334: Community Forums
335: Home
336: Community Forums
337: Community Forums

Staff Online:

No staff members are online!
M55 or M53 SPG
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.
Post new topic    Reply to topic    Printer Friendly Page     Forum Index ›  AFV News Discussion Board

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

Offline Offline
Joined: Aug 20, 2006
Posts: 81

PostPosted: Sun Aug 26, 2007 6:24 am
Post subject: M55 or M53 SPG

Dear all

I am looking for a crew member of one these great vehicles. I need to ask some question to do with these vehicles. These questions are specifically aimed at crew member. Thank you ossie
Back to top
View user's profile Send e-mail
oldertop
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Oct 20, 2006
Posts: 76

PostPosted: Sun Aug 26, 2007 12:34 pm
Post subject: Re: M55 or M53 SPG

And what do you want to know...although I wasn't a crewmen I did my time on the cross and a Brty maint chief.
Back to top
View user's profile
ossie
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Aug 20, 2006
Posts: 81

PostPosted: Sun Aug 26, 2007 1:40 pm
Post subject: Re: M55 or M53 SPG

Oldertop
Thank you

I want to know if there was any external stowage other then the tool rack on the turret or track links , For instance was distance marker posts stored, tarpaulins, camouflage nets if so where.

Ho was the Bag charges stowed on the left hand side of the turret were they stowed in there ammo cases. Where the shells are stowed on the right would they have the lifting eyes fitted to the shell or not.
Was there any radio equipment if so where was it stowed and where the aerial was.
Finally were all the M55/M53 use the same drivers stick or was the M55 converted to tiller bar only?

Also gun markings or call signs other then tack signs, looking for both M55 & M53 both were they were used in US , Germany and Vietnam, also other nations Germany, Italian, Belgium service.

Reason for these questions is I am building a resin kit master for a manufacture
Thank you
Ossie
Back to top
View user's profile Send e-mail
oldertop
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Oct 20, 2006
Posts: 76

PostPosted: Sun Aug 26, 2007 2:30 pm
Post subject: Re: M55 or M53 SPG

The M53 and 55 could have ether the "joy or wobble stick" or the yoke type, the yoke was perfered because the joy stick had the shifting detent lock lever on the front of it and crewmen could disingage it and shift to reverse while moving foreward (not a good thing at 20 to 30 mph).
The interior differs between the vehicles, the M55 had a rammer bolted to the cab deck and a electric winch running on a track on the cab roof and upper cab hatch, most arty units didn't carry projo or powder cans inside the vehicle (ya, I know there are racks inside...(but that doesn't mean they used them, in Nam M109s carried one HE and one fuse and one powder can for "just-in-case" direct fire some times) while making a movement, projo were left with the ringbolts in till the FDC called in the mission at which time the type of or settings for the fuses and bag charge was relayed.
Camo nets were normaly draped ove the cab along with the poles (2x2s with a 1/4 section of a tire nailed over the end to keep the poles from damaging the nets) you see in some pictures racks welded to the outside divers and commands doors, the are OEM boxes on the side fenders...gezz its been a long time, need to look over what information I still have.
Back to top
View user's profile
ossie
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Aug 20, 2006
Posts: 81

PostPosted: Sun Aug 26, 2007 3:47 pm
Post subject: Re: M55 or M53 SPG

thank you , this now makes more sense, i have pictures of M53 with rear rammer fitted but no roof cradel.
any thing else would be gartefull.
thanks ossie
Back to top
View user's profile Send e-mail
toadmanstankpictures
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 24, 2006
Posts: 704

PostPosted: Sun Aug 26, 2007 5:22 pm
Post subject: Re: M55 or M53 SPG

Ossie,
I have some M53 pics on my site that may be of use to you:

M53

_________________
Chris "toadman" Hughes
www.toadmanstankpictures.com
www.cafepress.com/toad...ksandstuff
Back to top
View user's profile Visit poster's website
ossie
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Aug 20, 2006
Posts: 81

PostPosted: Sun Aug 26, 2007 7:23 pm
Post subject: Re: M55 or M53 SPG

Toad master

Thank you just what the doctor ordered,
It helps me so much. These two vehicles I thought would be a easy project OPPS!! I was wrong by a long way, the suspension is complicated let alone the inside of the turret. My aim is to have the Complete Hull build by end of this week which does not leave me much time. Thank goodness for a bank holiday tomorrow. Then the turret I have built the basic shell which again is complicated.
I have to have the basic built by 23rd September for M55 & M53 this does not include interiors , but I want to do this as well if I get time so people can leave all the doors open. A rather big challenge.
By the off chance do you have any Pictures of Littlefields M55
Thank you very much
Ossie
Back to top
View user's profile Send e-mail
toadmanstankpictures
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 24, 2006
Posts: 704

PostPosted: Mon Aug 27, 2007 4:16 am
Post subject: Re: M55 or M53 SPG

Hi Ossie,
Sorry but I don't have anything on Littlefield's M55 as of yet. As much as I'd like to help, I probably won't be able to get back to his place for pics until the end of September. Also, I don't know what condition the interior of his M55 is in. If by chance I'm able to get up there in the next week or two, I'll do what I can to get pics for you.

_________________
Chris "toadman" Hughes
www.toadmanstankpictures.com
www.cafepress.com/toad...ksandstuff
Back to top
View user's profile Visit poster's website
Maple_Leaf_Eh
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 24, 2006
Posts: 517

PostPosted: Tue Aug 28, 2007 11:28 am
Post subject: Re: M55 or M53 SPG

- oldertop

Camo nets were normaly draped ove the cab along with the poles (2x2s with a 1/4 section of a tire nailed over the end to keep the poles from damaging the nets) ...


That's a clever idea. The Canadian issue fibreglass poles have a hinge legged spreader affair with web crosspieces - to do the same thing. I guess someone never bothered to ask for suggestions from the field. Although, no one could be tempted to build a field latrine with that 2x2 lumber.
Back to top
View user's profile
oldertop
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Oct 20, 2006
Posts: 76

PostPosted: Tue Aug 28, 2007 12:20 pm
Post subject: Re: M55 or M53 SPG

Many marine units used the 2x4s with the tires, I can remember watching crew and section (selfpropelled arty crews in the U.S. miltary were called sections) sawing tires into section, Ontos (@#$#@#$ PIGs) crews did the same, who knew what a fibregass pole was in 1960s, oh and we had prefab "4 holers" out of plywood painted MC green. Laughing
Back to top
View user's profile
ossie
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Aug 20, 2006
Posts: 81

PostPosted: Sun Sep 09, 2007 3:51 pm
Post subject: Re: M55 or M53 SPG

hi ya

i thought you might to see the beast , there is still alot of work to be done ie turret and i am building the spade at the moment, i have been building this for several years but now i am completeing it for the end of the month.

did not realise how BIG it is.
s54.photobucket.com/al...ztank/M55/
hope you like Ossie
Back to top
View user's profile Send e-mail
Roy_A_Lingle
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 24, 2006
Posts: 1997
Location: El Paso & Ft Bliss, Texas
PostPosted: Sun Sep 09, 2007 3:58 pm
Post subject: Re: M55 or M53 SPG

Hi Ossie! Hi Folks!

OUTSTANDING SIR! Thanks for showing me your work!

Sgt, Scouts Out!

_________________
"You can never have too much reconnaissance."
General G.S. Patton Jr.
Back to top
View user's profile Send e-mail
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic    Reply to topic    Printer Friendly Page    Forum Index ›  AFV News Discussion Board
Page 1 of 1
All times are GMT - 6 Hours



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