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Neil_Baumgardner · Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2008 3:33 am Post subject: South Gate (LA) M60A3

I confirmed this one from the TACOM Registry, its located in South Gate Park in LA. Ugly shade of green though - although I think I have seen British tanks in something like this shade...

Despite the fence & thick paint, I was able to zoom into the tow lug & rear stampings - but where's the rebuild SN?

Neil

MarkHolloway · Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2008 10:56 am Post subject: Re: South Gate (LA) M60A3

Another armored pickle! Neutral

Joe_D · Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2008 7:06 pm Post subject: Re: South Gate (LA) M60A3

Great pictures Neil,

Looks like they are in the process of priming the old girl. Having flashbacks to my M47 fiasco.

Took a while to realize you were talking about LA = Los Angeles CA, not South Gate LA = Louisiana, Duh Rolling Eyes

.

This tank is a Detroit M60A3, not a rebuild from an A1 from what I can tell. The GEN 4 hull, late turret/ chin armor, newer passive drivers hatch are good indicators. The best indicator is the back deck numbers, Anniston would not have the RN stamped in the back and Mainz would use plates and not have a lug number. Should have a one piece bustle rack. Did you get a shot of the right rear? Also interesting is the turret has all those little "half-moon" cast marks typical of the later East Chicago Continental Foundry castings found in the late 70's early 80's M60A1's and A3's. This old girl most likely came back from Germany and went through a refurb before being issued to the CA National Gaurd. Would explain the later style heater exhaust.

Joe D

Neil_Baumgardner · Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2008 4:31 am Post subject: Re: South Gate (LA) M60A3

Here ya go.

Neil

binder001 · ***Power User*** Offline Joined: Jan 25, 2006 Posts: 363

Interesting that this fellow has his smoke grenade launchers and grenade boxes in place. These are usually pulled off most M60A3s on display. I'm always curious as to when the external phone box on the rear is always removed also. It can't be any worse trip hazard than other parts of the tanks.

Gary

Joe_D · Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2008 4:43 pm Post subject: Re: South Gate (LA) M60A3

Thanks Neil,

One piece bustle rack confirms Detroit A3, not a rebuild from an A1.

Gary,

I noticed the grenade launchers too. Unusual for a civilian display, usually only Armory displays will have them and that's on rare occasions. Technically they are a firearm/weapon. Maybe they de-milled them.

About the phone box, around 1986 we were told that the external phones were being dropped and we could no longer order repair parts. Some crews removed them and cut the cable since it was just one more item to mess with when removing track. Mostly when they quit working.

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I always liked having them, was great for boresighting, walking track, radio watch and of course working with dismounts (The original purpose once you showed them how it worked). I used to use the one on my M551/VISMOD all the time during radio watch. Could lay in my cot and didn't have to climb into the tank to answer. Many M60A3's when rebuild had the system removed and a plate welded over the hull opening.

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Normal opening on and M60A1

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The USMC always kept them functioning and in fact put them on their M1's (Albeit a different system). The Army is now putting them on their M1's finally. Always thought they were short sighted never having one on the M1. Looks like the Marines were proven right

Joe D

Russ_Buchan · ***Power User*** Offline Joined: Jan 26, 2006 Posts: 67

Afternoon, fellows:

That little phone box on the M48 really did come in handy one nasty cold day in Germany. We were towing a trailer full of kitchen tents cross-country in 1963 or '64, through deep snow and blowing wind.

I got out of the loader's hatch, all sweaty and warm, into the chill, and hopped off the rear deck into the snow. I tried to unhitch the trailer's ring from the tank's tow hook. No traction with my gloves on that fiddly little release, so I nipped the glove in my teeth and pulled it off, and went to unhook it with a bare hand. Wrong. Luckily I am right-handed, or I would perhaps have been on the other side of the drawbar, and away from the phone box.

Using my gloved left hand, I got the box open and yelled into the plastic phone, "Do not back up! Do not go forward! Repeat, do not back up, I'm #@%*ing stuck!"

The look on ole Sergeant Maynard's face as he unbuttoned his TA29 trousers was decidedly gleeful. The next few minutes I shall skip, if you know what I mean. Fortunately, his attentions, and his bladder capacity, were sufficient, and I did not need the help of the gunner and driver.

Russ

piney · Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2008 9:44 pm Post subject: Re: South Gate (LA) M60A3

ROTFLMAO

Jeff "Piney" Lewis

Joe_D · Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2008 9:48 pm Post subject: Re: South Gate (LA) M60A3

Ahhh, the much unappreciated loader,

If you were lucky enough to have one assigned, he usually got all the "Gopher" jobs on the tank. Dismount being his middle name. My last one seemed to spend more time on the ground than in the tank. Amazing what they get themselves into sometimes Laughing

!

Russ, I can close my eyes and see it now. If that had happened today there would have been digital video or at least a picture to capture the moment of your misfortune.

Joe D

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