Com-Central.net

Neil_Baumgardner

I'm back in Columbia SC this weekend - I just discovered they opened a new military museum behind the ARNG complex last year. They have out front on display an M42 Duster, M48 Patton, M110, and M114. Apparently they also have an M3 Half-Track, M59, M60A3, and an M113 in storage. Oh yeah and an jeep and a Dodge 3/4 ton (with a German data plate & markings?) as well.

I have pics of the vehicles currently on display, and got the SN for the M728 that is out front of the complex. Unfortunately I left my cable at home for transferring pics to my laptop - will have to wait till Sunday, sorry!

All in all a very decent museum - a fairly impressive small arms display inside... And right across from the football stadium so fans can stop by before the game starts on Saturdays Wink

Neil

Neil_Baumgardner

As promised.

M48 Patton - which model?

I couldnt find an SN stamped on a tow lug, but I did find this stamped on the right front hull

M110

M42 Duster

M114

They also have this Dodge 3/4-ton - but why does it have a dataplate in French & German??? Swiss perhaps???

Neil

the_shadock

The dataplate which is both in German and in French could indicate that this vehicle was used after 1945 either by French Troops in their allied occupation zone in South-West Germany, or by German troops located in the French occupation area in Germay too... it could also be a vehicle used by both armies, I don't know when was created the Franco-German Brigade.. any other guess?

P-O

Jens_O_Mehner

I would opt for an ex-Swiss vehicle, no German military use of Dodge's WC series after WWII and what I have seen in regards to non-French built vehicles in French use usually kept their original bulider's plates or (sometimes) received a French one after extensive rebuilts.

The Swiss had tons of WCs, CCKWs and M38A1s, the annual auction at Thun still has them showing up regularly and the Swiss are great believers in adding their own dataplates.

Jens O.

Sabot

I would guess an M48A1 because of the engine deck. I think the M48 had the low profile cupola and this has the second style.

Joe_D

Rob's correct,

M1 cupola and larger driver's hatch. That should be the correct SN. They started stamping the number in the rear hull/ deck with the low IR rear deck M48A2/M103A1 series. Tow lug stamping is another thing. I know M48A3/A5's had the lug stamped, But you could still find the original M48/48A1 SN on the front.

Joe D