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I got a used canon T3 Camera body (as backup camera) which uses same lenses as my older Canon Xsi. Tested it out today on the M48A1 at Oak Orchard, DE (Millsboro) VFW 28. I'm happy with the results. Rick
They've added a new sign with a brief history next to the tank.

A few more photos.

Looks like the Millsboro, DE (Oak Orchard VFW) has a new paint job.

Why is the muzzle brake painted red? It reminds me of the orange tip rule for toy guns.

Walter, I honestly don't know. The tip of the 90mm gun has been painted red for at least 10 years. Rick

- Walter_Sobchak

Why is the muzzle brake painted red? It reminds me of the orange tip rule for toy guns.

...and why is the .50 painted black? Never seen MG barrels painted in service at all...just something else to smoke and burn. Possibly just a rust prevention measure on a gun that does not fire.

Back in the day, the blast deflectors on M48's in my OD army were typically painted black. I have no idea why that was.

I'd say that the red muzzle brake is for "demilitarized" but I've never seen it used before, so just a guess. As for the black MG, just like the road wheel rubber, both are painted black to stand out. They do paint this vehicle regularly, as I've noticed when rust starts showing up, paint job time. Maybe one day I'll wander into the VFW to find the painter(s) and ask them.

There probably is no actual reason other than somebody thought it looked neat, or one of the painters remembered a tank model from his childhood where the MG was painted black and the muzzle red.

KL

Hi all. I'm reading Forgotten Archives 1, The lost Signal Corps Photos by Darren Neely and on page 176 (for those who have this book) it shows a M18 Tank Destroyer with the end of the muzzle brake painted red to be easily identified by friendly forces. It's dated Feb. 4, 1945. Other than the M48A1 tank at Millsboro VFW, I'd never seen this before. Anyone else have photos of the same? As for the black painted machine gun on this tank, haven't come across this yet! Rick

I've loaded this photo on flickr for those who wish to view it: www.flickr.com/photos/brick6757.

Nice shots!! Isn't your T3 newer than your XSI? Why use the T3 as the backup camera?

Yes, T3 Canon Camera is newer model, but I use them both. I actually bought the T3 in case my XSI gave out (it hasn't) so I have them in two separate cases. I like the XSI more than T3, and I don't try to keep up with technology like I did over the years. Look how quickly digital cameras replaced 35mm SLRs. Now my "negatives" are memory cards (which will one day be obsolete) and my older negatives are stored in 3 old Ammo boxes. I bought a Canon 9000 scanner for my negatives a few years ago. My old VHS tapes are being converted to DVD, but for now, not to Blu-ray.

That is a very good looking M48A1

I just now noticed the red mb makes pic #2 look 3D.