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Neil_Baumgardner · Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2008 1:13 am Post subject: T49 at Fort AP Hill

I made a little pit stop at the gate at Fort AP Hill today... Wink

For those that dont recognize it, the T49 was an attempt to make a 90mm gun-armed M41.

Neil

Kurt_Laughlin · ***Power User*** Offline Joined: Jan 24, 2006 Posts: 577

Neil, what is the access situation there? I've wanted to stop by but didn't know what could be seen by the public.

KL

Neil_Baumgardner · Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2008 11:05 am Post subject: Re: T49 at Fort AP Hill

The security guard said we could take pictures as long as we didnt point towards the gate or post... Yes, I took the instructions a little liberally with the first pic Wink

Neil

JeffStringer · ***Power User*** Offline Joined: Jan 24, 2006 Posts: 637

Thanks for the pics Neil. I've always heard of the T49 but never really saw a clear picture of one.

Almost (and I do mean almost) looks like a Mini M47. Mr. Green

MarkHolloway · Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2008 1:39 pm Post subject: Re: T49 at Fort AP Hill

I'm reading Hunnicutt's "Light Tank Vol 2" and it discusses this vehicle. Had the coincidence range finders. I think early versions had a machine gun mounted on each side of the bustle. This is a great find because they sure didn't make many of these! Mr. Green

Neil_Baumgardner · Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2008 1:46 pm Post subject: Re: T49 at Fort AP Hill

I've known for some time that its been at Fort AP Hill, but never made a trip due to the reported restrictions. I was on my way to Petersburg, and decided to check it out on a lark...

Hunnicutt identifies a T49 in an APG storage lot - it may be the one at Fort AP Hill or possibly behind the fence somewhere at APG.

Neil

MarkHolloway · Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2008 7:36 pm Post subject: Re: T49 at Fort AP Hill

I went back and read again and found that another M41 prototype, the T-37, was the one with the bustle machine guns. I think it had the 76mm gun.
Also the T41 had them.

Kurt_Laughlin · ***Power User*** Offline Joined: Jan 24, 2006 Posts: 577

Can you get on base at all?

Don't they have Boy Scout Jamborees there? I was thinking it would be best to just wait until the next Jamboree - you could probably have free run of the place then.

KL

Neil_Baumgardner · Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2008 3:13 pm Post subject: Re: T49 at Fort AP Hill

They said yes, during the week. Sounded like the visitor center was closed on weekends.

Neil

Joe_D · Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2008 12:01 am Post subject: Re: T49 at Fort AP Hill

Nice pictures Neil,

Always nice to find a rare bird. Interesting how they had to build up the turret for the rangefinder, since it would have to be above the recoil mech/breech. Doubt if it was linked to a M13 fire control computer, Just wouldn't be any room for it. I imagine the TC just announced the range and the gunner used a the telescope ballistic reticle. You wouldn't happen to have a picture showing the gunner's periscope/ right side turret top better?

Joe D

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