±Recent Visitors

Recent Visitors to Com-Central!

±User Info-big


Welcome Anonymous

Nickname
Password

Membership:
Latest: cgsimpson
New Today: 0
New Yesterday: 0
Overall: 6645

People Online:
Members: 0
Visitors: 609
Total: 609
Who Is Where:
 Visitors:
01: Community Forums
02: Community Forums
03: Community Forums
04: Home
05: Community Forums
06: Community Forums
07: Community Forums
08: Community Forums
09: Community Forums
10: Community Forums
11: Community Forums
12: Community Forums
13: Community Forums
14: Photo Gallery
15: Community Forums
16: Community Forums
17: Community Forums
18: Statistics
19: Photo Gallery
20: Home
21: Community Forums
22: Home
23: Community Forums
24: Your Account
25: Community Forums
26: Your Account
27: Community Forums
28: Home
29: Community Forums
30: Community Forums
31: Home
32: Photo Gallery
33: Community Forums
34: Photo Gallery
35: Community Forums
36: Community Forums
37: CPGlang
38: Photo Gallery
39: Community Forums
40: Community Forums
41: Home
42: Community Forums
43: Community Forums
44: Community Forums
45: Statistics
46: News
47: Community Forums
48: Photo Gallery
49: Community Forums
50: Community Forums
51: Community Forums
52: Community Forums
53: Home
54: Community Forums
55: Downloads
56: Home
57: Community Forums
58: Photo Gallery
59: Photo Gallery
60: Community Forums
61: Downloads
62: Photo Gallery
63: Community Forums
64: Photo Gallery
65: Community Forums
66: Community Forums
67: Home
68: Home
69: Home
70: Photo Gallery
71: Member Screenshots
72: Photo Gallery
73: Community Forums
74: Community Forums
75: Community Forums
76: Community Forums
77: Community Forums
78: Community Forums
79: Community Forums
80: Home
81: Photo Gallery
82: Community Forums
83: News Archive
84: Community Forums
85: Community Forums
86: Community Forums
87: Member Screenshots
88: Community Forums
89: Photo Gallery
90: Statistics
91: Home
92: Community Forums
93: Downloads
94: Photo Gallery
95: Community Forums
96: Community Forums
97: Home
98: Community Forums
99: Community Forums
100: Community Forums
101: Downloads
102: Community Forums
103: Community Forums
104: Photo Gallery
105: Community Forums
106: Home
107: Downloads
108: Community Forums
109: Community Forums
110: Photo Gallery
111: Photo Gallery
112: Downloads
113: Community Forums
114: Photo Gallery
115: Downloads
116: Photo Gallery
117: Downloads
118: Community Forums
119: Community Forums
120: Community Forums
121: Community Forums
122: Downloads
123: Community Forums
124: Community Forums
125: Community Forums
126: Community Forums
127: Downloads
128: Community Forums
129: Photo Gallery
130: Photo Gallery
131: Community Forums
132: Community Forums
133: Community Forums
134: Community Forums
135: Home
136: Community Forums
137: Community Forums
138: Community Forums
139: Downloads
140: Home
141: Community Forums
142: Community Forums
143: Community Forums
144: Photo Gallery
145: Community Forums
146: Home
147: Community Forums
148: Photo Gallery
149: Community Forums
150: Community Forums
151: Community Forums
152: Photo Gallery
153: Community Forums
154: Community Forums
155: Community Forums
156: Community Forums
157: Community Forums
158: Community Forums
159: Photo Gallery
160: Community Forums
161: Community Forums
162: Community Forums
163: CPGlang
164: Home
165: Downloads
166: Community Forums
167: Community Forums
168: Photo Gallery
169: Member Screenshots
170: Community Forums
171: Community Forums
172: Community Forums
173: Home
174: CPGlang
175: Community Forums
176: Community Forums
177: Community Forums
178: News Archive
179: Community Forums
180: Home
181: Community Forums
182: Photo Gallery
183: Photo Gallery
184: News Archive
185: Community Forums
186: Home
187: Home
188: Community Forums
189: Community Forums
190: Community Forums
191: Community Forums
192: Community Forums
193: Community Forums
194: Community Forums
195: Community Forums
196: Community Forums
197: Community Forums
198: Community Forums
199: Community Forums
200: Community Forums
201: Photo Gallery
202: Community Forums
203: Community Forums
204: Community Forums
205: Community Forums
206: Downloads
207: Home
208: Photo Gallery
209: Photo Gallery
210: Community Forums
211: CPGlang
212: Community Forums
213: Community Forums
214: Community Forums
215: Community Forums
216: Home
217: Home
218: Community Forums
219: Photo Gallery
220: Photo Gallery
221: Community Forums
222: Community Forums
223: Community Forums
224: Statistics
225: Community Forums
226: Downloads
227: Community Forums
228: Home
229: Community Forums
230: Home
231: Community Forums
232: Home
233: Home
234: Photo Gallery
235: Community Forums
236: Community Forums
237: Community Forums
238: Community Forums
239: Community Forums
240: Home
241: CPGlang
242: Community Forums
243: Statistics
244: Home
245: Community Forums
246: Community Forums
247: CPGlang
248: Photo Gallery
249: Home
250: Community Forums
251: Community Forums
252: Community Forums
253: Community Forums
254: Photo Gallery
255: Community Forums
256: Community Forums
257: Community Forums
258: Community Forums
259: Community Forums
260: Photo Gallery
261: Community Forums
262: Community Forums
263: Downloads
264: Community Forums
265: Photo Gallery
266: Photo Gallery
267: Home
268: Home
269: Community Forums
270: Photo Gallery
271: Home
272: CPGlang
273: Community Forums
274: Photo Gallery
275: Downloads
276: Photo Gallery
277: Community Forums
278: Community Forums
279: Home
280: Photo Gallery
281: Community Forums
282: Community Forums
283: Community Forums
284: Community Forums
285: Community Forums
286: Community Forums
287: Downloads
288: Community Forums
289: Community Forums
290: Community Forums
291: Community Forums
292: Community Forums
293: Community Forums
294: Community Forums
295: Community Forums
296: Community Forums
297: Community Forums
298: Downloads
299: Community Forums
300: Community Forums
301: Member Screenshots
302: Photo Gallery
303: Community Forums
304: Community Forums
305: Community Forums
306: Community Forums
307: Community Forums
308: CPGlang
309: Community Forums
310: Community Forums
311: Community Forums
312: Community Forums
313: Your Account
314: Community Forums
315: Photo Gallery
316: Community Forums
317: Community Forums
318: News Archive
319: Community Forums
320: Photo Gallery
321: Community Forums
322: Community Forums
323: Community Forums
324: Community Forums
325: Community Forums
326: Statistics
327: Community Forums
328: Downloads
329: Community Forums
330: Community Forums
331: CPGlang
332: Community Forums
333: Community Forums
334: Community Forums
335: Photo Gallery
336: Your Account
337: Community Forums
338: Community Forums
339: Community Forums
340: Community Forums
341: Community Forums
342: Downloads
343: Downloads
344: Community Forums
345: Photo Gallery
346: Member Screenshots
347: Home
348: Community Forums
349: Community Forums
350: Community Forums
351: Community Forums
352: Photo Gallery
353: Home
354: Community Forums
355: Home
356: Community Forums
357: Community Forums
358: Community Forums
359: Photo Gallery
360: Community Forums
361: Home
362: Community Forums
363: Photo Gallery
364: Photo Gallery
365: Downloads
366: Community Forums
367: Photo Gallery
368: Community Forums
369: Photo Gallery
370: Community Forums
371: Community Forums
372: Home
373: Member Screenshots
374: Community Forums
375: Your Account
376: Member Screenshots
377: Home
378: Photo Gallery
379: Community Forums
380: Community Forums
381: Community Forums
382: Community Forums
383: Your Account
384: Community Forums
385: Community Forums
386: Community Forums
387: Community Forums
388: Community Forums
389: Community Forums
390: Community Forums
391: Community Forums
392: Photo Gallery
393: Community Forums
394: Photo Gallery
395: CPGlang
396: Community Forums
397: Home
398: Downloads
399: Community Forums
400: Community Forums
401: Community Forums
402: Photo Gallery
403: Photo Gallery
404: Community Forums
405: Community Forums
406: CPGlang
407: Community Forums
408: Home
409: Home
410: Community Forums
411: Community Forums
412: Community Forums
413: Community Forums
414: Home
415: Community Forums
416: Community Forums
417: Home
418: Community Forums
419: Community Forums
420: Downloads
421: Community Forums
422: Community Forums
423: Statistics
424: Photo Gallery
425: Community Forums
426: Community Forums
427: Community Forums
428: Community Forums
429: Downloads
430: Downloads
431: Community Forums
432: Community Forums
433: Community Forums
434: Community Forums
435: Downloads
436: Community Forums
437: Statistics
438: Community Forums
439: Community Forums
440: Community Forums
441: Statistics
442: Photo Gallery
443: Home
444: Community Forums
445: Photo Gallery
446: Your Account
447: Community Forums
448: Home
449: Member Screenshots
450: Community Forums
451: Community Forums
452: News
453: Member Screenshots
454: Community Forums
455: Home
456: Member Screenshots
457: Community Forums
458: Home
459: Home
460: Community Forums
461: Community Forums
462: Community Forums
463: Community Forums
464: Community Forums
465: Community Forums
466: Community Forums
467: Member Screenshots
468: Community Forums
469: Photo Gallery
470: Downloads
471: Community Forums
472: Community Forums
473: Community Forums
474: Community Forums
475: Statistics
476: Community Forums
477: Community Forums
478: Downloads
479: Community Forums
480: Home
481: Community Forums
482: Community Forums
483: Community Forums
484: Photo Gallery
485: Community Forums
486: Community Forums
487: Community Forums
488: Photo Gallery
489: Photo Gallery
490: Statistics
491: Community Forums
492: Home
493: Community Forums
494: Photo Gallery
495: Community Forums
496: Community Forums
497: Home
498: Community Forums
499: Community Forums
500: Community Forums
501: Community Forums
502: Photo Gallery
503: Community Forums
504: Photo Gallery
505: Community Forums
506: Downloads
507: Home
508: Community Forums
509: Photo Gallery
510: Community Forums
511: Home
512: Community Forums
513: Community Forums
514: Community Forums
515: Photo Gallery
516: Photo Gallery
517: Community Forums
518: Home
519: News
520: Community Forums
521: Home
522: Statistics
523: Community Forums
524: Community Forums
525: Community Forums
526: Home
527: Community Forums
528: Home
529: Community Forums
530: Community Forums
531: Community Forums
532: Community Forums
533: Community Forums
534: Community Forums
535: Community Forums
536: Home
537: Downloads
538: Community Forums
539: Photo Gallery
540: Community Forums
541: Community Forums
542: Statistics
543: Photo Gallery
544: Community Forums
545: Photo Gallery
546: Community Forums
547: Community Forums
548: Photo Gallery
549: Community Forums
550: Community Forums
551: Community Forums
552: Home
553: Community Forums
554: Home
555: Home
556: Community Forums
557: Home
558: Photo Gallery
559: Statistics
560: Community Forums
561: Home
562: Community Forums
563: Home
564: Community Forums
565: Community Forums
566: Photo Gallery
567: Community Forums
568: Downloads
569: Downloads
570: Community Forums
571: Community Forums
572: Community Forums
573: Community Forums
574: Your Account
575: Community Forums
576: Home
577: Community Forums
578: Community Forums
579: Community Forums
580: Member Screenshots
581: Community Forums
582: Community Forums
583: Community Forums
584: Home
585: Photo Gallery
586: Downloads
587: News
588: Home
589: Community Forums
590: Community Forums
591: Community Forums
592: Community Forums
593: CPGlang
594: Community Forums
595: Downloads
596: Photo Gallery
597: Community Forums
598: Community Forums
599: Community Forums
600: Home
601: Community Forums
602: Home
603: CPGlang
604: Community Forums
605: Community Forums
606: Photo Gallery
607: Community Forums
608: Community Forums
609: CPGlang

Staff Online:

No staff members are online!
New 'Franken-Tanks' Discovered !!
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.
Go to page 1, 2  Next
Post new topic    Reply to topic    Printer Friendly Page     Forum Index ›  AFV News Discussion Board

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

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 24, 2006
Posts: 3436
Location: Vine Grove, KY
PostPosted: Tue Nov 17, 2009 2:45 am
Post subject: New 'Franken-Tanks' Discovered !!

Hey all

These photos were forwarded to me. They were taken over the weekend, during a local MVPA 'trail ride' in the area of the old 'GMD' recovery area.



Regards
Don
Back to top
View user's profile Send e-mail Visit poster's website AIM Address Yahoo Messenger Photo Gallery
MarkHolloway
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Apr 08, 2006
Posts: 2054
Location: Beatty, Nevada
PostPosted: Tue Nov 17, 2009 7:14 pm
Post subject: Re: New 'Franken-Tanks' Discovered !!

Wow! That's an M48 hull. I'll bet there weren't many of these built.

_________________
"TUMBLEWEED"
Back to top
View user's profile Send e-mail Photo Gallery
panamadan
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 29, 2006
Posts: 174

PostPosted: Tue Nov 17, 2009 8:03 pm
Post subject: Re: New 'Franken-Tanks' Discovered !!

Don,
What is the GMD area? Is this tank buried or been outside a LONG time?
Dan
Back to top
View user's profile Send e-mail
Dontos
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 24, 2006
Posts: 3436
Location: Vine Grove, KY
PostPosted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 10:40 pm
Post subject: Re: New 'Franken-Tanks' Discovered !!

Dan

'GMD' or 'Ground Mobility Division' taught Tank Mechanic Track Vehicle Recovery, that these vehicles were a part of.

I have bee further informed that this is 4 seperate vehicles, and the hulls are M48A1's. Although I have not been provided with any additional photos, I was also told that there was an M103 & an M103A1, in the cluster of vehicles.

I am hoping that other individuals present may have taken additional photos. I'll post whatever else I am forwarded.

Regards
Don
Back to top
View user's profile Send e-mail Visit poster's website AIM Address Yahoo Messenger Photo Gallery
Joe_D
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 29, 2006
Posts: 2066
Location: Razorback Country
PostPosted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 11:27 pm
Post subject: Re: New 'Franken-Tanks' Discovered !!

I see an M60A3 in the mix (top left picture, bottom right) Shocked ,

Also, the "Franken Tank" that's stood on to take the pictures in the bottom images appears to be to an M48A3/A5 hull (I believe it's the same one that's missing the right track and idler in the top right picture). Give away is the area where the pack should be and in the front image you can see the comp idler re enforcing extension boss that was used when the hulls were upgraded from A1's to A3's. Pretty sure this is the same one that had been posted a while back in a different location.

Barrel in the bottom left image looks like the old 120mm used on M103's.

Gotta be a reason for the consolidation, most likely they are cleaning up the area since that class is also moving to Fort Benning Sad , These old girls might be scrapped real soon, be a shame to let them get away without salvaging some decent parts.

_________________
Joe_D
Back to top
View user's profile Photo Gallery
Geoff_walden
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 26, 2006
Posts: 133

PostPosted: Sun Nov 22, 2009 10:47 pm
Post subject: Re: New 'Franken-Tanks' Discovered !!

I don't want to start an unfounded rumor, but I heard that there were 21 (yeah, 21!) M2A1 Medium Tanks dug up on Fort Knox this past week. This was supposed to be at GMD as well. I talked to some guys at GMD on Friday, and they said they had heard the same thing, but it wasn't at GMD - it was out in the range or impact area somewhere.

A guy I work with was tasked to certify that these tanks are clear of ammo, and he was asking me for an ammo storage plan or load plan. He didn't actually see the tanks himself.

Did anyone else hear this? This sounds suspiciously like the tanks shown above, except misidentified (badly!) by someone.

Geoff Walden
Back to top
View user's profile
Dontos
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 24, 2006
Posts: 3436
Location: Vine Grove, KY
PostPosted: Sun Nov 22, 2009 11:14 pm
Post subject: Re: New 'Franken-Tanks' Discovered !!

Geoff

I've heard a number of urban legends regarding stuff on Ft Knox, but nothing about M2A1's.

Between the ranges, GMD, & Zussman there is a lot to be discovered and/or accounted for.

Regards
Don
Back to top
View user's profile Send e-mail Visit poster's website AIM Address Yahoo Messenger Photo Gallery
Michel_Krauss
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Oct 30, 2009
Posts: 953
Location: Zuid-Holland, The Netherlands
PostPosted: Mon Nov 23, 2009 12:02 am
Post subject: Re: New 'Franken-Tanks' Discovered !!

Hi folks,

sorry to bother, maybe an strange question

what is an "Franken-Tank" and what is so special about them ?? Confused Confused

All I see is an tank hull in the M48-M60 style with an very special turret

Michel

_________________
I'm Not Crazy, I'm Just Not You
Back to top
View user's profile
Joe_D
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 29, 2006
Posts: 2066
Location: Razorback Country
PostPosted: Mon Nov 23, 2009 2:02 am
Post subject: Re: New 'Franken-Tanks' Discovered !!

Michel,

Name was coined on this site when referring to these creations. All have old M60A2 turrets that were excess when the tanks were turned in and converted to AVLB bridgelayers. These turrets were placed on obsolete hulls (Mostly M48/M48A1) and were used for hard targets at Fort Knox. One eventually ended as a display tank in front of the VFW in Valley Station Kentucky. The rest as far as we know are the ones on the ranges at Fort Knox. Seems to be unique to that post as far as I know.

_________________
Joe_D
Back to top
View user's profile Photo Gallery
JG300-Ascout
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 05, 2005
Posts: 6257
Location: Cyberspace
PostPosted: Mon Nov 23, 2009 2:11 am
Post subject: Re: New 'Franken-Tanks' Discovered !!

- Dontos
Geoff

I've heard a number of urban legends regarding stuff on Ft Knox
Regards
Don


Some things aren't legends, or accounted for....

...like a circular area at CTA (near the river) about 100 meters in diameter where nothing grew or lived. I've seen the effects of defoliation, and that doesn't explain it.

No idea what was behind it.

_________________
"All facts go to clearly prove that Shades is a thrice-cursed traitor & mentally deranged person steeped in inveterate enmity toward mankind"
Back to top
View user's profile Photo Gallery
Dontos
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 24, 2006
Posts: 3436
Location: Vine Grove, KY
PostPosted: Mon Nov 23, 2009 12:32 pm
Post subject: Re: New 'Franken-Tanks' Discovered !!

This is the first 'Franken-Tank' located in Valley Station Ky.



Regards
Don
Back to top
View user's profile Send e-mail Visit poster's website AIM Address Yahoo Messenger Photo Gallery
Michel_Krauss
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Oct 30, 2009
Posts: 953
Location: Zuid-Holland, The Netherlands
PostPosted: Mon Nov 23, 2009 1:07 pm
Post subject: Re: New 'Franken-Tanks' Discovered !!

Joe-D,

thanks for the explanation, so it is an sort of Frankenstein tank

Is putting an obsolete turret on to an obsolte hull not an lot of work for an hard target?
I guess that the M48 hull's have been from complete M48 tanks, so hull with turret

And if it have been complete M48 tanks, what use was there for these M48 turret's?

Michel

_________________
I'm Not Crazy, I'm Just Not You
Back to top
View user's profile
Doug_Kibbey
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 23, 2006
Posts: 4678
Location: The Great Satan
PostPosted: Mon Nov 23, 2009 3:07 pm
Post subject: Re: New 'Franken-Tanks' Discovered !!

- Dontos
This is the first 'Franken-Tank' located in Valley Station Ky.
Regards
Don


Whaddaya' know....the same guy who mis-spelled my name on a couple of my orders is apparently still out there!
Back to top
View user's profile Visit poster's website Photo Gallery
Joe_D
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 29, 2006
Posts: 2066
Location: Razorback Country
PostPosted: Mon Nov 23, 2009 5:45 pm
Post subject: Re: New 'Franken-Tanks' Discovered !!

Is putting an obsolete turret on to an obsolete hull not an lot of work for an hard target?


No, not really with these examples. Turret ring and diameter is the same between M48 and M60, 85 inches. Unbolt the turret ring and the slip ring connections and that's it. M88 has enough lift capability. Only problem would be the crew platform on the M60 series hangs lower than for the M48. In this case that wouldn't matter since those M60A2 turrets didn't come with the platforms (both examples I inspected didn't have them). Just place on top and your done, using just enough bolts for transport. Anniston Army Depot had many M60A2 turrets left over when the converted the hulls to AVLB's

And if it have been complete M48 tanks, what use was there for these M48 turret's?


I still wonder about that myself. With the exception of the one that uses a later M48A3/A5 hull, all the other "Frankentanks" I've seen use M48A1 hulls. The M48A3/A5 hull may have been damaged and unrepairable. I'm pretty sure the turrets from these were sold as parts after being upgraded to 105mm with M60A3 fire control components. Taiwan comes to mind (CM-11). These M48 Hulls would be pretty much useless to anyone since they would require a major retrofit to bring up to M48A5/M60A3 standards. I'm guessing Fort Knox requested some hard targets and Anniston Army Depot created these from junk laying around. They used to do a demonstration Combined Arms Live Fire Exercise once a year that destroyed a lot of old tanks (Do they still do this Don ?). Last time I was there they used a bunch of really nice M60A3's for Targets Crying or Very sad

Anyway, that's my theory

_________________
Joe_D
Back to top
View user's profile Photo Gallery
JimWeb
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 24, 2006
Posts: 1439
Location: The back of beyond
PostPosted: Mon Nov 23, 2009 5:56 pm
Post subject: Re: New 'Franken-Tanks' Discovered !!

- Joe_D


I still wonder about that myself. With the exception of the one that uses a later M48A3/A5 hull, all the other "Frankentanks" I've seen use M48A1 hulls. The M48A3/A5 hull may have been damaged and unrepairable. I'm pretty sure the turrets from these were sold as parts after being upgraded to 105mm with M60A3 fire control components. Taiwan comes to mind (CM-11). These M48 Hulls would be pretty much useless to anyone since they would require a major retrofit to bring up to M48A5/M60A3 standards. I'm guessing Fort Knox requested some hard targets and Anniston Army Depot created these from junk laying around. They used to do a demonstration Combined Arms Live Fire Exercise once a year that destroyed a lot of old tanks (Do they still do this Don ?). Last time I was there they used a bunch of really nice M60A3's for Targets Crying or Very sad

Anyway, that's my theory


Yeah I can confirm that the turrets went to Taiwan.

Also some M60A2 turrets went there as well and were supposed to have been used on fortifications. About two years ago one of the european ammunition manufacturers got a big order from Taiwan for 152mm HEAT ammunition which one assumes were for these turrets.

_________________
TTFN
Jim

If your not a member of JED then your
not serious about anything military..

***********************
www.jedsite.info
JED Military Equipment
***********************
Back to top
View user's profile Visit poster's website ICQ Number
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic    Reply to topic    Printer Friendly Page    Forum Index ›  AFV News Discussion Board
Page 1 of 2
All times are GMT - 6 Hours
Go to page 1, 2  Next



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