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Posted on 08/23/2004 11:27:34 PM PDT by SAMWolf
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 are acknowledged, affirmed and commemorated.
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| Our Mission: The FReeper Foxhole is dedicated to Veterans of our Nation's military forces and to others who are affected in their relationships with Veterans. In the FReeper Foxhole, Veterans or their family members should feel free to address their specific circumstances or whatever issues concern them in an atmosphere of peace, understanding, brotherhood and support. The FReeper Foxhole hopes to share with it's readers an open forum where we can learn about and discuss military history, military news and other topics of concern or interest to our readers be they Veteran's, Current Duty or anyone interested in what we have to offer. If the Foxhole makes someone appreciate, even a little, what others have sacrificed for us, then it has accomplished one of it's missions. We hope the Foxhole in some small way helps us to remember and honor those who came before us.
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 The M60 series tank succeeded the M47 and M48 Series. The improved design provided an increased operational range and mobility, requiried a minimum of refueling and servicing, and incorporated an improved main armament. A Continental V-12 750 hp. air cooled diesel engine powers the vehicle. Power is transmitted to a final drive through a cross drive transmission, which is a combined transmission, differential, steering, and braking unit. The hull of this vehicle is a one piece steel casting and is divided into two compartments, the crew in the front, and the engine at the rear.  The M60 Patton main battle tank is now primarily found in US Reserve and National Guard units, but served as the primary US main battle tank for two decades prior to the introduction of the M1. Developed from the M48 Patton series, the M60 was fitted with a 105mm main gun and manned by a four-man crew. Criticized for its high profile and limited cross-country mobility, this durable tank proved reliable and underwent many updates over its service life. Rarely has one vehicle type labored as the principle main battle tank for as long as the stalwart M60. The interior layout, based on the excellent designof the M26/46/47/M48, provided ample room for updates and improvements, extending the vehicle's service life for over four decades.  In the early 1950s, reports from British intelligence indicated the Soviets had developed a new heavily armored medium tank, the T-54. This new tank was armed with a 100mm gun, superior to the American M48 medium tank, which used an old 90mm main weapon developed in WWII. In response, the US developed a strategy to bring the M48 up a level to compete with the new Soviet tank -- the M60. Initially produced in 1960, over 15,000 M60s were built by Chrysler and first saw service in 1961. Production ended in 1983, but 5,400 older models were converted to the M60A3 variant ending in 1990. This tank saw action with the Israeli forces during the Yom Kippur War in both the Sinai and the Golan Heights.  Besides its main gun, the M60 series tanks are equipped with a 7.62mm M240 coaxial machine gun and 12.7mm M85 antiaircraft gun. Power is provided by a Continental AVDS-1790-2C 750 hp V-12 engine and an Allison CD-850-6/6A powershift crossdrive transmission. The first M-60s retained a turret similar to the M-48, but had a revised hull with better ballistic protection. The M60 tank hull was designed with a unique rounded boat shape, made from five cast pieces that combine to provide excellent ballistic protection for the four crew and equipment packed inside.  M60 Dozer The army ordered the M60 into production in 1959 and the first M60s entered service with U.S. Army units during the fall of 1960. Most of the initial production vehicles were sent to Europe to offset the Russian T-54, then coming into widespread service with Warsaw pact armies. While it was an improvement over the M48, especially in armament (having a 105 mm gun, a much roomier M19 Commander Cupola and new road wheels), the M60 was regarded as somewhat of a stop gap measure. It has 750 hp. with a maximum speed of 30 mph and maximum range of 350 miles.  Used in Vietnam and Desert Storm, it proved itself to be a dependable vehicle in all areas of operation
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The M60A1 was the principal production model from 1963 to 1980 with the British-designed L7 105mm rifled gun with thermal sleeve and fume extractor (63 rounds). Other than the new turret design, little was done to the basic M60 chassis excepting minor changes in hull fittings. The new variant, under the designation M60A1, was able to be placed in production relatively quickly, and without serious problems. The first M60A1s were issued to regular army units during the spring of 1962, less than 2 years after the first M60s. Following introduction of the M60A1 into American service, it was supplied to U.S. allies, including Austria, Iran, Israel, Jordan and Italy.
en.wikipedia.org
www.military.cz
mitglied.lycos.de
www.hisinsa.com
armor.kiev.ua
www.mainbattletanks.czweb.org
www.aeronautics.ru
www.panzerbaer.de
www.army-technology.com
www.israeli-weapons.com
Thermal Sight (TTS) The M60A3 with Tank Thermal Sight (TTS), incorporates hybrid solid-state ballistic computer, laser rangefinder, and turret stabilization system. The tank combat full-tracked, 105mm gun M60A3 (TTS) is an improved version of its predecessor, with the addition of an improved fire control system, thermal sight device, top loading air filters, and a laser range finder. The tank combat full-tracked, 105mm gun (TTS), (M60A3), has the capability to engage the full spectrum of enemy ground targets with a variety of accurate, point and area fire weapons, incorporated with a shoot-on-the-move capability.  The M60A3 main battle tank is used as the principal assault weapon of tank battalions during all types of combat operations, conducted under any conditions, from low-intensity conflict to general nuclear and nonnuclear situations, as part of an offensive combined arms team. The M60A3 ise employed as the decisive element of army forces to defeat an enemy force using fire and maneuver. In the role of defense, it ise used as a part of a combined arms team to prevent, resist, repulse, or destroy an enemy attack. The M60A3 (TTS) replaced the m48 series of tanks, and the M60A1 tank.  This vehicle took the interim developments in the Rise Passive version, and added a laser rangefinder, new ballistic computer, a tank thermal sight (TTS), and a thermal sleeve to the main gun (to help prevent "gun droop"). The first A3s began to deploy in Germany in mid-1979. The laser rangefinder added significant capability to the M-60, and many of these are still in service, with many in foreign service. The Tank Thermal Sight was a significant advance, and tankers who have operated a3s and M1a1s almost universally state that the TTS on the M-60a3 was the best thermal imager ever fielded. It was not used on the M1 series due to cost and its large size. In the mid-80’s, the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) upgraded it’s M60 tank force. The early model M60, with the rounded turret, received a series of much needed upgrades and was renamed the Magach-7 configuration. This upgrade included thick slabs of passive armour added to the turret and hull front, armoured side skirts, new fire control and a thermal sleeve for the 105mm.  Sabra A key IMI export is an upgrade program for the US-built M60A3 main battle tank (MBT). It features a 120mm gun, developed to fit the relatively small turret dimensions of older tanks. This upgrade is ideal: no machining or welding is necessary on the turret to match the 120mm with the M60. The characteristics, including dimensions, recoil force and range, are almost identical to those of the existing 105mm system. Within the turret, the only major changes are for ammunition racking and the fire control system. IMI prototype has been tested and fired.  The Sabra Main Battle Tank is a modernised upgraded M60A3, orignally developed for a proposal to Turkey by Israel Military Industries. The Sabra upgrade package is now being marketed elsewhere internationally. The original 60s and 70s technology is replaced by new systems which will extend the life of the M60 into the next century as an effective weapon system capable of defeating modern tanks. The Sabra's main armament is a new 120mm Gun system which is interoperable with NATO weapon systems and ammunition. Similar to the gun developed for the Merkava Mark 3 main battle tank, it is mated with thermal imaging sights and the "Knight" fire control system and which provides a fire on the move capability. The 120mm gun was developed to fit the relatively small turret dimensions of older tanks. No machining or welding is necessary on the turret to match the 120mm with the M60. The characteristics, including dimensions, recoil force and range, are almost identical to those of the existing 105mm system. Within the turret, the only major changes are for ammunition racking and the fire control system. The enhanced turret and add-on ballistic protection improve survivability against shaped charge and kinetic projectiles. |
If you support the policies and character that our current President, George W. Bush, stands for, please drive with your headlights on during the day this coming Sunday.
If you support John Kerry, please drive with your headlights off at night.
Join us at the rally we call:
What: A peaceful remembrance of those with whom we served in Vietnam - those who lived and those who died.
We will tell the story of their virtues and how that contrasts with the lies told by John Kerry.
When: Sunday, Sept. 12, 2004 @ 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM EDT
Where: The West Front of the U.S. Capitol Building, Washington, DC
All Vietnam veterans and their families and supporters are asked to attend. Other veterans are invited as honored guests. This will be a peaceful event--no shouting or contact with others with different opinions. We fought for their rights then, and we respect their rights now. This is NOT a Republican or a pro-Bush rally. Democrats, Republicans and independents alike are warmly invited.
Our gathering is to remember those with whom we served, thereby giving the lie to John Kerry's smear against a generation of fine young men. B.G. "Jug" Burkett, author of "Stolen Valor," will be one of our speakers. Jug has debunked countless impostors who falsely claimed to be Vietnam veterans or who falsely claimed awards for heroism. Jug recommends that we refrain from dragging fatigues out of mothballs. Dress like America, like you do every day. Dress code: business casual, nice slacks, and shirt and shoes. No uniform remnants, please. Unit hats OK.
Selected members will wear badges identifying them as authorized to speak to the media about our event. Others who speak to the media will speak only for themselves.
The program will be controlled in an attempt to stay on-message. Speakers are encouraged not to engage in speculative criticism of John Kerry but (1) to stick to known and undisputed facts about John Kerry’s lies while (2) reminding America of the true honor and courage of our brothers in battle in Vietnam.
Send this announcement to 10 or more of your brothers! Bring them by car, bus, train or plane! Make this event one of pride in America, an event you would be proud to have your mother or your children attend.
Contact: kerrylied.com
Greek M60A3 brake test.
Good morning, Snippy and everyone at the Freeper Foxhole.
Ah, fine memories with my second cup of coffee. I am not real sure about the M60 in Vietnam, we had the M48A3C. There might have been some '60s there, I just had not heard of them. The old M60 with the "teacup" turret was quite the sight. I was the only certified instructor the Armor School Maintenance Department had for the Closed Breech Scavenger System (CBSS) on the M60A2. I was at APG, MD in the late 1980's and saw a depot packed M60A2 behind the fence on a concrete pad. Like I said, fine memories.
I remember in 1980 2-69 AR got an influx of 19J's. Those who had started out as 19E's were glad to be out of the the A2. Those who came in as 19J's whined. I have no first hand knowledge of the A2, but what I heard wasn't good.
The M728 was based on the hull and turret of the M60A1 tank. Equipped with a bulldozer blade and a large 'A' frame boom, the M728 CEV allowed combat engineers to perform a variety of jobs on the battlefield under armor protection. The 165mm demolition gun was designed to break-up concrete obstacles and was highly effective for fire support.
Based on the hull and turret of the M60A1 tank, the M728 CEV was equipped with an 'A' frame boom, winch and bulldozer blade. Carrying a four man crew the CEV was armed with a short-barreled 165mm howitzer and two machine guns and weighed 57-tons.
Tom Currie (D Coy, 1st Sqdn, 11th ACR, RVN '68 - '69) wrote;
The 11th Cav itself did not have any Combat Engineer Vehicles (CEV), but our Engineer unit, the 919th Engineer Company, was supposed to have one per platoon.
The 919th was assigned (actually attached I believe) to the Regiment and normally operated in separate platoons with one platoon attached to each Blackhorse Squadron.
I can't say what happened in the other squadrons, but the platoon of the 919th that was attached to 1st Squadron had an M48A2C or M48A3 tank with the dozer blade kit most of the time instead of a CEV.
CEV of 919th Engineer battalion, 11th ACR
They were usually together with the tank company and preferred the M48 over the CEV because it was easier to get parts and ammo for the tank than for the CEV and it was safer to look like the rest of the vehicles around you instead of looking like something special. As I understand it, each time a CEV became a "combat loss" they had to bring another one clear from CONUS -- which always took quite a while -- so the engineer platoon would be issued a tank until their CEV arrived. I only recall one CEV arriving while I was in country and I think it "hit a mine" within a day or two after arrival in the field - it was a "combat loss" soon enough that they tank they had turned in hadn't even left yet and they got their old tank back instead of having to get a new one.
Hard Headed Treadhead Tuesday Bump for the Foxhole
Cool pics No. 4
Regards
alfa6 ;>}
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