M-60a1 Dozer Tank: good view of a typical blade tank assigned to a battalion. Although nice to have on hand, blade tanks were constant maintenance headaches, as the complexity of the mechanical system often caused breakdowns. Some blade tanks were actually rebuilt M-60s (early models) and were therefore close to 20 years old when assigned to front line units in Germany during the late 1970s.
contributed by Capt. Kevin Colson
Good close up of the front slope area of the M-48a5. Note the old-style five-buckle overshoes on the ground and stuck inverted in the infantry rail, the C-rations box on the fender, and the other assorted field gear, including the M-19 protective mask. Capt. Colson is wearing the heavy duty BDUs with the old-style olive drab field pants (no longer issued). The slightly orange item next to the C-ration box is just that..... an orange!
The M-48a5 is an excellent tank, and can still challenge tanks of many nations today. Of course, it now has a serious weakness in armor protection, as it does not have a Chobham armor package. Naturally, such a package could be retrofitted to this vehicle. The M-48 was a reliable piece of equipment, and it is unfortunate that it is no longer in US Army inventory, as it would provide excellent yeoman service in such areas as Bosnia and Afghanistan, primarily because the M-1 is simply so expensive to operate.
contributed by Capt. Kevin Colson
M-60a1s of 3rd Plt, C Co. 2/33 Armor at the synch ramp "Mike North," Grafenwohr, June 1980.
contributed by Geoff Walden
Below, an M-60a1 of A Co. 2/33 Armor crushes a junk car at the "Tiger Day" festivities, 1979.
contributed by Geoff Walden
Below, an M-60a1 of C Co. 2/33 Armor (bumper # C-13) takes a hull-down position as two AH-1 Cobra gunships bank past. The yellow tank to the left is an old M-24 Chaffee light tank.
contributed by Geoff Walden
Right, a pair of M-60a1s from 2/33 Armor maneuver down the "bowling alley" at Hohenfels. My tank is seen running this same "alley" in the second to bottom photo here.
contributed by Geoff Walden
Right, loading up main gun ammo somewhere at Grafenwohr. This is usually hard work.
contributed by Jay Grace
Left, M-60a2s and M-113s at a short stop. A weary tanker takes the time to get a few minutes of very precious sleep.
contributed by Randy Smith
Right, M-60a2s and M-113s during a fall excercise, probably Constant Enforcer 1979.
Below, a typical tanker of the late 1970s with his M-60a2. Note the searchlight bracket on the side of the turret, just forward of the loader's hatch.
contributed by Randy Smith
Contributions......
some interesting photos of tankers in other units in the 1970s and 80s.
