Have you ever wanted to upgrade the tracks on that Sherman tank you have sitting in the garage? Are you tired of simply clanking around town with it? Want to take it out on the highway and tootle down a European road at 40 mph? If so then this site sells custom rubber tracks that will let you get the most out of your M4. Want proof? Go to the “read more”.
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Road testing your high-speed rubber tracks. Mileage may vary.
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Are you tired of simply clanking around town with it?
Wretchard, you must be thinking of the Shawn Nelson tank tour of San Diego in 1995:
“One of the most bizarre police chases ever recorded occurred when an M60 Patton tank was stolen by Shawn Nelson from an Army National Guard armory, on May 17, 1995. Nelson went on a rampage through San Diego, California, with the massive tank crushing multiple civilian vehicles before wrecking its tread on the concrete median barrier of the freeway divider. Police were able to get aboard the tank and open the hatch, though had to resort to lethal force when the suspect would not surrender.”
Video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msPrOIAVUZo&feature=related
Okay, I just had to share this one. “If you shoot at my tank One More Time . . .”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIrkAiQfhss&feature=related
And lest we forget: Marvin Heemeyer’s do-it-yourself tank, the 2004 Colorado killdozer:
“The machine used in the incident was a Komatsu D355A bulldozer fitted with makeshift armor plating covering the cabin, engine and parts of the tracks. In places, the vehicle’s armor was over one foot thick, consisting of concrete sandwiched between sheets of steel to make ad-hoc composite armor. This made the machine impervious to small arms fire and resistant to explosives; three external explosions and over 200 rounds of firearm ammunition fired at the bulldozer had no effect on it. National Guard units were placed on standby orders by Governor Bill Owens for possible anti-armor support.
“For visibility, the bulldozer was fitted with several video cameras linked to two monitors mounted on the vehicle’s dashboard. The cameras were protected on the outside by 3-inch shields of bullet-resistant plastic. Onboard fans and an air conditioner were used to keep Heemeyer cool while driving and compressed air nozzles were fitted to blow dust away from the video cameras. Food, water and life support were present in the almost airtight cabin. Heemeyer had no intention of leaving the cabin once he entered; the hatch was permanently sealed. Authorities speculated Heemeyer may have used a homemade crane found in his garage to lower the armored hull over the dozer and himself. ‘Once he tipped that lid shut, he knew he wasn’t getting out,’ Daly said. Investigators searched the garage where they believe Heemeyer built the vehicle and found cement, armor and steel.
“For armament the bulldozer was fitted with a .50 caliber semi-automatic Barrett M82 rifle pointing out to the rear, a semi-auto variant of the FN FNC in front, a .223 Ruger Mini-14 to the right, a 9mm Kel-Tec P-11 semi-auto pistol and a .357 magnum revolver with which he killed himself.”
Live helicopter news report: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZbG9i1oGPA
James Garner is one of the best actors of the post WW-II era but he made some duds.
Still Tank may interest some as a curiosity.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHjCY4Z6b44
At one time most Americans could drive a tractor and if you could do that then you could drive a tank. At one time Americans learned to drive on Model-T Fords with a pin instead of a gas peddle. They were guaranteed to break down every couple of hundred miles but anybody could learn to fix them with simple tools. That made us a nation of engineers. In theory in extremis the militia could operate and repair the tools of the military. Now systems are so complicated and the populace are so unskilled that even the armed forces can’t repair their equipment. They have to send parts back for repair by civilian specialists while critical assets are rendered non-combat ready.
What is the best reason to do something like own a tank? Knowing that there are people who do such things gives the readership of The Nation ulcers.
There is an M-41 Walker Bulldog in a park a couple of miles away, parked next to an AH-1 and UH-1D.
And about 20 miles away is a company that makes guns, and behind the factory the CEO has one of the largest private armored vehicle collections in the world.
A couple of miles from that is a museum with a collection of warbirds: an F-105D, a Mig-21UTI, a Mig-17P, an FM-1 Wildcat, and others, as well as a flyable F-86F and C-47.
Several years back I remember reading that as late as the 1960s, one could buy a Matilda tank (WWII surplus) from the Australian Gov’t for $200. Apparently some were sold to farmers and such. $200. Even in the 1960s, that would have been a bargain. But the maintenance and fuel….whew!
5. RWE,
Is there also a space launch site nearby from which, I hope, a Delta 4 will lauch tonight around 11:30P?
Salaam eleikum!
No armor, but I do have a friend with a 12 pound napoleon. And for fuel, all you need is enough hay for your team of horses.
“Knowing that there are people who do such things gives the readership of ‘The Nation’ ulcers”
A.) BWAAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!!!!!!!
B.) What readers? Looked at their circulation lately? They’re actively BEGGING. Needless to say, from MY pov, the proverbial “couldn’t happen to a nicer crowd.”
I live in Los Angeles, and more common variants of the Urban Assault Vehicle are a twenty year old Honda Civic painted in green camo, or a brand-new Dodge or Ford pickup mini-monster 4×4 with gigundo wheels, driven by the wife to the market for a quart of milk and the latest issue of Cosmo.
It has to be cheaper than a boat.
I want one.
Well, now we know what Wretchard wants for Christmas.
Notice the web address – http://www.staman.nl
I bet that a lot of the 1st British Airborne had wished Shermans could move that fast down a Dutch highway in September 1944.
A much more practical alternative for anyone looking to own a piece of military history that will still give the “progressive” statist hoplophobes in the neighborhood nightmares:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fox_Armoured_Reconnaissance_Vehicle
If that thing does 40mph someone’s been tinkering with the powertrain.
Marzoug #7:
Yep, it did not go last night (yawn) but they have slipped it to Sunday night. Delta IV with two solids carrying the first of the next generation of GPS satellites.
By the way, I have meaning to ask you. Does “Allah Akabar” mean basically the same thing as “One of y’all hold my beer and watch while I do this.”?
Feeblemind #6: As late as the early 1980′s a place in Augusta, GA was selling surplus Stuart tanks for $12,500.
What’s the mileage on that thing? Does it take bio-diesel so I can get a tax credit?
17. Curious
Probably lousy, but the more bio you burn the bigger the credit!!
That looks like the gas version but they built tons of them with diesel engines so converting one to bio would be easy enough.
IIRC the diesels went to USSR, Britan and the USMC. They were well-loved by their users. The USSR 5th Guards Army used them instead of T-34s in the assault on Berlin.
I bought an old Sherman, just tootled around
With nice brand new tracks I sure covered the ground
To people with questions I sure had the anther
Till I met the wise guy who just bought a Panther
16 RWE,
Seems we have common interests. It would be cool to meet a fellow Belmonter. My email is marzouq2006@hotmail.com. Maybe we could connect.
Salaam eleikum
I like how they welded rear view mirrors on the Sherman. This was no doubt to pass the “safety inspection” to get it street legal. Those mirrors are functionally useless. But I would have loved to have been there when they rolled up to a gas station for an inspection, jumped out of the tank, and no doubt said, “I dare you to fail me.”
It reminds me of a time we had some exercises going on at Fort Hunter-Liggett, and this guy Taco had trouble with the tranny on his T72. So he was coming in late, in his T72, and actually himself got pulled over by a Park Police dude on a bicycle. “Sir, you can’t go down there, it’s too dangerous. They’re having an exercise,” the ranger said.
“I know,” replied Taco, “that’s why I’m a T72.”
“I’m going to have to ask you to turn around. You can’t go down there,” said the ranger.
“Hey, you can’t tell me what to do!” cried Taco.
“Why not?”
“I have a T72!”
Two thoughts:
First, I wish I had the expertise to keep something like that running (and the money and room for it too!). In the meantime, I’ll just have to tool around town in my 1945 Willy’s MB with the fender-mounted air-cooled Browning .30 cal. WWII-era jeeps are the all-time bargain for someone looking to own a piece of military history, and parts are plentiful and reasonably priced, too.
Second, another video ruined by the choice of soundtrack. Honestly, if you have a thing for World War II militaria, why not go the extra step and add some period music? I couldn’t take it and had to turn the sound off. But that’s one clean Sherman.
@wws the Napoleon I worked didn’t come with horses. Once she was unloaded from her trailer us cannoneers were the horses.
The daily ration prescribed for an artillery horse was 14 pounds of hay and 12 pounds of grain, usually oats, corn or barley.
Six horses pull the gun and six more pull the caisson. Few reenactor batteries have horses, let alone caissons, so reducing the gun team to four still costs somebody the price of 56 lbs of hay and 48 lbs of grain, every day.
Then there is saddlery and harness. An adequate horse can be had for less than what it costs to hook him up to the gun.
THE 35TH ANNUAL MVPA CONVENTION will be held at the Topeka Expocentre July 8-10, 2010
“Make a clothesline pulley out of those old Sherman tank thrust bearings”
- Popular Mechanics parody headline
Well, now we know what Wretchard wants for Christmas.
We can all chip in with what’s left to us after taxes and buy Wretchard one of those bumper stickers that says “My OTHER Car Is a Sherman Tank.”
The War and Peace Show takes place 21-25 July 2010 at The Hop Farm, Paddock Wood, Kent, TN12 6PY.
Over 4,000 military vehicles from all over the world.
This post totally reminded me (like totally, dude) of this:
Stolen Tank Leads Police On Wild Chase Through San Diego
I remember watching that on the news in awe because the police were fairly powerless against that sucker for quite a long while.
Curious,
Does it take bio-diesel so I can get a tax credit?
Not so much takes as gives. The thing was designed to turn Nazis into compost. That deserves credit in my book.
My first reaction after watching that Sherman video was to think how useful it would be in all those scenarios Hollywood directors like to put their characters in. If audiences can readily imagine a world with zombies, dinosaurs lurking in the bushes, giant crocodiles or masked chain-saw wielding serial killers routinely menacing the citizens, then why is it so crazy to think one of the characters should have a Sherman tank? Because even if they don’t, maybe some of us do and we visit the common landscape of culture dressed up in our own ways.
Although there may be some artistic or scholarly reason for buying a 35 ton armored vehicle and modifying it to hurtle down the highway; though there may be a historical justification for all that effort, at some level the satisfaction of owning one of these things is partly to do with satisfying our imaginations. Just like when we were little boys. Then, as you are barreling down the country road you can think ‘now just let those creepy flesh eating zombies show up! Splat!’ That way you can, each time you zip around, star in a different movie all of your own creation.
The main thing is never to think such desires, for so long as they are harmless and paid for by our own efforts, are silly. We are all endowed by the creator with the right to pursue happiness. And that includes hoping a T-rex will jump out of the trees when we’re out with the Sherman.
Awe, don’t need nuthin more than a few 40mm grenades for a t-rex, and a big bottle of barbeque sauce.
At some level the satisfaction of owning one of these things is partly to do with satisfying our imaginations. . . . . And that includes hoping a T-rex will jump out of the trees when we’re out with the Sherman.
For some of us the dream machine is not a refurbished tank but a secondhand Stuka (and yes, I know only two survived the war in museum-ready condition)– the thought of taking a Ju 87 into a steep dive over a meeting of Congress with the famous Jericho-Trompete siren in full wail is extremely satisfying. Sound here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZZ504TGDpE
wws @ 8: “No armor, but I do have a friend with a 12 pound napoleon.”
See you and raise. I have a friend who knew someone who noticed that a refinery in the southern part of the state was selling off some surplus heavyweight pipe very cheaply. People retain the strangest pieces of information, and my friend happened to know the diameter of a standard bowling ball. He realized that the internal diameter of this surplus pipe was very slightly larger than that. In a part of the world where most people have a cutting torch sitting next to the welding set in the back of the shed, the next step was inevitable — and the bowling ball cannon was born.
That is an M4/A1 with the cast hull. They are pretty rare now a days. The diesels were the M4/A2 with welded hull, IIRC they are about 6 to 8 inches longer, so no you cannot slip a diesel in there. I’m surprised to see one. Most of the A1′s were shipped to the UK where they put a different turret with a 17 pounder on them. Firefly IC, I think.
40 MPH was the top road speed when everything was perfect. They seldom went that fast, since Shermans didn’t get tune ups that often. Plus there was a problm with the metal cleats shaking everything loose and turning the road into gravel. So I think 30 MPH was all they would allow them to go when in convoy. Cross country speed was maybe 15 MPH. Suspension wouldn’t allow any more then that without breaking things and injuring the crew.
The real advantage of the Sherman was the power traverse and how reliable it was compared to other tanks of that era.
Here is you some breakfast fare:
“WW2 TANK KILLS”
Nothing like the smell of burning flesh in the morning.
Papa Ray
I have the extremely good fortune to have a son-in-law whose hobby is being a Class III dealer. Once or twice a year, he and my grandsons go to a machine gun shoot. If any of you decide that you want to wash the taste of political correctness out of your mind, dig around on the web, find the nearest machine gun shoot, and go. Prepare to revel in the smell of napalm in the morning…or afternoon…or evening for that matter. Be sure and take the opportunity to talk to the participants; in fact for a paltry sum, many will let you fire anything ranging from sniper rifles (for NCIS viewers, you can shoot any of the Lapua variations) to 45-70 Gatling guns to civil war cannons to flame throwers. (By the way, a charge for firing these guns is entirely logical. At the current price of .50 caliber ammo, ripping off a belt from an M-2 is expensive, so helping to defray the costs for the experience is expected.)
As an aside, it is interesting to find out what these camo clad warriors do for day jobs. Many are dentists, lawyers, doctors, teachers, etc.
Knob Creek (Need I say more)
Yep programmer That can be quite a hoot. But I would like to tell you that in real life…it’s not quite as much fun because the “targets” are shooting back.
Papa Ray
Papa Ray,
I agree. War is not fun,…but Knob Creek (and its variations) are, indeed, a hoot.
OT
Columbia needs help.
About 33 years ago John Coatsworth, now the head of Columbia’s School of International Studies, was my Latin American Civ Instructor at Chicago. He was an open communist then, espoused professional standards in scholarship, and treated me with courtesy. My reason for mentioning this is that under Coatsworth Columbia’s International Studies program has become a venue for promoting left wing and Islamist positions that are increasingly openly anti-Semitic. For example in addition to hosting the conference discussed at the link he also sponsored and hosted Iran’s Ahmadinejehad.
My fear is that the Islamists may feel that they are at their high water mark and the tide is turning against them. If that is so then they may become reckless or even desperate in their efforts to force through efforts to control and intimidate other voices. I hope that everyone working on a campus stays safe.
Ali Mazrui Revives Jewish Race Science at Columbia U. Conference – Campus Watch
http://www.campus-watch.org/article/id/9624
16. RWE
By the way, I have meaning to ask you. Does “Allah Akabar” mean basically the same thing as “One of y’all hold my beer and watch while I do this.”?
Allahu Ahkbar means God is great in Arabic. But, when criminals who are NOT true Muslims scream “Allahu Ahkbar” as they kill, maim and terrorize the innocent it would basically mean the latter in your post!
I guess I owe you and the rest of the Belmonters a bit of an explanation of Redneck Islam. Here goes:
In the days of Mohammad (peace be upon Him) Muslims adopted Hebrew dietary laws (The Law of Moses) known today as Kosher. The Muslim dietary laws which are called Hallal are almost identical to Kosher with the exception of alchohol usage. The biggest commononality, the ban on pork, came about because people were getting sick and dying from pork borne diseases. Since modern science has found the cause of these diseases and how to prevent them, those who eat properly prepared pork are safe. My sect, Redneck Islam, recognises this.
I began this sect because I felt it would be a good counter to false islam of sects like the Taliban and Nation of islam.
BTW, salaam eleikum means the same as shalom or peace be with you.
Hashish, ganja, weed, pot should be legal. I have never heard of a shootout or fight at a pot party unless alchohol or hard drugs are also involved. Everybody should be allowed to grow their own. Marijuana is also a great source of biomass to make biodiesel and fiber for textiles. Like alchohol, it can also be regulated and taxed to dig us out of our deficate (sp. ha)!
Lastly I want to mention alchohol. It is the most powerful drug in the world. Those who go over “the invisible line” and become alchoholics become so addicted that they can die from the withdrawal. Not even heroin addicts have that problem. Alchohol in moderation (no more than 2 beers, shots, or glasses of wine a day) is actually considered healthy for most people. So… in Redneck Islam I say ok but play it safe and do not take the risk at all.
Salaam eleikum Sir.
Tanks for the memories
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KuStsFW4EmQ&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lELZMc7mvgw
Papa Ray
Nothing like the smell of burning flesh in the morning.
It’s also something that makes aircraft crashes (whether military or civilian) so terrible. I have a cousin who’s an airline pilot (a very responsible and careful flier, I should add) who has told me that by far the most traumatic experience for rescue workers and investigators after a major crash is that smell. Many have nightmares for years afterward.
My dad (82nd Airborne, WWII) also had some awful stories about seeing the aftermath of tank kills, especially during the Normandy campaign.
Marzouq the Redneck Muslim @ 40,
I began this sect because I felt it would be a good counter to false islam of sects like the Taliban and Nation of islam.
Having always enjoyed your posts, it is good to know the back-story to your handle. Attawaytogo, pards.
Re: Pork
Hell, don’t really matter. The only real BBQ is beef anyway.
Cheers,
L3
40 & 43:
Wondering whether Marzouq takes lessons at Diamond Dave’s Redneck Ninja School:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2U-ZQMf56I&feature=related
And remember Diamond Dave’s advice: “Don’t go ninjan’ nobody that don’t need ninjan’.”
(#41 should enjoy this too– no negative waves!)
39. Lifeofthemind
Saw that. I think the conference was confused even by columbia standards.
Awe, don’t need nuthin more than a few 40mm grenades for a t-rex, and a big bottle of barbeque sauce.
Don’t need even that for a Rex, since they massed the same as a bull elephant. Also, the grenades would mess up the hide for the taxidermist. Hence, an elephant gun or two would do the trick. Definitely a yes on the barbecue sauce
Does T-Rex taste like chicken?
Aw, y’all are making me miss my friend Bob. Bob struck it rich in the Nineties go-go market, primarily on Pfizer stock, and invested his speculative profits in imported armored vehicles, mostly bought from Great Britain, where it was easier at the time to buy a Centurion tank than it was to buy a revolver. Bob and his father created a military museum on their property outside of Chambersburg, PA in order to ease their import and BATF headaches by giving the bureaucrats a reason why they were importing these massive, archaic war machines into the States. Both Bob and his father passed years ago, and the last time I heard, their vehicle park had been left as decorations to various schools and public parks in the vicinity. I somehow suspect that the recipients sent the great dangerous hunks of metal to the knackers for scrap instead.
Despite knowing Bob for seven-eight years, I never once laid eyes on his prized collection, but I heard endless stories about them. He was always fuming about the ways various agencies had vandalized the gun tubes and firing blocks on his babies, and plotting to find intact equipment to replace the ruined parts. Most agencies don’t care about the vehicular portion of privately-owned tanks, but will right freak out over one with a functional hull MG or intact cannon.