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The M31 mounts on the Jeeps were mounted though the floor onto three points on the chassis. The rear two legs were bolted to the side rails, and the front leg was bolted to a special plate mounted on a cross-member. Not all Jeeps were manufactured to take these mounts. These three steel T section legs distributed the recoil, but the .50 M2 was a lot harder on the mount than the .30 M1919A4.
Thanks for that Darren; we've had a fair amount of debate on whether they can or can't over the years. The British Army hasn't used the Humvee because they've used the Land Rover and so they are not seen that often over here. Now that production has ceased of the Defender it will be interesting to see what the British Army choses as a replacement.
Jim--
I believe they were the M38A1. The US had three different versions, the M38A1, I believe the M38A1C which had a splint windshield and folding tail gate for use of the 106mm Recoilless Rifle which is the commercial CJ5 and an ambulance version which is the CJ6 I forget the military designation.
fjruple
I think you're right on this. M38A1...looks sort of right. We also had the 106mm R Rifle with the split windshield model. M38A1.COM - Model Differences between years and variants.
Looking at the first post I do not think those sitting in the front of the jeep would appreciate a burst from that fifty over the front whilst sat there.
Sentry nice pics illustrating the roominess (not) of the Humvee can I ask as for climate controls in these types of vehicles and AFV's like Bradleys and M1A1's do they have effective units installed for the occupants or is that about as far down the list as it can go. My thoughts would be heat exhaustion and stroke would be a major concern in hot environments for the soldiers.
I understand on the next go-round of jeepish-humveeish vehicles the brass wants to hang on a minigun from an Apache M230-LF 30-mm. cannon to get the exploding ordnance capacity.
MORE
Bob
Jim, the M38A1 is also a much beefier chassis than that of the GPW/MB. Yes, the M31 and M31C were mounted through the floor between the seats and mounted to the machine gun MG plate welded to the top of one of the mid cross members. They are about a 1/4" thick so you can see where the M2 would destroy it in short order.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo..._4835JPG-1.jpg
That makes perfect sense, there's a corresponding surface on the M63 anti aircraft pedestal and with the legs excluded from the mount, it bolted down to that. That also was what the older guys told me.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bill Hollinger
Personally, I think the Navy got it right with this one :)
Attachment 75860
I agree completely, more is better.