Loss of life, M18 Hellcat

I'd put this in the memorial section but it has to do with a horrible accident involving a M18 Hellcat that occurred east of Bend Oregon yesterday. Although I only knew Steve Preston from the meets at Tower Park he was always a nice guy. Austin Lee I did not know but knew of him.

They were at a range yesterday being filmed for documentary footage in Steve's WWII M18 Hellcat. Friends say they had a hang fire and opened the breech too soon and the round exploded killing Austin immediately. Steve was able to call his wife at home and lived just long enough to make a brief statement to rescue workers when they reached him.

This accident has rocked the military vehicle restoration community something horrible. It's all over the news although they are being guarded in the information given.

RIP fellas!

That is pretty sad to hear Bill

Very sad news. Prayers sent to the family.

Here is a link do the story. 2 killed when WWII-era tank explodes in Oregon - AOL

RIP

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Bill Hollinger

Friends say they had a hang fire and opened the breech too soon and the round exploded killing Austin immediately.

---

Very sad news Bill ... :(

I can't tell you how many times we were put through the "hang fire" drill in our M4A2E8 76mm Shermans. It was common with that vehicle so you just had to be patient and wait out the lengthy cool down period.

Two dead in M18 Hellcat accident - Tank and AFV News

Regards,
Doug

It's a sad day for sure!!
In basic we had an 8" howitzer SP blow the breech. It was suspect so no one was in it. What a mess.

RIP to those lost. Any loss of life is a shame, but if it helps at all, they died doing something they love, so there's a way to look at it. Condolences to the families involved as well. I can't even imagine getting that phone call.

Although the loss of human life trumps all of it, is there any report on how far gone the M18 was?

The fact his firts & last toughts were of his wife speeks volumes.

A very upsetting, sad thing to hear. My condolences to the families.

I guess they still don't know the cause but the were attempting to fie the 76mm main gun.

Oregon Tank Explosion: Two Men Killed Trying To Fire Round From WW2-Era Tank

So sad. A accident that most would never think could happen.

Condolences to the families.

We drove over to Cental Point, OR and I talked with Ron Fitzpatrick today (owner operator of G503.com and Ron Fitzpatrick Jeep Parts) and it was made official by the Military Vehicle Preservation Association (MVPA) in a news letter. Steve Preston and Austin Lee both killed in tragic WWII M18 Hellcat accident.

Thanks for the update even though I reside in a different country it still does not diminish the fact that people have lost their lives, now as a stone is dropped into a pond the ripple affect goes through the families and the people they knew and were friends with.

There's a follow up news story here: :(

Ore. pair who restored vintage tanks killed by explosion

Regards,
Doug

This photo of Steve says it all.

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...32dfae5f-1.jpg