Tank ownership

[rich v]

Anyone on the forum own a tank ? If so from what country and what model ? Just Wonder'in

Information

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[jmoore]

No, but I had a LOT of P36/P40 parts at one time. (Airplane)

There is at least one member who does have a tank that I know of. (Pardon the English)

Also know a guy who has/had a half track, a C47, and was working on a B17.

Do Ferrets count as tanks?

[Badger]

Don't own one, but spent a LOT of time in the M4A2E8 Sherman ....

Brings back memories ....

Here's some 40+ year old pics from my very first day on the tank ranges as a fresh young Crew Commander. Two of my first few engagements (different tanks) at 1,500 to 2,800 yards were captured in the color pics below. What the second one didn't show was the result of the 76mm back blast spinning me around in the turret, blowing my beret off my head and over the back deck, plus burning (singe effect) my eyebrows and hair bad enough that it crumbled to the touch. Of course, I straightened myself up and tried to look "very cool" to all of my buddies watching.





Regards,
Doug

==================================
Qualifications:

Sherman (M4A2E8) & Centurion
Group 3 Gunner (RCAC)
Group 2 Driver Mechanic Tracked (RCAC)
Group 2 Signaler (RCAC)
CC and Troop Leader Instructor

[vintage hunter]

Always wanted one but sinc I don't have any place to shoot a tank I opted for a bulldozer instead.

[Stevo]

Thanks for the pictures and story, Doug. Awesome.

Ob's stürmt oder schneit, ob die Sonne uns lacht, eh?

[Emri]

This place has plenty; IIRC, one of the founders said they had about 40 or so (tanks).

The Veterans Memorial Museum - Huntsville Alabama

They had a Sherman, an SPG, an APC, Several Jeeps, 2 motorcylcles (one Harley, one Indian), A 6 wheel drive ambulance, etc. , at the last AGCA gunshow in Birmingham. Also a "pack howitzer" artillery piece, along with several other items.

A VERY impressive display.

OK, I just looked ( first time ) at the website I linked to. NOT a Sherman but I think it was this one they had there. I've never been there, ( the museum ), just talk to one of the organizers, a Club member, when I see him @ the show.






FWIW,

Emri

[Badger]

Thanks for the pictures and story, Doug. Awesome.

Ob's stürmt oder schneit, ob die Sonne uns lacht, eh?

Yup ..

Back in the early 60's, I had a Troop Sergeant who was an ex-Panzer commander during the war. He made us learn and sing (Panzerlied) in both English and German. We used to sing it as we marched out to the tank park in the morning to mount our Shermans for the day's training. He always used to whine about not having a Panther to work with.

Panzerlied March (Six Videos with Various Music Versions)

Regards,
Doug

[Peter Laidler]

Not exactly a tank but SORT of a tank. A Centurion Mk2 Armoured Recovery Vehicle. Not a gun tank (but it should have a .300" L3 Browning, the rear-sear equivalent of the M1919 for crew protection). Was destined for use as a hard target after a total thousands of ££'s rebuild.

As a matter of interest Badger, what happened to your Shermans? Hard targets? Were they replaced by the Centurions? When?

[Badger]

As a matter of interest Badger, what happened to your Shermans? Hard targets? Were they replaced by the Centurions? When?

Replaced during the 60's with Centurions and many of the old Shermans became "hard targets" for them, or the TOW anti-tank missle system which was popular during that era. There were also a lot of Shermans that were donated to various amouries and museums as display pieces.

Regards,
Doug

[peregrinvs]

Here's the annual UK Mecca for AFV owners:

War Peace Show - The Largest Military Vehicle Spectacular in the World - Home