M113
 

Found some more interesting images from the RSL archives including this one of a M113, taken around 1970 in Vietnam. Note the ACCO 6 wheeler in the background.

M113A1
 

Keith, Puckapunyal Museum has made a request to the Army to acquire those carriers still in service with Vietnam history (Gads! Nearly 40 years on the job!). While 40 years may seem like an extraordinary service life for an armoured vehicle, those who went to Corowa and were lucky to go on the tour of the Tenix facility would have seen how these vehicles are thoroughly reconditioned and restored to "As new" condition.
It must be an interesting situation for some Armoured Corps soldiers travelling around in APC's that could be older than their own fathers and have a combat history to boot!

Question: Besides the Vickers MG and the Bofors 40mm AA gun (Which have both seen a long and distinguished service history of over 50 years.), what other items of military equipment have seen long service?

Re: M113A1
 

25-pdr gun, Sherman tank, GMC CCKW-353 2-1/2 ton truck, GMC DUKW-353 amphibious truck (still serving with the British Army!), just to name a few.

H.

The Cdn forces Inglis Hipower handguns remain Canada's standard sidearm. Produced in 1944/45, this makes them 60 years old. And they still show up to units in the grease and with the lend lease decals on them.

The C-1 105mm Howitzers are still in limited service as well, (avalanche duties at Roger's pass in British Columbia) although while the carriages are usually wartime dated, the gun was produced by Sorel Industries and is early 50s.

Re: M113A1
 

Not to forget the FV432, still in service and over 40 years old; now being up-dated for even more life.

R.

Re: M113A1
 

The Tenix visit really was interesting - what a pity cameras were banned.
I think the common feeling amoung our group was how much we'd all like to have those facilities for our rebuild - seeing things like the Macks and other vehicles being reduced to similar components as we would for a full CMP rebuild - even the boneyards were full of interest, not to mention the scrap bins which had several of us hovering like hopeful European wasps!

Re: Re: M113A1
 

Are we allowed to mention those "Things" with Mapleleaf roundels on them in the boneyard? I would have liked to get a photo of them.

Maple Leaves
 

"Eats roots and Maple leaves"?

Go on Tony, tell the story, but you might upset them.

Getting back to these Vietnam pics, I now have a page up.

Here's a pic of a Cent with the name "Slap and tickle" on the barrel.

http://oldcmp.net/Images/Vietnam/RSL/Cent_1.jpg

The fuel tanks are interesting.

More pics here.

Re: Maple Leaves
 

Especially to the crew since Aussie Cents were doing 15GPM in Vietnam. . . . . .

Could do with a bit of a track re-tension though.

:)

R.