CADC selling M151A2

[maple_leaf_eh]

Originally Posted by Robert Bergeron

I am going to stir a hornet's nest here : Where they really any better than the Iltis ? Don't shoot the messenger here !

The Iltis has a narrower track than the M-series vehicles. It could go into more places, but I watched one get remarkably well stuck crossing a tank rut. The short wheelbase give the Iltis a rocking horse ride. The M151A2 has a more car like ride.

The Iltis has soft seats covered in vinyl vs the M-series' horsehair and canvas over wire coils. I preferred the M38A1 passenger seat because you can take it out and sit on at ground level while going in and out of the back. The M38A1 seat is not adjustable. The M151A2 has two positions. The Iltis is on a slide and has a seat back adjustment too. So, for that alone, it is better.

The roll cage on the M151A2 becomes a structural member after a certain amount of rust and body flexing. There are 6 posts. The Iltis cage is less strong and is less protection during off-angle rolls. It has one big hoop and angled rear supports. Both are better than the nothing but the windshield frame on the M38A1.

The first horizontal edge under the M151A2 behind the wheels is a 1" cross section at the angle of the front footwell. That surface has been pounded on mine, and every cross member all along the underside is flattened, dented, torn or full of historic mud from hitting rocks and obstacles. Yes, there was an in-service reinforcing patch kit that doubles up the thickness on those wear surfaces, but they are patches over sheet metal, not conventional frame parts. The M38A1 has a proper frame to carry the vehicle. I don't recall the underside of the Iltis, but recall it is fairly smooth more like a VW Bug.

The batteries were placed in progressively more awkward locations as the models progressed. The M38A1 CDN1 had thumbscrews that were easy to forget. The CDN2 and 3 had a flip catch to get into the battery box which is handy in front near the firewall. The M151A2's are under the passenger seat, but still relatively easy to access. The Iltis is under the back seat (?) or the rear floor (?) and the doors are always under other stuff.

I think the mirrors on the Iltis were the best of all 1/4 tons. Easy to see and stay adjusted, and as I recall fairly big.