halftrackinfo

general discussion => what's on your mind? => Topic started by: Captain Crank on February 18, 2012, 07:04:04 AM

Title: Rare in service G.I. pix
Post by: Captain Crank on February 18, 2012, 07:04:04 AM
A friends grampa was a HT crew member..... ETO, D-Day and the Bulge.

Pixs were taken on a camera they "found" using converted x-ray film.

First photo is the vehicle they trained on.

Downed Aircraft......
5 ME109's
2 FW190's
1 Fiesteler Storch

Gent working on bogey is a German POW.

Please post up any/all observations and info you might see.

I will pass anything pertinent on to him.

Enjoy..........

(http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh17/Captain-crank/gpa5.jpg)

(http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh17/Captain-crank/gpa1.jpg)

(http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh17/Captain-crank/gpa2.jpg)

(http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh17/Captain-crank/gpa8.jpg)

(http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh17/Captain-crank/gpa9.jpg)

(http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh17/Captain-crank/gpa4.jpg)

(http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh17/Captain-crank/gpa3.jpg)
Title: Re: Rare in service G.I. pix
Post by: Outsider on February 18, 2012, 07:45:07 AM
That's an early M2 with a quad!

Steve
Title: Re: Rare in service G.I. pix
Post by: col.halftrack on February 18, 2012, 02:29:54 PM
 Great Photos!
 M2 converted to a M16B
 Are those reflectors clamped to the headlamp brush guards??
 
Title: Re: Rare in service G.I. pix
Post by: Captain Crank on February 18, 2012, 02:50:07 PM
Great Photos!
 M2 converted to a M16B
 Are those reflectors clamped to the headlamp brush guards??
 

I wondered the same, what's the gizmo behind the co-driver tow hook?
Title: Re: Rare in service G.I. pix
Post by: steve-0 on February 18, 2012, 04:54:44 PM
cool   :o
Title: Re: Rare in service G.I. pix
Post by: Dave65 on February 18, 2012, 05:58:05 PM
Im curious, has anyone ever seen one of these M16Bs restored, this has to be one of the rarest HTs around, i know only 332 were converted over to M16s. Me and my freind Tony Read had a discussion about this version over in the Armortek forum, we were trying to figure out where the main fuel tank was now located after the conversion, most likely behind the driver against the bulkhead like the M15, Captain Crank maybe you could ask your freind if his Grandfather knows the location, he would be the only one to know this, as there just isnt any photos of the interior....

Dave
Title: Re: Rare in service G.I. pix
Post by: Outsider on February 18, 2012, 06:33:01 PM
Did you guys also notice that is doesn't have the standard blackout head light. Instead the drivers side main headlight has a blackout bulb in it.

And if you look at the pics good you can see it still has the skate rail in it.

Company insignia on the left fender next to the head light and also on both water cans.

Steve
Title: Re: Rare in service G.I. pix
Post by: Captain Crank on February 18, 2012, 06:37:59 PM
Captain Crank maybe you could ask your freind if his Grandfather knows the location, he would be the only one to know this, as there just isnt any photos of the interior....

Dave

Unfortunately his Grandfather has passed and these are the only photos he has, although I will be double confirming that with him.

I see W4024366 as a hood registration, yes, no, maybe?

I'd also like to know why the winch rope is out.
Title: Re: Rare in service G.I. pix
Post by: Dave65 on February 18, 2012, 06:47:45 PM
Yah, you would of thought that the skate rail would be first to go because space was very limited in the M2...
Title: Re: Rare in service G.I. pix
Post by: Outsider on February 18, 2012, 08:28:13 PM
Another tid bit. In the last photo the HT is broke down and has been pulled to where it is at by another HT (tracks on the ground and the cable is all the way out on the winch).

My guess is that they broke an axle because of the position of the guy working on it.

Second thought looks like he may have backed into that position. Just doesn't explain the winch cable being out and tight.

Steve
Title: Re: Rare in service G.I. pix
Post by: halftracknut on July 16, 2012, 07:36:51 PM
Fantastic!!! Love the photos.....any more?   
Title: Re: Rare in service G.I. pix
Post by: Captain Crank on July 17, 2012, 05:22:38 AM
Sadly, no.

If the photographer knew how important this stuff would have been ~70 years later, he'd taken more ...... and focused.

Does it appear the mount is offset to co-driver side and quite close to the front?
Title: Re: Rare in service G.I. pix
Post by: Outsider on July 17, 2012, 08:59:34 AM
To me it looks to be centered left to right, and also looks to be centered over the track bogie casting. What I did notice is how high the quad is mounted in the bed. Looks to me like the base is almost to the top of the side armor.

Steve
Title: Re: Rare in service G.I. pix
Post by: steve-0 on August 20, 2012, 11:34:40 PM
here are some more pics i found interesting.



(http://www.surfacezero.com/g503/data/500/m3_halftrack_engers_1945_2a8wouw509j4c0kowsc08oc0g_ejcuplo1l0oo0sk8c40s8osc4_th.jpg)

(http://www.surfacezero.com/g503/data/500/m26_and_halftrack.jpg)

(http://www.surfacezero.com/g503/data/500/halftrack_on_duck.jpg)
Title: Re: Rare in service G.I. pix
Post by: Tapper02 on August 21, 2012, 02:47:34 AM
First pic:  Notice how both mounted jerry cans, as well as the one on the fender are all water cans?  Also, the mine racks are full of mines, and this is an in-theater pic...disproves the theory that all the HT guys took the mines out of the racks for fear of them blowing up if they got hit by small arms fire.

Second pic:  Right track is missing...battlefield recovery?

-Tom
Title: Re: Rare in service G.I. pix
Post by: Outsider on August 21, 2012, 04:47:59 AM
Umm, Tom, Here in Michigan that's the LEFT track that is missing.  ;D

Steve
Title: Re: Rare in service G.I. pix
Post by: steve-0 on August 21, 2012, 08:39:31 AM
that first pic is one of my favorites. very sharp images.
imagine driving around only looking through the small port. i bet alot of people where run over.
Title: Re: Rare in service G.I. pix
Post by: Tapper02 on August 21, 2012, 12:28:38 PM
Umm, Tom, Here in Michigan that's the LEFT track that is missing.  ;D

Steve

Alcohol or sleep deprivation....not sure which one contributed to that!  But yes, LEFT track...thanks Steve. ;)

-Tom
Title: Re: Rare in service G.I. pix
Post by: Dave65 on December 14, 2018, 07:18:59 PM
That mystery object behind the passenger tow hook may be a Reehmann prewar horn, it looks very close


Dave
Title: Re: Rare in service G.I. pix
Post by: Ma Deuce on December 14, 2018, 08:35:22 PM
Nice pics
I see one HT has Peru, Indiana on hood, that’s down the road from me. Wonder If one of the crew is still Alice and in Peru?
Title: Re: Rare in service G.I. pix
Post by: Hammerhead on December 24, 2018, 02:49:57 PM
COOL Pictures!  Thanks for posting!

That's fascinating they painted the Unit emblem on the fender and on the Jerry cans!  The Halftrack appears broken down and towed into position.  Unfortunately I've seen/experienced that before in person.  I bet that's a Maintenance Section CCKW that is parked right behind the broken down Halftrack.

Interesting too that they attached the "Minen" flags to the headlight grills!