Fort Knox Patton Museum Restoration Facility

[Sten-man]

Today, I along with the members of the "KILROY" military club that I belong to in Louisville/Indiana had the opportunity to go through the restoration facilities for the Patton Museum at Fort Knox. One of the members of the club had his jeep on display in the museum. Today it was taken off display and he took it home.
It is amazing the amount of vehicles that are waiting for restoration. WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam. the vehicles and artillery
are sittting every where. If you ever get a chanc e to visit the Museum I would highly recommend it!!!!

[Sten-man]

Another pic.

[Sten-man]

I want one of these!!!

[JimmieD]

Thanks for the great pics Sten-man!

RE: "I want one of these....", ME TOO! Those are one of my top favorites of military vehicles and I had a nice metal toy model of one when I was a kid. But I'm not up on militaria, so what exactly are they? Is that an APC? Do you know the designation or nomenclature? [I'll bet he does....]
JimmieD

[Cheyenne Dave]

White 1/2 track. Actually, I believe they were built by White and one other company. About the only way to tell the difference is to look at the gauges...they have the company name.

There are two basic versions, one with a winch and the other has the roller. I was told once upon a time what the military designations for the two were, but I have forgotten...M1-A3? that's probably not right...

Dave

[Cheyenne Dave]

This is what happens to you when you get to drive one...nobody argues with you for a parking space! What a blast to drive!

DAB

[JimmieD]

OHHHHhhhh-NOOOooohhh! Ha haha, too much, man.

I heard that the roller on front is for negotiating 'tank traps'. Are Volkswagens and Hyundais officially recognized as tank traps yet? Guess I better start saving my pennies 'cause I think I feel an obsession coming on again.
JimmieD

[JimmieD]

Another question: Are they steered with the front wheels like a truck, or do they also use brake steering on the rear treads?

I also wonder if rubberized treads are available anywhere on the planet....?
JimmieD

[Cheyenne Dave]

They are steered by the front wheels. The rear tracks are powered by a "conventional" differential and play no part in steering. You drive it just like a truck (a 10 ton truck!). It is covered with heat treated 1/4" steel plate. No worries about run-away shopping carts!

The roller was not nessesarily for tank traps, but for any obstacle such as walls or trees, that might impeed forward movement. The roller would get the front end up and the combination of front drive wheels and rear tracks would take it from there.

Dave

[Russ Erickson]

Is that Bob from New Jersey (aka the Jersey Devil)?

[Cheyenne Dave]

Indeed it is, Bob Decker...Scruffy.

[jbell]

Half-tracks were built for four years by four different companies. White, Autocar, Diamond-T and International. Internationals are distinguished by flat front fenders and rounded corners on the rear armor. In WW2 , M3's and M2's were the most common. The M3A1 and M2A1 are the one's with the machine gun pulpit above the passenger seat. The one with the quad .50 is the M16. There were many other variants, but these were the most common. I recently sold my White M2A1. What a blast to drive around town, especially when I had the replica .50 cal and two .30 cal mounted. Nice to have a spotter along as blind spots could be a problem. My current ride, WC-12, is a little more practical.

[powerwagontim]

What did the half tracks have for an engine?
Tim

[jbell]

Hi Tim, All the half-tracks, except the Internationals were powered by the White 160AX. It is a large gas powered flathead six. I think, just guessing, it was about 360 c.i.d. Gas mileage wasn't too bad, with a single two barrel carb. NOS tracks can still be bought for around 4800.00 a set. The Israelis used half-tracks into the 1970's, so many of those tracks and other parts have made their way into the U.S. Check out Gary Hebding's web site at www.halftracks.com .Gary pretty much has a monopoly on parts although are there others to buy from if you search. Rod Shaver in Arizona and Dave Yamulla in Pennsylvania

[jbell]

Here's a picture of my old half-track,1944White M2A1....John
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/jcbell/DSC009031.jpg