Ok guys i want to do a m1a1 with one or both sponson(sp?) boxes open but what would i find inside?

tools, weapons, gear, personal gear, magical elves?

any pictures of open sponsons?

Looked through my collection and only found one useful pic.



I'm not exactly sure where this tank was at the time. I only know it wasn't in Iraq.

-Matt

Cool thanks matt

As you can see above, anything can be put in them. While in operations, they are usually used to store pioneer tools, track tools, and POL products (GAA-grease, oil, etc.).

I'm thinking that the troop who did that was a new soldier. An experienced tanker would know anything in that box would end up soaking wet and covered in old grease and mud.

OR Bullet lead, shrapnel etc.

Keith.

Man, I'm with you! I was shocked to see all the clothing in there. Those boxes were usually filthy and full of tools and what we called "BII". Uniform items went in plastic bags and then in the duffle or rucksack.

I'm guessing they're a new crew...

It's a Gortex jacket and filed jacket liner. It also looks like a toll bag in between the two. I thinking it is there for easy accessability or quick access.

If they were in Iraq I should think grease and mud would be a welcome substitute for the other things out there...

Like Epi said, the Gortex and the liner are in there for a quick grab. You can see on first glance that it looks like a bunch of clothes in there but looking again you can see its shop towels on the left side, an impact wrench on the right side and the funnel and fire extinguisher.
All of that stuff minus the clothing are parts of the BII (Basic Issue Items). Im sure that Epi could get you a list from the TM on what the BII is for the M-1. Also we would toss some MRE's in there, POL products and maybe our helmet bags (same as the AF uses).

Hopes this helps some.

-Dan

Once again thanks guys for all the replys and intel