I've read every resource I can find on the M60 series - but never heard what the two verticals cut outs in the bustle rack screen is for. The searchlight mount is on the other side- I can't think of a purpose?
I can't sleep until I know!
Thanks for the insight!
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M60A1 turret bustle Q: why the cutouts
BruceJ8365
Joined: December 25, 2012
KitMaker: 441 posts
Armorama: 441 posts
Posted: Sunday, June 23, 2013 - 08:20 AM UTC
majjanelson
Joined: December 14, 2006
KitMaker: 1,355 posts
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Posted: Sunday, June 23, 2013 - 12:13 PM UTC
Bruce,
Just to make sure, your referring to these slots in the bustle rack (image from Prime Portal)?
Just to make sure, your referring to these slots in the bustle rack (image from Prime Portal)?
BruceJ8365
Joined: December 25, 2012
KitMaker: 441 posts
Armorama: 441 posts
Posted: Sunday, June 23, 2013 - 02:09 PM UTC
That's, it! What are they for? We never used them on any marine m60a1s I was in contact with.
BruceJ8365
Joined: December 25, 2012
KitMaker: 441 posts
Armorama: 441 posts
Posted: Monday, June 24, 2013 - 05:42 AM UTC
Come on! You guys seem to know every other detail, nuts and bolts and everything else...
Someone has to know what these are for... I used to think it had to do w the searchlight stowage, but that's on the starboard side rear of turret, these are on the port side rear.
Even though I've been around these things for years, I never knew and I can't find any reference to using them in any of my Operators Manuals.
Someone has to know what these are for... I used to think it had to do w the searchlight stowage, but that's on the starboard side rear of turret, these are on the port side rear.
Even though I've been around these things for years, I never knew and I can't find any reference to using them in any of my Operators Manuals.
majjanelson
Joined: December 14, 2006
KitMaker: 1,355 posts
Armorama: 979 posts
Posted: Monday, June 24, 2013 - 05:51 AM UTC
Bruce,
I can check at our SC Army National Guard UTES where they maintain all of the Abrams, Bradleys, and other tracks we have. Some of the mechanics are old enough to have worked on the M60s we had up until the early '90s.
It might take me a couple weeks, though, so I hope you're not in a rush.
I can check at our SC Army National Guard UTES where they maintain all of the Abrams, Bradleys, and other tracks we have. Some of the mechanics are old enough to have worked on the M60s we had up until the early '90s.
It might take me a couple weeks, though, so I hope you're not in a rush.
barron
Joined: December 01, 2001
KitMaker: 666 posts
Armorama: 598 posts
Posted: Monday, June 24, 2013 - 06:12 AM UTC
I was a driver and gunner on an M60A1 and I can't tell you what their for. The only thing we put in our bussel rack was our gear and tarp. 
BruceJ8365
Joined: December 25, 2012
KitMaker: 441 posts
Armorama: 441 posts
Posted: Monday, June 24, 2013 - 06:43 AM UTC
Quoted Text
I was a driver and gunner on an M60A1 and I can't tell you what their for. The only thing we put in our bussel rack was our gear and tarp.
I know, us too! That's why I'm curious. I knew you guys would come through for me! I can be patient... I've waited 20 years wondering.. a few more weeks won't kill me I guess.
Thanks again, looking forward to being enlightened.
armourguy
Joined: March 12, 2008
KitMaker: 464 posts
Armorama: 371 posts
Posted: Monday, June 24, 2013 - 12:37 PM UTC
If I may take a guess...could they have been intended for the searchlight storage rack like on the back corner of the M48, or the first gen M60 turret? They are in the same basic location as the search light mounting rack on the other earlier tanks.
something like this...
I'm guessing that they were intended for the rack mounts to protrude from the bustle bin...but the rack idea was dropped during R&D but the slits remained?
Just a thought
something like this...
I'm guessing that they were intended for the rack mounts to protrude from the bustle bin...but the rack idea was dropped during R&D but the slits remained?
Just a thought
KurtLaughlin
Joined: January 18, 2003
KitMaker: 2,402 posts
Armorama: 2,377 posts
Posted: Monday, June 24, 2013 - 01:47 PM UTC
I asked on another site and got an answer from an M60 expert:
Quoted Text
Those slots in the bustle rack are for two 72 inch straps (NSN 1025-00-965-7833) for stowing the tarpaulin, Below is a picture of an M60A1 with the tarp stowed according to the TM stowage guide.
Tarp stowage - http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f266/Ranchero76/TarpStowageM60A1.jpg
This picture shows the straps mounted without the tarp. The slots were there to allow the strap to pass through at an angle and also to ease installation
Straps - http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f266/Ranchero76/TarpStowageM60A1001.jpg
Below is a good shot of an A1 bustle rack, the four welded loops were for the 39 inch straps (NSN 5340-00-854-6733) and were ran around the top rail to secure your gear.
Loops - http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f266/Ranchero76/DSC02913.jpg
Originally the M60A1 20P manual had the nomenclature reversed when describing the straps, calling the 72 inch “STRAP ASSEMBLY, WEBBING: CARGO RACK STOWAGE, 72 IN” , and the 39 inch “STRAP ASSEMBLY, WEBBING: TARPAULIN STOWAGE, 39 IN”. The unit of issue was the way to know the correct one since it listed four for the 39 inch and two for the 72 inch. Both these straps were listed in the M60A3 20P manual were called “STRAP, WEBBING” , listing neither the length or purpose. There wasn’t even a NSN available for the 72 inch either when cross referenced by part number.
Other than pictures of tanks either at the school house or proving grounds, I’ve never seen the tarp stowed this way. Common practice was to line the bustle rack with the tarp and cover all your gear to protect it from the elements. The late A1 and original build A3's were best for that since they were one piece and didn’t have the separating bar and fuel transfer pump stowage bracket in the way. Bottom line is it’s just a redundant feature that was still required by the manufacturer even though it’s use was long forgotten by the user. The -10 TM’s up to the A3's do vaguely show them in place in the strap diagram.
Hope this answers your questions.
_________________
Joe D
*****************
My M60 Gallery
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BruceJ8365
Joined: December 25, 2012
KitMaker: 441 posts
Armorama: 441 posts
Posted: Monday, June 24, 2013 - 03:18 PM UTC
Ah! I can finally rest! I see that now. Looks like one of those "/features" that seemed like a good idea to a designer but not all that practical in real life.
So those cut outs are kind of the appendix and tonsils of the tank world - a vestibular organ that has no use today but still hangs around!
Thanks so much!
So those cut outs are kind of the appendix and tonsils of the tank world - a vestibular organ that has no use today but still hangs around!
Thanks so much!
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