Okay, I,m going to make this question real difficult. If you are a true treadhead you'll stand a fighting chance of answering it. Exiting post along Wilson road, You cross over Hwy 31 just as you round the bend there is a large tank on a pedastal. I am curious what caliber gun did it mount and I know it was fielded, but for how log and when. The next question, was there ever a kit made of it. BONUS: Now if you were ever there in the old days (early 70's)what three fast food restaurants were close to it (only one was/is a national chain)

That's the old M103 Heavy Tank off of Dixie Highway, was just there in August. I remember that KFC was down the street a bit, but as far as fast food places, I noticed most of them had changed locations. The McD's at the corner of 31W and Lincoln Trail moved and the BK just south of that intersection was moved as well. You'd barely recognize that intersection now.

The M103 used a 120mm main gun. It was referred to as the T43 heavy tank and with some modifcations started production in 1950. The production version was the T43E1and the first vehicle was completed in 1952 and all were completed by the end of 1954. The vehicle was standardized in October 1953 as the 120mm Gun Full-Tracked Combat Tank M103.

The Army got the lion's share of the tanks with a few going to the USMC. The Army tanks went to the 7th Army in Europe in 1957. The initial modified tank was the T43E2 and modified production vehicles became M103A1. Only 200 tanks were built.

Tanks that had fire control upgrades and increased fuel capacity became M103A1E1s. Tanks that were upgraded with M60 fire control, engine and transmission became M103A2s.

I do not know if the actual Radcliff tank in a T43, T43E1, T43E2, M103, M103A1, M103A1E1 or an M103A2 though.

Steve aka WeWillHold built one and posted pictures here: M103 Heavy Tank U.S.

Ron you are nothing short of amazing. But, do you remember the girl who worked the second shift at the KFC? She had red hair and smile that would melt your heart. Always complained about her ex...he was a tanker... then he opened up the pawn shop near the post, you know the one, where the police had to surround that day the ...oh...well, bet you won't remember me either.

hehe

your amazing anyway

I knew I could count on you Rob to get that one. You get 1 point on the bonus. The other two fast food places which predate all the Mcdonalds, Burger King etc was the Dog and Suds...just a stones throw from the M103 and right next door to the KFC was a place called Burger Queen. The closest Burger KIng was in E-town and the closest McDonalds was way up in Valley Station far beyond Bennie's First/Last chance...But that was in early 70's. And thanks greyhunter, I believe that is exactly what I am looking for. Hey, the M103 Heavy tank...no collection should be without it (:-)

My first trip to Knox wasn't until 1987. By that time, there was McD, BK, KFC, Taco Bell, Long John Silver's, Pizza Hut, Golden Corral, White Castle, Checkers, Waffle House and many other non-national fast food chains outside the gates. There was a BK on post and a Popeye's Fried Chicken there along with the various AAFES food court fair like Anthony's Pizza, Robin Hood Sandwiches, Frank's Franks, Baskin Robbins, etc.

I remember a real good German restaurant as well as a plethora of oriental restaurants and pizza shops. In the early 70s I was looking forward to turning 10.

THe white castles was a great stop after a long day on the gun range ending at 0100am on my way to my home in Vine Grove. That was the good old days.

I sure don't remember White Castle being there. THe only thing I remember about Vine Grove was the Drive-In Movie theatre and for a teenager..that was Heaven on Earth. I think Meatloaf was writing about that place when he did Paradise by the Dashboard lights!!!