Building an M48A3 for a Vietnam dio and need some pics (if available) please.

Specifically:
- Looking for pics of the externally mounted .50 cal on the commander's cupola of the M48s in RVN (where and how was it attached to the cupola?)
- Looking for pics of the M48 turret INTERIOR ... looking from the gunner's or loader's position looking to the REAR inside the turret
And ...
- Looking for pics of the driver's position (found one but, it's looking straight ahead) need the view to the left and right of the driver's position inside the turret

Much appreciated folks!

Steve

Can't help with the interior pics, but can on the external gun mount. They were field expedient mounts.

Most were just a pipe welded on top of the commander's cupola.



Some welded an M113 gun mount to the cupola.


Or a cut down tripod welded onto it.

I guess these pics of the M48 turret trainer should help with question #2 :

http://www.primeportal.net/tanks/dieter_krause/m48_tower_trainer/

There are a few interior views of a M48A4 on svsm.org :

http://svsm.org/gallery/m48?page=3

H.P.

Gino, Frenchy,

Thank you gentlemen, that was EXACTLY what I was looking for!

I'll share the dio when completed .... it's going to replicate (as best as my old memory will allow) an experience I had in the A Shau Valley, VN in August 1969 while my unit ( B 3/187 Inf (101st Abn))was part of a "combined arms task force" with C 2/34 Armor, and B 3/5 Cav.

Thanks again!

Steve

Seems the external mounts for the .50 cal were the M113 commander cupola MG mount, and the M-2 MG tripod mount minus the legs. Welded to the top of the M48 TC cupola/top of the MG mount. Note what a large hole is left when the .50 cal is not mounted in the cupola mount.

First of all, the fifty call mount was a field mod and not a factory revision. They were very different between units. You really need to see the tank your building.
Gary

Thanks again gents.

I was aware that the .50 cal mount was a "field expedient" mod and not standard throughout the armor units in RVN. The photos that Frenchy provided + my own research gave me what I needed so, appreciate the input. I'm "good to go" on the .50 cal mount.

BUT ..... If anyone has a site or photos of the interior of the commander's cupola on the M48A3, that would be most appreciated as well.

Thanks y'all!

Steve