Gunners shield on a Hummer

Does anyone have any photos of, or can direct me to a good site showing the results of an RPG hit on a tank?

I'm building a Vietnam dio with a M-48 that has taken an RPG hit in the engine grill. Got a pretty good idea of the results but some additional photos would be appreciated (does not have to be of either an M48 nor Vietnam) but would like it to be of a tank (not M113s, soft skins, etc.).

Thanks in advance.

Steve

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Does anyone have any photos of, or can direct me to a good site showing the results of an RPG hit on a tank?

I'm building a Vietnam dio with a M-48 that has taken an RPG hit in the engine grill. Got a pretty good idea of the results but some additional photos would be appreciated (does not have to be of either an M48 nor Vietnam) but would like it to be of a tank (not M113s, soft skins, etc.).

Thanks in advance.

Steve

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If the tank took an RPG in the rear grill it'd probably e done, as in a burn out. But on the slightest chance, the warhead might hit one of the blades, setting it off outside the hull. There'd still be damage, and would have to be towed.
Most hits are to the side, and end up being a glancing blow. Think of a deep scar. A turret hit is very difficult for several reasons. Even then they would usually hit the spare tracks. Remember it's near impossible to get close enough to the rear to make a bit. It's all in the way they travel. The ACAV running behind him will ruin his day. Forget the front as well. Best hit is near the driver's side, and even that's difficult.
RPG's and tanks often end up making the shooter into a red spot. His best chance is from bushes at the side. Most 48's were knocked out by 155 rounds used as mines. VC almost always seemed to bury them on the left side of a trail. Never could quite figure that one out! Another monster to a tank is a 75mm or 90mm recoilless rifle. They'll but a tank hull like it was made of paper. Remember that at least on tank in the column has a can round in the breech, and the local VC knew this.
I stayed away from tanks, as I knew who was getting shot first! But the ACAV was what they should have had their eyes on.
Gary

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Does anyone have any photos of, or can direct me to a good site showing the results of an RPG hit on a tank?

I'm building a Vietnam dio with a M-48 that has taken an RPG hit in the engine grill. Got a pretty good idea of the results but some additional photos would be appreciated (does not have to be of either an M48 nor Vietnam) but would like it to be of a tank (not M113s, soft skins, etc.).

Thanks in advance.

Steve

---

If the tank took an RPG in the rear grill it'd probably e done, as in a burn out. But on the slightest chance, the warhead might hit one of the blades, setting it off outside the hull. There'd still be damage, and would have to be towed.
Most hits are to the side, and end up being a glancing blow. Think of a deep scar. A turret hit is very difficult for several reasons. Even then they would usually hit the spare tracks. Remember it's near impossible to get close enough to the rear to make a bit. It's all in the way they travel. The ACAV running behind him will ruin his day. Forget the front as well. Best hit is near the driver's side, and even that's difficult.
RPG's and tanks often end up making the shooter into a red spot. His best chance is from bushes at the side. Most 48's were knocked out by 155 rounds used as mines. VC almost always seemed to bury them on the left side of a trail. Never could quite figure that one out! Another monster to a tank is a 75mm or 90mm recoilless rifle. They'll but a tank hull like it was made of paper. Remember that at least on tank in the column has a can round in the breech, and the local VC knew this.
I stayed away from tanks, as I knew who was getting shot first! But the ACAV was what they should have had their eyes on.
Gary

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Does anyone have any photos of, or can direct me to a good site showing the results of an RPG hit on a tank?

I'm building a Vietnam dio with a M-48 that has taken an RPG hit in the engine grill. Got a pretty good idea of the results but some additional photos would be appreciated (does not have to be of either an M48 nor Vietnam) but would like it to be of a tank (not M113s, soft skins, etc.).

Thanks in advance.

Steve

---

If the tank took an RPG in the rear grill it'd probably e done, as in a burn out. But on the slightest chance, the warhead might hit one of the blades, setting it off outside the hull. There'd still be damage, and would have to be towed.
Most hits are to the side, and end up being a glancing blow. Think of a deep scar. A turret hit is very difficult for several reasons. Even then they would usually hit the spare tracks. Remember it's near impossible to get close enough to the rear to make a bit. It's all in the way they travel. The ACAV running behind him will ruin his day. Forget the front as well. Best hit is near the driver's side, and even that's difficult.
RPG's and tanks often end up making the shooter into a red spot. His best chance is from bushes at the side. Most 48's were knocked out by 155 rounds used as mines. VC almost always seemed to bury them on the left side of a trail. Never could quite figure that one out! Another monster to a tank is a 75mm or 90mm recoilless rifle. They'll but a tank hull like it was made of paper. Remember that at least on tank in the column has a can round in the breech, and the local VC knew this.
I stayed away from tanks, as I knew who was getting shot first! But the ACAV was what they should have had their eyes on.
Gary

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Gary,

As I said previously, the dio I'm doing is from my experience in the A Shau Valley in August 1969.

The M48 I'm trying to replicate took a "glancing hit" from an RPG in the engine grill and did not burn (warhead must not have hit any fuel lines, etc.). But,that track was definitely "red-lined" after the hit.

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Does anyone have any photos of, or can direct me to a good site showing the results of an RPG hit on a tank?

I'm building a Vietnam dio with a M-48 that has taken an RPG hit in the engine grill. Got a pretty good idea of the results but some additional photos would be appreciated (does not have to be of either an M48 nor Vietnam) but would like it to be of a tank (not M113s, soft skins, etc.).

Thanks in advance.

Steve

---

If the tank took an RPG in the rear grill it'd probably e done, as in a burn out. But on the slightest chance, the warhead might hit one of the blades, setting it off outside the hull. There'd still be damage, and would have to be towed.
Most hits are to the side, and end up being a glancing blow. Think of a deep scar. A turret hit is very difficult for several reasons. Even then they would usually hit the spare tracks. Remember it's near impossible to get close enough to the rear to make a bit. It's all in the way they travel. The ACAV running behind him will ruin his day. Forget the front as well. Best hit is near the driver's side, and even that's difficult.
RPG's and tanks often end up making the shooter into a red spot. His best chance is from bushes at the side. Most 48's were knocked out by 155 rounds used as mines. VC almost always seemed to bury them on the left side of a trail. Never could quite figure that one out! Another monster to a tank is a 75mm or 90mm recoilless rifle. They'll but a tank hull like it was made of paper. Remember that at least on tank in the column has a can round in the breech, and the local VC knew this.
I stayed away from tanks, as I knew who was getting shot first! But the ACAV was what they should have had their eyes on.
Gary

---

Gary,

As I said previously, the dio I'm doing is from my experience in the A Shau Valley in August 1969.

The M48 I'm trying to replicate took a "glancing hit" from an RPG in the engine grill and did not burn (warhead must not have hit any fuel lines, etc.). But,that track was definitely "red-lined" after the hit.

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An M48 in the Ashau Valley is interesting! Won't tell you why as it's similar to landing a Skyraider and then taking off again.
I would take a serious look at the 17th CAV, as in August 68 they moved into the 101st A.O. They kept their 48's as well as some others up that way. There surely is a website for them. Prior to August, I know of no armor unit that might have made it that far west. East by the air strip (actually five klicks east of the valley) is a probable.
The Ashau was primarily an insertion war, and then on foot. I did an OP in late September with the 101st, and there were no tracks on the south end of the valley; although the OP was a bust.
Not being derogatory, but unless you were way up north; you just didn't see tracks much past the fort miles from Highway One. Just too mountainous for them. If there was, I'll let you know as I have a close friend that did 68 and 69 in there. I'll ask him next time I see him.
Gary

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Does anyone have any photos of, or can direct me to a good site showing the results of an RPG hit on a tank?

I'm building a Vietnam dio with a M-48 that has taken an RPG hit in the engine grill. Got a pretty good idea of the results but some additional photos would be appreciated (does not have to be of either an M48 nor Vietnam) but would like it to be of a tank (not M113s, soft skins, etc.).

Thanks in advance.

Steve

---

If the tank took an RPG in the rear grill it'd probably e done, as in a burn out. But on the slightest chance, the warhead might hit one of the blades, setting it off outside the hull. There'd still be damage, and would have to be towed.
Most hits are to the side, and end up being a glancing blow. Think of a deep scar. A turret hit is very difficult for several reasons. Even then they would usually hit the spare tracks. Remember it's near impossible to get close enough to the rear to make a bit. It's all in the way they travel. The ACAV running behind him will ruin his day. Forget the front as well. Best hit is near the driver's side, and even that's difficult.
RPG's and tanks often end up making the shooter into a red spot. His best chance is from bushes at the side. Most 48's were knocked out by 155 rounds used as mines. VC almost always seemed to bury them on the left side of a trail. Never could quite figure that one out! Another monster to a tank is a 75mm or 90mm recoilless rifle. They'll but a tank hull like it was made of paper. Remember that at least on tank in the column has a can round in the breech, and the local VC knew this.
I stayed away from tanks, as I knew who was getting shot first! But the ACAV was what they should have had their eyes on.
Gary

---

Gary,

As I said previously, the dio I'm doing is from my experience in the A Shau Valley in August 1969.

The M48 I'm trying to replicate took a "glancing hit" from an RPG in the engine grill and did not burn (warhead must not have hit any fuel lines, etc.). But,that track was definitely "red-lined" after the hit.

---

An M48 in the Ashau Valley is interesting! Won't tell you why as it's similar to landing a Skyraider and then taking off again.
I would take a serious look at the 17th CAV, as in August 68 they moved into the 101st A.O. They kept their 48's as well as some others up that way. There surely is a website for them. Prior to August, I know of no armor unit that might have made it that far west. East by the air strip (actually five klicks east of the valley) is a probable.
The Ashau was primarily an insertion war, and then on foot. I did an OP in late September with the 101st, and there were no tracks on the south end of the valley; although the OP was a bust.
Not being derogatory, but unless you were way up north; you just didn't see tracks much past the fort miles from Highway One. Just too mountainous for them. If there was, I'll let you know as I have a close friend that did 68 and 69 in there. I'll ask him next time I see him.
Gary

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Gary,

My unit, B 3/187 (3d Bde 101st) was part of a combined arms task force (along with B Troop 3/5 Cav and C Co. 2/34 Armor) operating in the central and southern part of the A Shau Valley in late July through mid-August 1969. (Look up Operation Louisiana Lee / Richland.)

So, appreciate your input BUT .... this isn't "speculation" re: if there were armored and cav units operating in the A Shau Valley during this time period ... I WAS THERE.