I just found out some interesting information on the bustle rack APU used on the M1A1 in the 3rd ID in Iraq. At least as far as 1-64 and 4-64 go, they DID NOT use the APU in the bustle rack. Why, I do not know. But when I was told this I checked out the photos and of course all that can be seen are piles of stowage. But, the photos I have looked at seem to show only stowage and no indication of an APU underneath. In fact, some of the stowage could not be there if an APU was underneath.

I have a feeling the rest of the 3rd ID was this way too since there tanks were all from pre-positioned stocks.

I wish this was not the case. I like the look of the APU in the bustle rack. It gives the vehicle a more bulky, tough looking tank appearance.

Bob

Robert,
This may not be the rule. I believe 3rd BDE from Ft Benning had to bring their tanks from home since there was only enough prepo for 2 BDEs worth of stuff. May have still been some out there with busstle rack APUs.

I'm sure Gino is right about 3rd Brigade. I bring up the subject since it seems that many people who want to model OIF go with the 2nd Brigade since they were in the two thunder runs. Archer covered them in a decal sheet awhile back and Echelon Fine Details is coming out with one or two as well. All I can say for sure is that 1-64 (large sideskirt numbers that were in the 50 series) and 4-64 (60 series) did not have the APUs.

I suggest studying photos of the bustle racks, but even these are tough to tell since the gear was piled so high sometimes. But I do not think the crews would pile gear over the APU if one was there. Maybe around it, but not on top. Of course, someone who knows better might be able to set me straight. Maybe crews don't care about covering up the APU. But I would think that the fans and whatnot on the APU need to be left uncovered so it does not overheat.

Cheers. And Merry Christmas to those who celebrate the holiday.

Bob

I just wanted to add some more info to my original post. My original source was a 1st LT from 1-64 Armor, and he was only 100% sure about his company. I have spoken with another source, a SFC from another company of 1-64 and he agrees, for the most part. He told me that some tanks did have the EAPU, and his platoon had one.

So most, but not all, tanks in 1-64 (sideskirt numbers in the 50 series) did not have EAPUs.