Hi all,
I'm completing my M1A2 (3rd ACR) in OIF as of April 2003 and wondered if the bridge sign (68) applies there. It seems that no Army Abrams shows it unlike Marine ones.
Can anybody confirm it ?
TIA

olivier

I don't know about 3ACR, but at least some of 4ID M1A1SEPs had bridge class markings on them. And as 3ACR M1A2 tanks came to Iraq factory painted in tan (just like 4ID SEPs) I would expect that they carried full set of standard stencils ("no step", "lift here", bridge markings etc.). But I don't have a single photo of 3ACR tank in my collection, so these are just my guesses...

By the way, does anyone know any source of 3rd ACR photos from OIF? It looks like all those guys either forgot their cameras from home, or don't use Internet... I can't find any pictures...

Pawel

Here's at least one, just for you . It comes from http://www.webshots.com one of my favorite sources for reference pictures :


One thing noticeable is the "low-profile" bustle rack...

HTH
Frenchy

As Pawel says, it depends. When the tank comes factory painted, the stencils are all there. The Army tends to send our tanks through the installation paint booth on fairly regular occasions. Once repainted the tank normally only receives unit and tactical markings.

Every unit has to take a turn manning the paint booth so, obviously that's when you get your chance to send you tanks through with some unofficial priority.

Thanks Frenchy,
I noticed two other features too,
first the rubber pads on the track links seem to have been either removed or lost;
second the CIP's appear to be upside down or am I wrong ?

olivier

The track links are hanging with the pads facing the tank and the inner surface facing outwards. The CIPs work regardless of the way the louvers are facing. They are turned "off" if the exterior side is placed against the tank surface.

Uncommon once you hit the paint booth to have the bridge sign still on your tank.

However, some do, though. The M1A2, both SEP and regular, had a 70, instead of a 68.

Jed Sargent

Thanks for this Jed, I'll keep in mind the 70 instead of 68 on a A2. I've never noticed that before.

olivier

No problem, and I'll try and snag a photo of one, if I can in my motorpool.

Jed Sargent

4th ID has M1A2 SEPS