I have returned to model building after 20 years or so and am out of practice, so don't expect great results any time soon. However, I have decided to cut my teeth on Tamiya's M1 Abrams and have chosen to represent a tank featured in a photo on the Primeportal site. This vehicle had run off the edge of the road and was left high and dry. While I have been able to identify the vehicle with very welcome assistance from Rob Burik, we cannot identify the vehicle name. If anyone can point me in the direction of someone who can help, I would be very grateful. The vehicle in question is from 2-69 Armor and caries the bumper number A13 - i.e. 3rd tank, 1st Platoon, Alpha Company.

Any help gratefully acepted.

P.S. if anyone knows the story behind the picture, I would really like to know.

Thanks,
Iain Jeffrey

I believe you mean this pic. from Prime Portal.


Can't remember or make out the name. Story is that they convoy was moving at night. The tank got too close to the edge of the elevated roadbed and the side collapsed. As you can see, a HEMTT did the same. I believe it was along the Pipeline Road N. of Samawa, just below the escarpment. I lost my M923 5-ton tool truck in the same general area, about a 1/4 of the way up the escarpment, it rolled over the side. Luckily, the driver and TC acted quickly and got down and braced themselves. It rolled over twice, down a 40 foot embankment, and they only received minor bumps and bruises. TC was up on the .50 cal too. Good old BMY 5-ton, we righted it, pulled it up with an M88, put some more oil in it, and drove it away. Made it through the rest of the war just fine. Looked pretty bad though.

If I recall correctly the name is "AND STILL".

Gino,

Thanks for the background. I like to find a subject with a story to it and this saves me from having to invent one. Speaking of models with stories... you don't happen to have any photos of the M923 after its off road excursion, do you. I have an Italeri M923 in the holding pattern at the moment.

You've got me thinking now, as I hadn't paid much attention to what was behinf the M1 in the photo. I've also got the Italeri M977 waiting for inspiration. Imagine a diorama with the M1, HEMTT with feet in the air and a couple of assorted HMMVW's trundling along the road behind them... On the other hand, that may be better in 1:72 scale.

Thanks again,
Iain

Rob,

Now that you have mentioned it, that seems to fit perfectly with the shape of the writing on the barrel. It's only obvious if you know the answer...

Many thanks,
Iain

No pics of it after it went ass over teakettle. I do have some pics of it over the edge and on it side somewhere though. I'll have to look around.