hey,

over a little time i will start building the m88a1 of obj. Curly
and i have some questions about it


in this picture there are some boxes on the backside of this m88 and also an antenna
also seen here:

any one know what these are?? any more picture's

also does any one here has some more photo's of the fighting under the bridge
and are there any modifications on the m88 that the 3ID made like the jerry can rack, BRE on the M1A1??

Hope someone can help me with this

,Gijs

Edit: also witch bumper code would it get and the marking on the side or any other marking/decals??

The boxes look a mix of metal and plastic by the looks of the handles. I don't know what they are but would asume that they were part of the mechanics tools of their trade.

With regards to more pics I have seen a video on youtube reference this fight under the bridge. Pretty nasty close quarter fight.

Lastly I hope the bloke on the stretcher was ok.
Cheers

hey,

thanks for the info on the Boxes i think i need to scratch these ones
also some one knows where they are lying on??
it looks like some scratchbuild platform

also for the peoples that are intrested in the video:

[url= http://www.msnbc.com/m/mw/s/msnbc/asx.asp?er=http://www.msnbc.com/m/mw/s/msnbc/sorry.asf&b=&bu=&vu=&pu=mms%3A//a135.v12430.c1243.g.vm.akamaistream.net/7/135/1243/105/ak-msnbc.msnbc.com/video/promo/100/promo2.asf&cu=&akid=410200390801AM&op=132&a=n_white_baghdadbattle_030410.&fix=.&0mw=xi0[/url]
(will automatic open in Windows Media Player)

also someone got any more info??

,Gijs

If memory serves me right (and it may well not, in this instance), that M88 may be one that was carrying embedded reporters. If my hunch is right, the extra equipment and antennas would be part of the embeds' transmission package. I'm not really sure, though, as I'm relying on very vague memories of pictures of an M88 used by embeds.

He was a Syrian mercenary/jihadist. That is why he was left there in the photo when everybody had to scatter for just a moment.

I'm pretty sure this M88 was the Bloom-mobile set up for the NBC news reporter. I believe another add-on to this M88 was a coffee maker on one of the side fenders. CSM Gallagher was a coffee fiend and he hung with the M88 guys from what I remember reading.

Bob

Pardon my lack of humanity, but why did they ever bother to try to save his worthless but!

It was my understanding that CSM Gallagher routinely used the battalion's M88s in combat circumstances. According to this site, that was the only M88 at OBJ Curley.
http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0IAV/is_3_93/ai_n6366543/pg_4

One text account that I found that fascinated me to no end.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1036567/posts

The photos or video have been scarce to come by though I've been told that the Concord book on the Thunder Runs has some excellent photos. I've not yet picked it up yet, but the video link (which I've searched high and low for the last four weeks) was a big help to give some feeling. Scary part is how much action was out of camera shot. Wisely, the camera man stayed out of the harms way and let the soldiers do their jobs.

I am pretty sure this M88 may have been used by the NBC crew. There are more photos of this scene in a book released by NBC on the 2003 invasion. I have it at home but the title escapes me right now as I am currently at work.

Sean

Thanks all for the info

Sean: could you scan the picture's for me? Please.


so when i understand it right it should have a big 42 on the side and a TF3-15 as a bumper code.

any more information would be great appriciated

,Gijs

The CSM used a spare M88 at the time (the BN has more than one); I believe that the news crew also rode with the CSM. Dan

Hi
just to put in my two pence worth.

David Bloom the embed did ride that vehicle, but he died a couple of days before, the 5th i think. so its a good chance thats his kit and helmet, or the crew helmets.

does the US army have a set down marking order for each vehicle in a unit. so the m88 should be the same number for all mechanics in all units. can anyone clarify on that?

42 was on the side as B company 3-15 was at obj curley, with 1 section of m2a2s to start with
from what ive picked up obj curley had the following ( please correct me if im wrong, the more info the better)

TEAM ZAN

3-15 B cpy 2 section 4 x m2a2s 42
3-15 HQ cpy mortars 4 x m1064, 1 x m577 40
3-15 HQ spare 1 x m2a2
3-15 B cpy 1 x m88a1 42
3-15 B cpy aid post 1x m577, 1 x m113 42 (m113)
3-15 TOC 2 x m577
10 eng A cpy section 4 x m113, 2 x m9 ace
1-9 FA FSO 1x BFIST 42

after a request for help the remaining 2 sections of B company joined from obj saint, 2 BDE HQ.


ive picked up quite a few photos from 3ID in 2003, if anyone wants them just email, like wise if any one has any that they would like to share with me i would be most appreciative

mark

Gijs,
I ahve been debating on jumping in on this thread, so here I go...

The M88A1, that CSM Robert Gallagher as well as David Bloom rode on was actually a TF 1-64 vehicle, R -147 and was known as the Bob Sled. That information comes the print, Can-Do, that the US Army War College commissioned in 2006 ( see this link for a picture of the print: http://www.vladimirarts.com/store/comersus_viewItem.asp?idProduct=108 ). The print was based off several rather famous photos& news clips and was reviewed several times prior to being released by individuals who were at OBJ Curley. The crew door of the vehicle was marked with a 40/, not 42 as previously indicated... Mark, trust me on this fact. The M88A1 with 42 markings moved through Curley with the rest of B/3-15 when the company (-) was released from the 2nd BCT TOC to reinforce the rest of TF 3-15 at Larry & Moe. The print shows the frame work for the camera that Mr Bloom used during the advance to Baghdad. I was fortunate to serve with CSM Gallagher for two years, one in Iraq and was privey to th e print review as well as a series of photos and video that were shot during the fight at Curley, including the one at the top of the thread - th w one with the wounded Syrian and burning SF "technical." Drop me a PM and I will try to answer what I can.
John

hey,

to all thanks for the info!

John: you said it was know as Bob Sled was that also somewhere painted on the vehicle??

More info always welcome

,Gijs

Gijs, sorry, I can't scan it for you as it is in a copyrighted book and that is definately a hot potato these days.

Sean

thats a pitty

but can you say me whats to see on these picture's, any picture's of the platform with the boxes and antenna on the backside of the m88?
when yes you can teel me how it looks, how many boxes, ect.

thanks for your help

,Gijs

Ummm those "antenna" looking things on the back could be the RAWLS (Rotating Amber Warning Light System) with sandbags or some other cover on them.

Watched the vid, at least one would / could be a RAWLS

Here is a pic of one in Germany:

Because we're better than they are

Gijs,
The M88 had the name "The Bob Sled" painted or scribbled on both sides of the boom/A-frame. The location is just between the two antenna mounting points when the boom is lowered on the right side. Additional markings are (all directions are from the TC 's hatch looking forward): on the front of the assistant drivers (right hand hatch) hatch: CSM Bob Gallagher; On the right side smoke grenade box: SSG TODD with "MadMex" scribbled below; on the left side smoke grenade box: PV2 MCLEAN, with TRINITY scibbled below his name.

Also, the antenna?? mounts at the rear were made from angle iron and had a fram at the bottom made to carry the boxes that are seen in the original photo. They are antennas with dust covers and not RAWLs, or Whoopie lights.

There was also what looks to be a light set box strapped to the front of the M88 right above the main winch, using a strap threaded through the winch lifting eye.
HTH
John

Thank you very much

The decals i need to print by myself i think.
And the box on the front would not be hard to scratch.

more info always welcome

,Gijs

Here's a poor, low-quality picture showing "Command Sergeant Major Robert Gallagher, 3rd Battalion, 15th Infantry, engaging Iraqis while being treated for a leg wound" :


More info about Objective Curley HERE

HTH

Frenchy

John,

Thank you for joining in. Very nice to hear from someone who was there and not piecing together bits of information from 'sources'.

I've been slowly trying to compile enough information to build a diorama in 1/72 that could compliment the painting. As a spectator of this war, I've been frustrated by how I feel the media down played the invasion, while covering aftermath as a daily routine. Shades of another war....

Kent

Frenchy:
i already had the picture but thanks for the link



i'm exactely doing the same, after i finished the M88 i'll move on to the M577 and then start the Dio

,Gijs

HI Gils,

John (Tankrider) told me about your post. I believe the initial question was about the two antennas on the back of the M-88. They are in fact part of a telecast system for television signals. I built this M-88 and Jim Lewis built a model of the F-350 Mobile Dish Antenna that was used as a transmission vehicle. You can see some pics at Jim's website http://www.guntruck.com/ or go to NBC studios NY NY and on the 3rd floor lobby is a display for NBC's fallen war correspondents. The models are sitting there (don’t know if they are still there or not). Anyway, I would usually offer up some photos but due to a failed hard drive I lost the only three photos I had of that M-88. It was tough to build off of three photos. I have to say I do not remember seeing those two antennas. But they could have been added later. The three photos I had were pre-invasion in AA sandbox somewhere. However, Mr. Bloom (NBC correspondent) is the man that dreamed up the on the move transmitting idea. Here is how his camera man described it to me. Mr. Bloom got the idea from yachting. He figured he could mount a transmitter on vehicle (same as on a yacht) and transmit on the go, as opposed to all other news agencies at the time that would have to stop or wait for the unit they were embedded with to stop in order to transmit a report. The way it worked was the M-88 had an outrigger mounted (that was a lady to build, I wish I still had pics of it) and used a helicopter remote camera ball mounted on the outrigger to film with. On the back were some antennas to transmit to a chase vehicle. The M-88 would transmit to a chase vehicle, Ford F-350, which had a small receiver and large celestial dish mounted in a protective dome. The dish would transmit to NBC via satellite. Jim Lewis built the F350 from scratch and it was nice!!! The F-350 would leapfrog (stop and move only to get back in range of the M-88) behind the M-88 by about 2 to 3 K's. So that is why NBC was the only news provider with LIVE on the go images during the invasion. Anyway I hope that explains some of what you are looking at. I would suppose much of what you are looking at (hard shell bug out boxes) could be some left-over from that TV configuration. If I am not mistaken Mr. Bloom died a few days before Obj Curly took place. So it could be possible. In any event that is probably the most modeled M-88 in history.

Pete
If you have any other questions feel free to PM

hey,

thank you very much for the info


here you see your model with the camera ball on the M88, Right?

i'm not go to add it becouse i'm make the vehicle that is showed in the painting and i don't see the camera Ball maby they take it off during thunder run?
But i'm gonna add the boxes and antenna's

i found another pic of the anntena's not much to see but it would help

When i'm not wrong you also see David Bloom here.

,Gijs

Being the techie I am I found some backups. The outrigger was still on the vehicle at the battle. Yes the ball camera mount was gone and it s mounting plate were gone. But the frame was still there. Maybe thses photos will help you???














It took a few tries but here are some pics

L8r

Pete