M113 and its variants in Vietnam

[David]

In January 1956 ATAC initiated a programme to design and build a lightweight armored personnel carrier for the US Army to replace the M59 and M75 tracked apc's. It had to be amphibious and capable of air-drop operations with a good cross-country performance, and also be adaptable to other purposes. Within 90 days after the preliminary drawings had been completed, ATAC had a test bed built and running. It was powered by an Ordnance air-cooled engine, with rolled aluminum plate Armour for the hull. Being a lot lighter than steel, for aluminum to gain comparable ballistic qualities it had to be produced 3 times thicker than it's steel equivalent. This however, was a small price to pay as aluminum is much stiffer than steel and structural supports could be eliminated, thus increasing the internal volume. This in turn reduced the overall weight and height of the vehicle, and also significantly cut down on the construction and welding times during manufacture. After extensive tests by ATAC and a number of problems had been solved, the project was put out to tender in June 1956. In September 1956, FMC Corp was announced as the winner and contracted to build the new APC. Five prototypes, designated T113, were built using aluminum Armour and powered by Continental air-cooled engines. A further five prototypes, designated T117, were also built using steel Armour and driven by a Packard water-cooled engine. By 1957 ATAC had received one of each of both types of hull. During testing of the T117 the Packard engine proved to be unsatisfactory and was replaced by the Ford 368UC engine. However even this engine was found to overheat and required an increase in engine compartment space to help it cool. As well as the problems faced with the Packard and Ford engines on the T117, the Continental air-cooled engine was also giving problems on the T113. By late 1957 FMC had developed two new prototypes, these were designated T113E1 and T113E2. Both types were termed "austerity" vehicles as they were designed to keep costs down to a bare minimum. With this line of thought in mind it was decided to adopt cheaper commercially available powerplants and transmissions. This led to the Chrysler A710B petrol engine being chosen because of it's performance, good cooling characteristics, and the fact that it would be in production for a lot more years. The transmission adopted was the Allison TX-100, again, because it was in widescale production, and it had an excellent track record in the truck industry. Two different hulls were developed which looked identical, but differed only in their Armour thickness and weight so that ATAC could determine, through ballistic and durability tests, which of the hulls to adopt. At the same time the tracks were widened from 12" to 15" to improve on the vehicles reliability and performance. After successful testing the T113E2, with the thicker hull, was chosen as the basis for the M113 APC. FMC received an initial contract to build 900 examples and the first production M113 rolled of the FMC assembly lines at San Jose, California in June. 1960. These first M113s were powered by a 209HP Chrysler 75M petrol engine but attempts were made to develop a gas-turbine version under the designation M113E1. In June 1959 FMC were awarded a contract to study the feasibility of fitting a diesel engine in place of the petrol one. The test vehicle was known as the M113E2 and was standardized as the M113A1 in May 1963. By 1964 the M113A1 was in production fitted with a GM 215HP Diesel engine which gave it an improved performance over the earlier M113. The M113 had a crew of two, a commander and a driver, and could carry eleven passengers and their equipment. The driver sat on the front lhs of the vehicle and had a single piece hatch cover that opens to the rear with four M17 periscopes around the hatch and an M19 periscope in the hatch roof. The commander was situated centrally in the vehicle with a fully rotating cupola containing five M17 periscopes. The commander also acted as the gunner and operated the .50 caliber machine gun, this had an 360° field of fire with an elevation of +53° and a depression of -21°. The ammunition for the .50 caliber was stored in boxes behind the infantrymen's seats. While a hatch is provided in the roof of the troop compartment the normal means of entry and exit is the large hydraulically-operated ramp in the hull rear, which is provided with an integral door on the left side in case the ramp should fail to open. The cold rolled alloy hull of the M113 was made from Aluminum, Manganese and Magnesium. It's Armour thickness varied from ¾" to a maximum thickness of 1 ¼". This thickness provided protection from small arms fire and shell fragments, but would not stop a round from a LAW nor withstand the blast from a land mine. The M113 was constructed as a watertight unit, with all hatches and doors fitted with rubber seals to make them watertight. The front of the vehicle was fitted with a hinged splash plate which helped to stabilize the vehicle during operations through water. In the amphibious role it was propelled by it's tracks and aided by the rubber track shroud on each side of the hull which gave the M113 a top speed of 3mph while swimming.

Since their initial introduction in 1960, M113-based systems have entered service in more than 50 countries. The systems have been modified into more than 40 identified specific variants, with many times that number of minor field modifications. Many of these modifications have been developed by foreign governments to meet their specific national requirements. While some older M113 derivatives are being retired and removed from selected inventories, other FOV members are being upgraded, reconfigured, and introduced as entirely new systems. The first M-113's reached RVN in 1962. Originally destined for US units in W. Germany, 32 M-113's were used to outfit two ARVN mechanized company's fighting the VC in the Mekong Delta.
These company's were modeled on US Army mechanized rifle company's. Each was organized into 3 rifle platoons with 3 M-113's in each platoon. A support platoon with 4 M-113's carried three 60mm mortars and three 3.5-inch bazookas.
Despite being designed as an armored infantry vehicle to be used for carrying mechanized infantry into combat with armored columns of M-48's and M-60 main battle tanks on the plains of Europe, the ARVN units started using them as armored infantry combat vehicles in their own right. Early M-113's supplied to the ARVN were armed with a single M-2 .50 cal heavy machine gun on a pintle mount attached to the commander's cupola. Unfortunately these early M-113's provided no protection for exposed crew members, in particular the commander who manned the .50 cal machine gun. The loss of 14 ARVN gunners at the Battle of Ap Bac glaringly highlighted the need for some additional crew protection. Consequently the ARVN began furnishing their vehicles with makeshift gun shields.
AMPHIBIOUS CAPABILITY
The hull of the M-113 is fully watertight with all hatches having rubber seals which allows the vehicle to cross bodies of water and slow moving streams.
To become amphibious, the vehicle driver turns on two bilge pumps and lowers the trim vane. and if they had dirt/sludge in them they would not function and water would build up inside..

The trim vane is extended forward and helps maintain the correct balance of the vehicle in the water. It also prevents water from flowing over the front of the vehicle and into the drivers position or the front-mounted engine.

In the water the vehicle is propelled by the forward motion of it's tracks and could reach a speed of 3.5mph. Due to the fact that most crews severely overloaded their vehicles with stowage both inside and out, the amphibious capabilities of the vehicles were generally severely degraded and rarely used.
More than 80,000 M113 Family of Vehicle (FOV) systems have been produced. New M113 FOV systems are being built while existing chassis are being upgraded to modern configurations.
The M113 APC was the first modern "battle taxi"; developed to transport infantry forces on the mechanized battlefield. It is fitted with a 2 stroke six cylinder Detroit diesel providing power through a 3 speed automatic gearbox and steering differential. The main armament is a single .50 Cal heavy barrel machine gun, and the secondary armament is a single .30 Cal machine gun. The M113 is built of aircraft quality aluminum which allows it to possess some of the same strengths as steel at a much lighter weight. This distinct weight advantage allows the M113 to utilize a relatively small engine to power the vehicle, as well as carry a large payload cross-country. The vehicle is capable of "swimming" bodies of water.

The vehicle is not mission capable if any one track shoe is damaged. If the M113 loses a track, breaks a track shoe or the vehicle throws a track, extreme caution must be exercised in maintaining control. The driver must immediately release the accelerator and let the vehicle coast to a stop. Applying braking action, i.e. brake pedal, laterals, pivot or any type of steering controls causes the vehicle to pull to the active or good track and could result in a roll-over. If it is absolutely necessary, the driver may apply braking action only, and only if the vehicle is approaching a ravine, a cliff, or if other catastrophic outcome, probably resulting in fatalities. When roll-over is imminent; it is safer to stay in the vehicle than to try to get out while the vehicle is still moving. Crew members may receive slight injuries from being thrown against metal parts, but if they try to leave the vehicle, it may roll over and crush them. Once the vehicle stops moving, the crew should get out as fast as possible because spilled fuel and oil may catch on fire. The first thing the driver should do in such an emergency is shut off the engine and turn off the master switch to minimize the fire hazard.

VARIANTS OF THE SERIES

These are the M113 variants I have found so far. I you know of any not in the list please let me know!

M106 Mortar version with 106mm mortar.
M113 Standard APC.
M125 Mortar version with 81mm mortar.
M132 M113 chassis with "Zippo" turret. I was assigned to these in Vietnam
M150 TOW equipped version of the M113
M163 M113 chassis with 20mm M61 Vulcan gun.
M548 M113 Transport version.
M577 Command version with higher hull.
M579 Fitter. M113 chassis with crane and large door instead of personnel door.
M677 As M730 but with Lance missile.
M727 As M548 but with Hawk missiles.
M730 As M548 but without housed driver's compartment. Has turret with four MIM-72 AA missiles.
M901 M113 chassis with TOW turret instead of ordinary commander's copula.
M981 As M901 but with laser designator instead of TOW.
M1015 EW Shelter. As M548 with EW equipment.
M1059 M113A2 med M157 eller M54 smoke generator.
XM734 M113 with gun ports in the sides.

M113 Gasoline engine.
M113A1 Diesel engine.
M113A2 Improved cooling and suspension.
M113A3 Improved engine and controls. External tanks and provision for add-on Armour.

Historical Evolution
	M113	M113A1	M113A2	M113A3
Date Introduced	1960	1964	1979	1987
Curb Weight (lbs)	20,310	21,474	21,608	23,575
Combat Weight (lbs)	23,520	24,594	24,728	27,000
Top Speed (mph)	37	37	37	41
Cruising Range (miles)	200	300
Engine Type	Gasoline	Diesel
Engine HP	209	212		275
HP/Ton	17.8	17.2	17.1	20.4
Acceleration (0-20 mph) sec	12.0	10.5	11.0	7.8
Turning Radius (in)	276	168		Pivot
Trench Crossing (in)	66
Slope (%)	60
Side Slope (%)	30
Braking (ft)	40			27
Ground Pressure (psi)	7.5	7.8	7.9	8.6

M113 Armored Personnel Carrier


The original M113 Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) helped to revolutionize mobile military operations. The vehicles were able to carry 11 soldiers plus a driver and track commander under armor protection across hostile battlefield environments. More importantly, the new vehicles were air transportable, air-droppable, and swim able, allowing planners to incorporate APC's in a much wider range of combat situations, including many "rapid deployment" scenarios. The M113s were so successful that they were quickly identified as the foundation for a family of vehicles. Early derivatives included both command post (M577) and mortar carrier (M106) configurations. M113A1 Armored Personnel Carrier


The first major upgrade came in 1964 with the introduction of the M113A1 package which replaced the original gasoline engine with a 212 horsepower diesel package. The new power train was soon incorporated into the existing vehicle family as the M113A1, M577A1, and M106A1, as well as several new derivative systems. Some of these new derivatives were based on the armored M113 chassis (the M125A1 mortar carrier and M741 "Vulcan" air defense vehicle) while others were based on an unarmored version of the chassis (including the M548 cargo carrier, M667 "Lance" missile carrier, and M730 "Chaparral" missile carrier). M113A2 Armored Personnel Carrier


Continuing modernization efforts led to the introduction of the A2 package of suspension and cooling enhancements in 1979. As with previous enhancements, these upgrades resulted in further proliferation of the FOV. M113A3 Armored Personnel Carrier


Most of the M113 family that saw service during Desert Storm were underpowered A2 level vehicles. M113A3 that were in the conflict kept pace with the Abrams equipped maneuver forces. Since 1987 the PM office has been modernizing the M113 fleet to the A3. This block modification should be completed for FP1 by 2001 with current funding.
Today's M113 fleet includes about four thousand M113A3 vehicles equipped with the most recent A3 RISE (Reliability Improvements for Selected Equipment) package. The standard RISE package includes an upgraded propulsion system (turbocharged engine and new transmission), greatly improved driver controls (new power brakes and conventional steering controls), external fuel tanks, and 200 AMP alternator with 4 batteries. Additional A3 improvements, include incorporation of spall liners and provisions for mounting external armor.

The M113A3, a full-tracked armored personnel carrier provides protected transportation and cross country mobility for personnel and cargo. A light armored vehicle weighing 27,200 pounds, it carries 11 infantry personnel in addition to the vehicle driver and track commander. It is capable of sustained speeds of 41 mph on level roads and accelerates from 0 to 35 mph in 27 seconds (this compares to 69 seconds for the M113A2).
The M113A3 is a product improved version of the M113A2 with improved transmission and engine. The U.S. Army first identified the need to up-power the M113A2 carrier in the mid-1970s. This need was driven by increases in vehicle weight and a requirement to increase the mobility and survivability of the system. As a result, the "RISE" power train was developed and tested at Yuma and Aberdeen Proving Grounds. However, application of the new power train was deferred due to a lack of funds.
In 1984 a decision was made to incorporate the RISE package, improved driver controls, spall liners, external fuel tanks and provisions for installation of an external armor kit on an M113 chassis. Additionally, a bolt-on armor kit providing 14.5 mm ballistic protection was developed and tested. Except for the mounting provisions the external armor appliqué was not incorporated for production.
The new X200-4/4A hydrostatic steer transmission permits use of a more powerful engine, the 275 HP turbocharged Detroit Diesel 6V53T, and eliminates the transfer case and controlled differential. The RISE power pack increases fuel economy, acceleration, hill climbing speed and braking capabilities and allows the vehicle to maintain speed through corners by accelerating the outer track rather than braking the inner track as on the A2. The increase in horsepower also allows installation of an external armor kit (which increases the gross vehicle weight to 31,000 pounds) and provides mobility comparable to currently fielded vehicles such as the M1 tank and M2/M3 Bradley Fighting Vehicles.
Steering is improved with an automotive-type steering yoke and foot brake arrangement which improves driver control, lessens fatigue and simplifies driver training from that of the A1/A2 steering/braking laterals. Due to load matching ability and increased steering capability, cross country performance is also improved.
Crew survivability is increased by the addition of spall suppression liners and locating the fuel tanks externally, on the rear of the vehicle. The inside of the vehicle (sides, roof and rear) are covered with spall suppression liners which limit troop injuries from the effect of overmatching weapons by restricting the spread of spall when a round penetrates the hull. External fuel tanks free up 16 cubic feet of usable space inside the vehicle and reduce the fire hazard inside the crew compartment. Two tanks and independent valving provide redundancy in the fuel system allowing continued operation when one tank is damaged.
External differences between M113A2 and M113A3 include external fuel tanks and provisions for the installation of an add-on-armor kit.
The M113A3 was type classified Standard. All new APC vehicles produced since 1987 and all converted vehicles since 1989 are the A3 variant. Vehicles have been fielded both in the U.S. and in foreign countries. The M113A3 was initially fielded in 1987 and U.S. production of new M113A3s was completed in 1992. M113A3s are currently being produced for Thailand as a direct sale. Conversion of M113A2 vehicles to M113A3 vehicles has been underway at United Defense, L.P. since 1994. Previously, conversions of M113A2 vehicles to M113A3 vehicles were completed at Red River and Mainz Army Depots, as well as in Korea.
The future M113A3 fleet will include a number of vehicles that will have high speed digitial networks and data transfer systems. The M113A3 digitization program supports the Army's Modernization Plan by applying appliqué hardware, software, and installation kits and hosting them in the M113A3 FOV. Current plans call for these systems to be integrated into the M113A3 FOV by the year 2006. Vehicle Characteristics

General
Length	191.5"
Width	105.75"
Height	86.5"
Clearance	16"
Weight, combat loaded	27,180 lb. (12,329 kg)
Maximum weight	31,000 lb. (14,061 kg)
Net weight	23,880 lb. (10,832 kg)
Air drop weight	22,128 lb. (10,037 kg)
Personnel capacity	2 + 11
Fuel tank capacity	95 gallons (360 liters)
Ground pressure	8.63 psi (0.60 kg/cm2)
Performance
Speed on land	41 mi/h (66 km/h)
Speed in water, with track	3.6 mi/h (5.8 km/h)
Cruising range	300 mi (483 km)
Turning radius	Pivot to infinite
Slope	60%
Side slope	40%
Trench crossing	66 in. (168 cm)
Vertical wall climbing	24 in. (61 cm)
Braking (20-0 mi/h)	40 ft.
Engine
Make and model	Detroit Diesel 6V53T
Displacement	318 in.3 (5.2 liter)
Fuel	Diesel (DF2)
Rated horsepower	275 hp
Gross horsepower-to-weight ratio	20.2 hp/ton
Transmission, Automatic
Make and model	Allison X200-4B
Type	Hydrokinetic
Steering	Hydrostatic
Brake type	Multiple wet plate
Running Gear
Suspension	Torsion bar
Road wheels	5 per side, 24 inch diameter (61 cm)
Track type	Steel single pin, detachable rubber pad
Number of shoes	63 left, 64 right
Track pitch	6 in. (15.2 cm)
Track width	15 in. (38 cm)
Shock absorbers	3 per side
Wheel travel	9.0 in. (22.9 cm)
Electrical System
Generator
Amperes	200, 300 optional
Volts, dc	28
Batteries	4, type 6TL, 120 amp-hr, 12-volt each
Armament
50 cal MG	2,000 ready rds.
Armor
Basic hull	5083 Aluminum
Bolt-on armor kit	Steel armor
Mine armor	Steel armor
Gun shield kit	Steel armor
Spall suppressant	Composite panel
Fire Extinguishers
Fixed	5 lb. (2.3 kg) CO2 for engine compartment
Portable	5 lb. (2.3 kg) CO2

Standard Vehicle Data

• Type: Armored Personal Carrier
• Crew: 2 + 11 passengers
• Range: 483 km
• Max. Speed: 67.5 km/h (5.8 km/h in water)
• Armour: 12-38 mm, provided protection from small arms and shell fragments only.
• Fording: Amphibious
• Obstacle: Capable of traversing obstacles up to 0.6 meters high
• Crossing: Capable of crossing gaps of up to 1.68 meters
• Armament: 1 x .50 cal on commander's cupola.

Early versions of the M-113 (see Picture Gallery) were armed with a single .50 caliber machine gun. There was no armored protection for the .50 cal MG operator. Sandbags were often stacked around the rear hatch to provide some cover for the troops as well as a means of steadying their weapons while the vehicle was in motion. Early versions were powered by a petrol engine but the later M-113A1 substituted a diesel engine.

A Squadron was the equivalent of an Infantry Battalion; a Troop was the equivalent of an Infantry Company. Both organisations used the term Platoon.
SQUADRON ORGANISATION
A Squadron consisted of an HQ and HQ Troop, 3 Line Troops ( Troops A, B and C) and an Air Cavalry Troop (Troop D). This page only concerns itself with the organisation of a Line Troop. For information on Troop D, see Air Cavalry Troop

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Troop HQ Track

attack unit 6
1 x Captain (Troop Comdr)
1 x E6 (Vehicle Comdr)
1 x E4 (Driver)
1 x 1st Lt (Forward Artillery Observer)
1 x E4 (FAO's RTO)

Troop Communications Track

attack unit 65
1 x E8 (1st Sgt. Track Comdr)
1 x E5 (Commo Chief, RTO)
1 x E4 (Driver)
2 x E4 (Radio Operator)
3 x E4 (Radio Mechanic)

Radar Tracks

attack unit 40 1 x E6 (Section Ldr) 1 x E5 (Snr Radar Op) 1 x E4 (Radar Op, Driver)

attack unit 41 1 x E5 (Snr Radar Op) 1 x E4 (Radar Op, driver)

Platoon HQ Track

attack unit 16
1 x Lt (Platoon Comdr)
1 x E6 (Vehicle Cmdr)
1 x E4 (Driver)
1 x E3 (Observer)
1 x E4 (Plat Medic)
1 x E4 (Radio Operator)

Scout Section

attack unit 11 1 x E6 (Section Leader) 1 x E4 (Driver) 2 x E3 (Observer)

attack unit 12 1 x E5 (Asst. Sqd Ldr) 1 x E4 (Driver) 2 x E3 (Observer)

attack unit 13 1 x E6 (Squad Leader) 1 x E4 (Driver) 2 x E3 (Observer)

attack unit 10 1 x E5 (Asst. Sqd Ldr) 1 x E4 (Driver) 2 x E3 (Observer)

Infantry Track

attack unit 18
1 x E6 (Sqd Ldr)
2 x E5 (Team Ldr)
2 x E4 (M-60 Team)
2 x E4 (Grenadier)
1 x E4 (Driver)
2 x E3 (Rifleman)
1 x E4 (Radio operator)

Mortar Track

attack unit 19
1 x E5 (Sqd Ldr)
1 x E4 (Mortar Gunner)
1 x E4 (Driver)
1 x E3 (Asst. Mortar Gunner)
1 x E3 (Ammo Bearer)
1 x E4 (Radio Operator)
Tank Section

attack unit 14 1 x E7 (Plat Sgt, Tk Comdr) 1 x E5 (Gunner) 1 x E5 (Driver) 1 x E3 (Loader)

attack unit 15 1 x E6 (Tk Comdr) 1 x E5 (Gunner) 1 x E5 (Driver) 1 x E3 (Loader)

attack unit 17 1 x E6 (Tk Comdr) 1 x E5 (Gunner) 1 x E5 (Driver) 1 x E3 (Loader)

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NOTES
All APC's are depicted as ACAV's M113) unless stated otherwise, although, due to the problems associated with obtaining the ACAV kits as well as the damage inflicted on the vehicles by the bush/rubber it was often necessary to operate with standard M113's.
ACAV's were armed with 1 x .50-cal mounted on the Commander's cupola and 2 x M60 mounted one either side of the rear troop compartment. The standard crew for the ACAV was a driver, track commander (who manned the .50 cal), two M-60 gunners and two loaders. All crew were armed with an M-16 and, in addition, a single M-79 40-mm grenade launcher was also carried in the vehicle. Typical ammo loads consisted of about 3,500 rounds of M2 .50 caliber, 8,500 rounds of 7.62mm M-60, 5,000 rounds of 5.56mm M-16 and 150 M-79 40mm grenades.
Ammo loads for the tanks in the platoon typically consisted of; 500 rounds for the .50-cal, 45 rounds of cannister, 12 rounds HE, 7 rounds WP and 3 rounds of the 'new beehive'. As time progressed, the number of beehive rounds that were carried increased as the availability of this round grew.
For further information on weapons see US Smallarms
Communications Track
The Commo track was at the center of Troop communications. The crew of this track had primary responsibility for the Troop radio net and for the maintenance of all the radio equipment in the Troop.
Radar Tracks
Both tracks of the Ground Surveillance Section carried PPS-4 radars. Although not listed in the official TO&E a ground-mounted, man portable PPS-5 radar was also carried. Ground Surveillance Radar were set up in front of the Troop's NDP or Laager and transmitted to a receiver in the Radar Track. It was intended to provide the Troop CO with early warning of enemy infiltration and their direction of approach.
Medics
Medics were usually assigned from Squadron. Several medics (E4, Medical Aidman) often rode on one of the Radar Tracks (Saber Bravo 40 or 41). This was because when the Troop was in action the Troop casualty clearing station was often secured by the Radar Tracks and the Commo Track.
RTO's
In addition to the RTO's on the Commo Track, attached to the Troop HQ, each Platoon also had 3 RTO's distributed amongst the vehicles as the Platoon CO saw fit. These RTO's were not part of the Troop Commo Section but were basically Infantrymen (11B20's) who may have had a secondary MOS of RTO (05B20) or, just by the luck of the draw, were volunteered for that slot. In the example above I have attached an RTO to each of the Platoon CO track, the Infantry track and the Mortar track.
Combat Engineers
It was quite common for a Combat Engineering Team of 4 men (1 x E5, 3 x E3) to be assigned to the Troop. The engineers were invariably assigned as passengers with the Scout Section and were responsible for sweeping in front of the Troop for mines and for jobs requiring demolitions with the use of C4 explosives.
Infantry Squad
The personnel of the infantry squad were quite often split amongst the various tracks of the Troop in order to provide those tracks with extra security.
Mortar Track
The Mortar Track was a modified M113 (not an ACAV) and could be either an M106 (4.2-inch mortar) or an M125 ( 81-mm mortar). Irrespective of the mortar type, the crew of five actually served the mortar itself.
Tank Section
The Tank section consists of 3 tanks. Originally the tank section consisted of the M48A3 but, as the war progressed, many units received the M551 Sheridan. 'B' Troop, 3/4 Cav received their Sheridans in late January 1969. By 1970 the tank section is likely to consist of Sheridan's. Prior to the arrival of the M551, some cavalry platoons of regimental cavalry squadrons, lacking M48A3's, were actually using ACAV's as substitutes for the tanks in this section.

[SuperScout]

From my understanding of the replacement program of upgrading units from the old M113 MOGAS version to the Diesels, the 2-47th Inf (Mech), 9th Inf Div was the last unit in Vietnam to get the upgrades. Some of my platoon's APC, all ACAV's, had twice as many miles than the M113's in Korea, while the Korean-based US Army units would get their M113's DXed for new ones. We were blessed with some extraordinary mechanics who kept our tracks running despite metal fatigue, engine failures, and other calamities.

[aviatiornj]

David fficeffice" />>>
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This has been driving me crazy for many years... Around 1969 I along with 9 other Marines were sent to a base in Georgia, I believe it was in Albany. I think it is a 10 week course with driving and complete top echelon maintenance. This APC or PC had a V8 Chevy/GM gas powered engine and a Turbo 350 or 400 transmission. A top speed of around 50MPH and of course could be driven in water. I remember an aircraft like steering wheel and a lever for normal and pivot operation >>
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The difference between M113... it was completely open and capable of 81 MM Mortar and 50 CAL... >>
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I have never seen a picture of the APC anywhere to this date. It had US ARMY markings that were faded and the joke was the entire floor housed an internal fuel tank and the vehicle either had a great deal or all magnesium incorporated, so it was like driving a bomb… >>
> >
Now I do have pictures of this somewhere and I can scan and send if needed …. Just thought you may know >>
> >
Thanks >>
> >
Ron >>

[DMZ-LT]

I'd like to see those pictures , Ron. David the ACAV also had added armor under the bottom front of the track and gun shields on the 60's

[MORTARDUDE]

Home sweet home for 11 months !!!