The Thing
Added 2017-10-14 00:01:48 +0000 UTCA Patron reward for R.W. Barton of a now rather forgotten postwar US armored vehicle the M50 Ontos (Greek for Thing) it was developed in late 1950's as light, fast, air drop capable, anti-armor vehicle. Primarily used by the US Marine Corp it was used more as a close fire support vehicle in the Vietnam Conflict than as a true anti-tank vehicle. With 6 M40 106mm recoilless rifles it could quickly deliver a lot of firepower.
However it had a very large fire signature. Don't stand behind it, and once it had fired its 6 rounds it needed to withdraw to a safe area to reload since the crew had to exit the vehicle to perform this task. Still in the days before reliable guided anti-tank missiles this was a very potent vehicle.
For this particular piece my lovely Rosemary Parker is posing with the Thing.
Comments
That was a powerful weapon Sure to put a large hole in almost anything.
MishaFox
2017-10-15 08:25:41 +0000 UTCThe vehicle had a three man crew. Driver, gunner, assistant gunner/loader. The gunner would normally stay inside at the gun controls while the loader reloaded the individual guns. The hatch was in the rear. Two doors. Each gun could be fired independently or all together. Each gun had a targeting marker gun attached. Normally the gunner would fire the coaxial gun to check aim then fire the main gun. The rounds were not cheap so wasting shots was not acceptable. We practiced firing the coaxial gun many times before turning loose the 106 recoilless gun. This was one of those odd machines thought up to be light weight for choppers or airdropped and powerful enough to take on the Soviet Juggernaut. There was very little room inside. Max load out was 12 rounds total. In Alaska we pulled a small utility trailer behind us with extra ammo. The driver front hatch was just big enough to stick your head out. All entry was from the back. Better lighter more powerful missiles like the Tow made this weapon system obsolete. But it did last up to the late 80s. The M40 recoilless gun was a true tank/ bunker killer in its time.
Vet
2017-10-14 20:40:00 +0000 UTCLOL!
Baron Engel
2017-10-14 17:47:24 +0000 UTCYou know, Baron, with some of the stuff you draw was it wrong of me to have expected something more John Carpentery with that title? Lol
JourneymanIK
2017-10-14 14:23:36 +0000 UTCI always wondered - who got stuck going outside to reload it?
MishaFox
2017-10-14 05:01:02 +0000 UTCRosemary wears armor like no one else, a lovely piece of artwork!
Richard Westberry
2017-10-14 02:40:15 +0000 UTCOne of the most appropriately named AFVs' ever. LOL WCJ
WILLIAM C JOHNSON
2017-10-14 02:16:39 +0000 UTCGot another oldie. The M274 Mule with the M40 recoilless variation. Had one of those in Alaska too.
Vet
2017-10-14 01:01:28 +0000 UTCGlad you like it.
Baron Engel
2017-10-14 00:46:58 +0000 UTCBeautiful!!
Vet
2017-10-14 00:03:01 +0000 UTC
