PS Magazine Issue 046 1956 Series [46 ed.]

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Citation preview

WEAPONS INSPECTIONS

De-ar Editor, We here on the weapons inspection team of the 702nd Or'dnance' at Ft lewis ore proud of our method of serving our customers (the using

units) while at the same time helping them keep on-the-ball with their maintenance.

Our inspection team goes out ;n a shop truck, with armorers and spare ports right with us. We find that there are a whole lot of minor repair and parts replacement that we can accomplish right along with our inspection . We take core of things that leave a weapon right on the borderline between usable and due for Ordnance repair

In making o ur reports, while we 're strict as he ll about cny neglect or abuse of the weapons, we don ', pile up a huge gig sheet of minor deficiencies, because we don 't gig for what we fix up at the unit. This goes over big with the units, becau se they are on a hard training program and have a tough time getting a weapon back to Ord · nance for all the little things. But at the same time, they're taking care of the cleaning and the repair work they can do. Also, since we're dealing with new men, our inspection repair visits serve as good practical training sessions for the unit arms men, and we find things in better shape next time we get around. This program has the approval of all concerned-our Ordnance officers and the unit commanders all the way up to the Division commander.

59! F.P.L. Ft lewis, Washington

PS MAGAZINE Issue No. 46

P,bBsbed b, til. Department of the

AmI, for til. informa-

tion of oralnizatioRal maintenance and supply persolael. Distribution is made through normal publication channels. Within limitations of availability, older issues may be obtained direct from Preventive Maintenance Agency, Raritan Arsenal, Metuchen, New Jersey.

IN THIS ISSUE DEPARTMENTS Introducing the MS9 Armored

Personnel Carrier Echelon System (Cartoon Section) Roadwheel Mud Sh'ields M33 Fire Control System Nike Notes Tool Set, 2nd Echelon, No. 2 Supplemental Painting Vehicles

21 29 32 34 36 42

FEATURE ARTICLES Connie R~d

19

Half-Mast Armament

32

29

Publications Lists Engineer Equipment Contributions

Connie Rodd's Briefs

39 41 45 49

PS Magazine wants. your ideas and contributions, and is glad to answer your questions. Just write to: Sit Half·Mast.

:~d~:s~:'s Ra~~~:p~~~e~~~f~:~~~~en. New Jeney. Names The prilltilg 'f ttIi$

JIIiIicatiH Iw

bee, a,jlfned II, Ue Director 'f

~

BIIruu "tile Balliet 14 Auf. 1953). DtSTRIBUT10It Actin AnIlJ: , .. Stal, DA (1) except DeSPER (2~ ss, OA (1); Tee S.e. DA (5) uee,t 1151. CorOID (215); A_ill' Tee Swt BII (5); HII COIARC (lU); OS tbj C..d (5); OS Base Call (3h MOW (5h AnliH (50); Clr,s (3); D~ (2) eJeeJt .nil Iliw

COO.,.

(lDfl), Tnl Oit' (51); Brig (3h Regt/Gp (3h BlI (5'; CO (ll) except till C. (8), Mill C. (.~ QM C. (8); ft , c, (sh Cen , Br $Yt $c. (5) exce,t Eq:r ~ Sci ~~; USMI ~~; mIt St. 151; S.-st Sci ill; PMSII31 except PMST Ord IOTe lbits (25); CII De,"5 (S); SI, Ste, 'en O.,.u (5); Oeprrts (5h AH (5h ITt (10d); TrillS Teraiaal COIId (3); Allay Teraiul (l}; OS SI, Alwies (2); PC (5); Arseuls 125); DB (25k Coo Mail Sta (3); Off EDgr (2); Dist ~(2IJ. Me: StatJ AS s,ecial Ust IlSAR: IiIIIfst s,ociaI Ust r. 'l~tiH" ~ ISIII see SI·m.50-1.

1118~

Or.

lots of you infantrymen'lI be meeting the M59 full-tracked armored infantry vehicle shortly. This baby may not be exactly your dream car, but it takes the foot out of paddlefoot-and comes a lake or a river, it'll paddle for you, too. What is it? It 's a full-tracked armored vehicle powered by two GMC 302 engines with Hydra-Matic transmissions, almost the same power train that's used in the GMC 2%-ton trucks. Only in the M59, the two engines drive one , controlled differe'ntial, which has steering brakes and drives the tracks.

The hull is armored against small arms and machine gun fire, but won't turn direct artillery hits. It has the new 100-ampere AC charging system which provides enough electricity to operate radios and other communications equipment. 3

lots of you infantrymen'lI be meeting the M59 full-tracked armored infantry vehicle shortly. This baby may not be exactly your dream car, but it takes the foot out of paddlefoot-and comes a lake or a river, it'll paddle for you, too. What is it? It's a full-tracked armored vehicle powered by two GMC 302 engines with Hydra-Matic transmissions, almost the same power train that's used in the GMC 2%-ton trucks. Only in the M59, the two engines drive one , controlled differe-ntial, which has steering brakes and drives the tracks.

The hull is armored against small arms and machine gun fire, but won't turn direct artillery hits. It has the new 100-ampere AC charging system which provides enough electricity to operate radios and other communications equipment. 3

Operating the M59 is much the same as operating the old M24 tanks, if you remember them. It's sort of half.way between the old M4A3 and the new tanks with the cross·drive transmission. The gearshifting is mostly done by the Hydra-Matic transmissions. Steering is by brakes in the differential, so you'll lose a little more speed on the turns than you do when driving a vehicle equipped with a cross·

4

Operating the M59 is much the same as operoting the old M24 tanks, if you remember them. It's sort of half-way between the old M4A3 and the new tanks with the cross-drive transmission. The gearshifting is mostly done by the Hydra-Matic transmissions. Steering is by brakes in the differential, so you'll lose a little more speed on the turns than you do when driving a vehicle equipped with a crossdrive transmission.

4

Turn this on . Be darn sure you have the master-switch and not the red fire-ex tinguisher handle which is below it. With the moster-switch on, th e battery indicator will come up into or reol close to the yellow range un less you have dead batteries.

6

Be darn Sure you have the moster-switch and not the red fire-extinguisher handle which is below it. With the moster -switch on, the battery indicator will come up into or real close to the yellow range unless yoo have dead batteries.

you can't hear it fire. But by watching your right-hond tachometer you can tell when it catches and get your thumb off the starter button. Also check warning lights - they should go out. 6

7

you can't hear it fire. But by watching your right-hand tachometer you can tell when it catches and get your thumb off the starter button. Also check warning lights - they should go out.

the hydraulic power pock at your left side.

Be sure the ramp-locking-lever is all the way back or you may bend the locking hooks. When the ramp is fully raised-

This puts your transmissions in gear, but not your differential. You now run your engines up 10 about 2500-RPM, watching the tachometers. Don't get excited if the tachometer hands jump around a bit'" on the way up. It only means the transmissions are up-shifting.

It releases with a thumb-Iat~h.

Now you look back to be sure the ramp is clear, and then-

Put transmissions in neutral by pushing down on the auxiliary shih lever.

DRIVING Now yov're ready 10 move out. Except in combo! condition. you'll probo want 10 run wllh the hatch open and the driver', seat rolled. But .... sure yov',. in ..III and that file hatch is open,lirst. You _ . !here', a spring whiclt help the seat. If yov aren't in it, it'D fly up leo lost.

This puts your transmissions in gear, but not your differential. You now run your engines up to about

2500-RPM, watching the tachom eters. Don't get excited if the tachometer honds jump around a bit "" on the way' up. It only means the transmissions are up-shifting.

Put transmissions in neutral by pushing down on the auxiliary shift lever.

releases with a thumb-Iat~h. Now you look back to be sure the ramp is cleof, and then8

For braking, 'Pull back both levers with pumping, je'*ing movements.

If you're in a crowded tonk park, you1d better use low-range DRIVE to get clear, since it gives you better steering control at low speeds. Follow whatever rules l our local commanders have set up about ground guides, o'course. 9

DRIVING Now you're ready to move out, Except in combot conditiont you'll p _to lUll with the hatch open and the driwr's seat roioed. But be lUre you',.' the seat """ that the lJotch is open, firs!, You .... there', Q spring which ""!po fOiIe the seat, If you _n't in h. h'lI fly up too fast,

If you're in a crowded tank p'ork, you'd better use low-range DRIVE to get clear, since it gives you better steering control at low speeds. Follow whatever rules your local commanders have set up ahout ground guides, o'course. 9

SHIFTING A word about shifting: You can shift into any range except reverse while the vehicle is moving. When shifting, a -steady push against the lever 'lI give ....7>fjfJiiIrioi you the best results. There's a built-in resistance to help keep you from dashing gears by jerking the handle, and there's a synchro-mesh device in the differential which 'lI help you shift if

you'll just keep a steady stroin on the P ""l... .. ..,. lever. When the gears come to the same speed, they'll drop in gear. It's easier to shift while the vehicle is moving than to stop and shift.

_"""_..!...-::'l,-

lEVEL GROUND IBACK TO HIGH RANGE DRIVEl OK so you start out in low-range, and get out onto the road or tank trail. You

can go from high-range DRIVE to high-range HillY at any speed, and you can shift down into low-range any time your vehicle speed is below 14-MPH. The M59 has ample power to climb a 60 percent grade. Moreover, this baby will cross streams and lakes regardless of depth, and without any fording ducts. Besides, who needs to go more thon 32 MPH? 10

STEERING Now, steering this vehicle is a bit different from driving the new tanks with the cross-drive transmissions. In the first place, your steering brakes are going to slow you down plenty on turns. If you keep any drag on them they'll wear out too soon and cause overheating. On the other hand, since this baby is no hot-r.o d (top speed 32-MPH), you con handle it very nicely at any speed. You'll find that it steers much better at higher speeds. Do your steering by quick, hard pulls on the levers, not by holding 'em back. In fact, you· wont to make your turn with two or three quick pulls rather than one long one. let your steering lever go all the way forward between each quick jerk. This'll get you turned with a minimum toss of -speed. Keep your engine up around 2200-2700-RPM. You'll find that 'at slow speeds your vehicle'li steer better if it's in low range. Keep your RPM's up-shift down early when you ·s ee a hill or a sharp corner coming up.

Now, there's one more important difference between this vehicle and the . C)" 'M'i.II\Paw;,. """~ ",~,t.~

'''''''''

~~ W'IC.~\f..'\:i ~ ~\'''''' .. Q~'~9..\!4. "'""""~ c;.~""'\-"''''VMtrL~~\(.~ . .. . '"5.0""''''''''''''''~\'''

..." "'''''''RG'''~C.'C ....., - - - - -

All ECHELONS ARE AUTHORIZED TO DISPLAY THE PIN·UP •••NEXT PAGE

]J£ J(j1JJI itellls 1f1MI tells you. bow, . And the SM the parts will allow; I

If yoa Ch8 T70 and E-ed For the tools you will need. Then, ym're it..if you have the Krww-b{)ff.

lJ£ JOIlJ! items 1f1MI tells you how, SM the p.llrts will allow;

. And the

I

II you. are T70 and E-ed For,the tools you will need. Then, y;u're it...if you have the Krww-bow.

FIELD

26

MAINTENANCE

MAINTENANCE

MAJOR

-O,~t~IIHAU..L .~

1

-II ...

~ 11lii_.:loil ~jl

I I'~W.E' COMPLETE REBUILD

27

8 maintenance is verybody's business ".~ ... in the whole army. '" 1

•

_

begins with the user

~ho

"

must maintain

28

Ch echelon has the • "pport of the one • above it and owes a responsibility to the one it supports.

Dear Half-Mast, We've just been issued our /lew volt-ohm-milliameter, 17-V-808, which has recelltly beeu added to the 2ud Echelon Tool Set No. I Commou, supplemental. IF hat batteries do we lISe in this . meter? Mr. H . W. L. Dea r Mr. H. W . L. , It depends; both t he \X'eston Model 69 7 and the Simpson Electric Model 260 multi-me ters are issued under the stock number 17-V-80S. Both m eters will do the same job, but they call for different batterieS'

I). ~

'Q~ ~

• o'

Halt-IIfMt

The Simpso n Ele ctric Model 260 uses on e BA30 or four

BA5B ·s.

••

SA-58's

FSN6135-120-1030

~ SA·30

FSN6135 -120-1020

BA-31 29

FSN6135·120-1019

ROADWHEEL MUD SHIELDS Dear Hall-Mast, We're stilt getting tracked vehicles (M47 tanks and M44 howitzers) that have mud shields on the roadwheels. Accordill_g to TB Ord 403 (with Change 1, 24 Sept 51), the shields are supposed 10 be removed when they "have become defective." It's been our experience that by the time the shield has become defective (from watet· collecting under it and causing rust and corrosiott) it's also caused the wheel itself to rust and corrode.

So-you'll want to keep 'em as long as they're in good shape. The TB doesn't spell out just how you're supposed to tell when a shield's "defective," nor just who's supposed to say. So-looks like it's up to your Ordnance officer. And, if he feels that a shield is defective to begin with-there's no reason why he shouldn't give the word to remove 'em. Right?

HaI{-1/frvl GENERA TOR CABLES Dear Half-Mast, How about the generator-to-regulator cables on our trucks? Ours are beginning to check and crack. When do we have to replace 'em? I hate to put on a new$15 cabieuntill have to, but I don't want to hang a truck up if we ford it, and I don't want to get myself gigged. What's the score?

cwo

-

C. W.R.

National Guard

Since the shield serves "no use/til purpose"-as the TB says-why not cut the shield off while the wheel is still in good shape and not wait until all the damage is already done? SgtS.E. B.

Dear Mr. C. W. H., You've got a good point on those generator-to-regulator cables. The rubber covering on them is on ly to protect the cable from wear and abrasion. The rubber conduit inside that rubber sheath is waterproof in itself, so water which gets through cracks in the rubber ' sheath can't get into the wiring. So-you don't have to replace the cables when they check. You can repair any worn spots with rubber electrician's

Dear Sgt S. E. B., A very good point, Sarge. As a matter of fact, a lot of people have been doing' just that. The shields do serve to keep the mud from piling up in your wheels and really loading your vehicle down. 30

Dear Sgt W. E. P., Best method is to adjust your linkage according to paragraph 83.5, Change 1 (Sept 44 ) to TM 9-226. Should you still have trouble, take it off and send in a UER on it. Bending may work, all right, but it works too well. The gun will fire with a very light pressure on the handle, too hair-triggered jf you follow me.

tlaI/-lI/f14 t

,ape and go right on using the cable. The specifications on these cables have been changed to call for ozone-resistantrubber, and the later ones will be identified by the letters "OZ" stamped into the rubber cover. They're not supposed to check like the old rubber does.

MISSIN' A TOOL CHEST?

r'[ \ , Ooc55

DAD I Sill A-50

Mi l PoD lode
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