#MondayMachines - P-38

While the P-38 Lighting was a magnificent machine, we are going to be looking at a different P-38 today. I concede this is more of a tool than a machine, but if you'll play along...

The fighting men of World War 2 often found themselves away from mess halls or field kitchens for extended periods. They still had to eat. The go to solution was initially the K-ration and later the C-ration. They were initially packaged into cans that had to be opened with a "church key" type of turn-key opener. In 1942, the P-38 can opener was developed to facilitate easier opening of any type of can, including those included in C-ration packs. They served the U.S. Military from then until the 1980's. They are still in production by various companies.

There is not a lot of exciting information to impart about this tool, but its usefulness is undeniable. It was lightweight, easy to hang on to (most were kept on the same chain with dogtags), and functionally, were practically fail proof. They could become dulled after a number of uses, but I have also heard a Vietnam veteran say he has used his since he received it with no problems.

The use of this tool kept a lot of soldiers fed over the course of three major conflicts. I'm sure without it, they would have developed an alternative, but because it worked so well, and was so cheap to produce, it had a long, productive life.

I happen to have one that my Great-Uncle used at the tail end of World War Two. I kept in on a key ring for many years, but have since let it retire completely from service. Mine was made by the Speaker Company.

 

#MondayMachines: Rifle- U.S. Cal. .30 M1

The official designation is: Rifle - U.S. Cal. .30 M1, but most people who have ever heard of it, or especially fired it, know it as the M1 Garand.

Are there more advanced weapons out there? Yes. Are there more practical, efficient, accurate, lighter, prettier, etc. weapons out there? Certainly. But from a historical, gun-loving perspective, these things are one of a kind, outstanding and just plain fun to fire. Kind of like driving a Willys Jeep or sharpening an old K-Bar.

Instead of going through all the details and history of the rifle, I thought I'd give just a brief overview and then share a few good links I thought you might enjoy.

The Garand was the standard service rifle of the U.S. Armed Forces from the time it replaced the bolt-action M1903 Springfield in 1936 until it was replaced by the selective fire M14 in 1957. It still saw extensive use until 1963 and further limited use until 1976. It is still used for drill purposes mostly.

Including the prototype, the Garand had 33 different variants produced. Most of them being variations in functionality with things like scopes modifications, barrel length, sniper variants, chambering and clip/magazine versions. Most never saw active duty except for some of the sniper variants.

Patton once said the M1 was, "the greatest implement of battle ever devised". He also stated that, "the M1 rifle is the most deadly rifle in the world". High praise from a tough S.O.B.

 Now the fun stuff...

Here is a 250+ page field manual to thumb through for your enjoyment

Basic Field Manual

Two 1940's era Army training films. These beauties are top notch production and so incredibly informational. You just can't beat this stuff.

Marksmanship Training Film
Principles of Operation

John Garand with Major General Wesson(ctr) and Brigadier General Stewart 

Training at Ft. Knox, 1942

Soldier with M1 at Guam, 1944

Propaganda poster reminding folks to keep their mouths shut!

Anyone have a time machine and $78 I can borrow?

#MondayMachines - Bell UH-1 Iroquois

You don't have to look too far when viewing photos or video of combat operations in Vietnam to see a Huey. They, as much as any other piece of equipment(possibly excluding individual weapons), defined the war in Vietnam. The Huey was used extensively, for a number of different mission types, including, general support, air assault, cargo transport, aeromedical evacuation(medevac), search and rescue, electronic warfare, and ground attack. It became an absolutely vital piece of equipment to those serving in the war, both on the ground, in the air and command structures.

I can think, off of the top of my head, at least two Medal of Honor actions that directly involved the Huey. Those of Bruce Crandall at LZ-Xray during the Ia Drang battle and of Rodney Yano of the 11th Armored Cavalary Regiment, Blackhorse Regiment, where he died but saved the lives of all but one on board the Huey he was on when a WP grenade exploded and started cooking off all the ammo on board. I'm sure there are other instances of this as well.

The Bell HU-1A, later re-designated the UH-1A, was first put into service by the Army's 101st Airborne Division at Ft. Campbell, the 82nd Airborne and the 57 Medical Detachment. The 57th's Hueys first arrived in Vietnam in March of 1962. They weren't retired from the Army's active service until 2005, 42 years later. Not a bad run for this storied machine. They have been used by other branches and many other countries in various roles through the years as well. There were over 40 variants produced and several over-all upgrades as well.

Just in Vietnam, over 7,000 were ushered into service. Of those, over 3,300 were destroyed. Almost 1,200 Huey pilots were killed along with over 1,100 crew. The lives saved by these men and machines is innumerable. For the most part, if you were injured, the sight of the "Dust Off" was very re-assuring and likely meant survival from your wounds.

For those that piloted the Huey. Your service is probably most revered by those on the ground waiting to hear those rotors coming. The pilots and crew were looked upon with a tremendous amount of respect and admiration. You were heroes to a lot of people. We can;t thank you enough.

To those who perished. We look at you the same way, only with great sadness because of the loss. Many great men were taken from us while flying in the Huey. Your memory lives on. We honor you and you hold a special place in the hearts of many.

The UH-1's importance, especially during Vietnam cannot be overstated. This chopper was the standard bearer for many years and everything that has come after it has drawn on it's design and influence in some way.

#MondayMachines: LAV-25

During the 1980's, the Marine Corps was looking for a light armored vehicle in order to increase the  mobility of its divisions. They chose the LAV-25 built by General Dynamics Land Systems out of Canada.

The LAV-25 is an eight-wheeled amphibious armored recon vehicle based on the Swiss MOWAG Piranha I 8x8 vehicle. The Marines put them into service in 1983. The U.S. Army was also interested but declined at that time. They did go with the Stryker at a later date, which is based on the LAV III, which is also based on a MOWAG vehicle. The Army did, however, borrow about a dozen of the LAV-25 vehicles from the Marines which were used in the Gulf War by the 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 82nd Airborne. The Marines ordered over 750 LAV-25's of all available variants.

They first saw combat during the Invasion of Panama in 1989. They have been in service since that time in the Gulf War, the Iraq war, and the war in Afghanistan. In recent years, a Marine light armored recon battalion will typically use 56 LAV-25's and 44 other variants, plus a unknown number of LAV-MEWSS (Mobile Electronic Warfare Support System, the details of which remain classified). The current plan sees them in use until the year 2035. They must be a fairly reliable vehicle to have been in use for over 30 years and 20 more planned in a time when technology has been and continues to be changing at a rate probably never thought possible.

The LAV-25 is powered by a turbo charged 275 hp Detroit Diesel engine. They can run 4-wheel drive, in which the four rear wheels are used or can be transferred to 8-wheel drive. They are capable of going 60+ mph and have a range of over 400 miles. They are also able, as an amphibious vehicle to operate in non-surf water conditions, an reach speeds of about 8 mph. The amphibious role is currently being limited and possibly removed from the vehicle. They use a crew of three and can carry four passengers with full combat gear.

The business end of these vehicles features an M242 Bushmaster 25mm chain gun. Spitting out up to 500 rounds per minute, this cannon can deliver a 25x137mm shell at a 3600ft/s muzzle velocity. If that finds its target, it can ruin someone's weekend plans in a hurry. The LAV-25 is also equipped with two M240 machine guns (7.62x51mm). It is safe to say that a dedicated crew is more than capable of of taking care of business.

Upgrades have continued on the LAV-25 since the 1990's. Through the upgrades, variants have been designated the LAV-25A1 and the more recent LAV-25A2, for which funding was reportedly approved. These phase I upgrades added features including, increased external and internal ballistic armor, fire suppression systems, and suspension upgrades to compensate for the heavier armor. The armor upgrades will increase protection from 14.5mm armor piercing rounds and also add an anti-spall lining similar to the Army's LAVIII "Stryker" vehicles. This armor also provides increased protection form IED's. Phase II upgrades include the turret drive system and the sighting systems.

The LAV-25's have several derivatives which include Anti-Tank, Mortar, Recovery, Command & Control, Logistics, Expeditionary Fire Support Systems(which upgrades the mortar capability with a recoil-less rifle version) and the previously mentioned, highly classified, Mobile Electronic Warfare Support System.

All of these features, upgrades, variants and derivatives make the LAV-25 one seriously versatile, highly functional and reliable piece of machinery. The Marines have been depending on them for over 30 years and they have served each other well.

 
POHANG, South Korea (March 29, 2006) - Staff Sgt. Heighnbaugh, a platoon sgt. with the 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Platoon (reinforced), Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, fires an M240G medium machinegun on a light armored vehicle at the Su Song Ri Range here during Exercise Foal Eagle 2006. The BLT is the ground combat element of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit.