M1A1s' for New York

Sorry for the stupid question, but what does the IP stand for? What's the difference in the two tanks? I'm glad you got an upgrade, how come no M1A2's? Are they all in the Gulf?

The IP was an improved version of the M-1 tank, One item you can see right off is the addition of the rear bustle rack on the turret. My unit is National Guard and there are Active units that do not have A2s as of yet so we're way done the list for A2s. Plus the Army just don't give tanks out, the State has to buy them from the Army. And that process I only know the basics of it.

IP=Improved Production
Not even all the Regular Army tank units have the M1A2. Only the 4th Infantry Division is fully M1A2 equipped. The 1st Cavalry Division (an armor division by composition) and the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment have a mixture of M1A2 and M1A1-D tanks. M1A1-D is the latest version of the M1A1 with applique and digital electronic equipment.

Hmm.. Interesting.. I'm wondering what the camo scheme's going to be.. Woodland or yellow with black and white checkers..

QUOTE: Originally posted by Michaelvk Hmm.. Interesting.. I'm wondering what the camo scheme's going to be.. Woodland or yellow with black and white checkers..

Michael, been a while since you've been in the City, eh? We don't have checkered cabs any more -- they're all golden yellow now.

What I wonder is if they are going to issue the bead seat covers, the bottle of weird air freshener, and the turban for the driver.

Interesting info about the M1A1-D. Are units still equipped with the "M1A1HA", or has that designation been retired?

The M1A1HA nomenclature was a model company nomenclature and not an Army nomenclature. We made no real distinction between an early M1A1 and a later "Heavy Common" M1A1. Although units did have either all early or all late M1A1s.

Most, if not all, M1s were upgraded to M1IPs and most of them will be remanufactured into M1A2SEPs. Ironic how our oldest version of Abrams tank is destined to become our newest.

Well we have some of the oldest M-1s in the fleet. One the data plate shows it built 1980 and the armor plate number is # 82. According to or full time maint. crew the tank is former test vehical and has never fired. The rest of our tanks were built in the early eighties.

I've actually never been to NY.. I get all my info from the telly.. I guess 'Taxi' is not really the best reference.

I've actually climbed around one of the M1IP's at Newburg NY. "D" Company I believe? Two of the crew, both young Phillipinos were very kind to show me and others around on the tank.

BTW, are civilians allowed to visit the base at Staten Island for a "look see" when the A1's arrive?

BOBBY

QUOTE: Originally posted by Michaelvk I've actually never been to NY.. I get all my info from the telly.. I guess 'Taxi' is not really the best reference.

You should come, Michael. It's a fun place to visit, and a safe city too -- the safest large city in America.

Not much doing here in terms of modeling though, sadly. My sister lives in a suburb of Atlanta (married a Georgia boy) and there are more model shops in her immediate vicinity (population around 30,000) than in all of New York City.

On an M1 related note, when driving through Northern New Jersey in the 80's it was not at all uncommon to see M1's on flatbed cars headed toward Bayonne, NJ on their way to being shipped overseas, I assume to Germany. Might make an interesting diorama for the older M1 kits.

Great news-Here's the real story though--any of those M1IPs in the hands of American crews would still kick butt. As a 20 year tanker veteran, we could have taken Bagdad in M60A3s. Thank goodness we don't have to and have a great tank-but I am very proud of the level of training we have. Thanks for your service in the ARNG. You are a member in a big team!!!

You're lucky. They took my IP away and turned us into light infantry... that lasted about a year for me before I got sick of road marches on my feet and a sore from that #(*$^ ruck. Now I'm on the Paladin. Congrats on the new toys! (train up and deploy!) No more lap loading![:0]

Ron.

Ron..well new tracks old feet. We are deploying late 04 to Kosovo. Were we'll be either dismounted patrols or Hummer mounted. If you can, read this months Armor magazine. They use the term "Dismounted Combat Tankers." Trained like infantry, but with tanker mind set.

Bobby Wong: Newburg is one of our companies, once we get our hands on the tanks Newburg will let civies see it. Time frame is late 05 or more to get the tracks.

I know that mission all to well. We were alerted for possible deployment, but were taken off a month and a half later. I hope you can get the infantry mind set, it's not easy to come by and I truely do respect the guys who can take that blue cord mission and eat it up.
I prefer being a redleg or some other type of tread head.
Best of luck to you!

Ron

'Dismounted combat tankers' eh? hmmm. I won't comment on that one.

I was 4th and 8th div. in my day. Mechanized is the only way to go! I did do an awful lot of walking anyway. Usually with a .50 ( with barrel) across my shoulders, down to the motor pool for down-range. ( playing army) Or to the flag pole for post gaurd duty! Ft. Carson, still remember it!