Gamma Goat

Military vehicles other than M-151s that might be of interest to our members

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m3a1
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Re: Gamma Goat

Unread post by m3a1 » September 16th, 2020, 11:47 am

Interesting adaptation for the radio and one that makes sense because, what I've read is, official policy was to not mix cargo with personnel in the carrier. Or was that rule bent now and again?

Did you also use the Convenience Receptacle (yes folks, that's actually what it's called) located in the carrier's front bulkhead for the radio's power supply or did you fellas tap into the power elsewhere? I about spit out my coffee when I found out what it was called. Had me looking around for the cigarette lighter (just kidding).

I'll admit, I wasn't familiar with the M-578 VTR until I saw this -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VV-Qbh0C5Y4

Oh boy! That's really a peach of a vehicle. Small. Tracked. Armored. What's not to love? My bucket list just got longer, doggone it!

Fabulous input from M75. Keep it coming!

Cheers,
TJ

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Re: Gamma Goat

Unread post by rickf » September 16th, 2020, 12:47 pm

Are you sure that is a recovery vehicle? I was under the impression they were support vehicles for the 155 self propelled howitzers. They were used for changing out barrels. That boom is nowhere near strong enough for recovery operations.
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1964 M151A1
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Re: Gamma Goat

Unread post by Mr. Recovery » September 16th, 2020, 3:46 pm

rickf wrote:
September 16th, 2020, 12:47 pm
Are you sure that is a recovery vehicle? I was under the impression they were support vehicles for the 155 self propelled howitzers. They were used for changing out barrels. That boom is nowhere near strong enough for recovery operations.


Yes they were Light recovery vehicle's . :D :twisted: :roll:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M578_ligh ... ry_vehicle
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1960 M151 Run 1
1963 M151 Willys DoD 10-63 in Baltimore
1989 Alley Cat. "work in Progress"
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Re: Gamma Goat

Unread post by m3a1 » September 16th, 2020, 3:51 pm

Here's a visual quick overview of the four positions offered by the stock 10 o'clcock- 4 o'clcock retaining pin hole.

All forward and fully stowed. Weapon cannot be mounted to the gun mount in this position unless the mirror supports are removed. All other positions will allow for a mounted weapon.
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Last edited by m3a1 on September 16th, 2020, 4:07 pm, edited 2 times in total.

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Re: Gamma Goat

Unread post by m3a1 » September 16th, 2020, 4:03 pm

And some detail photos of the gun mount. It got a bath and a good scrubbing, followed by a serious blow-dry with compressed air. Every nook and cranny. Not perfectly clean....yet.
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Neglected things like this...
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....become this. Better, by far! Starting to look like someone cares about it, eh?
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New pin, chain, and anchor....all of which will be painted in the very near future.
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I removed the gizmo from the M142 mount, bringing it into the proper configuration for this application and making the holes available for the retaining pin which is used to secure the gun mount to the arm.
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Re: Gamma Goat

Unread post by 1SGCAV77 » September 16th, 2020, 4:29 pm

In Armored Cav in middle 1970, Headquarters Troop Maint section had M578 to go along with M113’s. M88 for the M60 tanks. Pre-Abram and Bradley.
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Re: Gamma Goat

Unread post by m3a1 » September 16th, 2020, 8:51 pm

A little humor for my box of onboard hearing protection.
IMG_3317.jpeg
Cheers,
TJ
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Re: Gamma Goat

Unread post by de officiis » September 16th, 2020, 9:06 pm

Is it recommended to wear ear protection while driving the gamma goat?

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Re: Gamma Goat

Unread post by m3a1 » September 16th, 2020, 9:47 pm

Not only recommended. It's mandatory. The volume of sound made by the Gama Goat is sufficient to damage human hearing after prolonged exposure. Conversation, even between crew members seated side by side is nearly impossible when it's under way. So loud, in fact, that the convenience panel in the carrier has a button that illuminates a light on the dash so that anyone seated in back can direct the driver to stop.

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Re: Gamma Goat

Unread post by Mark » September 17th, 2020, 12:08 am

Sometimes it doesn't have to be prolonged exposure as I am sure you know, Some of the construction mentality long ago said I wasn't tough enough as I would have on hearing protection.My reply was very obvious standard reply.Glad you have it on
mark


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Re: Gamma Goat

Unread post by m3a1 » September 17th, 2020, 5:32 am

Yeah, my hearing is shot, compliments of the Taliban, but not entirely so. However, with age, I'm afraid what I have left certainly isn't improving. :roll:

So, tough or not tough, I have to practice some conservation.

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Re: Gamma Goat

Unread post by Mr. Recovery » September 17th, 2020, 10:20 am

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1960 M151 Run 1
1963 M151 Willys DoD 10-63 in Baltimore
1989 Alley Cat. "work in Progress"
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US Army 6 years 2nd Armored Cavalry Bindlach Germany
Colorado Army Nat. Guard 5 years
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Re: Gamma Goat

Unread post by m75 » September 17th, 2020, 1:07 pm

The "VTR" reference for the M578 was for "Vehicle, Tracked, Recovery". For M113-family of vehicles, it was the TO&E recovery asset, one per line company and I believe one more at HHC, part of BN Maint section. I also believe the Armor Cav squadron next door also used M578, not M88, due to the relative light weight of the M551 Sheridan. The full-on armor units used the M88, which during my time were all still gassers, with that magnificent long blue flame shooting out of the rear when the throttle was let up on.
Artillery units used the M578s for recovery, as well as facilitating barrel changes on the gun tubes.
And regarding the power receptacle for the Goat radio fender mount, I don't know about how the power was plumbed to the mount; it was already in place, and I never thought to see how that part of the set-up was accomplished. It was just "there", and when we mounted the radio, it had power, so Hey, presto!
But then, experience also told me that a stubborn M151 would only start up after dipping a C-ration can into the gas tank to get some starting juice, removing the air cleaner hose, tossing the gas into the carburetor, jamming a hand over the carb opening, and having someone jam on the starter. I never saw that procedure in the TMs, but it sure seemed to start the truck up!
Jim Peterson
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1961 M151 -Sold
1974 M151A2, Working It!

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Re: Gamma Goat

Unread post by 1SGCAV77 » September 17th, 2020, 8:40 pm

I had forgotten about the blue exhaust flames on the M88. Towing a dead M-60 tank at night, the blue flames were something. Those old MOGAS burners were pulling son of a guns. I recall also the front spade made an excellent place to sleep. Best remember where you are though. Heck of a thud if you rolled off.
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Re: Gamma Goat

Unread post by de officiis » September 19th, 2020, 8:59 am

m3a1 wrote:
September 17th, 2020, 5:32 am
Yeah, my hearing is shot, compliments of the Taliban, but not entirely so. However, with age, I'm afraid what I have left certainly isn't improving. :roll:

So, tough or not tough, I have to practice some conservation.
I completely agree. Used to be nonchalant about this, but not anymore!

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