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From: bcstec!drinkard@uunet.UU.NET (Terrell D. Drinkard)
Newsgroups: sci.military
Subject: M1 Tanks
Message-ID: <1990Dec7.012724.2773@cbnews.att.com>
Date: 7 Dec 90 01:27:24 GMT
Sender: military@cbnews.att.com (William B. Thacker)
Organization: Boeing Commercial Airplane Group
Lines: 42
Approved: military@att.att.com



From: bcstec!drinkard@uunet.UU.NET (Terrell D. Drinkard)

The M1 Abrams is available in 4 flavors:  The original M1, the IPM1, the
M1A1, and the M1A2.

The M1 does indeed have Chobam armor.  It has the 105mm gun and the thermal
sights as usual. The NBC system is a blower that sends air to the filter on
the crew's masks.  There is also the Halon Fire Extinguisher System. 

The IPM1 has even heavier armor but the same gun and sights.  IP stands for
Improved Performance, not Initial Production.
 
The M1A1 has the heavy armor and the same thermal sights, but it now has a
120mm gun.  The NBC protection system is of the overpressure type with
microclimate vests for the crew.

The M1A2 is not yet in production.  It has the same gun and armor package,
but has improved fire control equipment.

The trailer mentioned earlier could possibly be the rocket launched mine
clearing system bought by the Marines.  This may be news to some, but the
US Marines are buying M1s.

The pack must be pulled to change the oil.  So what?  The M1 is not your
Chevy pickup.  My crew does some maintenance on the engine, but frankly, I
don't let them screw with much.  That is why we have mechanics.  And the M1
has been so reliable that I don't regret this kind of decision at all.  
 
I been on M60A3s and I've been on M1s.  And I'll take the M1 every time.
My M1 is a sportscar compared to the M60.

Here is a techie tidbit that I picked up from an engineer at the Lima Army
Depot where they build these tanks:  a test was conducted at Aberdeen
Proving Grounds where the governor was removed and the engine allowed to
run as fast as possible over smooth level ground.  The transmission failed
at a speed of 115 MPH.  Yep, one hundred and fifteen miles per hour.  Not
bad.  The X1100 transmission is wonderful!  :-)  But don't tell my
driver...
 
Terry


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