It's so neat to see the halftrack in the state it is. The weathered look just adds to the whole vehicle and sets it apart from other vehicles that have been restored to a factory finish.
I really appreciate and enjoy this video. My father served in Europe during WW2 and was with units of these MGMCs. He was the tech for the range finding equipment and mechanical computers that connected to the MGMC when deployed at airfields. He was in the 273rd Ordinance Maint. Co. Light Antiaircraft Artillery.
I LOVE IT! Nothing fake, the real deal. Love the patina. Beautiful. Well done, gentlemen. And, THANK YOU for saving and preserving this piece of AMERICAN history. 👍👏
Great video. The "White" version of the M16 may have seen first use in Korea in 1952, but the M16 did see use in Korea in 1950. My father was a Master Sergeant of Battery C of the 459th AAA AW SP of the 2nd Infantry DIv. When they landed in Korea they were integrated into what was the 82 BN AAA AW SP under Lt. Col. Walter Killilae. According to Walter in his book "Korea 1950-1951 82nd AAA AW SP" P. 48, he stated that each battery at the start of the war consisted of 8 M16s and 8 M19s. Unquote, It was later toward the end of 1951 that the M16s replacements were being outfitted with armor to protect the canneers as they used the quad 50 cal.
My great uncle spent the summer of 44 through VE day on one of these, serving with the 441st AW AAA Bn. He recalled most of the time shooting at ground targets, except for a incident at the tail end of the war, where they were apparently defending one of the last intact bridges over the Danube, where he said "it got pretty hairy"
KP, would appreciate your thoughts regards: As someone seeing her for the 1st time, what were your overall impressions? Would you like to see other items added to the display? Is this something students would be interested in seeing in a classroom setting? Any other thoughts or comments? Seeking input regarding our nonprofit mission. Really appreciate any input you can provide. COL K
Darn, I wish I'd seen this three years ago as I would have checked it out. I've always loved those things and built a model as a kid. I was born at Wright-Patt in 1951 when my dad was in Korea, but it's been quite awhile since I've been to the museum. It is really a national treasure.
A great, well told story of military history and a fitting tribute to both the men who manned and restored her as well as to the machine itself👍. Thank you for sharing!
It is a very unexpected sight when an employee of an American Air Force museum drives an American WWII combat vehicle in a German military sweatshirt. Best regards and good luck with your work! I have the same one, it's a good one.
Almost all of these vehicles have been scraped or hopefully recovered by folks for restoration. The majority of halftracks in the US were purchased by the Israeli Army in 1948
She's a beast. I've seen one at a navy base around here.... Not that much armor, she's not a tank. But can she lay down a barrage of fire against a close range aircraft? Yes. I would want a few of these with my Tank column if we were on the move.
It was the vision when I found her to leave her as original as physically possible. As mentioned, her hard earned patina was something that in no way should ever be sandblasted or painted over. I'm blessed to be her custodian for the time being and thrilled that the NMUSAF decided to put her on display. The museum team has been incredibly professional (This video is a perfect example) and we look forward to a long-lasting affiliation with the museum. If your anywhere near Dayton OH, the museum is a must see destination!! Thank you for watching and please, feel free to share with others 😊. COL Koloc
Thank you so very much for loaning her to us Col. Koloc!!! Thank you for your military service and telling amazing historic stories with this beautiful artifact. This is truly a must see!!!
I fell in love with this machine at the museum yesterday. I assumed the patina was to be preserved during inspection. I just wonder where the guns came from.
Tollytime, .50 caliber replica weapons made from real parts. Gent from Ohio makes them. Not only are these beautiful replicas, but they are designed to fire propane and oxygen using the turrets firing circuit. Wanted to have that effect for outdoor programs and for any future film work to raise money for our nonprofit. Check out aqproject.org Our webpage ( still under a bit of construction) for more info, pics and history of the African Queen. Appreciate your comment COL K
The front tires are solid rubber combat tires made in 1954 by Michelin Tires. They are called Michelin Invincibles and actually have steel belted sidewalls. The outer tire is weather damaged from sitting in the desert for 50+ years. However the inner tire (solid rubber) is like the day it was made and holds up well under the weight of the halftrack. I have new tires mounted on an original set of WWII combat wheels sitting in my shop, but prefer to keep the original tires and combat wheels on her for now, or for as long as they'll continue to hold up.
My father was in the Korean War, 1951, in the 24th Infantry, 26AAA. We have pictures of him in a half track with quad 50s just like this one. This halftrack appears to be 24th Infantry, 25AAA if the markings are correct. Any idea if the 2 units operated together? I’d be happy to share my father’s photos if the owner or museum would like.
I'm a military radio nut, love the WW-II radios SCR-508 (BC-603 receiver & BC-604 transmitter) The Transmitter is wideband FM and I don't think the FCC will let us use it on any frequency except maybe if you're in the military can do anything you want. TM 11-600, SCR-628, SCR-508 Bet the AF Museum library has copies of the manuals. I see you have the spares box instead of a second receiver if it hasn't dynamotor grease can inside I'd recommend repacking the dynamotor's bearings. --------- Love the sound of dynamotor's in the morning ---------- Hit the PTT switch on the T-17 microphone and listen to that BC 604 dynamotor roar.
Mack the radios work and I have another receiver but this is the type radio configuration stenciled on the side of the halftrack. I have the original manuals with the wiring diagrams which has been most helpful regards installing the BC 606(?) intercom boxes.
Thank you for saving this US piece of history (so important - one of the toughest looking US Army vehicles ever buiit). My Father told me stories when he was a boy he used to love to go down the block in Cleveland and sit on the curb and watch at White Motors as they drove the new halftracks right off the line and then test drove them around the area. Great decision to not fully restore as well.
Thank you .. we were the star guests at a show in Cleveland in 2022 and she finally made it back home. I was so proud that we had brought her back from Africa .. She so deserved it!!
They were awesome vehicles .. we had the best engineering of the day .. the Germans were good, but they could not begin to touch us on design or manufacturing. less is more!
Amazing to see this thanks for sharing it's really appreciated to see in original state and so impressed that you are going to be keeping it as so! I'm an armour modeller so always looking for references documents try an colourize photos etc I've just downloaded the original war office documents on the different halftracks I'm building the m16 meat chopper as a scale model it's as accurate as the real thing I've got it entered in to our ww2 show this month so trying to find out it's primer colour if used red oxide but noticing it's not so much chipped paint like as as worn paint, so that and all the weathering and rust round bumpers etc will be applied and now seeing the BRASS that's amazing! I think I'll be the only one with accurate brass water pipes on my model never seen that before! My model will probably be a replica of Your m16! Markings will be Germany markings but it's going together in a diorama woth a sherman Jumbo cobra king first in Bastogne! I'm trying to win a trophy this year with this model! There should be a tarp for over the driver's compartment there should be 3 bar bows like on the willys it's alot higher than the driver roofline! it would have been a nightmare but when you see it now it looks like it would be an amazing experience haha
Charlie, I'm not sure what the primer color was as I have found no real evidence of it, but pics of these beasts being built at the plant show a dark primer(?) so I would assume red oxide on the pieces of the track during assembly. I assume the tracks were not painted OD Green until the finale assembly process was completed. My paint on the track is lead based and original and has stood up to 50 years of sitting in the African desert. The only issue was oxidation which has easily cleaned up with some superfine wet and dry sandpaper. The M16 did not have the three bows found on the infantry tracks and there is no place to insert a tarp for the drivers compartment on the windshield frame as found on the infantry halftracks. The only tarp/coverings were on the turret as it was considered weather protection. This track did not have a personnel heater installed although some infantry tracks had that as an option. All half tracks had brass water pipes as brass does not rust. I chose to leave mine in the original brass rather than painting them over in OD. I like the look and the wow factor.
Yes the three bowed tarps were available on the M2 or M3 halftracks that were converted to anti-aircraft tracks. Of course they don't have the fold down armor so that is a distinction.
Would never consider repainting her ... There is a movement (finally) among collectors that preservation is much better than restoration. if you ever watch a Barret Jackson or other company auction on tv, original unrestored vehicles get a premium when it comes to sales over a restored version. Besides, they are only original once!
Interesting to see this one it looks to have been the troop carrier version modded to put the quad 50s on the m16 never had the rear door the spare barrels were mounted on the rear inside wall as never had an opening door so was made into a stowage rack and the the other 2 were layed on floor up each side of the Quad station I thought it was strange to the one's I'm used to researching but have just downloaded the original war office documents on the white and diamond T halftracks amd all the variants they had one with the same set up but only 2 50 cals instead of the 4 and had the rear door! Thinkmthe later one's were re designed
Charlie this is strictly an M16 built in July 1943 and converted in May of 1952. Troop carriers converted to M16A1 status did not have the drop down armor on the sides with the cutouts for the turrets weapons. Your right the original M16's did not have a troop door. But this is a M16A2 and during its modification had the rear troop door installed, a uniqe charging system and radio system upgrade and the addition of two larger storage boxes installed on the back of the track. In addition an extra 12 inch turret ring was installed so that the fold down armor did not have to be used and the weapons could be depressed to be used in the ground defense mode against the human wave attacks in Korea. There are 4 spare barrels, two mounted on the floor and two mounted on the passenger side wall in the gunners compartment. In addition two seats were installed in the gunners compartment for the cannoneers to sit on verses the cushions on the floor in the original WWII version. Appreciate your comments!
A single quad fiftee M16 taking out a entire companie of German Volkssturm Grenadiers these VGD troops where militia units infiltrating the frontlines during the opening stages of 'the Bulge' in December of 1944. They mistook it for one off their own halftracks in the dark and came way to close. A little time later at Malmedy The Waffen SS under the command of Peiper executed a large number of U.S. POW's. The tragic incident that these young German troops went through was looked upon as a mass execution although i have never heard anybody calling it that. More than 50 American soldiers later on where slaughtered without mercy. The murder at Malmedy during the Ardennes offensive was a digrace as well as the fate of the VGD betrayed by all.
Piper, the SS Commander in charge of those troops was tried for that crime but never did any real time in prison .. he was assassinated by the French several years later .. Karma is a Bit(h!
It's so neat to see the halftrack in the state it is. The weathered look just adds to the whole vehicle and sets it apart from other vehicles that have been restored to a factory finish.
we think so too, just beautiful!
I really appreciate and enjoy this video. My father served in Europe during WW2 and was with units of these MGMCs. He was the tech for the range finding equipment and mechanical computers that connected to the MGMC when deployed at airfields. He was in the 273rd Ordinance Maint. Co. Light Antiaircraft Artillery.
I LOVE IT! Nothing fake, the real deal. Love the patina. Beautiful.
Well done, gentlemen. And, THANK YOU for saving and preserving this piece of AMERICAN history. 👍👏
Great video. The "White" version of the M16 may have seen first use in Korea in 1952, but the M16 did see use in Korea in 1950. My father was a Master Sergeant of Battery C of the 459th AAA AW SP of the 2nd Infantry DIv. When they landed in Korea they were integrated into what was the 82 BN AAA AW SP under Lt. Col. Walter Killilae. According to Walter in his book "Korea 1950-1951 82nd AAA AW SP" P. 48, he stated that each battery at the start of the war consisted of 8 M16s and 8 M19s. Unquote, It was later toward the end of 1951 that the M16s replacements were being outfitted with armor to protect the canneers as they used the quad 50 cal.
Not repainting's a good decision. It looks more authentic this way.
We agree!!!
My great uncle spent the summer of 44 through VE day on one of these, serving with the 441st AW AAA Bn. He recalled most of the time shooting at ground targets, except for a incident at the tail end of the war, where they were apparently defending one of the last intact bridges over the Danube, where he said "it got pretty hairy"
My favorite addition to the museum the last time I visited!
Bless your heart sir.
Beautiful thing. Thank you for this, especially the history behind this particular vehicle
thing is sick, basically barn find armor. cant wait to see it this weekend!
We hope you have a great visit KP!!!
KP, would appreciate your thoughts regards: As someone seeing her for the 1st time, what were your overall impressions? Would you like to see other items added to the display? Is this something students would be interested in seeing in a classroom setting? Any other thoughts or comments? Seeking input regarding our nonprofit mission. Really appreciate any input you can provide.
COL K
Darn, I wish I'd seen this three years ago as I would have checked it out. I've always loved those things and built a model as a kid. I was born at Wright-Patt in 1951 when my dad was in Korea, but it's been quite awhile since I've been to the museum. It is really a national treasure.
Thank you for your service sir
Thank you for sharing this video
A great, well told story of military history and a fitting tribute to both the men who manned and restored her as well as to the machine itself👍. Thank you for sharing!
Appreciate you comments, thank you!
COL K
glad someone so passionate saved this historic treasure. These things are pretty good in the game Company of Heros2
It is a very unexpected sight when an employee of an American Air Force museum drives an American WWII combat vehicle in a German military sweatshirt. Best regards and good luck with your work! I have the same one, it's a good one.
Excellent program. Thank you for preserving this M16. (From Australia)
Glad to see your good work is paying off. I saw a gutted one In Kenosha Wisconsin 40 years ago not sure where it may have gone to since.
Almost all of these vehicles have been scraped or hopefully recovered by folks for restoration. The majority of halftracks in the US were purchased by the Israeli Army in 1948
So many have been scrapped .. they really were incredible vehicles!
She's a beast. I've seen one at a navy base around here.... Not that much armor, she's not a tank. But can she lay down a barrage of fire against a close range aircraft? Yes. I would want a few of these with my Tank column if we were on the move.
Great restoration. Well done.
Thank you, I was hoping there would be interest and enthusiasm for its preservation and history.
COL K
thank you
I just completed a 1/16 scale model of this beauty. Wish I could share a picture of it.
www.aqproject.org/
It was the vision when I found her to leave her as original as physically possible. As mentioned, her hard earned patina was something that in no way should ever be sandblasted or painted over. I'm blessed to be her custodian for the time being and thrilled that the NMUSAF decided to put her on display. The museum team has been incredibly professional (This video is a perfect example) and we look forward to a long-lasting affiliation with the museum. If your anywhere near Dayton OH, the museum is a must see destination!!
Thank you for watching and please, feel free to share with others 😊.
COL Koloc
She's in building 2, right at the nose of the C-124 in the Korean War Gallery. She looks even better in person... come see for yourself.
Thank you so very much for loaning her to us Col. Koloc!!! Thank you for your military service and telling amazing historic stories with this beautiful artifact. This is truly a must see!!!
The guns?
@@tollytimepropulsion5252 .50 Caliber machine guns ..also know as Browning Heavy Barrel Machine Guns
Wonderful piece of history. Thanks for sharing.
Hands down one of my favorite vehicles! Especially the fact it was built here in Ohio!
With the increasing use of cheap drones this type of military vehicle could become very useful
🎖️🏆⭐❤️🩹🙏
Thank you for sharing this
I fell in love with this machine at the museum yesterday. I assumed the patina was to be preserved during inspection. I just wonder where the guns came from.
Tollytime, .50 caliber replica weapons made from real parts. Gent from Ohio makes them. Not only are these beautiful replicas, but they are designed to fire propane and oxygen using the turrets firing circuit. Wanted to have that effect for outdoor programs and for any future film work to raise money for our nonprofit. Check out
aqproject.org
Our webpage ( still under a bit of construction) for more info, pics and history of the African Queen. Appreciate your comment
COL K
The front tires are solid rubber combat tires made in 1954 by Michelin Tires. They are called Michelin Invincibles and actually have steel belted sidewalls. The outer tire is weather damaged from sitting in the desert for 50+ years. However the inner tire (solid rubber) is like the day it was made and holds up well under the weight of the halftrack. I have new tires mounted on an original set of WWII combat wheels sitting in my shop, but prefer to keep the original tires and combat wheels on her for now, or for as long as they'll continue to hold up.
We are soo very excited to have her back on display!!!
www.aqproject.org/
My friend Jerry manned one in Korea. Used it against enemy infantry. Brutal.
I've read it described as "The Meat Grinder"! 😎👍
They were used in the ground role up to Vietnam .. could not begin to imagine being under fire from one of these .. and I speak from experience.
Great video!!
My father was in the Korean War, 1951, in the 24th Infantry, 26AAA. We have pictures of him in a half track with quad 50s just like this one. This halftrack appears to be 24th Infantry, 25AAA if the markings are correct. Any idea if the 2 units operated together? I’d be happy to share my father’s photos if the owner or museum would like.
Great story. Born in Ohio, traveled to three different continents, and now back in it's home state again.
Its a great story, and it worked out so well landing in Ohio!!
🇺🇲My uncle Jerry was the gunner in the quad 50 halftrack. Occupation forces Germany.🇩🇪
I'm a military radio nut, love the WW-II radios SCR-508 (BC-603 receiver & BC-604 transmitter) The Transmitter is wideband FM and I don't think the FCC will let us use it on any frequency except maybe if you're in the military can do anything you want. TM 11-600, SCR-628, SCR-508 Bet the AF Museum library has copies of the manuals. I see you have the spares box instead of a second receiver if it hasn't dynamotor grease can inside I'd recommend repacking the dynamotor's bearings.
--------- Love the sound of dynamotor's in the morning ---------- Hit the PTT switch on the T-17 microphone and listen to that BC 604 dynamotor roar.
Mack the radios work and I have another receiver but this is the type radio configuration stenciled on the side of the halftrack. I have the original manuals with the wiring diagrams which has been most helpful regards installing the BC 606(?) intercom boxes.
Thank you for saving this US piece of history (so important - one of the toughest looking US Army vehicles ever buiit). My Father told me stories when he was a boy he used to love to go down the block in Cleveland and sit on the curb and watch at White Motors as they drove the new halftracks right off the line and then test drove them around the area.
Great decision to not fully restore as well.
Thank you .. we were the star guests at a show in Cleveland in 2022 and she finally made it back home. I was so proud that we had brought her back from Africa .. She so deserved it!!
My grandfather was in the 387th AAA AW Bn attached to the 5th AD. He was on a M 15 , it had a 37mm and .50 cal MG one on each side of the main gun.
They were awesome vehicles .. we had the best engineering of the day .. the Germans were good, but they could not begin to touch us on design or manufacturing. less is more!
Who did the camera work? This is one of the best quality vids I've seen! Geoff Who isn't usually picky.
Thanks so much Geoff! Our museum videographer has done all the videos in the last nine years or so.
M16A2 💥💥💥
👍🏿
MINE ! Primary MOS ADA ! 16 P , Chapparal..SAMs..I want that track !
It is amazing!!!
Amazing to see this thanks for sharing it's really appreciated to see in original state and so impressed that you are going to be keeping it as so! I'm an armour modeller so always looking for references documents try an colourize photos etc I've just downloaded the original war office documents on the different halftracks I'm building the m16 meat chopper as a scale model it's as accurate as the real thing I've got it entered in to our ww2 show this month so trying to find out it's primer colour if used red oxide but noticing it's not so much chipped paint like as as worn paint, so that and all the weathering and rust round bumpers etc will be applied and now seeing the BRASS that's amazing! I think I'll be the only one with accurate brass water pipes on my model never seen that before! My model will probably be a replica of Your m16! Markings will be Germany markings but it's going together in a diorama woth a sherman Jumbo cobra king first in Bastogne! I'm trying to win a trophy this year with this model!
There should be a tarp for over the driver's compartment there should be 3 bar bows like on the willys it's alot higher than the driver roofline! it would have been a nightmare but when you see it now it looks like it would be an amazing experience haha
Charlie, I'm not sure what the primer color was as I have found no real evidence of it, but pics of these beasts being built at the plant show a dark primer(?) so I would assume red oxide on the pieces of the track during assembly. I assume the tracks were not painted OD Green until the finale assembly process was completed. My paint on the track is lead based and original and has stood up to 50 years of sitting in the African desert. The only issue was oxidation which has easily cleaned up with some superfine wet and dry sandpaper. The M16 did not have the three bows found on the infantry tracks and there is no place to insert a tarp for the drivers compartment on the windshield frame as found on the infantry halftracks. The only tarp/coverings were on the turret as it was considered weather protection. This track did not have a personnel heater installed although some infantry tracks had that as an option. All half tracks had brass water pipes as brass does not rust. I chose to leave mine in the original brass rather than painting them over in OD. I like the look and the wow factor.
Yes the three bowed tarps were available on the M2 or M3 halftracks that were converted to anti-aircraft tracks. Of course they don't have the fold down armor so that is a distinction.
❤ สุดยอดครับ
En Enlisted le quitaron 2 ametralladoras sino rompia la campaña del pacifico definitivamente
Repainting is a must turn back the clock
There's plenty of them restored to factory fresh.
Would never consider repainting her ... There is a movement (finally) among collectors that preservation is much better than restoration. if you ever watch a Barret Jackson or other company auction on tv, original unrestored vehicles get a premium when it comes to sales over a restored version. Besides, they are only original once!
I have this one in War Thunder ; very cool US vehicle as always !!
Interesting to see this one it looks to have been the troop carrier version modded to put the quad 50s on the m16 never had the rear door the spare barrels were mounted on the rear inside wall as never had an opening door so was made into a stowage rack and the the other 2 were layed on floor up each side of the Quad station I thought it was strange to the one's I'm used to researching but have just downloaded the original war office documents on the white and diamond T halftracks amd all the variants they had one with the same set up but only 2 50 cals instead of the 4 and had the rear door! Thinkmthe later one's were re designed
Charlie this is strictly an M16 built in July 1943 and converted in May of 1952. Troop carriers converted to M16A1 status did not have the drop down armor on the sides with the cutouts for the turrets weapons. Your right the original M16's did not have a troop door. But this is a M16A2 and during its modification had the rear troop door installed, a uniqe charging system and radio system upgrade and the addition of two larger storage boxes installed on the back of the track. In addition an extra 12 inch turret ring was installed so that the fold down armor did not have to be used and the weapons could be depressed to be used in the ground defense mode against the human wave attacks in Korea. There are 4 spare barrels, two mounted on the floor and two mounted on the passenger side wall in the gunners compartment. In addition two seats were installed in the gunners compartment for the cannoneers to sit on verses the cushions on the floor in the original WWII version. Appreciate your comments!
m2 m3 m5 half track is my biggesssssssssst love !!!!!!!!!!💙💙💛💛❤❤m2 m3 m5 half track is my biggesssssssssst love !!!!!!!!!!💙💙💛💛❤❤
They gave thousand away
I know the owner of the halftrack
So do I :-) Steve
Wait, it was built in Ohio? Like where I’m from??
Not sure if built here but it is stored in Mason Ohio.
@@USAFmuseum by far, the half track is my favorite historical vehicle, is it stationed in northeast Ohio?
Built in the White Vehicle Factory in Cleveland Ohio!
Thats nutzie flag wright ??
M16A.rmy half track.orea history vs China Africa the icon
Given to Israel free and can imagine cost buying one back
A single quad fiftee M16 taking out a entire companie of German Volkssturm Grenadiers these VGD troops where militia units infiltrating the frontlines during the opening stages of 'the Bulge' in December of 1944. They mistook it for one off their own halftracks in the dark and came way to close. A little time later at Malmedy The Waffen SS under the command of Peiper executed a large number of U.S. POW's. The tragic incident that these young German troops went through was looked upon as a mass execution although i have never heard anybody calling it that. More than 50 American soldiers later on where slaughtered without mercy. The murder at Malmedy during the Ardennes offensive was a digrace as well as the fate of the VGD betrayed by all.
Piper, the SS Commander in charge of those troops was tried for that crime but never did any real time in prison .. he was assassinated by the French several years later .. Karma is a Bit(h!
He so wanted to make a Jews are greedy joke, really it was actually fucked up.
WE need to get out all over the world and bring our armor, trucks, you name it HOME !