My brother served in tge USA from 1984 to 1988, stationed in Tacoma, WA. He was in a armored vehicle recovery company, for the early MLRS vehicle, he drove a M88 recovery vehicle. In their yeard was a functioning M32B3. They drove, maitained kept if clean (washed it a lot from what i heard). It wasnt used as a recovery vehicle though. Just kept in operating conditon. Rolling history for the unit i guess. He has pictures of it. I thought that was cool. MCAS cherry point where i was station maintained a funtional, flyable F4U Cousair. Never saw it fly, but did see it powered up and taxi on the flight line, once.
Thank you Dan and Mike -- and all the folks behind the scenes. Great information. I'll be making my 4th visit to the museum soon. These videos are especially important for folks who can't make the trip -- but all benefit greatly. It is often said that logistics win wars and I appreciate your focus on the whole picture rather than just offensive vehicles. This theme is underlined by your impressive Red Ball Express display area.
Love it! Fake cannon on the door and turret is hilarious! Please consider doing a video on the family of High Speed Tractor Prime Movers. I am REALLY hoping that you all have an M8.
One reason for the dummy guns on the M31 is not just for intimidation, but also to "protect" the tank. An unarmed recovery tank is a much more inviting target for unsupported infantry or an ambush with greater effect long term than a standard tank. By trying to disguise the M31 as a gun tank, it makes it less likely to be attacked because of its value. Its the same reason that many cargo truck variants, wreckers, tankers, etc, can fit standard cargo covers to try and hide them as a regular truck hauling toilet paper and typewriters, versus fuel, water, or recovery equipment to keep a convoy moving.
Beautiful and completely well done video. I really enjoy watching and listening to your obviously well researched videos. You are totally convincing in your erudition and knowledge. . You make learning about the tanks entertaining as well. You could easily transition to Hollywood roles. Please keep up with the preservation and the videos
Reallt an under appreciated aspect of WW2 but without recovery vehicles, armor operations come to a halt (literally). It falls under all other aspects of logistics where logistics wins wars but math aint sexy or glamorous so it tends to be overlooked
Incredible Beautiful History Great Quality Presentation Exactly what People Need Thank You so much Man They were that Desperate for atleast a 37M- Ope Funny Fake Gun; Adorable
These are super cool! Deserve more appreciation and conservation. I don't like the dummy barrels that might get it unwanted serious rounds to knock out a threat wouldn't it? It would go from a secondary priority to a top priority.
Any tankers remember the recovery vehicle - pretty sure an M32 definitely a Sherman chassis - down range at Ft Knox? Pumped several training 105 sabots into it.
I've seen an M32 on daily use inside the Brussels Tank Museum, Belgium as late as 1981. I guess it's now sitting in Bastogne Barracks (to be confirmed)...
I know some late production M3 tanks had welded hulls, is it not possible that one of those was converted into an M31? Either way it's nice to see it semi-restored, and you can always find an original hull to swap tops with one day, plenty floating around in Australia.
Upon further research I found that the initial 150 M31 TRV's produced used a mix M3A3 (Welded) and M3A5 (Riveted) hulls with the initial T2 Pilot vehicle "Katrina" using an M3A3 hull. Another 146 were also made using M3A3 and M3A5's for Soviet lend lease (both used diesel engines and were easily integrated into the diesel powered soviet armored formations). Retroactively they were classified as M31B1 (M3A3) and M31B2 (M3A5). So, in short Welded hull M31 did exist but were always diesel hull M3A3. Your M31 is "wrong" but not in a bothersome way.
I was under the impression - based on the images I've seen - that all M31s were mounted on the old-style M3 bogies with the center return roller. Are the bogies original to the vehicle?
My brother served in tge USA from 1984 to 1988, stationed in Tacoma, WA. He was in a armored vehicle recovery company, for the early MLRS vehicle, he drove a M88 recovery vehicle. In their yeard was a functioning M32B3. They drove, maitained kept if clean (washed it a lot from what i heard). It wasnt used as a recovery vehicle though. Just kept in operating conditon. Rolling history for the unit i guess. He has pictures of it. I thought that was cool. MCAS cherry point where i was station maintained a funtional, flyable F4U Cousair. Never saw it fly, but did see it powered up and taxi on the flight line, once.
When and where is, or was, this Corsair?
@hippiesaboteur2556
Like I said in my comment MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina year was 1982
Nice presentation, agree on the IDF connection. Antenna base appears to be an MX6707, which is a Vietnam era base, not WW2.
Looking forward to visiting your wonderful museum.
Yet another great presentation. A pair of vehicles that don't get much coverage anywhere, certainly not coverage done this well.
Thanks for preserving these important pieces of history.
Thank you Dan and Mike -- and all the folks behind the scenes. Great information. I'll be making my 4th visit to the museum soon. These videos are especially important for folks who can't make the trip -- but all benefit greatly. It is often said that logistics win wars and I appreciate your focus on the whole picture rather than just offensive vehicles. This theme is underlined by your impressive Red Ball Express display area.
@davidk7324 I'm envious; I just wish it was on this side of the pond. Enjoy your trip.
Love it! Fake cannon on the door and turret is hilarious! Please consider doing a video on the family of High Speed Tractor Prime Movers. I am REALLY hoping that you all have an M8.
Y'all gotta get an M88! Every tankers friend.
One reason for the dummy guns on the M31 is not just for intimidation, but also to "protect" the tank. An unarmed recovery tank is a much more inviting target for unsupported infantry or an ambush with greater effect long term than a standard tank. By trying to disguise the M31 as a gun tank, it makes it less likely to be attacked because of its value. Its the same reason that many cargo truck variants, wreckers, tankers, etc, can fit standard cargo covers to try and hide them as a regular truck hauling toilet paper and typewriters, versus fuel, water, or recovery equipment to keep a convoy moving.
All of your presentations are excellent! I really enjoy your channel 🤙🤙🤙🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Gosh I’ve gotta make the drive over sometime. Can’t believe we’ve got a nationally competitive tank museum in a little town in Wyoming
Great video. I’ve seen a few recovery vehicles be converted to regular Sherman’s recently. Seems a real shame given how rare these are!
Beautiful and completely well done video. I really enjoy watching and listening to your obviously well researched videos. You are totally convincing in your erudition and knowledge. . You make learning about the tanks entertaining as well. You could easily transition to Hollywood roles. Please keep up with the preservation and the videos
That dummy gun fooled me at first. I am delighted I found this site. Very interesting. From a WWII buff in the UK. Thanks.
Great video! Fascinating and informative.
Thank you!
I appreciate you sharing your museum
👍
I remember seeing these on the target range at Fort Bragg and in Grafenwohr back in the 70's
So glad this channel popped up in my feed. Loving the content, please keep up the great work!
Welcome aboard!
Reallt an under appreciated aspect of WW2 but without recovery vehicles, armor operations come to a halt (literally). It falls under all other aspects of logistics where logistics wins wars but math aint sexy or glamorous so it tends to be overlooked
Incredible Beautiful History
Great Quality Presentation
Exactly what People Need
Thank You so much
Man
They were that Desperate for atleast a 37M-
Ope
Funny Fake Gun; Adorable
These are super cool! Deserve more appreciation and conservation. I don't like the dummy barrels that might get it unwanted serious rounds to knock out a threat wouldn't it? It would go from a secondary priority to a top priority.
Any tankers remember the recovery vehicle - pretty sure an M32 definitely a Sherman chassis - down range at Ft Knox? Pumped several training 105 sabots into it.
That winch cable appears to be missing several buckets of grease compared to the ones I handled.
I've seen an M32 on daily use inside the Brussels Tank Museum, Belgium as late as 1981. I guess it's now sitting in Bastogne Barracks (to be confirmed)...
Can't wait to see you guys. End of June. Too bad we'll miss the parade on independence day
m32 seems like a death trap to be honest those poor guys.
Do yall have a M26 ???
Yes. We are in the process of preparing a video covering it.
I know some late production M3 tanks had welded hulls, is it not possible that one of those was converted into an M31?
Either way it's nice to see it semi-restored, and you can always find an original hull to swap tops with one day, plenty floating around in Australia.
Upon further research I found that the initial 150 M31 TRV's produced used a mix M3A3 (Welded) and M3A5 (Riveted) hulls with the initial T2 Pilot vehicle "Katrina" using an M3A3 hull.
Another 146 were also made using M3A3 and M3A5's for Soviet lend lease (both used diesel engines and were easily integrated into the diesel powered soviet armored formations).
Retroactively they were classified as M31B1 (M3A3) and M31B2 (M3A5).
So, in short Welded hull M31 did exist but were always diesel hull M3A3.
Your M31 is "wrong" but not in a bothersome way.
I was under the impression - based on the images I've seen - that all M31s were mounted on the old-style M3 bogies with the center return roller. Are the bogies original to the vehicle?
We can’t know for sure, but we believe they are original.
IOF war-crime committing recovery vehicle ... little gem