How Bad Is The M113 APC?

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  • Опубліковано 14 січ 2023
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    The American M113 Armored Personnel Carrier was developed to provide the US Army with a low-cost, air-deployable, and mobile troop transport. It saw extensive use during the Vietnam War and has seen action in pretty much every conflict the US has been involved in since then. It's often heavily lambasted since it's championed by reformers, but exactly how bad is it?
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    How Bad Is The M113 APC?
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КОМЕНТАРІ • 1,6 тис.

  • @dogman9223
    @dogman9223 Рік тому +4146

    M113 best aircraft

  • @ShadowsOfTheSky
    @ShadowsOfTheSky Рік тому +2966

    I talked to my grandpa, who lost his leg in Vietnam while walking with an armored division including M113s, a few weeks ago. He said that the M113 would’ve obviously been useless against a tank, but were like a mobile fortress against the under equipped enemies. Able to provide adequate mobile protection for a number of soldiers and provide good supporting fire from the .50 cals, everybody felt much better when one was around.
    Able to hit decent highways speeds, the ability to carry so many infantry safely right into the heat of battle is a massive tactical advantage.
    Obviously, the vehicle isn’t perfect, but it was quite well suited to the strange conditions of Vietnam.

    • @joeojeda4651
      @joeojeda4651 Рік тому +123

      Proper tools for a specific job

    • @YoRHaUnit2Babe
      @YoRHaUnit2Babe Рік тому +39

      thank god for the Bradleys and other IFVs to exist

    • @richardhill286
      @richardhill286 Рік тому +8

      average youtube comment try not to lie challenge (impossible)

    • @ret7army
      @ret7army Рік тому +137

      @@richardhill286 troll much? The M113 was a battlefield taxi, good enough for its time, The M577 command track variant was/is also good enough had I the money I wouldn't mind buying 1 or 3 ... guess I'll have to play the lottery ;)

    • @richardhill286
      @richardhill286 Рік тому +5

      @@ret7army no bro i just don’t really care enough to memorize every detail of vehicles

  • @MrArgus11111
    @MrArgus11111 Рік тому +377

    I think it's harder to find APCs that infantrymen do NOT call "deathtraps" in some form or another.

    • @piedpiper1172
      @piedpiper1172 3 місяці тому +56

      👆 Everything’s a death trap if you hit it hard enough.

    • @fireknightofficial1340
      @fireknightofficial1340 2 місяці тому +4

      how about sisu xa-apc

    • @Shinno.-.
      @Shinno.-. 2 місяці тому +5

      Had a Sgt that called AAV-7s "Floating coffins"

    • @Jumpulaaa
      @Jumpulaaa 2 місяці тому +6

      @@fireknightofficial1340 **laughs in Finnish conscript** Wanna guess again?

    • @Sabrowsky
      @Sabrowsky Місяць тому

      As it turns out, if you drive metal boxes into a warzone with rocket propelled grenades, ATGMs and copious amounts of gunfire, a good number of them tend to get blown up.
      I know its a significant event for those caught inside it, but like, *who'da fucking thunk*

  • @higgs923
    @higgs923 Рік тому +59

    Served with the USN in Vietnam's Mekong Delta 20 klicks upriver from Can Tho. The M113 was the only armored unit that the Army could reliably deploy in that area due to the water table being so close to the surface of the ground. Tanks were vulnerable to getting stuck in the dry season, hopeless when it rained.

  • @Orangefan77
    @Orangefan77 Рік тому +1297

    I love how the opening of the video is the M113 climbing like a 1* grade, something which is impossible for it to do in War Thunder

    • @PAcifisti
      @PAcifisti Рік тому +57

      Warthunder is planes first and barebones¬hing for tanks. We still also got the incredibly poor modeled tracks that only give traction at the very front and back of it. None around the middle or in the parts of the track not touching ground.

    • @Super_Tristan1005
      @Super_Tristan1005 Рік тому +156

      @@PAcifisti poor modeling aside, the traction problems are also because the devs are too lazy to balance the maps properly. so they just made tanks slip down hills instead fixing map exploits

    • @vanillaghillie8912
      @vanillaghillie8912 Рік тому +78

      The traction used to be good but people kept mountain goating and climbing around gaijins broken maps and sniping people from impossible areas. Rather than fix their broken maps, they just added teflon to all the tank tracks and called it a day

    • @lector-dogmatixsicarii1537
      @lector-dogmatixsicarii1537 Рік тому

      @@Super_Tristan1005 They did a mobility nerf years back that fucked up just about every vehicle because they couldn't be bothered to work on their game. We have the same shitty map scope and incessant modes, but worse, that we had back when. We even lost the D point. Planes coming first is such a poster child common modern trash bin non-sequitur excuse for pussy player bases accepting dogshit as if a treat from bad people.

    • @Christian---
      @Christian--- Рік тому +3

      The BT-42 can go up basically a flat wall when you do it at an angle lol

  • @remoquillojosemiguel1105
    @remoquillojosemiguel1105 Рік тому +1565

    People forget what the M113 is for, it's a battle taxi and the modern incarnation of the Bren carrier. It's lightly armored but can be airlifted, is moderately amphibious, can transport men and material across various kinds of terrain and can mount various weapons from MGs to mortars to autocannons.
    Lastly, it can also become the ultimate weapon if you put wings and an engine on it and arm it with AIM-9 Sidewinders in the form of the Aerogavin

    • @eddiestray4870
      @eddiestray4870 Рік тому +122

      Yup! it's original intent was to take troops and gear to the front lines and GTFO before geting shot. Sadly, for it's reputation, Vietnan war torn to pieces the concept of frontlines... Yet to this date, the M113 is a great logistical asset
      Also, you forgot that the AIM-9s should be mounted into the 360° arc turret with an autoloader to make better use of it's cargo hull.

    • @drrocketman7794
      @drrocketman7794 Рік тому +4

      😆 🤣 😂

    • @ret7army
      @ret7army Рік тому +4

      @@eddiestray4870 LOL

    • @Sk0lzky
      @Sk0lzky Рік тому +26

      Battle taxi? My man, I've seen an actual taxi driving through a street under fire from both sides and it had less losses than M113s in vietnam! (1 out of 1 surviving means 0% losses that's an achievement, no clue about the driver though, middle eastern taxi drivers are tough however! )

    • @remoquillojosemiguel1105
      @remoquillojosemiguel1105 Рік тому +14

      @@eddiestray4870 Mike Sparks is truly one of the soldiers to ever exist.

  • @FlightSimHistorian
    @FlightSimHistorian Рік тому +123

    My grandpa got his 3rd Purple Heart while riding on top of a 113 in Vietnam. He got his helmet clipped by an enemy sniper shot. If he'd been wearing his helmet correctly, the bullet would likely have killed him. As it happened, his helmet strap was undone, so the bullet glanced off, spinning his helmet around, causing a severe burn due to the helmet liner. He had a scar running all the way around his head.

    • @dragonace119
      @dragonace119 Рік тому +23

      3rd one? Hot damn he was just built different and incredibly lucky.

    • @Juel92
      @Juel92 Рік тому +20

      Wow that's the kind of crazy injury one would call unrealistic if it happened in a movie xD

    • @JoshuaC923
      @JoshuaC923 Рік тому +11

      That's badass

  • @bobisbell1837
    @bobisbell1837 Рік тому +180

    I was a scout and drove the 113 and tc'd them. They served well in a scout role and an anti armor role. It wasn't meant to take more than 7.62mm small arms fire. Easy to maintain and mobility was great

    • @nelsoj11
      @nelsoj11 Рік тому +12

      Yeah I thought it was great while we had them. It’s basically the Toyota Camery of armored vehicles.

    • @jewelltuber
      @jewelltuber Рік тому +6

      @@nelsoj11 Best comparison I have ever heard, I'm gonna adopt that :)

    • @miguelnavarrete7555
      @miguelnavarrete7555 Місяць тому +2

      plus they weren't bad to sleep on

    • @Robertlynschultz
      @Robertlynschultz Місяць тому +1

      I was a Combat Engineer in the cool-azz 1980s…. Our squad vehicle was a overloaded M113 pulling and equally overloaded trailer in every freaking unit I served with… found sleep in every available cubic inch of that thing.😅

    • @dankmazzi2376
      @dankmazzi2376 Місяць тому +2

      Cav scout 1970s, our m113 was a very good vehicle in Germany we didn't have a heater like the tankers but we survived.

  • @jasonxd5738
    @jasonxd5738 Рік тому +825

    Having driven one of these in real life, they're slow, but not nearly as slow as WT makes them. Believe it or not they CAN climb hills with relatively little trouble. That's my biggest gripe with how they are portrayed in game

    • @alehop333
      @alehop333 Рік тому +114

      Don't leak classified documents about it btw

    • @TheBananamonger
      @TheBananamonger Рік тому +232

      DO leak classified documents about it

    • @kanekarazi6477
      @kanekarazi6477 Рік тому +20

      @@TheBananamonger lmfao

    • @ancaplanaoriginal5303
      @ancaplanaoriginal5303 Рік тому +169

      @@alehop333 I don't think there is much classified about what's basically a tracked fridge

    • @ashleystewart9428
      @ashleystewart9428 Рік тому +32

      its been a year since ive played this shit game, but are slopes still covered in oil and shit to climb in general? lol

  • @pinkycatcher
    @pinkycatcher Рік тому +350

    My Uncle was in an M113 in Vietname when it was hit by an RPG, he was the radio guy and made it out alive. They can take some damage and keep the people inside (mostly) alive. If you search for "The Battle for Buttons", he was in Lt. Andrews ACAV. There's a paper one of the guys involved wrote about it, and has some very dramatic pictures.
    Also there's a note in there about the crews doing unauthorized "mine plate" upgrades to protect against mines

    • @cheesytacos6498
      @cheesytacos6498 Рік тому +5

      My neighbor told me that he bought chain licked fences about 10 feet far from the APC and they would stop an RPG before it could hit the M113

    • @johnnyringo4463
      @johnnyringo4463 Рік тому +15

      Its only unauthorized if you get caught. 🤣🤣 Even then, its only unauthorized if a Fobbit or REMF sees it. I havent had a field grunt officer tell an enlisted guy something is unauthorized. Only thing I can recall is when the desert tan blackhawk boots 1st came out. Way more comfortable. Just about every enlisted started buying them. the only ones that had a problem were the non-combatants. They even got so anal about having to through every lace eyelet in the boots and started writing up soldiers for being out of uniform. With officers like that, who needs enemies? 🤣🤣.

    • @seanmurphy7011
      @seanmurphy7011 Рік тому +1

      That's because the back of the vehicle is essentially empty.

    • @shawnmiller4781
      @shawnmiller4781 Рік тому +2

      @@cheesytacos6498 I read a story from a tanker who said they put the same chick wire up in front of their M551’s for the same purpose

    • @richsmith7200
      @richsmith7200 Рік тому +2

      In the seventies one of my dad's employees was a vet that lost his lower leg when their 113 was hit an rpg. He was the only survivor as he was standing in the cupola. He was a great guy, but always struggled with 'survivor's guilt'.

  • @dodobird679
    @dodobird679 Рік тому +21

    Spookston's mention of the Grim reaper M48 made me look it up
    by my count, that's 6 machineguns in total, four of them were .50 cals, three of which were on tripods welded to the tank. There was the coax .30 cal, and then one final M60 in the bustle rack
    tank also mounted a Minigun ripped from a cobra, and a M79 grenade launcher in the ready rack, along with a folding stock m14 and a few other rifles
    Some real rpg protagonist moments there

  • @doge9176
    @doge9176 Рік тому +24

    I think this may be one of your best vehicle history videos you have made to date just because of how in depth you go and that you atleast somewhat go over all the prototypes preceeding it.

  • @scernefhaal
    @scernefhaal Рік тому +212

    Btw I extremely love this new type of voiceover that you have in your later videos: the one where you are talking more live-is, without just constantly reading a script. It makes your videos feel a lot more alive, as well as it is better to get your point based in emotional factor of the voice line

  • @brothergrimaldus3836
    @brothergrimaldus3836 Рік тому +159

    Was in one version, FiST-V, for years. It did its job. It's just the like TOW launcher you're using in the game, but without the missiles. It was just to house our LDR and thermal scope.
    B-FiST (Bradley FiST) was coming in just as I was getting out.

    • @gattonero2915
      @gattonero2915 Рік тому +8

      Ah yes, the FISTV, a vehicle that can destroy tanks without firing a single shot itself, but relying on its laser rangefinder-designator to guide the 155mm Howitzer gun-fired Copperhead anti-tank missile and Air-dropped JDAM to destroy whatever this thing is pointing its laser at lol

    • @calebbroz6843
      @calebbroz6843 Рік тому +1

      Glad we have the Bfist, I see the mortar tracks and 1068s always broke down. Not thst the brads are much better here

    • @abitofapickle6255
      @abitofapickle6255 Рік тому +2

      We had FISTERS with the Bradley. Cool dudes

    • @bunkphenomenon
      @bunkphenomenon Рік тому +3

      Were you guys able to keep up with the M1s and Bradleys in the field? I was on a Vulcan and they would leave us in the dust.

    • @Panzermech
      @Panzermech Місяць тому

      GLLD, ground laser locator designator and the North Seeking Gyro. Old tech that predates and independent of GPS.

  • @JMAN-pg4tg
    @JMAN-pg4tg Рік тому +63

    As someone who’s spent a lot of time driving, commanding, and riding in a M113 during my army career, I really liked the vehicle. The only real gripe we had was there was no A/C…

    • @loganbaileysfunwithtrains606
      @loganbaileysfunwithtrains606 Рік тому +6

      You’d think at this point they’d give crews those liquid cooled vests to wear if they aren’t going to put A/C in

    • @JMAN-pg4tg
      @JMAN-pg4tg Рік тому +10

      @@loganbaileysfunwithtrains606 it would be a lot easier just to put a/c in the thing lol

    • @victoria19853
      @victoria19853 Рік тому +3

      The commanding m113s have ac because they got to keep the computers cool.

    • @JMAN-pg4tg
      @JMAN-pg4tg Рік тому +7

      @@victoria19853 ah yes, the 1068. The problem with those is they’re always full of senior NCOs and junior officers

    • @victoria19853
      @victoria19853 Рік тому

      @@JMAN-pg4tg I don’t see that as a problem 😎.

  • @able34bravo37
    @able34bravo37 2 місяці тому +4

    We had M113s with RPG cages and an extra 1/4 inch or so of steel on the sides (Ramadi, 2007). They were loud, but they were terrific for moving troops around, and made amazing CASEVAC vehicles. The mortar carriers in particular were great for CASEVAC because the compartments for round stowage were also perfect for medical supplies. We usually didn't bring them on raids, but that was primarily due to their size with the cages attached, but they made great OPs, gates for outposts, CASEVAC like I said, you could move half of the platoon with one (we were at 60% strength). They were great for what we used them for.
    We did have one roll over a mine, though, and that aluminum floor ripped open like a banana peel. Like it literally ripped open and bent upwards. It made hamburger out of the medic, and the driver was literally cut in half. The TC was found about 20 feet away. He'd been blown clear and knocked unconscious. Dude was confused AF but otherwise fine.

    • @hagamapama
      @hagamapama 20 днів тому

      Still doing CASEVAC in Ukraine to this day.

  • @kolinmartz
    @kolinmartz Рік тому +112

    You should see the interim m113s the Philippines is using as they’re trying to modernize their mechanized infantry. That thing got a remote controlled auto canon up top. 😊

    • @abnerdoon4902
      @abnerdoon4902 Рік тому +36

      Soon enought, the Filipinos will have m113s for every combat role.

    • @koimeme
      @koimeme Рік тому +32

      @@abnerdoon4902 mike sparks has now moved to the Philippines

    • @usslexingtoncva-1639
      @usslexingtoncva-1639 Рік тому +7

      @@koimeme well we have an IFV, APC and Fire Supporr Versions XD

    • @dwwolf4636
      @dwwolf4636 Рік тому +4

      Thr Dutch YPR765 had an open turret with a 25mm cannon

    • @RedGurillia
      @RedGurillia Рік тому

      @@dwwolf4636 later on it had an fully enclosed one too (i don't know how many were actually upgraded) but they almost all got sold to egypt, and the few left over are now in the Ukraine

  • @briansmithwins
    @briansmithwins Рік тому +205

    The armor is good enough to keep out most artillery & mortar fragments which have been the biggest killer of infantry since WWI. It's not perfect but it was a pretty good product for its time.

    • @SavageTactical
      @SavageTactical Рік тому +19

      True, I think it got an unfair reputation in Vietnam where there wasn’t much artillery or mortars and mines would destroy them pretty easily.

    • @strategicperson95
      @strategicperson95 Рік тому +38

      @@SavageTactical I think Vietnam has done a lot of damage with lots of Myths that don't really stand up to scrutiny. But because many of these myths lineup with a lot of agendas, good luck getting people to view it objectively.

    • @Crosshair84
      @Crosshair84 Рік тому

      People keep forgetting this because the West has spent 50+ years fighting goat herders and rice farmers. The M113 is effectively immune to any artillery that isn't a direct hit.
      It's cheap to produce and easy to support logistically, so you can effectively hand them out to everyone. Rather than have a few super APCs and everyone else has to ride in the back of an unarmored truck.

    • @samsniper2000
      @samsniper2000 Рік тому

      out of curiosity do you feel the same about BMP-1s?

    • @Tinfoil_Hardhat
      @Tinfoil_Hardhat Рік тому +2

      @@SavageTactical Part of that reputation is partially a misuse of what it was intended for, as commanders tended to use them more like IFVs than battlefield taxis.

  • @hiphip4808
    @hiphip4808 Рік тому +24

    I’ve been on the M106 Mortar carrier and even though that thing gets no maintenance, last time it was maintained was about 20 years ago it still runs smoothly. I think that speaks a lot to its reliability.

    • @cavtastic5691
      @cavtastic5691 Рік тому +1

      At a minimum you do services twice a year. It gets maintenance

    • @lector-dogmatixsicarii1537
      @lector-dogmatixsicarii1537 Рік тому +4

      @@cavtastic5691 You have to admit, even with "required" maintenance assumed, these things get treated like mullet Camaros. For the abuse and stretching, it's seen a lot for some child to come along decades later and neg it for rather plastic reasons, which may or may not be his fault.

    • @gordonlandreth9550
      @gordonlandreth9550 Рік тому

      @@lector-dogmatixsicarii1537 Right Mr. Dogmatix - some non - mech infantry gameboy ripping a vehicle he never rode in , drove , worked on ect . This vehicle is COMBAT PROVEN ! Maybe I am biased , I worked at FMC in San Jose and served in First Battalion , Twelfth Cavalry , ( Mech ) 1st Cav Division during the mid seventies .

  • @awf6554
    @awf6554 Рік тому +10

    During the battle of Long Tan M113s assaulted through the VC/NVA troops attacking Australian infantry. Surprise and speed combined to make a very effective shock attack.

  • @RavenholdIV
    @RavenholdIV Рік тому +89

    I used to drive them quite a bit. Great fun! They were able to climb almost any slope that was on offer. I don't think I ever saw one slide off something, but we were in the desert so the ground was pretty good for tracks. It makes me hate the warthunder olive oil nerfs everything got. I have personally climbed mountains in the damn thing, I know just how effective tracked vehicles are. Riding up and down the waddis at a crawl was pretty spicy, especially when the sides were approaching 45 degrees, but the only thing that ever flipped was the Strykers. Still made me sweat lol. Gotta be so ginger with those brakes or you could flip the whole thing over it's nose.

    • @ret7army
      @ret7army Рік тому +6

      I damn near did flip my 577 track ... scary as ... but yeah

    • @charleslennonbaker
      @charleslennonbaker Рік тому +9

      Me too. I was an Evac Medic [1st ID HHC 1-16 Infantry Medical Platoon Evac Section] circa 1992-1996. She was a b*&^% to maintain, but she was my baby.

    • @jaakko222
      @jaakko222 Рік тому +1

      But the tracks seem pretty narrow to me… i drove a MT-LB/v in the army for a year and that thing could drive on a swamp without sinking…. 0,28bar ground pressure….

    • @RavenholdIV
      @RavenholdIV Рік тому +4

      @@jaakko222 like I said, the desert was pretty good for tracks. I've never had to dig it out of a bog, almost certainly because they've never seen a bog.

    • @jewelltuber
      @jewelltuber Рік тому +2

      I was in an M113 at night in blackout drive that was going up the side of a ravine and broke traction and slid backwards. The driver was smart enough to keep it pointed uphill and it was quite the ride in the dark until eventually we slid to the bottom, the diesel drowned out our sighs of relief but dammed if he didn't just drive along the bottom a bit and picked another line and powered up it that time. That was greasy German dirt though.

  • @713devereux
    @713devereux Рік тому +19

    I personally like the M-113, I used one these in the late 80s when was in a scout platoon. Its basically a battle taxi. The M-113 is fairly quick vehicle and great option for transporting infantry troops to battle. The M-113 was never designed to go head to head with Russian tanks.

  • @amhedgehog
    @amhedgehog Рік тому +2

    these types of history videos that you make are amazing, i could watch these for hours
    please do more!!

  • @UkrainianPaulie
    @UkrainianPaulie 2 місяці тому +2

    I was an 11C. In West Berlin we had the 4.2 inch Mortar Carrier version the M106A2. It was reliable and rarely broke down. I liked it.

  • @ReviveHF
    @ReviveHF Рік тому +179

    M113 is actually good for infantry carrying role, but the Bradley is better for the tank destroyer role.

    • @dogman9223
      @dogman9223 Рік тому +3

      Makes sense, given each’s role.

    • @jasonxd5738
      @jasonxd5738 Рік тому +31

      If they just made a Bradley with no turret the US could phase out the 113 entirely. The Bradley is ridiculously large IRL and the turret is most of that space

    • @dogman9223
      @dogman9223 Рік тому +12

      @@jasonxd5738given what spook said I think they did

    • @jasonxd5738
      @jasonxd5738 Рік тому +2

      @@dogman9223 There is a few Bradley variants tried like the ADATS but I'm not aware of any that have actually entered service anywhere

    • @cynicalmedic252
      @cynicalmedic252 Рік тому +12

      @@jasonxd5738 It took the Army the better of a decade to start rolling them off the production line but that's what the new AMPVs are. If I'm lucky maybe I'll see it replace my M113 before I leave 😂

  • @homefront1999
    @homefront1999 Рік тому +19

    Can you see about doing some Helicopter stuff? I would love to see videos on something like the H-34, MI-4, Hind, or the Huey series. Would love to hear some facts about these things. Especially some of the older Heli's like the H-34, showing the original designs for them.

    • @beanonfire5323
      @beanonfire5323 Рік тому

      Yes that would be awesome.

    • @sampackman69
      @sampackman69 Рік тому +3

      I would love Spookston to play the Lynx
      I like the Huey because of the Vietnam memes, and I like the Apache and Mi-24 because they are beefy, but for some reason the Lynx for me is just brilliant

  • @MacMcNurgle
    @MacMcNurgle 8 днів тому

    Was a trooper in the mid 80's. B Squadron. First year driving for a Lance Corporal. Named my 113 'Beast' and stencilled it in black on the side. Tore that sucker a-part. Even today I can tell you the ground pressure, ground clearance and max slope angle. Next year I drove for the Serge. I knew how to do daily AND weekly maintenance when in the bush; as well brew good coffee. That 113 was 'Behemoth' and I stripped her down to the rubber seal on the inspection plate on the bottom of the hull. Good thing too, as I was first to drive off the Tobruk while 200m off the beach. Serge made sure my boots were not laced up. Just in case. We didn't sink. But when we tested the bus prior to the real thing, we were in a man-made concrete culvert that was on base. Full of stinky water. Serge and I drove into this test ditch and the next thing I see Serge walking next to me. Big grin on his face. You know that grin. It means someone's having fun. Probably not you. He had abandoned the sinking, stinking ship. So much for being a 'float' test. He smiles some more and says - you better speed it up before she gets too heavy. The seals were bad and I could only drive up the ramp out of the float test bay by lowering the ramp and letting the water out. I checked every vehicle in the Squadron after that. Replaced every seal. Float tested every machine. Last year in I had developed good radio skills and most importantly, knew the secret of making an excellent jaffle; so I drove the Captain on the Cooktown to Cohen jaunt that year. Yanks and SAS were Blue Force. On the third radio I heard someone describe the show as a 'cluster f$%k' and I laughed hard. The RSM was not so happy. After a while we were getting close to Cohen and there was a long straight track with a cross roads about half a click off. Cap said - Driver, cross that dirt road. I said - are you sure, Blue Force are ... Yes, was the smiling reply. About thirty seconds later a referee jogs over to tell us that an RPG just wiped us out. Cap says - oh well then, 24 hours till we are back as reserves. Lets drive back to RHQ. Nice. We got a rest and the LT got to run the show for a while. Get some experience leading for a bit. Cap, he was a good man. Not happy about the stock market crash that hit while he was in the bush. Little servo on the track North to Nowheresville knew we were coming. Had t-shirts printed, cold drinks, porno mags and a metric ton of coins for the pay phone. Ha! That dates it. Cap saw the three day old paper and immediately got $20 in coins for the phone. He called his broker in Sydney and tried to sell everything but it was too late. In a funk after that, Cap tried to order in some ice cream through stores. And an actual bathtub. Not a canvas one. A real one. Everything the army has, has a number. That number is is in a book. He had a book. The Quarter Master was not well pleased. Funny. But the next lot of ration boxes delivered were older than me. Hmmm. There's rank, there's position and then there's power. Lesson learnt. Wasn't allowed to name the old girl as we were 'in polite company' on that run. But I called her 'Brutal'. It was the best job I ever had and the worst job I ever had.

  • @Dhannibal01
    @Dhannibal01 Місяць тому

    At 19, after my AIT at Ft Knox, Ky in Dec '71 in M-60s I was diverted from my first PCS to APC drivers school for two weeks in Jan '72, I thought my young world had ended, boy was I surprised when I first got behind the laterals of a 113-A1! I fell in love with it, it was so much fun to drive! Unfortunately?? after my drivers school never got to use or ride in one again, when I PCSd to West Germany I was back in M-60s again for the rest of my tour. Did have an interesting side not during my drivers school, I was at the top of a slope when I lost completete directional control, laterals failed and we just rolled down the hill until we lost momentum, they opened the engine compartment and determined that someone had failed to use lacing wire on the connections to drive box and the U-joints came unbolted and flailed around and cracked the case housing.

  • @apPaulpie
    @apPaulpie Рік тому +4

    In the Philippines M113's is basically a main staple of the armored units, they even had a modified M113 that had a FV101 turret in it and also a 25mm weapon station kinda acts like an IFV.

  •  Рік тому +8

    Nice Video. Recently many of us saw a Video in which an M113 performed a med evav in Soledar or Bakmut. Thats exactly what the M113 is good for. Just beeing a mobile armoured box, full of ways to use it in different ways.

    • @hagamapama
      @hagamapama 20 днів тому +1

      Yep. She's still getting it done all these years later. Excellent bit of kit.
      I seem to recall video of some enterprising Ukrainians having turned an M113 into a field kitchen to deliver hot meals right at the front. Incredibly resourceful people.

  • @derekburge5294
    @derekburge5294 Рік тому +1

    I'm just thrilled you mentioned the air superiority variant. It's my favorite. Because it's so sensible.

  • @Sabre22
    @Sabre22 Рік тому +1

    I drove one for a couple of years in the 70's . During the Carter years we could not get spare parts. So outr top speed on tank trails at Fort Carson was less than 20 MPH. When our unit was shipped to Germany. in 1976 we got issued almost new ones top speed there was 40-=45MPH. One thing I did not understansd was why was the fuel bladder in the crew compartment. It was sure fun to drive though.

  • @teddy268
    @teddy268 Рік тому +7

    2:17 This is really reminding me of the LVTP-5 the predecessor of the AAV, this is monstrous having gotten to stand in one, and the damn thing is still in service over seas last i checked.
    They even put like a damn 105 on the thing, and enough rounds to make me laugh when hearing it.

  • @Ontos_M50
    @Ontos_M50 Рік тому +3

    Spookton this is the only channel I will click a video this quickly they are just so entertaining

  • @nooblangpoo
    @nooblangpoo Рік тому +2

    I like the M113, it's a workhorse that can do troop logistics and support while still being immune to most light gunfire. Nowadays M113s are being upgraded to have more modern powerplants, transmissions, suspensions, armor, and armaments but it still is keeping it's role as a battlefield taxi, logisctics carrier and infantry support vehicle.
    In the Battle of Marawi, they used a local variant of the M113 (M113FSV-F101, yes it's a M113 with a FV101 Scorpion turret) and it was just right against rifle gunfire to push and do troop recoveries.

  • @mr.miyagi1099
    @mr.miyagi1099 Рік тому

    love the videos man, history lessons and war thunder game play. such a cool combination keep it up!!!!

  • @TheWizardGamez
    @TheWizardGamez Рік тому +18

    A good way of thinking about the m113 is like a tracked humvee. You wouldn’t want to have it anywhere near anti-armored weapons. But you also have to move your troops in fast. It’s not bad. It just isn’t the best thing ever.

    • @TheJewishAzovMember
      @TheJewishAzovMember Рік тому

      I think you mean the Gavin, not the m113

    • @matthewjones39
      @matthewjones39 2 місяці тому

      @@TheJewishAzovMemberwhat?

    • @TheJewishAzovMember
      @TheJewishAzovMember 2 місяці тому

      @matthewjones39 It's an extremely niche joke about the m113.

    • @hagamapama
      @hagamapama 20 днів тому

      It was really really good when it was new. Now it's like 70 years old it's impressive that it can still find a battlefield role for itself.
      It's not that the M113 is a wonderful machine. What's wonderful is that sooooooooo long after it first entered the battlefield, it's still making itself useful.

  • @19chevelle72
    @19chevelle72 Рік тому +5

    I had some odd duties on the M113 when I was in the Army. I think I was on the A2 version with the laterals first. It could not keep up with M1A2 SEP tanks and was used for the HQ company. Then we got the A3 version which was turbo charged and had a steering yoke, that thing was fucken fast. Also - M one one three, no thirteen.

  • @jeffstone7912
    @jeffstone7912 Рік тому +1

    I used the M113A3 when I served in the military. It is not a tank. It is a personal carrier. I was a Medic. It is a good ambulance. It’s off road ability is extremely good. It can drive reasonably fast on roads. About 30-35 mph with no stress. It can go faster if you push it 40 mph. When used properly it’s a great vehicle. It give some projection from small arms fire. It can swim. When used as a personnel carrier it can carry quite a few troops. If you look at the Russian counterparts they are more cramped and because the doors are smaller are obviously more difficult to dismount troops. Especially American troops are taller than most people around the world. The large door in the back makes the vehicle easy to enter and exit. Also very easy to load cargo when this vehicle is used to haul supplies. There is a version that is a mortar vehicle. There also was a version that carried a Vulcan anti-aircraft Gatling gun. The m577 was the command vehicle or communication vehicle. Only a bunch of kids that play video games have a negative views of what this is. The M113 gives a lot better protection for troops being transported then a 2 1/2 ton truck.

  • @Xenophon1
    @Xenophon1 Рік тому +2

    I was a Cav Scout in the 1980's. I trained on the M113, the M557 Command M113, and the M901 Improved TOW vehicle (M113 with TOW "hammerhead" turret).
    They were all fine APC type vehicles for the time.

  • @rileyfitzsimons8875
    @rileyfitzsimons8875 Рік тому +20

    Spook, please try out the British Striker! I think you will love how much the missles can turn

  • @01Eldar
    @01Eldar Рік тому +11

    My M901 ITV version did everything I asked of her. Hell, the heater even worked occasionally...

  • @SuperMadman41
    @SuperMadman41 Місяць тому

    I miss these types of vids. I would like to see more these. Thanks for the vid

  • @MrAcuta73
    @MrAcuta73 Рік тому +1

    One major weakness of the M113 chassis was the torsion bar suspension. Didn't like sub-zero temps. When I was stationed in Korea, could sit in the guard shack at the motor pool and listen to a few of them explode every night. And that was just sitting there, not moving.
    It was a good platform because it was relatively cheap, did the job well enough, and was absurdly versatile. I had an M577 not long before I got out as our TacOps vehicle.

  • @baconcandy000
    @baconcandy000 Рік тому +5

    Hi, I am currently operating a MEDEVAC M113A3 and wanted to say that yes the vehicle isn't that bad on paper, however and this is a big however, This vehicle, its engine, and transmission gets hot very quickly and is prone to breaking down. I believe it's a mix of issues such as poor PMCS practices, the fact we only have like 2-3 91H left, and most importantly the age of the vehicle and its parts. I take very good care of the vehicle that I am assigned to and don't have that many issues, but whenever we go out on movements and stuff after 3 hours it is on the verge of catching fire and the amount of POL fluids it burns through is ridiculous. Another track that I was driving nearly killed me with an exhaust leak and after returning to the TCP it started leaking every fluid in the track plus the steering went out, that started after 48 hrs of use. I personally can't wait for the AMVP as although it's a new system to learn, these 113 are just unreliable at this point and if I have a patient in the back I will be at a loss on what to do beyond calling it up due to how we operate.

    • @p99guy
      @p99guy Рік тому +2

      The main issue at this point is age and wear…. No matter how good something is when brand new, when its 35+ years old, run hard and stored outside every day of its existence, its going to give a trooper a totally different experience,and general opinion of the unit, than the first several crews that vehicle had over its life. Small arms are much the same… once you get issued a twice rebuild 30+ yr old gun with failing springs
      Of course your going to think its a lump of crap ( M9 is a good example, a Beretta M92 was/ a great gun if you purchased a new one, and took care of it, and didn’t use govt contract check mate magazines that had a rough interior that held onto talcum powder sand, and springs that were sub par) leading young soldiers to hate the M9…. While I carried them several years, 3 different ones… without a single malfunction and shot expert. The difference was I wasn’t saddled with worn out ones that was used by 150 people before me.

    • @jewelltuber
      @jewelltuber Рік тому +1

      Clapped out isn't a fair comparison, I used them in the late 1970s and had none of that. There is a rebuild interval for all of that kit and I'm sure yours is well passed it.

  • @jonasprusek4511
    @jonasprusek4511 Рік тому +7

    To this day, AF still flies B-52. There always be use case where you need to carry something heavy, somewhere far. M113 can carry quite a lot through much worsel terrain than wheeled vehicle...

    • @hagamapama
      @hagamapama 20 днів тому

      Heard stories in Ukraine of M113s being set up as mobile field kitchens to deliver hot meals to the trenches.

  • @michaelhowell2326
    @michaelhowell2326 Рік тому

    This was a damn good video. I would enjoy more of these.

  • @desertdawg1991
    @desertdawg1991 Рік тому +2

    I drove the M577 (M113 Command Vehicle) in Desert Storm. Very reliable, but forget about surviving anything bigger than a 7.62 mm round. Glad to see them replace them, although they were never meant for anything more than a troop taxi and where to be behind something bigger and deadlier.

  • @joelsexton4434
    @joelsexton4434 Рік тому +5

    I wish that the designers of Battletech had seen this back in the day before they designed hovercraft sized APCs that carry a platoon of troops. This isn't an issue of feasibility of tech, it's just goofy.

  • @connorgodchaux8475
    @connorgodchaux8475 Рік тому +16

    i worked and operated the shit out of m113a3s while I was in the army and i absolutely love them. they are an incredibly capable transport and mechanics vehicle which i used mine as. the biggest issue they had was the motors which could easily be fixed with a modernization program

    • @cowboyx9380
      @cowboyx9380 Місяць тому

      I started in the old 113…stick+detroit deisel….then when we got the A3s….Weeeeeeee it was like joyriding a stolen car! 2 years later the CFV replaced them. They were a true workhorse.

  • @EricDaMAJ
    @EricDaMAJ Рік тому +2

    I drove on in the Cold War. I loved it. It was rugged and dependable and reasonably easy to maintain.
    Yes, it’s long in the tooth now and I can see why people would be haters. But as long as it’s used as a “battle taxi” to bring grunts no farther than 6k behind the FLOT it’s still perfectly fine. The aluminum armor will easily shrug off random small arms and shrapnel. Maybe you can even do a little light fire support with the .50 cal in open terrain if you know the enemy hasn’t anything heavy to throw at it.
    But if you try to ride one into battle besides or right behind the tanks it’s a death trap. And always has been.

  • @jakaphobia
    @jakaphobia Рік тому

    I’m enjoying the humor you’re injecting into these videos. The line about the Hawaiian roll made me chuckle

  • @philfree286
    @philfree286 Рік тому +62

    It’s a box, but a good box for it’s time
    Also, can you play the CV90105 ? It got buffed with a new turret in the previous update and it’s now 9.7

  • @maxgomez164
    @maxgomez164 Рік тому +4

    3rd time asking finally got here in time to comment so you can see it. 1st thing though I love your stuff you are my favorite warthunder UA-camr and was wondering if you could play the is-6 it’s my favorite tank I know you like light tanks but it would mean a lot if you played it

  • @runfoo2795
    @runfoo2795 2 місяці тому

    My M113 had a gun shield mounted to the TC pintle. The previous command driver ordered the kit for the vehicle the one I drove replaced. I had no idea these parts had been ordered. He ordered the kit complete, which included pieces for the sides for complete protection, but we just mounted the shield. For a wile the track was the only track in the battalion with a shield,soon all the company commanders up had them.

  • @MrWooaa
    @MrWooaa 3 місяці тому

    I love your military history videos.

  • @arthursola2514
    @arthursola2514 Рік тому +9

    As far as I know the earliest example of an APC was the "VBCP" based on the lorraine 39l chassis in 1940
    It was still in developpement during the battle of france
    Its goal was to carry a squad of infantry known as "dragons portés" (mounted dragoons) and follow light tanks and reconnaissance vehicules

  • @alangordon3283
    @alangordon3283 Рік тому +7

    It isn’t bad .

  • @ret7army
    @ret7army Рік тому +1

    there's a small museum an hour or 2 from where I live that has a number of working vehicles, mostly trucks and jeeps but a few M113 variants and others. One of the M113 variants was an experimental for using the Hellfire missile instead of the TOW. Not adopted into service, not sure but I think it was because the Hellfire was too large to load easily vs the TOW

  • @honzapivovar591
    @honzapivovar591 Рік тому +16

    M113 was a alumunium box
    But that box was the box what could be used more ways than any other tank and was good for its purpose
    Italy made (i think) its own version called vcc-1 and made a second version of a nightmare m901

    • @jaakko222
      @jaakko222 Рік тому +1

      I think the MTLB playtform could also be considered as a box that could be used for more ways than any other tank…

    • @713devereux
      @713devereux Рік тому

      The M-901 is the TOW missile carrier version of the M-113, like in the video. I was in a scout platoon back in the late 80's. We had three M-113 and three M-901 in our platoon. Personally I loved them.

    • @jewelltuber
      @jewelltuber Рік тому

      APC or track but not a tank.....

    • @honzapivovar591
      @honzapivovar591 Рік тому

      @@jewelltuber yes mr correct

  • @badrmoroccogothacked9017
    @badrmoroccogothacked9017 Рік тому +4

    day of 18 of asking spookston to play the T-44-100

  • @AVerySickDeer
    @AVerySickDeer Рік тому +1

    As an Armor Officer, I work with M113s and M1068s quite often . We primarily use them to transport medics and mortars or as C2 vehicles that follow a few miles behind the front line in a combat setting. I have never seen an M113 go faster than 25mph without severely damaging itself. They are prone to engine fires and the mortar versions usually have hydrolic issues as well. It is possible that the fleet is just so old that they can't keep up with the maintenance anymore, but regardless I don't think they belong on the modern battlefield.

    • @ret7army
      @ret7army Рік тому

      agreed sir, the M113 fleet is just too old. Take a bit of TLC to keep them running as they should. I think that it'll still get to 35mph but....

  • @bunkphenomenon
    @bunkphenomenon Рік тому +2

    I was a M163 Vulcan crewmember. I hated the fact that we could not keep up with M1s and Bradleys. The M113 was slow, but even slower with a multi-ton Gatling gun mounted on it.

  • @andrewstrongman305
    @andrewstrongman305 Рік тому +7

    I served with an Australian APC regiment, and we had a lot of respect for our M113's. At the Battle of Long Tan, a troop of 10 M113's were sent to relieve 109 Australian soldiers pinned down by over a thousand VC and NVA fighters. They broke up an attempt to encircle the Australian troops, despite the enemy being equipped with RPG's. They then pushed through to where the initial action had taken place, ensuring the recovery of the fallen. In this battle, the M113 was used as an IFV, pushing through enemy regiments unsupported by infantry. None were lost.

  • @corindolan1025
    @corindolan1025 Рік тому +3

    Funni flying bus

  • @bharn253
    @bharn253 25 днів тому

    I joined the army in 1979. I was a 19D Cavalry Scout. I served on M113s, M901s, M3s, M3A1s, HUMMWVs and UpArmored HUMMWVs. In my opinion the M113 was one of the best Reconnaissance vehicles in the Army. It could go virtually anywhere including amphibious without preparation. It could carry enough supplies for its scout crew to stay out forever. It's greatest weakness was the lack of a thermal sight. It had better armor and mobility than the HUMMWV. The M3 Braddley was basically a baby tank. It was big and loud and the army's gunnery training taught you to shoot first and scout later and if enemy tanks shot back you'd probably lose. It was designed to beat the soviet BMP and it did do that well at least until the soviets came out with the BMP 2 which had a chain gun like the Bradley. Then it was who saw first and shot first. I really did love the M113 for scouting and the M113A3 was pretty fast. 8:56

  • @emg910728
    @emg910728 Рік тому +1

    I was TC of a 577 variant of the 113 at Graf in Winter of 2003 when I yelled at my driver to slow down. He was standing on the brake, but we were, in fact, a tracked sled.
    My unit also had 120mm mortars mounted on 113s

  • @luskvideoproductions869
    @luskvideoproductions869 Рік тому +3

    My HS friend that served 2 tours in Afghanistan and 1 tour in Iraq said they were STILL using upgraded M113s...but mainly as armored ambulances, they would literally be the main means of evacuating injuryed military personnel give the high number of IEDs being used. Their relatively large interiors made them pretty well suited for that purpose, and were armored "enough" to protect the injured and the crew.

  • @dankuser8303
    @dankuser8303 Рік тому +5

    its better as a flying APC, the aerogavin

    • @jbeverley67
      @jbeverley67 Рік тому +2

      Noncredibledefence is leaking

  • @chromemustang
    @chromemustang Рік тому

    i love the m113 and all her variations so this was a awesome video

  • @madcat0559
    @madcat0559 Місяць тому +1

    The brakes on that thing make the driver pull more Gs than any fighter jet could ever

  • @hydroxideblue9367
    @hydroxideblue9367 Рік тому +3

    SuperGavin will return in Avengers: Endgame

  • @commanderkei9537
    @commanderkei9537 Рік тому +11

    "It wasnt produced very much at all" "About 6,000 were made" It is mind boggling just how gigantic the military industrial complex is that 6,000 is considered a small amount of a probably pretty expensive vehicle.

    • @honkhonk8009
      @honkhonk8009 Рік тому +4

      Compare that with other industry grade equipment and itl put into perspective just how small that number really is.
      Like compare it with tractors, construction equipment, trains, and all sorts of shit.
      The "military industrial complex" should be renamed to "government contractual complex".
      Because in reality, the same companies that participate in military type shit, are the same companies that participate in other contracts aswell.
      Its just regular corporations doing corporation type shit.
      Mitsubishi wouldnt come across as a your average defence contractor, but they are since their an engineering firm.
      Same story with chrysler and boeing. Same story with even SpaceX

    • @commanderkei9537
      @commanderkei9537 Рік тому +3

      @@honkhonk8009 yeah but think of the huge demand for tractors, or really any other industrial machine. Now think of the demand for APCs. Is 6,000 really a low number? Let’s say you want to equip a mechanized division of the US army. Would it need over 600 APCs? And let’s say you keep 400 as spares and training vehicles per division. Thats six whole mechanized divisions. That seems like a pretty sizable amount. Compare that to some other WW2 vehicles, where sometimes the number was in the hundreds or even the dozens

    • @matthiuskoenig3378
      @matthiuskoenig3378 Рік тому

      Over 150 000 cars are produced *every day*. 6000 is small by industrial production standards, bit just military.

    • @drmaulana2600
      @drmaulana2600 Рік тому

      no, its a small number even in civilian world, toyota probably produced 6k of trucks every year.

    • @commanderkei9537
      @commanderkei9537 Рік тому +1

      @@matthiuskoenig3378 150,000 cars everyday for the 6.7 billion adults in the world. Again, I’m not saying it’s a technical feat to make 6,000 APCs, I’m saying that’s a pretty large number for something that has a relatively niche application. It’s not a jeep. It’s not a truck. It’s a purpose built APC.

  • @therover65
    @therover65 Рік тому +1

    My late older brother was a TC of an M113 as a conscript in Singapore in the late 70s. The most basic version with just a Browning HMG no cupola.
    But from accounts of both Israeli and Filipino troops, they would rather ride atop exposed to gunfire than to ride inside. Because in Lebanon and in the jungles of the Philippines, it is easy to get ambushed at close range with RPG and that would be pretty fatal for those riding inside.

  • @Revencher
    @Revencher Рік тому +1

    As a former dismount, driver and Track Commander of an M113.
    1st It's name is pronounced M 1 1 3 not M 1 thirteen.
    2nd It was a POS. It was better then walking but that was about it.
    The inside was cramped with equipment and people. Any turn or stop from top speed (around 35mph) sent everyone and everything not tied down flying to the other side of the cabin where it slammed into the the other half of the sqd. Then of course their was the constant shaking, noise, constant breakdowns and we couldn't keep up with anyone because we were so fn slow
    But it was better than walking

  • @EviljapYaY
    @EviljapYaY Рік тому +4

    Its actually quite amazing how the battle box and TOW launcher are both from 60s and still widely used, though obviously they have been updated over time

  • @lord_o_muppet
    @lord_o_muppet Рік тому +3

    Ngl I think it could be used as APC or a tow launch but that's about it anything more is like......pain, as for topic I'd like a video on the avenger please spookston if you could

    • @vaclavjebavy5118
      @vaclavjebavy5118 Рік тому

      anything more, including every single role (even IFV if you include some foreign upgrades) which a light armored vehicle can perform, most of which it has performed with good result.

  • @giuseppe4909
    @giuseppe4909 Рік тому +1

    I was a track (M113) commander in the 1980’s in Germany. I named mine “Sagger Bait” 👍 It was a good taxi for us crunchies, was pretty reliable and I loved rockin’ my Ma Deuce.

    • @hagamapama
      @hagamapama 20 днів тому

      Can you get more Murica than tooling around the battlefield in a Gavin drinking a Coke and blasting with Mama Deuce?

  • @bobisbell1837
    @bobisbell1837 Рік тому +1

    The rear ramp didn't require power to drop open. Just a lever to release the hydraulic fluid from the cylinder. The hammerhead tow launcher turret was a mechanics nightmare and was very delicate.

    • @ret7army
      @ret7army Рік тому

      yeah dropping the ramp like that a few times and you'll get the "Free Fall" warning on it

  • @512TheWolf512
    @512TheWolf512 Рік тому +4

    The fact that Ukraine doesn't ask to stop sending them and start sending something better instead, tells you the truth about quality already

    • @maksuthesunpraiser4821
      @maksuthesunpraiser4821 Рік тому

      Lol, no

    • @davidty2006
      @davidty2006 Рік тому +1

      Though quite a few have been destroyed already they keep asking for more.
      Also they operate the MT-LB as well and have made serveral modifications them from heli rocket pods to anti tank cannons for indirect fire role.

    • @jewelltuber
      @jewelltuber Рік тому

      @@maksuthesunpraiser4821 Lol, beats walking.........

    • @nicgur_6981
      @nicgur_6981 2 місяці тому

      @@davidty2006 Fun fact: BMPs even now lack a hydraulic door mechanism.
      If you park one on a slope, it is nearly impossible to close the door from the inside.

  • @Chopstorm.
    @Chopstorm. Рік тому +2

    Before watching: it's not.

  • @tabendgmail
    @tabendgmail Рік тому +1

    I was in the Army in the early 80’s and either drove or was in a 113 my entire time. As a driver I racked up over 50,000 miles in W. Germany. I supported 3/11 ACR as an FO so have a lot of experience in this vehicle. It was very versatile and easy to work on and could keep up with the M-60’s, but as soon as they transitioned to the M-1’s, we were left in the dust!

    • @gordonlandreth9550
      @gordonlandreth9550 Рік тому

      That is a hell of a lot of miles , but I believe you . I was in Germany as well , with a battalion from the First Cav , and we borrowed the ones they had at Wildfllecken . We went to the field a few times , and I drove our M - 113 .

    • @dennisholiday1868
      @dennisholiday1868 Рік тому

      In my company I we had the M-114s. I was a driver of a M-113 with a Tow Missile. The M-114 sometimes could not make it out of the motor pool but The M-113 could.

  • @c.seanreilly5145
    @c.seanreilly5145 Рік тому +1

    I was a Professional Solder E-6 to 0-3 14 years AD. from 1972-1988. In 1973 korea I was in the 1/17th (M) Infantry .Rode around in them all year finally rolling over a 125 ft cliff that killed one injured seven including me the medic. Later I was in the 1/7th Cav Finally As a ATV Platoon Leader..The Track is useful to this day as you know all around the World.

  • @d.b.5070
    @d.b.5070 2 місяці тому +3

    It pains me to hear “m one thirteen” instead of “one one three”

  • @hibuddy1473
    @hibuddy1473 Рік тому +3

    the waffle house has found its new host.

  • @Marc-vc1wo
    @Marc-vc1wo 2 місяці тому +1

    I was an officer in the U.S. Army from 88-98; my first unit, the 2-36 IN, (an Infantry Bn north of Frankfurt, Germany), transitioned from the M113A3 to the BFV.
    I've never heard the M113 called the "M one thirteen"; we always called it the "M-one-one-three".

  • @jameshale4243
    @jameshale4243 Рік тому +1

    My dad served in late 80s into the early 90s on the DMZ as a driver for the A1-3 generation of the m113. He talks about home much he loved it how fun it was, as for the speed thing you mentioned, m113s went a lot faster than what the army says it does. I remember the conversation I had with him about, "but it says 42mph" "I drove the damn thing, this thig was quick until the big gun Abrams tanks came out and Bradley's started taking the field. But it could out run the M60." On a side note that yall might find interesting, my dad was one of the first drivers for the m113 in the Bradley competition to show what the Bradley could do in testing, they had to pull my dad because he was doing better in the m113 lol.

    • @gordonlandreth9550
      @gordonlandreth9550 Рік тому +1

      Way to go Dad ! Yeah , it is hard to compare the M - 113 to a Bradley , they are quite different vehicles . I crewed on one , and helped build the other at the FMC factory in San Jose .

  • @mikilogaming1924
    @mikilogaming1924 Рік тому +3

    The Waffle House Has found its new host

  • @BrockvsTV
    @BrockvsTV Рік тому

    Very nice video. It’s a good box. Thank you

  • @knightflyer909
    @knightflyer909 Рік тому +1

    Great video and I agree with your analysis. I served in the XM-163 air defense variant. It had a 20mm gatling gun that fired 3000 rounds per minute. It wasn't great as an air defense system -- it could be devastating against helicopters but more or less usless against jets. It was outstanding against ground targets. I swam it and I could take it places our duce-and-halfs could not follow. I felt it was a great vehicle.

  • @gilibran
    @gilibran Рік тому +1

    It was a battlefield taxi designed for the cold war and most important factor, it was NBC proof, perhaps the most important factor for a cold war vehicle being able to carry troops and keep up but staying behind MBT's and only engage the leftover groundtroops after the MBT's passed through.

  • @welcome741
    @welcome741 21 день тому +1

    Using these at Ft. Drum in the 80's (42 Mech Inf.) cold weather training - and it's very cold there. The heater had two settings, won't start and incinerate.

  • @donlowry6469
    @donlowry6469 Місяць тому

    My unit had 113s, 106s, and a 577. They gave lite arms protection and were fairly reliable, I worked on all of them. They had some weak points, like the track tensioner, which you use a grease gun to tighten the track. Even the smallest round could cause you to lose a track. Was rear-ended by an AVLB in a 113, and it put a 1 1/2 inch hole in the back you could see thru.

  • @seanmurphy7011
    @seanmurphy7011 Рік тому +2

    I was an M981 crewman for years. Neither the M901 nor M981 (basically the same vehicle) could drive with the TOW launcher/Targeting Head elevated. Any vehicle commander who did so would be relived. It could (easily) break the elevation/traverse mechanism aka 'arm'.

  • @jamesozechoski8254
    @jamesozechoski8254 Місяць тому +1

    Worked on the M113 while stationed in Germany with the 1st AD. Very quick.agile.very dependable.multi use.tow.mortor.command track. Still in use today with various upgrades.

  • @lukewood7341
    @lukewood7341 Рік тому

    Love this style of video

  • @sethl6626
    @sethl6626 Рік тому +2

    Bradley crewman here, we still tote 113s around for the time being (until they’re replaced by the AMPV), and they do their jobs well. Plus they can usually keep up with our Bradleys unless we’re driving flat-out. WT doesn’t represent the 113 as well as it could.

    • @gordonlandreth9550
      @gordonlandreth9550 Рік тому

      Very interesting hearing comments from a Bradley crewman about the M - 113 , they are so different but do almost the same job . I worked at FMC in San Jose and drove a M - 113 in the Army during the mid - 70's . Even back then there was talk about the " new " APC , but it didn't show up until 1983 . A case could be made for calling the Bradley the Army's favorite vehicle. 40 years and still going strong . When I got to the factory , vehicle # 14 was on the assembly line . Only 5,986 more to go .

  • @The_Viscount
    @The_Viscount Рік тому +1

    Back in the 80s, my dad spent a few years as head of the Armor School at Fort Knox. His view is that the 113 was an excellent combat transport, and that made it a great vehicle. It was reliable, mobile, easy to keep running, and easily modified. Mortar carriers, atgm carriers, spaag mounts, scout vehicles, command vehicles...if it wasn't good, it wouldn't have been used like that for so long. He was glad to see the Bradley's begin production to fill a gap in capability. But for what it was, the 113 was excellent. Now Dad was a tanker. When I asked, he did joke that he'd choose being an M60 commander over a 113 ant day, but for a glorified taxi, he liked it. Aside from how much his ass would hurt from the suspension. It was rugged not comfortable.

  • @maddogmaz1576
    @maddogmaz1576 2 дні тому

    I was a 113 driver in Germany in the 1989, I liked it, somewhat short and I could go anywhere with it. When we got the Bradley it just didn't feel right. It could only hold a fire team and it was tall. Always had to keep the gun forward when in the woods or you would hit a tree. It did shine when we went to Desert Storm

  • @EricCoultis
    @EricCoultis Місяць тому

    Everyone here is missing the point... Having been in a Cav unit in Australia in the 70s and having driven an M113A1 LRV variant and later crewed the Fitters Track variant as a mechanic, They were just so much fun to drive. Yes the M113 had its issues, took forever to prep for water operations, the 6V53 was a pain to replace and tune, sections-of-8 (you will know what they were) were heavy and hard to fit. There was the annoying habit of throwing tracks in inconvenient terrain, but THEY WERE THE BEST FUN to drive.