1st Cav Museum

Rainman · Unread post by **Rainman** » March 18th, 2008, 7:30 pm

As you've all read, I got to Ft. Hood recently to relive my youth for 3
hours. Went to the museum and thought of many of you guys while I
was there. So to be enjoyed by all, but specificly for a few, here's
what I saw...

I have more views of some of these, available upon request.

Enjoy!
Rainman

k8icu · Unread post by **k8icu** » March 18th, 2008, 10:45 pm

I can't beleive you took the gas cap off of that 151....

. JK...

Rainman · Unread post by **Rainman** » March 18th, 2008, 11:33 pm

Hey Joe,
Honestly I am going to ask if anyone has one we can send to them for it. Seems
a shame for it to sit there with the tank exposed to the elements. Did I get a
spare one from you in that last deal? Think the only one I have has the ears
ground off and goes on my Kaiser. They don't seem too concerned with how
appropriate parts are as the A1 is made to look like an early M151, but has later
style seats, and the A2 has screw adjust early seats. As I mentioned in another
post, the plaque at the A1 says it was used in Korea. Hows that for historical
accuracy?

Rainman

moose53 · Unread post by **moose53** » March 19th, 2008, 12:23 pm

I'm a little concerned that they didnt care enough to even cover the opening with something. what kind of shape is their stuff in? I have a spare gas cap from a A1 but if they dont care about preserving their stuff I dunno if i do either...

Jim

Rainman · Unread post by **Rainman** » March 19th, 2008, 1:19 pm

Hey Moose,

For the most part their stuff is in fair to excelent conditon, the mule being the
worst. I think they lack knowledge of the older stuff, but seem to be in process
of painting , even if the colors are not accurate. Bot sure how long that cap's
been missing, as I never looked in the tank to see current condition. You have
to consider that at least it's in a museum, and not cut in half or sitting down
range at Sugarloaf.

I honestly was thinking of HK, HTN, MrRecovery and Toptiger as I clicked away
at the camera. Would have been a much more interesting trip if I had some
knowledgeable company along for the trip. Tough to get on post these days. I
entered the East Gate and was turned away and told to report to the Main Gate
for a visitors pass. That took another 25 minutes of the 3 hours I had to spent
there. Seemed like once I got in I had few if any restrictions as to where I went.
With more time I would have headed to North Ft. Hood to the ranges and field
locations I used so many years ago. Went righ past the motorpool where I
learned how to drive a clutch on a M151A2. My head was spinning with old
memories, it was pretty cool. Ft. Hood used to have open gates most
everywhere. Now it's sealed tighter and a frogs butthole. I'll end this with
that visual!

Rainman

moose53 · Unread post by **moose53** » March 19th, 2008, 2:16 pm

all the bases are like that now, its a shame, but I guess in this day and age its necessary... if you think they're making an effort to do the best they can I'll donate a correct gas cap for that 151.... you have contact info for them, or do you wanna take it to them?

Jim

moose53 · Unread post by **moose53** » March 19th, 2008, 2:28 pm

you should probably encourage them to go online to sites like this one, g503, steel soldiers etc. I noticed the stars were wrong on some, and their MB has mutt wheels on it etc. With all the purists on these sites they can get educated quickly on their vehicles lol. they have a nice collection, that M-37 wrecker is a rare bird...

Jim

cstaup · Unread post by **cstaup** » March 19th, 2008, 3:54 pm

moose53 wrote:I'm a little concerned that they didnt care enough to even cover the opening with something. what kind of shape is their stuff in? I have a spare gas cap from a A1 but if they dont care about preserving their stuff I dunno if i do either...

Jim

I would agree with you Moose, but (you knew it would happen), when I was stationed in Ft Hood, I was the wrench for the 2AD/4th ID (Mech) Division Commander. The "curator" for the Division Museum was at the time a supply sergeant (E-5) and knew jack about Army maintenance. He would ask me to "TI" some of his vehicles, and order parts for him. Ask a 63B20 to find a parts manual for a WWII Halftrack (to his credit, it ran).

I would usually find contemporary parts that I could "cobble" to fit or at least cheat. But most of his Vehicles were taken fron Iraqis in Desert Storm so, what you see is what you got. In my opinion the 1st Cav. had a better collection, in the mid '90's.

Chris

Rainman · Unread post by **Rainman** » March 20th, 2008, 9:48 am

Well, I have no idea how hard they're actually trying, but thanks
for the offer. The day I was there, more work was being done
on the outside of the building than on any of the displays. I'm
sure one will turn up that no one needs or wants. The Staff Sgt.
I spoke to while I was there didn't work for NASA for a reason.
He had little concern for my comments or observations, and I
had too little time to waste a few minutes explaining their
mistakes to him. Think something simple like "Here's a gas cap
for your M151" might at least get it put on the right vehicle, but
I'm guessing. They don't even know what war it was from!

Rainman