Actually, the only vehicle the Army still uses from my first enlistment is the M35A2 2-1/2-ton "Deuce and a Half" truck. And that is used only by the National Guard. I understand that by the time we get back they will all be retired from active service and replaced by the LMTV (Light Medium Tactical Vehicle).
LMTV
Fort Sill
We had most of the afternoon off so I rode around next Sunday's Race course backward. The wind was 20-30 mph steady with a high of 50 degrees. The terrain here is almost all rolling hills. Never flat. I was riding all of 5mph up some of the hills. But it was great to be out on the bike. I might be riding tomorrow afternoon with one of the pilots.
Wow, so which of those three vehicles is the fastest? The most comfortable? I'm putting my money on the one-speed bike . . .
ReplyDeleteReally, the LMTV is the fastest, but there are so many restrictions on military vehicles in the US that with a good hill I could go 55+ on the 1-speed. I am sure there would be some Army reg about why I can't go 55 in the others.
ReplyDeleteDuring my 04-05 deployment, I loved driving my M35 down the long perimeter road that rings LSA Anaconda. I had to almost triple-clutch that beast(non-sync 1st gear) to get it going.... but once it did....
ReplyDelete1st- It sounded cool as hell with the turbo screaming, and it blew smoke like a diesel drag-racer.
2nd- The springs were so worn-in, that it didn't damn near get air on bumps, as with the newer M35s. Riding in that truck was about as close to floatin' on a cloud o' tittes as you could get in a deuce. You still had to work the steering wheel like mad to keep it running straight from about 30-45, but once it hit 50 it became much less squirrley. I got it up to maybe 70, but I didn't let it stay there for long... I just wanted to see how fast a stripped-down flatbed M35 would go.
Oh, and yes, I DID have a TC.... Sgt. _____
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