I worked on the M1x through the M1A2 and M-88, all the upgrades and mods, and other tracked vehicles overhaul(remanufactured) line for the Army and Marine Corp at ANAD overhaul(remanufactured) line, also test track and final before shipping. This brought back 30 years of memory. In those years I got to work all over the Depot with the individual components to final testing. Hard hot work, I retired in 2011, I miss working there.
Our tank crew sought shelter in one of these beasts when the heater in our M60A1 TTS was out. We rotated to prevent frostbite. I remember the M88's ceiling was very low but what a toasty heater. Thanks for posting.
63T here. Loved these big beasts. So useful. Raw power!!! Pulled pack on one once. Engine is something to behold. Thanks for the trip back in time to 1998!! Lol
I loved driving these. Drove one in Korea, FT Riley KS, FT Sill OK and Desert Storm...best non war time memory was at Ft Sill, towed two MLRS back from the field at the same time. the higher ups saw this and I got called to the office.. I had to explain why I did it (cause I can)and was told I couldn't do it(by the battalion MTR SGT), so I explained that I could and went and got the -10 and showed them they were wrong... used it in Desert Storm to clear the air field for the peace talks...drop the spade, close the hatch and start pushing......
I worked as a full time National Guard technician at a UTES. Spent a lot of time doing recoveries and moving targets on the base that I worked at in the late 80s to the early 2000s. When you know how to run an 88 there is no better recovery vehicle you can use. Man my job was a friggin blast when I think back on it. *:-)* 👍
I lived on this machine for a good bit of my military carreer. It is more reliable than the M1 battletank imo. Never had any issues with the operation.
Contrary to popular belief, during normal towbar hookups with and m1 tank, this version of this basic M88 could haul a M1 tank easily, Did it a lot in Germany in the 80's and 90's. Even getting a M1 out a mudhole mired up to it's turret, with the right ratio of snatch blocks, the main winch got them out easily. We never got one the newer M88a2 models, so we just had to get creative lol.
I was trained to drive the M123 10 ton Dragon Wagon, M88 , M578 recovery vehicles and the M816 5 Ton Wrecker at Aberdeen Proving Grounds by the US Army. We were called "Rubber Ducks". Because we always had on our rain gear. My MOS was 63F10 1973 to 1976 Illesheim, Germany, Co B, 123rd Maint. Bn. Our 88's name is "Beau-Coup", was hand painted on the front between the vision blocks. We had the 12 cyl, MOGAS powered version. We would button up the hatches, combat lock them and we probably best not say what we did locked in there. But it did get smoky.
@@donaldhawkes5226 No way, cool, another 63F, awesome! They scratched our MOS as you know, I enjoyed it. We were in Germany close in time to each other. I also went to Ft. Hood. Was assigned to III Corps. Then was put into the OPFOR unit there. Wore a Russian uniform, drove a T54A battle tank, I was there 79-80, then went to Korea. Panama 77-79
I trained in APG in 1984 and got shipped to Hanau ... the more things change , the more they stay the same. Every time I think about my M88 I want to reenlist to use the infrared and 🔥 fire that 50 cal
I was a 63-N-" M-60 tank, HULL mechanic". The M-88 was my favorite vehicle to operate . It had the ability to tow TWO TANKS! The 1792C.I. two-cycle diesel SHOOK the ground when it was outside in "GROUND HOP" mode,so did the tank engine!
former 63E. Surprised to see someone sitting back in that hatch. Doing that as a E2 bought me a scar under my chin. I learned to sit forward with my chest against the front of that hatch. Ran everything by feel. Driver in training I suppose? Can't imagine why you wouldn't want a CVC on, though.
I became a M88 operator in 1979 to 1981 when I was stationed at Ft Carson when they had a shortage of mechanics i was a 19 D but I took auto shop in high school my CO found out and made my out as a track mechanic . We got a m88 operator but he was a pos so I ended up operating the M88 . I got very good at pulling tank engines and fixing tanks .
I was the operator of HHC 4/64 Armor attached to Bravo Company. Man really brings back great memories except my TC, Sgt. Judy was hit with the wench cable that broke from the anchor. The cable was being replaced and we had not wrapped the cable around the drum. It was getting late and we were in a hurry. The cable broke free from the anchor as the 88 stop while backing up with the other end attached to another M1. All the slack was taken out and It barely missed my head. It hit Sgt Judy and pulled him partially under the tank. He had many bones broken and sever head trauma. He was in a comma for 4 months and had to be discharged from the Army. It ended a truly gifted and loved man's military career.
I drove one of these during my 6 years in the California Army National Guard in the 70's. The old Gas powered model. Our unit initially was using the old WW2 M-48 A-1 gas powered ,air cooled v-12 Patton tanks. They drank motor oil like a thirsty camel so we would chain a 55 gallon drum of 30 wt. onto the blade (horizonal ) with a spout sticking over the edge so the crews could easily top off the oil . Had 10 wt on the opposite side for transmissions. Anyone ever use the 88 to tow in a dead tank ?? (dumb question because that was it's purpose) Our unit , if memory serves, required us to use the tow bar instead of a "cross cable" tow. The tow bar was a bitch to connect in hilly terrain. It had to line up perfectly. A couple of times if no officers were around, we'd cross cable to a flat area and then use the tow bar. The cables just slipped right on. Only reason I can figure for the rule is so if you made a quick stop the tank would hit the back of the 88 and bend the fenders, possibly ?? This /88/M-48 combo was used in WW2, Vietnam, and Korea ,Germany units, would like to hear from regular army guy's comments.
You're right, it's called "cross country towing". Cables will bend instead of break in all those positions. However, there's supposed to be another 88 or like-vehicle to be used also as a "hold-back" vehicle. Speeds of around 5 mph or less until flat terrain. 🚜--🚙--🚜
