Likely it was armored not to advance during combat, but to protect it while it stood out in the open with the guns and ammunition caissons while the crews where dismounted or protected by bunkers. If caught on open ground, the operator could drive-off for the nearest trench. A huge advantage over having to stay with the horses ...or leave them to their deaths. And a crawler won't panic or bolt on you while in-harness dragging artillery, supplies or caissons. ...Waging modern war with horses and draft teams sucks in ways you can hardly imagine.
Hi, Squatch253. Nice video. Thanks for sharing. One thing you could have looked for and mentioned in the video - IF you had known about it - would have been the test bullet marks in the armor plating. Apparently, before the military took delivery of these tractors, a rifle was fired square on at every panel of the armor to test it. If the plates passed the test, they were left in place, bullet marks and all. Just my 0.02. You have a wonderful day. Best wishes. Deas Plant.
Hi, @Dave Pawson Now, Now, Dave. Please spare a thought for those UN-clued-up men who may want a (slightly) used woman - - - - perhaps for educational purposes. LOL. Just my 0.02. You have a wonderful day. Best wishes. Deas Plant.
THanks TOBY! I got it right........I hope. Very interesting piece but soldiers are still easier to come by than machines. Shame too! So Thanks and keep mowing for another day or so before the 1st blizzard! And I recognoise that governor setup on an OLD P&H crane I used to run. It worked.
Thank you Squatch . No Driver protection Hmmm . So many negative comments ? This is a very precious Tractor that you showed us . Here is the thing if I still had my 1979 Ford Pickup and somebody displayed it intact 100 years from now . And the Doors were off the Truck all of the experts would complain that Nobody cared about the Driver ? Of course the Experts Know everything even if they never used the 100 year old Vehicle in its intended use . There is a very good reason that the Crew area is Shown like that .
Looks like a few things on them tracks were made for easy replacement in combat, as to a Sherman tank was much harder to replace in combat to get moving again
COTTER PIN`S ARE A TAPERED PIN HAMMER FIT WITH A FLAT SIDE AND THEN A NUT FOR THE TAPERED FIT = a slit pin is a pin that splits and is retained by the split pin bent ! a roll pin is a round slotted pin that hammer fits ! and then the tapered roll pin ! = you know just stating = cotter pins on your old push bike - on the crank to pedal shaft ! so there .
Military leadership has always been fighting the last war. It likely occurred to them that tank/tractor drivers were a commodity about 10 years after the war was over. However, knowing the amazing field expedience of the American GI I'll just bet some of these got armored cabs cobbled on them. The Germans excelled at counter battery fire.
Squatch253 That's the thing about Government equipment, once it goes overseas, it generally stays there to rot into the ground. Unless a local villager restores it for use. Either that one stayed stateside for training purposes or it just did not get shipped out. It would have cost a fortune to return that one from Europe. I've seen one Big BEST CRAWLER. But don't know if I've ever had my hand on a HOLT. Beautiful find, the conditions in the Pacific Northwest iron does not usually last, WA, state.= rust.
The steel at the time was very unpredictable and inconstant. Its not a tank it was probably designed to be used before and after the combat was over. The armor would protect it from shrapnel or glancing rifle fire. Its pretty obvious since it does not even have a simple shield for the driver
That is cool but that "armor" is questionable IMO not thick enough other than maybe a splinter shield. A 30 cal rifle AP round should penetrate about 1/2" of steel
@@squatch253 The steel at the time was very unpredictable and inconstant. Its not a tank it was probably designed to be used before and after the combat was over. The armor would protect it from shrapnel or glancing rifle fire. Its pretty obvious since it does not even have a simple shield for the driver
The number one priority in the old days when we were responsible for our own actions is DON'T PUT HANDS OR FEET IN THE STUFF THAT MOVES!!! Now we are sheep and need big brother to watch out for us.
"Soldiers were easier to come by than tractors." Well it seems obvious that was the thinking, but I wonder if it was true. Oh sure, someone to charge out of a trench and be mowed down by Jerry's machine guns were a dime a couple of dozen. But how many soldiers could have operated that tractor? Or even started it? Remember, cars and farm tractors were darn uncommon in those days. Knowing how to make Dobbin move wasn't much help in making that thing move. Id be inclined to bet that tractor operators might have been just about as scarce as tractors.
Well, they have to make stuff "safer" today because people's IQ's are actually going down. And if you're driving artillery into live fire, you made a wrong turn. ;)
Keep your bootlaces done up and wear your boot gators. If you can duck the bullets ? Do. Any other SAFETY WARRIORS GOT MY TIME TO WASTE? GIVE IT BACK AND GET GOING.
