WWII DRIVER

joel gopan · Post by **joel gopan** » Sat Dec 01, 2007 5:41 am

Who drove them in WWII? The Air Force had parameters for pilot size and some were assigned to Multi Engines because of that. Wonder how they picked CCKW drivers as the cabs are snug, many soft civilians do not fit behind the wheel of Closed Cab, and go thru torture when stepping over the side of the open cab. WWII GIs had to be short or very thin to fit the CCKW.
Speaking of Multi Engines, I have flown in the B-24, not much room for big frames in that, the trip from aft thru the bomb bay to the nose while in flight is tight.
That wartime Army PT had it's purpose.

42cckw · Post by **42cckw** » Sat Dec 01, 2007 11:14 am

I have a real good friend who was a 15th AF B-24 nose gunner 75 combat mission over the ETO, he has told me it was a very tight fit in his turret a emerson electric which he said was much better than the hydro sperry turret.He once had to sub in the ball turret on a mission with both his knees pinned behind my ears, try that for eight hours he

thank God he said I only had to do that once

they had to carry me off the plane my legs were so cramped and I was only 19 years old

joel gopan · Post by **joel gopan** » Sat Dec 01, 2007 11:28 am

Many Warbirds are a tight fit, there is no room for over weights. There are no WWII pilot seats made for huge persons.
Remember, WWII PT had a reason, Jeeps and trucks were a tight fit.

John V Cliche · Post by **John V Cliche** » Sat Dec 01, 2007 11:42 am

Armor is darn near the same also

Cheers
John

joel gopan · Post by **joel gopan** » Sat Dec 01, 2007 2:26 pm

Been there done that, started out M-42 Dusters in Military, ended up with my own 100% brand new M-114, it took a lot of flexibility to enter from the rear hatch and squeeze up into the small driver's station. DOW Field had 3 M-20s in the 50s. I think Furlong may have one of them now.

John V Cliche · Post by **John V Cliche** » Sat Dec 01, 2007 4:18 pm

Hey Joel
What use were the M20's relegated to at the base ?
Do you still have you M114 ?
Thanks
John

joel gopan · Post by **joel gopan** » Sat Dec 01, 2007 8:05 pm

In the early 50s during the 506th Fighter Wing days at Dow, there was article in either the Bangor Daily News or the Base Newspaper that the M-20s would be used for base security and to deliver the base payroll. They were dark OD at first and Strata Blue within a year. they could be seen coming and going every once in a while for a couple years. The 506th left in 55 and the M-20s were parked at the old Base Supply compound on Odlin Rd by the big Telford Hanger. That was the site of Property Disposal also. I can remember that they had periscopes installed.The state Police had one that went into disrepair, and got caught in one of the Augusta floods of the 60s. I think that is the one that exists today. It is upsetting that these vehicles were allowed to go downhill with no maintenance because they were free. I see it every day tho.
I have NOS M-6 periscope seals.
My "as new" M-114 has departed, but it is fondly remembered. My Army training paid off on it, it was a fun machine. I still have some rare NOS M-114 parts.

John V Cliche · Post by **John V Cliche** » Sat Dec 01, 2007 8:13 pm

I am unfamiliar with the "periscope seals " could you explain

Thanks
John

joel gopan · Post by **joel gopan** » Sat Dec 01, 2007 8:56 pm

I am too, as I was sure they used the M-6 Periscope, but is is the protectoscope they used. M-6 Seals will set on shelf a while longer. My tank friends buy them.