M551 Sheridan Armored Reconnaissance Air Assault Vehicle (AR/AAV) aka light tank was the creation of Lieutenant General James Gavin's "skunk More

M551 Sheridan Armored Reconnaissance Air Assault Vehicle (AR/AAV) aka light tank was the creation of Lieutenant General James Gavin's "skunk works" within the Army filled with young 3D Airborne maneuver war professionals like then Major Hal Moore, a Korean war combat veteran who knew not to be road-bound in wheeled trucks. You can see an inkling of this in the beginning of his "We were Soldiers" movie or read more about it in General Grange's book, "Air-Mech-Strike: Asymmetric Maneuver Warfare for the 21st Century" http://www.geocities.com/air_mech_strike The goal was a helicopter-deliverable light tank to offer fire support but the AR/AAV grew in weight (should have got rid of the turret and been a Mini-STUG) to 17 tons and could only be lifted by CH-54 SkyCranes short distances, so were unavailable by helicopter VTOL insertion by then Colonel Moore for his epic Ia Drang battle at LZ X-Ray in 1965. The Sheridans could have been LVAD parachute dropped in along with Airborne Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle Family (AAM/PVF) M113 APCs as the French dropped Paras and even tracked bulldozers all the time during their war in Vietnam. In fact, M113s were/are helicopter VTOL air-transportable and could have been fitted with 7.62mm miniguns and 106mm recoilless rifles to be inserted into even small landing zones to render battle-dominating fire support: http://www.geocities.com/armorhistory/airassaulttanksnoexcuse.htm The Sheridan's 17 tons of weight above a baseline chassis without turret meant it would be years before heavy lift helicopter technology would catch up to lift it so it became wed to USAF fixed-wing transport aircraft capable of long-range, strategic Airborne 3D operations. The call went out for the mighty Sheridans and their Paratankers in 1989 to take down dictator Manuel Noriega's regime. In darkness, the American Airborne struck with a 360 degree blitzkrieg in all directions converging on La Commadancia, the enemy headquarters building complex. The Sheridan's 152mm high explosive gun rounds exploded huge holes in the walls for Airborne infantry to storm inside. http://www.combatreform2.com/popguns.htm With the center of PDF resistance collapsed, Noriega in hiding was found, then encircled by Special Operations "Delta" Forces riding in M113 Gavins and M551 Sheridans of 3/73rd Armor and forced to surrender. Panama is an example of how American Army forces should fight with light tracks--not road-bound, flimsy wheels and should be studied and emulated by outfitting all light infantry battalions with M113 Gavins--some with autocannon, others with recoilless rifles to act as Mini-STUGs to be defacto 3D maneuver cavalry. http://www.combatreform.com/m113combat.htm There is much good that was done by our Airborne forebears, its high time we start living UP to their PHYSICAL firepower, armor protection and cross-country maneuver capabilities and start EXCEEDING them instead of making excuses for less dressed up in high-tech mental crutches. http://www.geocities.com/armorhistory Want to know more? Our book, "Air-Mech-Strike: Asymmetric Maneuver Warfare for the 21st Century" is ONLINE for FREE skyjacked by Google! http://books.google.com/books?id=RCWtHnYZ0LMC&pg
Hide

Discussion about sucker VW Fox: http://www.suckercars.com/discussion/send-me-your-story/watch-out-your-finger-must-see-this As a traditional vw, More

Discussion about sucker VW Fox: http://www.suckercars.com/discussion/send-me-your-story/watch-out-your-finger-must-see-this As a traditional vw, some recalls have been issued to this vw fox, to repair the hood lock that could open with the car running, engine problems causing engines to non start and backfires, and recently to fix the fuel injection lines to avoid fires. However, this mediocre tiny car as it is well known in Brazil, has a problem that vw of Brazil is refusing to perform a recall to fix the problem or avoid worst consequences. One owner of a new vw fox was trying to fold the rear seat in order to fit all the groceries. He followed instructions presented in the manual and also in the pictures behind the rear seat, but he couldn't expect that the folded rear seat would fall back right over his right hand that he was using as a support to push the folded sit forward. As the result, he had several injuries in his hand and ONE FINGER CUT OFF. This owner is suing the vw Brazil, and a report has been issued by a very reliable institute that proves that vw instructions were vague, attributing all the blame to vw Brazil. http://quatrorodas.abril.com.br/sumario/2006/plus/08_laudo.pdf The report shows pictures of the finger, and is written in Portuguese. For those who don't speak Portuguese, there is a translator that can help with that: http://babelfish.altavista.com/tr What really bothers me is the fact that vw of Brazil has refused to take any responsibility for the accident, and until now, no recall has been performed. VW Brazil has done absolutely nothing about the case. I really have to agree with so many: VW sucks, but also cut off fingers! DONT BUY A VW! ........................................ Some people may still remember the old VW fox. It was a Brazilian compact sedan assembled in Brazil and exported to the American and Canadian markets in the late 80's. The car was never a success, but nowadays the nameplate fox was resuscitated and there is a new vw fox being built in Brazil. It's the new vw fox, a small compact hatch developed in Brazil. http://www.vw.com.br/automoveis/fox/galeria/fotos.asp (pic gallery from vw Brazil website) The car also has a pseudo SUV version or something like that, called by VW of Brazil by SUC, or Sport Utility Compact, and it really sucks. http://www.vw.com.br/automoveis/crossfox/galeria/fotos.asp Novo Ford Ka Fiat Linea Novo Fiat Stilo Ferrari Lamborghini Cross Fox SpaceFox
Hide