From: Steve Grammont (islander@midmaine.com)
Date: Thu May 09 2002 - 08:42:44 PDT
>1. Which model was it? M109, M109A1-A5 or M109A6 (current U.S. Army
>"Paladin")? Self-propelled howtizer, not gun (gun is something diff and we
>have none that are mobile, all are static and only a few at that).
>Descriptions can be ascertained if you go to:
OK, looks like this one could be its twin sister:
http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/m109-001.jpg
That is what I saw, complete with simlar 3 color camo paint job. Tracks
looked to be in decent shape, but there was a lot of bright rust on the
metal bits. No sign of dirt on it.
> b. If Howitzer, Med, Self-propelled, 155mm, M109A1-A5 (long tube,
>manual load) going north
> could be going to National Guard or reserve unit at a
>reserve center (highest prob)
> could be memorial
I think it is a toss up between a refitting reserve unit and the museum I
spoke of. I know how to contact both so eventually I will be able to
rule out one or the other (or both!).
> could be Canadian (do not know if Canada has them in their
>inventory)
Possible. Maine borders Quebec and New Brunswick. I once say a mech
infantry company (Bradley) shipped by rail up into Canada, most likely
for join maneuvers, back about 15 years ago.
> could be going to Ft Drum in a roundabout way (N of Boston
>?)
This I doubt. The path was clearly into Maine. Could have been going to
Portland for transport by ship, as Stu just suggested. Didn't think of
that one as I would have thought Boston or Portsmouth, NH would have been
its destination if that were the case.
> could be exiting U.S. under FMS at a northern international
>airport (prob not at IAP north of Boston)
>3. We have been shipping most howitzers via commercial transportation for
>years now.
Apparently :-) This is a bit of new info I have learned since this
morning! We don't see much of this stuff up around here in the
Northeast. I see towed 155s dragged by 6x6 every so often, but nothing
anything armored is quite a rare treat to see out and about.
Steve
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