Re: [MV] Petrol vs. Diesel in MVs

Joe Baker (edc@tiac.net)
Tue, 27 Jan 1998 17:43:38 -0500

Having used both diesel and gas powered military vehicles in the fields
of action. I would much rather operate a diesel powered tank such as
the M-60 series than the gas powered M-48. The diesel seemed to be more
reliable and as I understand it less likely to explode into flames with
a hit.

While in Europe I spent several winters in the field with diesel powered
vehicles in extremely cold weather and never experienced a problem if
they were maintained and operated in accordance with the manuals.

As for the heat plume on start up. In the desert I have seen that both
gas and diesel vehicle produce sufficient heat signatures to be detected
behind the slope out of visual view upon start up or just idling. It
was a common practice in my unit to scan the horizon of the land forms
to our front looking for those signatures with the thermal sights. Even
without start up, there is enough difference between the background
temperature and the vehicle's temperature that a vehicle can be
identified behind the slope.

I'll take a diesel anytime over a gasser.

-- 
Joe Baker
Major, Infantry, USAR


Formerly of the 1/2ACR


3 ea '46 CJ2A
1 ea Spitfire (Triumph)


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