Re: [MV] M151 confusion.

Joe Baker (edc@tiac.net)
Wed, 15 Apr 1998 09:54:22 -0400

In my capacity as a Motor Officer for a Mechanized Battalion and in the
variety of command positions I have held in the 2nd Armored Cavalry
Regiment during the late 70's and as the Company Commander of a
Mechanized Infantry unit I have had tremendous exposure to the M151 in
field operations. If properly operated with an understanding of the
vehicle is was excellent in cross country performance. The problems
came during operations on hard surfaces and at speed. In addition, if
the proper PMCS (preventive maintenance checks and services) were
performed daily as per the operators manual it would reduce the chances
of rolling. Just as the Corvair had a tendency roll if the air pressure
was not proper in the front tires the M151 was very sensitive to
improper air pressures in the tires.

The M151 was the first of the series and has the greatest tendency for
roll over. Those vehicles were phased out of service and replaced with
the A1 and A2 and later the remaining M151s were all outfitted with the
ROPES system which included a full roll cage.

I have driven the M151s on very rough terrain both in Germany and in the
deserts of the Yakima Firing Center and Fort Irwin with out problem. I
have traversed extremely steep terrain and as long as I used good
judgment have had no problems other than occasionally needing someone to
pull me out of a stuck situation.

In Germany, I had a number of roll overs by troops in my command and in
each situation the driver was operating too fast for conditions and on a
hard surface road.

Joe Baker
Major, Infantry
formerly of the 1/2 ACR

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