Glenn Shaw MVPA
Joe Baker wrote:
> 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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