The official AHF USA quiz thread

[Cannonade]

OK, I don't know if this has been done, but at least two items of equipment were referred to unofficially as a "Mae West". Hint; one is realtively well known, the other that I'm thinking of is a vehicle.

Gary B.

The US Army's M2A2 light tank was nicknamed the Mae West due to its odd twin turret configuration.

Cannonade

[AVV]

Hello!

The US Army's M2A2 light tank was nicknamed the Mae West due to its odd twin turret configuration.

Interesting fact - I did not know it.

Best regards, Aleks

[binder001]

Cannonade got it. Early tankers had the M2A2 used for training. They called it the Mae West due to the two protruding turrets. The other item was obviously the pilots' life vest.

Back to you Cannonade.

[Cannonade]

Thanks Binder,

Ok, let me think...........................................

I'm trying to think, but nothings happening.

I'll post something in a little while.

Cannonade.

[Cannonade]

OK Guys,

I can't come up with anything good so maybe Binder or someone else can pose the next question.

Cannonade

[binder001]

OK Guys, I can't come up with anything good so maybe Binder or someone else can pose the next question. Cannonade

Well, OK. How about:
1) What was the prime mover developed for moving the 8-inch Gun or 240mm Howitzer?
2) Due to production delays in the above, what name any of the three "interim" prime movers that were used as expedient vehicles.

(Inspired by the recent continuing thread on US artillery)

[binder001]

Todays hint: the three vehicles in part 2 of the question were "defrocked" versions of vehicles intended for other uses.

[Ironmachine]

1) M6 high speed tractor
2) M35 or M33 prime movers

[binder001]

1) M6 high speed tractor
2) M35 or M33 prime movers

You got it - there was also an M34 prime mover. M33 was a "defrocked" M31 recovery vehicle, M34 was a modified M32 recovery vehicle and M35 was a deturreted M10A1 Gun Motor Carriage. These were all used to cover for the desired M6. I have seen WW2 photos of the M33 and M35 in use, but not the M34. One might wonder if these were uncommon as the M32 would have been in demand for its primary role.

Looks like your turn to pose the question

[Ironmachine]

Thanks.
Here is an interesting building:

Building.JPG (18.73 KiB) Viewed 3169 times

Where was it built, and what was its original purpose?

[AVV]

Good evening!

Frankly to say, I do not know the answer, but the shape of the building resembles me deck of aircraft carrier (I mean its aerial view) - may be it was used to train pilots in attacks on aircraft carriers?

Best regards, Aleks

[Ironmachine]

No, you are wrong. It had no relation at all with aircraft carriers...
BUT...
it is related with another class of ships.
Regards.

[Takao]

Technically speaking, it does relate to an "aircraft carrier/s." See this webpage for Piper Cubs flying of LSTs http://www.warfoto.com/wild_blue_yonder.htm

However, that is not what Ironmachine is thinking of.

It is the LST building at Fort Knox, Kentucky, and AFAIK, it still is standing.
http://www.aths.com/history_ftknox.html
http://www.flickr.com/photos/army_arch/ ... 477905816/
http://www.vmmv.org/tanktk/lst/lst.htm

[Ironmachine]

Correct. Over to you.

[Marcus]

I'm posting a new question to get this moving again.


What do we have here?

/Marcus