June 24, 2007
An Olive-Drab.com visitor asks:
hello i was just wondering i am looking for a video that shows the japanesse surrender on deck of the us warship i belive the uss missouri. do you know of any videos that out there or where i can look for such a video that has the surrender that i can buy on dvd.
Answer:
Google Video has a copy of a 1945 newsreel with good footage of the surrender including parts of Gen.MacArthur’s speech. You can find it at this link:
June 5, 2007
An Olive-Drab.com visitor asks:
i just started collecting militaria and my large alice pack is looking flat and i was just wondering what all equipment had to go in it while in the field and what wet in an ALICE butt pack. thanks
Answer:
The ALICE pack, like other military pack systems, is designed to be
modular so the soldier has to carry only the minimum required for the
immediate mission. There is no standard contents since missions vary
from time to time and place to place.
Basically, the load will consist of some rations and ammunition along
with possible spare clothing (socks in particular). Other items
depend on the soldier’s MOS such as a radioman carrying spare
batteries. Various items strap or hook onto ALICE such as canteens,
sleeping bag and pad, ground cloth/poncho, etc etc across the whole
range of individual equipment.
In addition to the ALICE section on Olive-Drab.com there is a nice write up about ALICE
on Wikipedia.
February 7, 2007
An Olive-Drab.com visitor asks:
I have a 43 dated jerry can, twist off lid type. I need a spout for it. Where can I find one that fits. This is for a 44 jeep.
Answer:
What you need is the type of spout shown on this page of Olive-Drab.com:
http://www.olive-drab.com/od_mvg_jerry_can_accessories.php
It will fit the WW II era metal cans with the full size mouth (not the
smaller-mouth British style cans). They used to be very easy to
find, but supply has dried up because of the plastic cans now in use
which have a different type of spout.
I don’t know who has them in stock right now. Try contacting military
vehicle parts suppliers and some of the larger surplus dealers (like
Colemans). Also watch eBay. One will turn up if you contact enough
places.
February 5, 2007
An Olive-Drab.com visitor asks:
If one has enough money anything can be done. But for the average Joe who is not Bill Gates, or John Travolta, is it posible to purchase a used M-109 without the turret and gun in the US?
Answer:
If the howitzer is removed, then you are just talking about a tracked chassis. That means there is no problem with de-militarization or similar issues. Therefore, I would say its possible but probably a rare occurrence.
The M-109 is still in use with U.S. and foreign armies. Therefore,
any serviceable chassis would probably be cannibalized to support
other units or sold to a foreign government for the same reasons.
Still, you never know.
As time goes on and the M-109 is replaced, the availability would
become more likely.
You can contact some of the larger dealers and keep track of ads in
the MV magazines listed on Olive-Drab.com so if one becomes available you will find out about it.
I am sorry I don’t have anything more definite, but I hope this helps.
NOTE: The email address with this question was rejected so the sender did not get a reply.
February 4, 2007
An Olive-Drab.com visitor asked:
There is a spring loaded roller on the front bumper of some M-3 Halftracks. Can you tell me the function of these rollers?
Answer:
The front roller was a feature of many of the WW II vintage halftracks and scout cars, installed when the front bumper did not have a winch. It was called an “anti-ditching roller” or similar name.
The function was to keep the front bumper from digging into the far bank of a ditch during cross-country operations. The idea was that the roller would allow the vehicle to hit the ditch wall and roll up and over rather than get caught. It worked but not well enough to become standard on other vehicles. Later designs sought to keep the “angle of approach” and “angle of departure” large enough to minimize the potential for getting stuck.
February 1, 2007
An Olive-Drab.com visitor asks:
looking for a barge or other marine construction equipment. if you may have any info please help.
Answer:
Marine vessels and equipment are sold by the U.S. Govt. the same way
as trucks or other items so you can follow the suggestions from this
section of Olive-Drab.com:
http://www.olive-drab.com/od_mvg_auctions.php3
Barges and equipment are sometimes available from marine dealers, for example:
January 29, 2007
An Olive-Drab.com visitor writes:
Hello , Can you tell me where I might find a used AN-PRC-117F or a 113 ? I watch ebay but am looking for another source. Thanks.
Answer:
I can recommend these two suppliers who may be able to help:
Murphys Surplus Warehouse
Fair Radio Sales
There are more in the Supplier Database, searchable from the bottom of any page of Olive-Drab.com
