If i could have my choice of any tank built(ontos)
08-25-2010, 05:47 PM
#1
Thread Starter
If i could have my choice of any tank built(ontos)
If I could have my choice of any tank ever built it would be hands down the "ontos".I think these are one of the coolest little tanks ever built.I got to see some of them running around in the Philippines in 1962 and I wish now I had went over and had a close look at them.I was 2 or 3 hundred yards away at the time.I have read some of the history on them and it apears they were well liked by their crews.
BIGMIG
Diggers history has some info on them for those who may like to check them out.
BIGMIG
BIGMIG
Diggers history has some info on them for those who may like to check them out.
BIGMIG
08-25-2010, 05:50 PM
#2
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RE: If i could have my choice of any tank built(ontos)
Thing looks like a Transformer or navel battleship on tracks!! lol That is pretty sick looking.
08-25-2010, 06:00 PM
#3
RE: If i could have my choice of any tank built(ontos)
They are really cool. I remember seeing these in a book in grade school library class. yes we actually had a library class to learn how to use a library. You know the index cards and all that. Showing my age here aint I? LOL
08-25-2010, 09:35 PM
#4
Senior Member
RE: If i could have my choice of any tank built(ontos)
Ontos was a cool tank killer, but not the healthyist of places to work. It had no armor, carried only 18 rounds, including the 6 in the RR rifle chambers and the loader stood outside. They were a very effective tank killer, but had to be an ambush situation due to the limited traverse of the gun mount. Ranging was through cal 50 spotting rifles mounted above the recoilless rifles. They did well in Vietnam and were used mostly by the Marines. They were fast and were pretty dependable, requiring minimal maintenance.
08-25-2010, 10:40 PM
#5
Thread Starter
RE: If i could have my choice of any tank built(ontos)
One other good article I found.........(google search)..."the ontos anti-tank vehicle" if you have an interest in this little tank.
One thing I have allways wondered about is in several articles they mention that these tanks were first used in Vietnam in the middle of 1965.I seen several of them running around a big parking area across from my ANO office in Cubi Point Navel Air Station Philippines in the middle of 1962.??? What did they do with them for 3 years prior to their use in Vietnam when they were a week or so travel by ship from the Philippines to Vietnam.??
BIGMIG
Anybody know the answer to this..?
One thing I have allways wondered about is in several articles they mention that these tanks were first used in Vietnam in the middle of 1965.I seen several of them running around a big parking area across from my ANO office in Cubi Point Navel Air Station Philippines in the middle of 1962.??? What did they do with them for 3 years prior to their use in Vietnam when they were a week or so travel by ship from the Philippines to Vietnam.??
BIGMIG
Anybody know the answer to this..?
08-27-2010, 04:34 PM
#8
Senior Member
RE: If i could have my choice of any tank built(ontos)
Lots of these were used as base security on Air Force and Navy Bases. Like M-41s that were used at some Air Force bases....kinda overkill and expensive, considering the amount of gas the tanks used. Don't know any Army units equiped with the Ontos but it was designed as a tank killer but used mostly by Marine units.
