and THIS is why you should always check to make sure that all fording gear is properly installed and functional before hitting the ponds! might want to think about a snorkel for the driver as well...
Isaac
Fairbanks, AK
Civilian WM300 on DC3 tires
'52 M37 on 11x16 Michelin
'52 M37 on Apple R-1 tractor tires Photo Gallery
That must have been a cold swim to the edge of the pond.
“When a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, IT IS THEIR RIGHT, IT IS THEIR DUTY, TO THROW OFF SUCH GOVERNMENT...” -Declaration of Independence, 1776
Ouch, With these old vehicles, just because you can ford in deep water, doesn't mean that you should. The maintenance after a successful deep water crossing is extensive and none of our older stuff should be subjected to that. Even shallow water plays havoc with brakes and other things that you don't think of. Only the government can afford to play like this....
I'd like to see the recovery pictures posted, an the work required after to clean it up.
Hope they get that out before all the fluids leak out into the pond. I bet the owner has no clue how much stuff is going to need a complete teardown after this!
Sadly, I've seen all sorts of adventures like that when I did tank recovery-guys fording gamma-goats with the hull plugs out, etc. The bilge pump was running but couldn't keep up with the inbound water as he went down, leaving the right-rear corner sticking up above the surface. We made the driver drag and attach the winch cable himself, to acknowledge and reward his brilliance.
Gary
Cal_Gary
1954 M37 W/W
MVPA Correspondent #28500
G741.org Forum member since 2004
Well..........I talked to a friend of my friend and they got it to the edge of the pond, but apparently the banks of the pond are a bit steep. And they discovered the brakes are locked due to lack of air pressure........so dragging it up the bank against its will is going to take some doing. I suggested they plump a pump into the exhaust stack and make a pretty pond fountain for the kids to play in this summer.
I hope they can attach a glad-hand to air up the brake system, or they will need to cage the actuators. The best idea may be to excavate a gradual slope to the ponds edge to simplify the removal of the truck.
Bert
1952 M37 W/W Rebuild @ 59% complete
Engine rebuild @ 95% complete
1985 M1009, 1990 M101A2, 2008 M116A3 Pioneer tool trailer
MVPA # 24265
NRA Life Member
NRA Cert. Personal Protection Pistol Instructor
NRA Cert. RSO
Class III RSO/KCR
Ok, got an update. Pond drained. Truck extracted by bigger trucks. NOW the fun begins! I wonder what Army TM covers how to deal with submerged vehicles?
I'll see what I can do for pics without getting close enough to be considered a "volunteer" to deal with this mess.