Actually that is an early Litton or Laser Systems hand-held laser range finder. (I don’t know what model; Mk 1, 2, 3, etc). Accurately reads distances in meters out to a few kilometers, probably for use with that 50 BMG M88 “anti-material rifle”. I’ve read that it’s mil-spec laser is very strong (dangerous). Here’s a newer version of what’s in that picture:
Yup I was.
Ok, I didn't see that lens on the side of that picture.
It could be staged pics. Or it could be the 10x scope on the M14 was being used for just observing the enemy, who might be well out of range. The effective range w/ M118 was about 800 meters or so. The single shot M88 (in 50 BMG) has a 16x scope and an effective range of 1800 meters, or maybe a little more with a trained SF sniper. Maybe only the big 50 BMG was being used? and perhaps the M14 optic was in a "spotting" role?... The fact one soldier got out the laser range finder suggests they might have been trying to figure out range/ballistics for that big 50 BMG...at least that is one theory.
Unless you are trying to protect you tank from someone trying to blow it up. Snipers would be a pretty good defense from shoulder launched tank killers. Well, better than nothing that is.
Art, in that sort of terrain the tank has lots of tools at hand to deal with an RPG crew long before they get within range - the coax MG, the M85 in the commander’s cupola and a beehive round out of the main gun. Just saying.
Nope, they were taken on a key day of Desert Storm - Feb 25, 1991. It seems they were taken by an embedded photo journalist during the offensive to rid Kuwait City of Iraqi forces. Fwiw, I happened to be in college at the time, and in the spring of 1991 I was taking a course 'US military history 1865 to present'. The professor made all students read the NYT newspaper every day during that war (this was pre-Internet)...and at night I watched coverage on CNN, which had become famous for all their embedded reporters in that conflict, etc. I kind-of remember that climatic week. I ended up earning a minor in history, with a concentration in military history... Anyhow, here's the source of pics/info:
I believe all you gotta do is remove the plastic dividers and they fit fine.
As Special Forces guys, they probably had some discretion about using those old M14 pouches from a different era. What I find curious is the guy on the left appears to have two M12 holsters...although I think one on top is empty...just a random observation. (Maybe saving it for a Iraqi war trophy?)
Just a thought. I was trying to give some worth to the rifleman in this case. No biggie. Thanks, I will worry less about our tankers.
RG, very nice display. Your Mk 3 is the later version with the more robust tip. Definitely an improvement over the first blade profile.
Art, your concern is well placed but not so much in that environment. Just ask Ruskie tankers how important infantry support is - assuming you can find one that is living.
Thanks. Since that pic was taken years ago of my Navy M14 display stuff, I was able to acquire the "earlier" style Navy Mk 3 Mod 0 diving knife. The retired Navy vet (from this forum) said he got the diving knife in either 1986 or 87'. (The early style blade is on the left, with the 'later' style blade from a "1990s era" Mk 3 Mod 0 is on the right). I have never been able to figure out when the machining on the blade tip was changed, presumably to make it a little less prone to breaking off at the sharp tip - everything else re these two knives, their markings, and their sheaths are both identical. I guess I'm just slightly curious when that change occurred. (Here's a comparison pic for anyone curious)
RG, I don’t know when the blade profile change was made. The original profile was the by product of a desire to use the knife in combination with a special sheath as a wire cutter - sort of like the AK bayonet. That feature was dropped during development but the blade profile remained. It was an unfortunate decision since the thin tip compromised the durability of the knife. It was intended primarily as a dive knife and dive knifes are used as prying tools at least as much as cutting tools.
Yep, that is true. A long time ago (my 20s), I did recreational reef and wreck diving. A diving knife was indeed an important tool if you wanted to pry, or loosen-up something, on the seabed. I was also trained in the event of an emergency, use the blunt pommel of your diving knife and bang it against the side of your air tank to alert your diving partner (or others) of an issue...be it some sort of equipment issue that was urgent, or perhaps the appearance of some shark(s). Of course I was so much younger back then...and I definitely don't do those things anymore...but I digress.
