Ah, the M113 This was my baby when I was in the Army. Used the A3 (which had a steering yoke) when I was at Ft Stewart and an A2 when I was deployed to Kuwait and Iraq with the sticks like this, SO MUCH FUN TO DRIVE! if your track pads are worn down enough you can powerslide the 113 around corners on pavement using the sticks, again so much fun. Glad you got to drive one and show it off

@lorenzi.2387

Жыл бұрын

Agreed fun to drive, try it on snow that’s even more fun on an even parking lot. Not so much fun if it mesnt sliding down a mountain road with chains on the tracks, not so many that volunteered to drive under those conditions. And putting new track pads on was a shit job😂 Another thing that was distinct to them was the smell inside, sat in on e this year, smelled like when I left the army in 2003.

@vwilliams32407

Жыл бұрын

My very first recovery mission in Germany (Amberg 3/2 CAV, 1984) was flipping a M113 over from it's side after some moron tried to take a sharp turn on wet cobblestone in the middle of a small village. They had ZERO track pads left. No PMCS conducted in who knows how long. I was a private at the time and so new, I have no idea what happened to the crew.

@douglasboyle6544

Жыл бұрын

@@789Goracii and yours is being repoed by farmers because your soldiers are cowards and abandon it at the slightest noise.

@runfoo2795

Ай бұрын

Yes loved to drive mine sideways. The old tank trails at FT Riley are like sunken roads, I would put one track up on the wall, and drive sideways down the trail. Scared the crap out of the captain doing fish tails, and power slides,easy to do on muddy or wet roads

Ah the old bread box. Of course when our unit finally got Brads we loved those the most, but sort of miss the old 113. Those things can fly. We used to race them back to the wash racks.

This was nostalgia for me. I used to drive a M577, which is basically a tall M113, for an 9-inch howitzer unit.

@mikebrase5161

2 ай бұрын

The Winnebago

Cool to see Sofie! I was a gunner (1991-92) on a Dutch M113 C&V, and in that role i had to learn to drive the vehicle in case of the driver was, well, KIA. It was great fun until we went donwhill and went nose down into a giant puddle of water 🙂

@Wookie120

Жыл бұрын

Been there, but was in an M60A3!

@karlnitz1126

Жыл бұрын

Did we get soggy?

I remember when my unit (11th ACR Fulda, Germany) transitioned from the M113A2 to the M113A3 in the late 80's. It had a new engine and steering that were quite different from the previous model. It was a typical German misty/rainy day when we went to get qualified to drive them. We went into the country side and were driving them on slick asphalt. My best memory from that experience was driving as fast as we dared and then slamming on the breaks to see how far we could stand it up on its nose and slide down the wet road. I swear some of us got the vehicle at a 45 degree angle on it's nose. Scary but fun!

@OlSgtLove

Жыл бұрын

Been up to the Fulda Gap ,back in the early 80s to take a turn helping to patrol the border . Spent alot of time in the field with the ol 113 ....The ol Black Boot Army ...

@TheRayDev

Жыл бұрын

I was stationed in Fulda in the late 60 with the 14 ACR had a license for 114, 113, M60 A1. Best job I ever had was driving the iron horse.

@OlSgtLove

Жыл бұрын

@@TheRayDev Thank-you for your Service there Brother ...We share some of the same ground at different times. Hope you are well and happy. ARMY ALL THE WAY!!!!!!!!!!!

@TheRayDev

Жыл бұрын

@@OlSgtLove same to you thanks for your service. Still miss my iron horse, would love to see the inside of the Abrams. I was in C trp

@j.b.macadam6516

5 ай бұрын

@@OlSgtLove'77 to '79 in Gelnhausen, Germany. Our border sector was overlooking Hunfeld, near Fulda. Scouts out!

Omg Sofie my boss is gonna hate me if you keep uploading new vids with me on the clock. Can't wait! Lol

Last time I drove M113 was in the winter at Fort Drum, NY back in early 1990's. Then I got station to Fort Bliss, TX

I spent 6 years riding and driving the M113A3 which instead of having the 2 steering levers, had a small W shaped steering yoke. Much easier to use.

@j.b.macadam6516

5 ай бұрын

6 years here as well, but we had the M113A1's, just like the one in the video. Great vehicle!

What a great weekend!! As a retired American soldier, this is like being home.

The M113 is like a ‘98 Honda Civic DX; it will get you there and back and then it will do it again the next day, and the day after that, and then it’ll do it again the day after that one…

Nice to get a ride in one again. Thanks! If I could have brought one vehicle home, that would be it... even over the Bradley. Early in my career I saw a book in the post library called Vietnam Tracks by Simon Dunston. There were pictures of some rectangles laying on the ground with some rods sticking up from one edge. Those were the sides plus torsion bars of a 113 that had a satchel charge tossed in. So no, never felt like I was riding in a rolling bunker. You hear the term "battle taxi" used about them. They were simple, reliable and good over rough terrain. But you best unass them if you need to get to work. We rode on top to make that easy. As an infantryman, I loved 113s. But there was one vehicle in our battalion TO&E that I was in awe of- the M88 recovery vehicle that our wrenches used. Check those out. They are primordial iron monsters.

I remember those sounds so well from this aluminum bucket. Drove one myself in the army, still 😍 👍

Brings back so many memories of Ft Knox in the 80s

The upper levers in the M113A1 are for Fording... that is how you steer when crossing large bodies of water. That track is an amphibious troop carrier. I lived in a APC for a few months off and on, in Tx. early 80s. I helped maintain eighteen M60A3s for three years.

The M113A3s have a yoke similar to the Bradley instead of the handles. I do enjoy the sound of that Detroit Diesel motor.

I could tell some stories that are legend of this vehicle. I was known as the craziest man to ever drive one I think. I almost killed several people on many occasions driving this vehicle to include my own crew several times. The track commander had a huge whip antenna near him he could bend over and hit the driver in the head with. The LT I drove for hit me in the head many times with the antenna because of how many times I tried to kill him and everyone else on the track. I hit a small bump one time going so fast that everyone inside the track was airborne outside of the track to include the TC. Somehow they all landed back inside the track to include the TC. One fellow had to hold on to the other to keep him in as they were both airborne , completely outside the safety of the vehicle in the air hovering over the track. One time I almost ran over the battalion commander when I was flying down a hill at ft hood Texas on a lane and a half road. He colonel was coming up the hill, there was only lane for about a vehicle and a half, one side cliff and a drop off the other side a wall of dirt. Well the colonels jeep driver had to take the jeep into the wall of dirt to keep me from running them over killing them. I thought it was absolutely hilarious 🤣. But at that stage in my life I was a suicidal maniac.

Sure did spend alot time in the in the field with the ol 113 ...hearing that ol V53 Detroit and the tracks clanking brought back a load of memories...

Took a 2 week APC Driver's course in Jan 72 after AIT Armor (M-60s) prior to first West Germany deployment, never saw the insides of one after I got to W Germany assigned to a tank platoon. Loved the 113 during those 2 weeks!

Catching up on Sofi's content. What a great experience, getting to drive the M113 and watching a DC3 take off from Oshawa Executive Airport at the same time. The DC3 is at 7:00 minutes in. Good job fren...

@Sofilein

Жыл бұрын

You never know what you're going to see take off next door out there!

Spent a lot of time driving A1's, A2's and M901 ITV's as a scout in the early 80s. We went places a mountain goat would have thought twice about. Loved those things and wish I could afford to have one to play around with.

@j.b.macadam6516

5 ай бұрын

Scouts Out, Troop! Germany '77-'79! Buying an old M113A1 is on my purchase list should I win the lottery!

Great video. Good to see the old beast in action.Always a good time listening to a Canadian talk aboat stuff.😆

Now, that looked like fun Sofie. ❤❤❤❤. Thanks for showing us what it’s like. John

Great driving Sofi. You're a natural 👍

What an awesome experience!

Outstanding job Sofi ! Looks to be some restoration projects, possibly hiding behind the perimeter brush !!! ✔️😎

Someone running a drone camera would have been great for this.

What a great way to spend a weekend!

Looked like you had a hell of a lot of fun and you kept her out of the bushes. Very well done Sofi! Might I suggest marking all accelerator pedals with a large letter “W”? That should eliminate any and all confusion.👍🤣👍

I drove the 113A1 version from 1975-1978 at Ft Carson I had a blast .

Nice to see You out driving a small dragon! Used to watch the grunts in their 113's A sad story was when a platoon got down range at the wrong place, wound on a tank target range that they did not know was active. One 113 got opened up by a .50 cal. very sad.

I spent 6 years riding in, driving and servicing M113's. Damn fine vehicle!

"Even Marines can drive it." *Shots Fired* 🤣 Now that you have the basics, next up... swimming lessons.

An M113 drive? Hell yeah, and a sub to boot. You looked like you'd had prior time behind the sticks, the second right hander out of the puddle was smooth. Thanks, this was fun.

You're a natural! At HETT Net, I was expecting to see a driving setup like this (With two sticks to steer) inside the Abrahms, 88s, and Bradleys but when we climbed inside to learn how to set brakes and stuff for tie down purposes, but that's definitely NOT the setup for those vehicles! lol

1st learned in 1985 at Fort Knox as a19D and still drive a modified M577A2 used at YPG for mine testing.

I spent some time driving the A3, which had a different steering set up. I drove it full throttle a lot of the time, trying to keep up with Bradleys.

I didn't recognize the crew commander without a stick in his hand. - Armour Defence Platoon Driver/TOW Gunner/Loader. Thanks for sharing, great vid! I can't believe I used to catch some ZEDs (Canadian for ZEEs) in the back just by the radios when the vehicle was going cross country.

Hi Sofilein. Thanks for fun a video.👍👍👍👍

This is cool! I like the Strv 103 video too. That might have a lower center of gravity.

Nice to see you back on YT Sofi. Hope the back is ok.

Wow! That must have been a blast! TFP

I wasn't familiar with Aquino so I assumed this was south of the border but the old pattern Canadian bush cap set me straight. Nice piece. Looked like fun.

Thank you.

The Hohenfels OPFOR used the older A2s. So we had many a hilarious and dangerous episode with rollovers, unlocked lats, torque climbs, you name it. The beauty was hidden in the field maintenance. Faults were very crew identifiable. When all the components went electric it became difficult to trace.

Yes!! There's Sofi in her element!! Saw a sticker on a truck that says, "Silly boys, trucks are for girls." While I strongly disagree with that, I was smiling thinking, "Okay, but Sofi drives an APC! And she didn't roll it. In fact, she kept it square on the trail. Top that!!" Really great stuff. I enjoyed myself. Thank you for taking us along.

Hello Ati... Thank you... ❤❤❤

Miss seeing ya:( Loved your model builds Ma'am. God Bless.

Well done!Hated riding in those!3/75th,SUA SPONTE!

Thanx Sof.

Thanks!

Sofi , very cool to see you driving the ol 113 . You did a great job ,like a ol hand . Not a bad track ,it was quick and easy to work on ...Armor is lacking ,but she served the U.S.ARMY well for many decades. How did you like driving it Sofi ?

Thanks Sofi, nice work, bet you were tempted to climb the little bump/hill on your right in this vehicle?! 🙏🙏

can't wait to show this to my Vietnamese veteran neighbor

Great Job Driving Sophie Scotty is agreat teacher. As fellow member of the museum he is a great source of knowledge. I too loved the training. He has a million jokes. too! Thanks for visiting our museum. I won't tell them what video you are showing from this year, I was on the Armours crew that helped load the blanks. Take care!

Just now watching this and I use to drive the m981 Fistv. I was base off the m113a2 which had the external fuel tanks. The M901 which looks like the m981 was based off the m113a1. Fuel tanks was on the inside of the M113. I also had driven the m577 also based on the m113

Great content Sofi, can you do a some content on patriot missiles systems. Your the best.

Hey Sofi , you ok ? Miss seeing you on your channel. Hope all is well and Happy New Year...God Bless .

That was pretty awesome.

And just like that, the little box on tracks that is the M113 became quite the looker. It is the inner values, no doubt. =)

Hi Sofie, Will there be a video of your visit to the T69-II restoration workshop, or about the only driving Nashorn (well, at the moment not because of a crash during Militracks)

good job sofilein

It looks like robust and easy to deal with. Though its hull can provide shelter only against light firearms.

Good driving

I like the Sheridan and the Gama Goat on the course

My mos was 44b in the late 90s at Ft.Riley 2battalion 34th armor,

This was the 1st powered vehicle I ever drove. Out of AIT I was sent to an Armored Personnel Carrier school. (which was shut down before I got there, Army decided to have the units teach instead of a separate school. I had to complain to the IG that the school command was trying to keep us the two weeks just to do their details. That got us out in a week instead. Still while on a detail in the motor pool a couple of NCOs took us out and gave us a quick course like you got. A great vehicle, in my unit mine had Vulcan air defense systems in them with flotation pods attached for the extra weight. The pivot steer levers were for steering when shimming the tracks. They get scary at 35 mph to drive, good track pads means you slide on ice easy.

@davidbeasley5333

Жыл бұрын

@@user-lc1zx9wv9x Big deal for a 19 year old who never drove a powered vehicle. But a great vehicle to drive and was fun to do so.

Imagine, you're hiking out in the Middle of Nowhere and you hail an UBER. The Surprise when SophieLein rolls up in a M13 - "You called for a Battle Taxi?" ;)

Hello Sofilein, all the best wishes for 2023! In the summer of last year you visited the workshop of Mastermilo in the Netherlands. When can we see the video on your channel? Hope to hear from you. Thank you. Floris

GO Tank girl!

Just recently your channels have been popping up on my KZread. And I have to say all of it's pretty damn cool. And you're the cutest thing. You should just change the name of your channel to tank girl. And thank you so much for sharing. Now I'm going to watch the movie,Tank girl. Just because you tripped me out with this stuff.

THKS

This was the first tracked vehicle I learned to drive in the Army National Guard circa 1987 as a member of a scout platoon. My TC simply instructed me to drive it like I would drive the family car at home. Soon after that, I was assigned to drive the M901 ITV - basically an M113 with a hydraulic turret to fire TOW missles. The M901 had the added limitations of not being able to drive on a horizontal slope of more than 30 degrees due to the added top heaviness of that turret.

@Red_Shewhart

Жыл бұрын

Hey, I've been wondering how loud are those things? Can you talk inside of it while driving? Do you have to scream?

@lodragan

Жыл бұрын

@@Red_Shewhart Yes - when it is going down the road - much of the noise inside is from the tracks/road wheels; as a passenger you have to get close to the person you are trying to communicate with and yell. The crew wears CVC (combat vehicle crewman) helmets which have headphones/mics (similar to what you would wear in an aircraft) to communicate. When it is just sitting still idling, it is a bit less noisy. I have permanent hearing loss, and probably 1/2 of that was due to riding around in a tracked vehicle, while the other half was from firing weapons.

Didn't even run over a single tree this time!!! I bet that was a lot of fun!!! Thanks for the video!!!

I drove one of these in West Germany for almost two years. Then I got to become the TC for another year. Driving them is a lot of fun. Unless you have to take a whiz while you're in a convoy, driving down the Autobahn? That was a bit tricky! 😂

@pjdeuce

2 ай бұрын

Takes talent to be able to drive down an autobahn and piss in a cup. 1/26th 74-78

I drove a 113 for a couple of years and even took it swimming a few times

I wish you were able to make your own trails driving it and that there was a camera recording your face...I couldn't tell if you had a big cheesy smile or the serious badass look while driving!!

That’s an interesting looking go kart

I have never seen or even heard of a snapped blower shaft on a DD caused by releasing the throttle. The 6-110's had centrifugal blowers, and they would overspeed and the inertia would twist off the blower shaft. But never a 53.

it also has two bilge pumps

very cool

Nice!

Check out best M113 ever that I used to drive in Australian reconnaissance regiment!

well done! i doubt i could drive so well on my first try, lol

My favorite youtuber, a modern grown up version of FPS Russia.

Back in April 1991 I actually got an A2 off the ground, Top wouldn't let me go over 25 after that.

As a Cavalry platoon leader that was my ride in Fulda. Mechanically it is one of the finest, and most durable vehicles the US ever produced. A little top heavy as an ITV/CTV or 577 variants, so it will flip easier. While the armor protection leaves a lot to be desired on the, (as then) battlefield the whole point is not to get hit. It has the horsepower to get into or out of trouble. It can go most anywhere, in all types of weather and sleeps six comfortably. Overall, a well-armed recreational vehicle.

@socaljarhead7670

8 ай бұрын

The M113 is unquestionably the most reliable tracked vehicle of any kind produced by this or any other western country.

Querida Sofi: El tanque Sherman cumple 80 años de entrar en batalla ( segunda batalla del Alamein Octubre 1942 ). Saludos cordiales.

sofi, please, I would need to see an M247 Sergeant York, dedicate a video to it.🙏

Applying breaks to track = good to slow/stop. Breaking track = Maintenance Or OhShitTurnedTooHard

should not be doing normal driving in 2-3 range especially if driving slow, should use 1-3 as it will reduce stress on the trans, 2=3 is suggested for on road higher speed driving. spent 12 1/2 years in carriers and driving one again now. could see to start you did what all new drivers do until he corrected you and got you to move left. new drivers will always drift right and try to get themselves near the center of the track. you look across the inside corner of the drivers side light guard and that will give you a reference of where your left track will be. this year we took an Aussie Vietnam Vet out for his first drive since August 1969 just before he left Vietnam in a carrier painted as a tribute to the one he drove over there. we also recreated a picture of him and his Kiwi commander with him and the son of his commander and then he was guest of honour in the turret for our ANZAC Day parade. glad to be back driving after i was out of them for 2o years

Yeah, i liked that, a bit different, well done..

Crayons are fuvking yummy man my favorite flavor green ❤

Where are the flight controls?

That looks beefy to drive around, do they offer driving packages, or just riding ones? I hope they let you try the ferret while you were there. They are fun little toys even if it isn't considered "manly" for most people.

what he calls the brakes, we called the Laterals

_"We're talking people who eat crayons for breakfast."_ 😂😂😂😂😂

I miss driving my 113.

"Enjoy 4 minutes of M113 ASMR"... lol perfect.

So I'm guessing that brakes are serviced rather frequently, with these machines.

Just the vehicle for delivering pizzas in south-centrial LA.