My son crewed one of these in Iraq and Afghanistan. Went to visit him on leave at Ft Hood one year and he gave me a check out on one. They are most impressive.

It always gets my heart pumping faster to see these pieces of heavy engineered machinery on the go. Thanks for showing them to us. We have no armor museum in here Portugal and the only chance we get to see some spg M109A5 or tanks Leopard 2 A6, and the good old Chaimite's witch were made here, is in the 10th of July, the day of Portugal or in the Day of National Defence. My love of tanks goes back to when i was about 8 years old when my dad got me a little Tiger I model to assemble, very much like the TOG II you did Sofi m'am, it was smaller, it was a mess but the turret moved and the tracks worked, never got to paint it tho, my dad didn't trusted me with paints back then, go figure! I've playing PC tank games since Panzer Elite and then i found WOT 9 years ago, found the Chieftain and all the museum's channels thru WOT and then you who tries really hard to get everything right, it shows! So thanks again, and please please keep doing it Sofi m'am!!!

Me: 'Which side of the road do you want to drive on?' Driver: 'Yes' Me: '....Okay, not gonna argue.' This video was short and sweet, can't wait for the rest of it :) p.s love the enthusiasm in your voice at the end.

Was on the older 88's back in early 80's. Till I swapped MOS's to the 19 series. Had fun with vehicle recovery till some ding bat sunk a m60a3 above the road wheels. I was the low man so I hot really muddy and wet. 😁 Was at Gowen Field and seen one put out the range fire at a 50 cal range. This was before they actually had ranges by kicking up enough dust and dirt to put the sage brush out just driving around it

@jeffho1727

2 жыл бұрын

We got a rule up here north of the border, you sunk it, you pull cable. Tops I had was a Major on an officer Phase 3 Land Nav, got his 5/4 where the the bullrushes grow. Took some heat but the course Sgt Major backed us up. Good times..

When I was stationed at fort Riley there was one of those 88 pulling two m1 Abrams a 577 and a Humvee doing about 45.

@wardphilips2332

2 жыл бұрын

maybe the Abrams were PUSHING the 88 :D

I don't know how often you've been able to do this Sofi, but I'll bet it never gets old ... does it? Take it from an old man, life is short ... enjoy it.

That looked like fun!

Me and my driver name Elmore ,were busy trying to get back to a field location in West Germany 🇩🇪during a big NATO exercise (1984)pulling a little 113 behind us ...Elmore aired the ol M88 out going down the road ...I knew we were hauling ass when the tracks got quiet ....that's when you pray that your track tension is good and no one gets in your way ...we made it back in record time ...We were young and bullet proof then ...ARMY ALL THE WAY !!!!!!!!

I was so hoping you’d catch that golf cart!

M88A2 Barbecue and Catering. We service rough naber hoods and areas of poor accessibility. We are not as fast as Door Dash but what we lack in speed we make up for with charm, personality and sheer grace! ………..and the food’s not half bad!👍🤣👍

@pauldietrich6790

2 жыл бұрын

err...Fresh .hot MRE's delivered on your door!

Sofi, I bet you didn't stop grinning for a week after that M88 ride. Lucky you!

Sofi, found your channel and new on it ,but love it !!!!! It is really good to see a young Lady as yourself who appreciates all the old and new Armor Vehicles and the history that goes with it ...to alot of us Veterans , these Vehicles bring back tons of memories good & bad , we have seen people hurt and killed....time spent in the field for long periods of time away from home and overseas ...we didn't have computers or cellphones then ...just mail and long periods of time not hearing from anyone ...just your unit,your buddies with you . These tracks were our home ...we work,slept,ate and live in them ...through alot of times in very rough conditions, freezing, wet, or burning up hot ...usually never ever really comfortable...if we weren't having to work on the line doggies track ,we were working on ours fixing or regular maintenance to keep them running . We went without sleep for very long periods of time, missing meals ,alot of cold food . The time you think you were caught up and get some sleep ,1st Sgt had you pull guard or Sgt of the Guard...take baths out of your steel pot or when the DATS (Dumb Ass Tankers- an loving term we used for them...smile) we turn the tank barrels down low and hang the ol olivedrab shower bucket and we all take turns taking a bath ...we would look for P38s from the ol C- ration boxes ,before they came out with MRES...or have the pleasure to be the last coming in to get in the chow line to for breakfast, and get super greasy bacon, green eggs, soggy French toast, and very watery grits in an ol mess kit ...then to stand in the rain and snow to eat it with the rain drops running off your steel pot into your food while you ate...out with the ADA boys , then to the Fulda Gap to bring up the rear with the Tankers and Infantry to patrol the border and watch the Russians and East Germans keep close watch on you as you go ...That's why when ol Veterans come across these ol track's on here or at the museum...there is a long pause ...if at the museum..we touch the ol tracks and stare ...it is seeing an ol buddy who share time with you ...many of us our throat gets tight and if you look close our eyes water up and we look away ...we are back there again and the memories pour forward ...That is why it is very Refreshing to see someone like you who cares about what they are seeing and understands the history before them and will carry forward our stories ....Thank-you for your time and efforts Sofi ....it is very much appreciated here ...

Rocking the obligatory hard hat!!! Welcome to my existence lol.

Nice, ...you know Sofilein has had fun when she does that giggle...hell, I'd bet I'd be giggling as well after that...lol

I recall a very nice nap in the crew cabin of an M88A1 during a road march after many days in the field, I also have vivid memories of an explosive incident using ether to cold start an M88 in below zero weather.....

What an awesome job! I think you're having too much fun! We need to trade for a while! Lol

It's always fun when the Sofilein giggle comes in to play. 😏 I had a Panther once. One day I called for her and she didn't anther. 🤣

thank you for taking us along

@Sofilein

2 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed

Awesome. Thanks Sofi, have a great weekend.

Epic drive! Go Armor!!!

Sweeet ride! Imagine taking your kids to school in that, that would be so cool! Lol!

Did boot, AIT & Jump School at Benning, but that was long ago. Sand Hill and Harmony Church are long forgotten or only a distant memory/nightmare. Lol

This looks like total entertainment towards my soul

Looks fun, enjoy the time.

this one of my favorite vehicle to drive been one for 6 years so far and every recovery scenario is different. i'm just happy to see someone else enjoying the Hercules

@Sofilein

Жыл бұрын

6 years!! That's awesome

@Sofilein

Жыл бұрын

Big respect

This was my jam when I was stationed in Korea and Ft. Sill! Though mine was the M88A1. Loved it. Good memories!

@Sofilein

Жыл бұрын

That's awesome!!

I was a M88 operator for 2 years at ft Carson great vehicle

I drove and crewed one of these beasts. Not very fast but power to spare. And the smoke generator was a blast.

The 88o's in my day were gasoline engines or so I was told.... These sound like diesel.... I can still remember them rolling past the Disney Barracks at Ft. Knox. I thought it was an earth quake.... Good times.

When you absolutely have to move something, use this.

@Sofilein

2 жыл бұрын

If a Herc or two can't move it, it shouldn't be moved

You need to go to a nighttime gunnery range !. The best time is when they say shoot all the ammo, we do not want to fill out the paperwork to turn it back in. Blast away. Next on your list.

The front line machines get all the attention. I would like to see more engineering vehicles👍

Great job as always. Love your work !

Greetings from Sweden.🇸🇪🇺🇸

Yellow helmet was shock and awe!

What a ride!!!

What a powerful beast. Lucky girl

Ha haaaaaaa. That was truly awesome. You are really enjoying yourself. Thanks so much. Now, if he’ll just let you drive it😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁

Very cool, thanks for sharing.

You've got a loose wingnut on board!

I used to run that road almost every morning as an instructor, there. Really wished you all had been there while I was an instructor there.

So where can I sign up at to go for a ride in one of these AWESOME machines?? You have the BEST JOB!! To say I'm jealous is an understatement.. Haha.. Keep up the GREAT work ma'am!! It'd be awesome to meet you at a place like this and geek out over all the AMAZING machine's at their facility! 👍👍

Awesome info thanks 🙏

I may be the tank driver who flipped an M-60 upside down into a creek at Fort Riley ks. The bridge under collapsed as I was crossing over it.

Well jealous that's my favourite arv lol I'm building a scale model.of Hercules just now some interior video would be awesome to see Some of the detail!

@Sofilein

2 жыл бұрын

I have a lot of interior pics I can post them if you need

@Sofilein

2 жыл бұрын

I will have an inside tour someday in the future, kept it exterior this time but I crawled around inside a fair bit for my own interest lol

Awesome 👏 ride

Thanks Sofi - If you had a Prom to go to, would that be your drop off vehicle? 🤔 No one would ever forget what you arrived in! 😁😂

@Sofilein

2 жыл бұрын

If I had a prom to go to, it would be my date 😂

@eze8970

2 жыл бұрын

@@Sofilein That's a brilliant reply!, thanks!

70t of fun on the road no one wants to mess with that fun.

When they finally go to war with the other museums that tank is going to kick ass 👍

A ride in a M88 is partial fun if you can't pass through a building.

Watching this video and especially when the tank hit the streets reminded me of playing GTA 5. At that time I used a tank and destroyed all the vehicles in sight. Enter the city center and be chased by the police. Damn I think I need to play that game again and use tank for free roam. Of course this can't be done in real life lol.

@joewalker2152

2 жыл бұрын

Why not? It's been done before........ Link. kzread.info/dash/bejne/eKV60dCCf7i7Yc4.html

@ripper269

2 жыл бұрын

@@joewalker2152 Cool homie

I could use an M88 around here. The tractor is getting tired of lifting armored decks.

Are you and Rob a couple. Just say in, Jealous. Drove a 88 at Ft Knox years ago. Got towed down the Autobahn in Germany when I had a oil cooler stop working on my M1A1. Loudest ride ever. Did not have a CVC or earplugs. Saw a M 88 blade cut through the side of a older Bradley in Hohenfels Germany. The Bradley was being towed by another 88. The crew was inside the Bradley which is a no no.

Best job ever.

I like that steering wheel.

COOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can see that going around with a 70 ton vehicle is really cool 👍👍! A dumb question: the driver was often shifting a lever on his right, if it for changing the gears why does he do it, isn't it an automatic gear? 🤔🤔

@phillipsmith4814

2 жыл бұрын

It’s a semi automatic transmission. There are gear ranges. I don’t remember the ranges but the first slot might be for 1-2, then the second position for either 2-3 or maybe 1-3 and so on. Depending on the terrain the driver selects what range to put it in. M113/M577, M60 series and other heavy armored vehicles have similar systems. The M1 series tanks don’t have this type of transmission. It has a small shifter above the steering handlebars (look very much like motorcycle handlebars) with (if memory serves) D, R, P, L (not in that order) You move it position to position with your fingers. Much easier. Some of you younger guys please fill free to correct my details. But that the basics of it.

@paoloviti6156

2 жыл бұрын

@@phillipsmith4814 thanks for the info as I didn't know that it is a semi-automatic gear. When I was doing military service in Italy in 1974 I was driving the Leopard 1A2 with automatic gear exactly in the same order as your Abrams, normally I selected the gear when going a steep hill in order not to touch the brakes and making sure it didn't skid and the same goes uphill to ensure that it didn't over-rev and change gears! It was a good tank..

So, since you're the one with the connections...Can anyone just RENT an M88 for the weekend? ;) Asking for a friend.

Ah yes ... the Ft Benning School for Wayward Boys ... the place where the rest of my life began. Swing by Sand Hill Sofi.

Awesome!!!!!

But only a soldier can truly appreciate a ride on an M88. Why? Because of the almost obscene smoothness of the ride on a training area tank trail. You can SLEEP on an M88 rolling to the next firing point. Firing point. I was Artillery. I think in terms of firing points.

If I where one of the guys in that mini ATV leading the tank I would be hunched over trying to will that thingy to go faster. A lot faster...

Haha M88 goes BRRRRRR

I would love to drive that thing!

@Sofilein

2 жыл бұрын

Meeeee too

@forbeshutton5487

2 жыл бұрын

Not me. No cupholder.

M88, “The Dragon!”

That’s a dream come true girl there 💝💝

Some 30 some years ago, watched it destroy 2 rows of old jeeps, was awesome, of course was overseas, waste not, want not, still looks modern, for a recovery vehicle.

Second! but still super excited 😄

You should look into getting a 360* camera for these adventures!!!

@Sofilein

2 жыл бұрын

Yes this was really impromptu, next time I will be more prepared

Zoom, Zoom! Thanks, Sofi!

@simonrooney7942

2 жыл бұрын

Sofi - check our Aus Armour's facebook page for a link to their recent event with a running Panther A ( refurbed by Bruce Crompton's mob). 1 hr live stream for 2 days. I can PM you the link, but cannot post it on KZread.

It was somehow reassuring to see that you can be a Tank Girl and yet still have well-manicured nails.

I guess that's how you get Sophie out of the tank museum just put her in a tank and let her go for a ride

@Sofilein

2 жыл бұрын

The problem is then getting me out of the tank

@haroldwilkerson2026

2 жыл бұрын

@@Sofilein They would just have to fill the tank with water and eventually you would pop out

Get Sofilein in the driver's seat.

in the 80s, when there an 19E E-2 that couldn't drive worth a shit in a line company he was sent to HQ to drive a M-88, or something even less dangerous. combine that driver with a motor sergeant in the TC hatch and all kinds of stupid shit can happen. and it did, all the time. Steel on Steel.

Find Sofie a gasser 88 for some real fun!!!😀😀

@pauldietrich6790

2 жыл бұрын

IF I remember right our 88 section ( E co, 701 MT. Bn (Fwd)) had the gasser...and they put on the A2 drive sprockets...made it...a bit faster. To say the least. According to the crew...78-80

*You need to be in the driver's seat next time!*

@Sofilein

2 жыл бұрын

I dont disagree

I never knew it had a steering wheel, and not two controller bars like an old tank.

@Sofilein

2 жыл бұрын

Yes, like M60!

@maplemanz

2 жыл бұрын

M60 steers like a motorcycle.

Gawd I wish that were me

Lucky 🍀

RAMMING SPEED! :P

Do you ever just stop and think “dam, I have a cool job!”?

You lucky dawg, you! Yeah, my dream vehicle, ok, in my top 5 at least ;) My dream date? Having a snack with you on top of this beast :)

You failed to use your turn signal twice, your horn is broken and you have no backup lights! Where did you get your tank license from??

Cool ride did you pay for the gas ? 🤠

Question, What is your favorite tank? :3

👍

Ja i don't need to see your face to know that you are happy like a kid in a candy shop or something like that, man i would be like that to XD. But in you mind when you saw the T30 it would be nice if i was riding you instead XD.

OK--- really, really jealous right now... Clearly, I need to step up my lottery efforts.

@Sofilein

2 жыл бұрын

They don't give these things to civilians, lottery or no lottery 😭 I will write BAE a stern letter

@vtbmwbiker

2 жыл бұрын

@@Sofilein With many voices, perhaps we can change the world. Those who desire large heavy pieces of armored construction equipment will be rewarded for their dedication. I did find a Chieftain ARV for sale for 38 thousand pounds...

Is this thing street legal??? lol good video

Back in my day, those beasts were only 56 tons. What have they added since the mid 70's?

@FirstDagger

2 жыл бұрын

Must be a bad rounding up, Wiki states that the M88A2 is 63500 kg. Compared to the base and A1 apparently the dimensions were increased.

Little John from "Men in Tights"?

@Sofilein

2 жыл бұрын

'Men in Tanks' lolol

I'm over 50 and I still wish I was in....

What's the top speed of this vehicle?

If you were a battalion motor officer in the 194th Armored Brigade 1987-1988, you were required to show the brigade commander that you could operate an M88. I survived the test. Others did not.

What shall we plan for when the channel hits 100k?

@Sofilein

2 жыл бұрын

Was gonna do a cover of Katyusha!

@chrisvandecar4676

2 жыл бұрын

@@Sofilein me: drooling!

@Harley.Davidson

2 жыл бұрын

@@Sofilein 😏

cool) you are a resizer)

👍👍👍👊😎

Weeeeeeee

0:47 Easy 8?

Needed the new Sabaton Song Steel Commanders blasted out when riding it out