Limited Warfare

Luis · Post by **Luis** » Wed Feb 02, 2011 5:40 am

Limited Warfare
Date taken: 1960
Photographer: Ralph Morse

Boze · Post by **Boze** » Wed Feb 02, 2011 12:52 pm

Is that a nuke launcher? Seems they also didn't use the special windshield with the big U notch. Interesting...

Post by **wesk** » Wed Feb 02, 2011 7:36 pm

Can't be Nukes. I assume they would be violating the "Two Officer" policy of DOD. That requires the need for two officers equally capable of detecting a wrong action by the other to be responsible for the launch/release of any nuke. Just like the USAF use of two officers in every missile launch facility, both with a key that must be turned simultaneously. The guy in the right seat is a Private.

Also note that the jeeps are still just basic M38A1's. They are not modified for the M38A1C or M38A1D roles.

I would guess a bit of training and role playing is goin on.

Balvar24 · Post by **Balvar24** » Wed Feb 02, 2011 8:46 pm

Shiny paint and dents in the hood.

Luis · Post by **Luis** » Thu Feb 03, 2011 7:58 am

Hi Fellows

This is a David Crockett Atomic Launcher

See http://www.guntruck.com/DavyCrockett.html

Cheers

skyjeep50 · Post by **skyjeep50** » Thu Feb 03, 2011 9:53 am

Another source of information on the "D" model.

http://www.m38a1.com/Models/models_nuclear.htm

Post by **wesk** » Thu Feb 03, 2011 9:54 am

Yes it is a Davy Crockett atomic rocket launcher mounted on a plain M38A1 with none of the required additional mounted equipment found on the correct M38A1D chassis.

This is a properly fielded Davey Crocket launch system on the proper M38A1D chassis.

This is why I said the above appears to be a staged publicity and training excercise without the correct equipment to actually launch the real missile.

Boze · Post by **Boze** » Thu Feb 03, 2011 10:19 am

I agree on the training opinion. Based on the surroundings, it looks a lot like Camp Grayling in northern Michigan. That is a huge training site for the guard of several states and also some Canadian units. The Great Lakes MVPA schedules a weekend trail ride there every fall. The Jeep is also missing the special spare tire mount and the launcher cradle is different. Looks like it is a training mule.

GIJOE290 · Post by **GIJOE290** » Thu Feb 03, 2011 1:10 pm

neat photo's.

Rick_L · Post by **Rick_L** » Thu Feb 03, 2011 2:22 pm

Who got to pay for the damaged caused by the unsecured windshield?

GPA · Post by **GPA** » Thu Feb 03, 2011 2:35 pm

The american taxpayer. Who else?

WRMorrison · Post by **WRMorrison** » Fri Aug 30, 2024 11:57 am

Bringing this thread back from the dead, but there's a M38A1D tub and chassis on FB marketplace right now in GA. No title or data plates (and some firewall/cowl damage).

A search on marketplace for "M38A1D" will bring it up if you're interested.

-WRM