By Robert Emslie
You know with all the unrest in the Middle East, protesters being forced back by military riot suppression forces, and cities lain siege by tanks and troop carriers, the first thing that comes to mind for me is wow, that’s some cool hardware. What with all the Jeeps and Humvees, armored troop carriers and six-axle mobile guns, some people don’t join the army so they can visit foreign lands, meet interesting people, and kill them, they do so for all the toys that are bought on our dime.
This week we’ve been all about public service, what with Monday’s President’s Day question regarding Lincolns, then a couple about cop conveyances, and so we might as well keep the dream alive today by asking you which is your favorite military vehicle. Of course, this being the Hoon, we’ll limit the selection to those that have tires on at least one of their axles, although it doesn’t matter how big those tires are.
You might pick something from the newest branch of the military – the Air Force, as even a Raptor has rubber, and there’s no denying that plane’s coolness factor, but really that’s kind of cheating. So, keeping your feet on the ground, what do you think is the coolest Military Vehicle?
Image source: [studentsoftheworld.com]
Jeff Glucker
HEMTT PLS: Ground level loading, go anywhere capability.
And anything articulated is ridiculously fun to drive.
<img src="http://i615.photobucket.com/albums/tt237/jskitter/hooniverse/LAND_FHTV_HEMTT-A3_w_PLS_Loading_lg.jpg" width="500">
Wow, so many directions to go on this this. The Scammell Pioneer and M715 are favorites, but in the end they're just trucks. We need armor. I've always preferred smaller 4-wheeled armored scout cars to bigger 6 and 8 wheeled APCs. The first one to come to mind is the Ferret, because I spent forever playing with the Matchbox version growing up. My jingoism makes me lean toward the Cadillac Gage Commando, but it's a bit too big. Then I thought FAV, but no armor, which makes you a badass, but cuts down on your engagement options. I also briefly considered the Aussie/American S1 from WWII, and the Canadian C15TA, but both of them have no top armor, which lets a well-chucked grenade ruin your day.
Then I got thinking French, because it's the Hooniverse, after all. The AML90 has a turret gun totally too big for its chassis, which is cool, but in the end I'm going to go with the Panhard VBL. It makes me think a WWI Renault FT-17 had its way with an Isuzu Vehicross.
<img src="http://www.warwheels.net/images/panhardvblsaumurTROW3.jpg" width="500">
I have always had a thing for the Kaiser M715 so I guess I will answer with that. However, if I was given the choice I would probably prefer the South Korean variant of it- the Kia KM45. It has a more robust diesel engine and a few improvements to durability that the original lacks. While the Kaiser Tornado 230 may have been a good engine in the IKA Torino, I tend not to want it in a big truck.
<img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bc/M715_Jeep.jpg/250px-M715_Jeep.jpg">
Egyptian armored, turretted G-wagen, anybody?
<img src="http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQJoyyRuC6Onx6lM89F276WPHeRwscCq4JNCxCMK9R7tvXJUKIk8g&t=1">
NSU Kettenkrad, IN ACTION!
<img src="http://www.motorbikesblog.com/images/nsu-kettenkrad_72.jpg">
The M-65.
<img src="http://s.b5z.net/i/u/10093866/i/AC4.jpg">
1) Two linked but independently operated trucks offer the utmost in hoonability.
2) It's a freakin' ATOMIC CANNON.
Since the Kettenkrad is already in, I'm going old school. My son and I built one of these in the backyard and had a blast launching produce 100 yards.
<img src="http://extremejelly.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/1031101652.jpg" width=500>
Great minds, or something like that.
Coolest? Many of those look like they get very hot inside.
I'll go with the original. Ford GPW.
<img src="http://www.therangerstation.com/resources/4wd_history/ford-gpw.jpg" width="500">
This just popped up on BaT. Vespa TAP. And yes, that would be a rocket launcher.
<img src="http://bringatrailer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/VespaTAPFront580.jpg">
Two big tires and two little ones:
<img src="http://www.nhra.com/UserFiles/image/2009/News/March/lv-schu.jpg">
Four really big tires:
<img src="http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2010/09/27/automobiles/wheels-Air-Force-monster-truck/wheels-Air-Force-monster-truck-blogSpan.jpg">
How about a Trabant Kubel? Yes, the Communist East Germans really did make a military variant of the Trabant! I love Trabants but the thought of being under fire in a vehicle made out of Duroplast just doesn't make me feel safe…
<img src="http://29.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l4h50f8lIF1qb815co1_500.jpg">
You're living in East Germany. Your life is disposable.
The Sugga because it's the prettiest military machine out there.
<img src="http://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk/photos-cars4/79.jpg">
The Sugga because it's the prettiest military machine out there.
<img src="http://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk/photos-cars4/79.jpg">
I post this because I can't help myself.
<img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_xaJRLIxtnzM/StdzHp5hjdI/AAAAAAAArv4/A0MBKFUzoo0/s576/IMG_0589.JPG"width="500"/>
It's a little late for deer season.
The camo looks great but who drives their Ford GT in the snow!?
I certainly wouldn't, if I had one; but then I wouldn't put vinyl wrap on a Ford GT either.
but see, that's where you'd least expect it to be!!
The JCB HMEE a tractor that will has a fully active suspension and will do 50+mph over just about any terrain.[youtube aYYYXayhxHE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYYYXayhxHE youtube]
The ultimate in tactical agriculture.
After initial confusion about the context of the word "tired", and then realising that vehicles with tyres procluded hovercraft, I'm a have to go with this:-
<img src="http://www.milweb.net/features/mv/dukw.jpg" width="350">
I'm not going to argue about why it's cool, it just is. I think you all know that.
I have wakeboarded behind one of those.
…the Pastor who married my wife and I has one.
Yes Tim. You're cool, we know….
Hang on, when you say "wakeboarded behind", do you actually mean "floated on a wakeboard while being pulled along by"? I thought we were talking, like, 6 knots max?
Yep, but more like 8.
I was 14 and weighed about 115lbs at the time, so it didn't take much to keep me afloat.
You and your wife married a pastor? Giggity.
Hey, America. Land of the free.
QUACK QUACK!
It doesn't get cooler than this, but I would strongly recommend removing the pennant.
<img src="http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/dic/pix/schwimmwagen.jpg" width=500>
Or just go with a Ford GPA instead.
<img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3451/3802034748_3038103c67.jpg" width="400">
I have to go to the sky for my answer.
<img src="http://www.kowabunga.org/images/pictures/military_aviation/a10/Thunderbolt_II_flight_above.jpg" width=550>
<img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5093/5474336352_a599449471_z.jpg" width="500">
It's a diesel KLR650, what's not to love?
<img src="http://www.hdtusa.com/assets/images/m2-hero.png" width="500"/>
I've always wanted a Daimler Ferret Scout Car of my own.
<img src="http://parrotheadjeff.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/ferrett.jpg"/>
They're armored, they're powered by a Rolls Royce B60 straight six, they have a preselector gearbox, and they're small enough to Fit in a normal-sized parking space. Oh, and they are cool looking as hell.
Couldn't agree more. I'd love one that looked as militaristic as possible externally, but was fitted out with every concievable luxury on the inside.
Of the posts so far, I have to agree with the Beer_Rover. Sweeettt!
The WWII White M3 scout car, one of my favorite military vehicles. Basically a half-track with wheels in back instead of tracks. Powered by a Hercules 320 cubic inch flathead six.
<img src="http://image61.webshots.com/161/9/34/85/514293485PYRiLV_fs.jpg" width="600">
<img src="http://image57.webshots.com/57/7/46/42/514074642lhBsZU_fs.jpg" width="600">
<img src="http://fortresstakes.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/stripes_em50_urban_assault_vehicle_civilian.jpg" />
I was thinking of this one the entire time I spent reading this post. Excellent!!
"We've got one heavily-armed recreational vehicle here…!"
Deuce and a Halfs are cool even WITHOUT tires.
<img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2009/2275020575_ccb1e9221c.jpg"/>
I'm about as red-blooded American as they come, but I loves me some MAZ-7907 http://englishrussia.com/index.php/2010/01/05/tow…
12 axles – all driving.
SISO 10 x10 Mobile Bridge
<img src="http://www.tachoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/sisu6.jpg">
*img from TachBlog.com
This took me a while to post, because I wasn't sure if they were a military organization or a militia/paramilitary unit. My research shows that they were officially supported by the Peaceful Nations Alliance, therefore I am able to present this as the greatest
wheeledtired military vehicle of all time:<img src="http://www.albertpenello.com/mask/rhino.jpg" width=500>
This olelongrooffan is going to have to go with the ultra rare Jeep FC Van…..
<img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Cvx57DQ5N6E/TWgoNB76Y2I/AAAAAAAAO5k/2qHZmGJWPfc/s1600/ultimatelongroof.jpg"end>
I've always liked the BTR-60, kinda like the Volkswagon of APC's.
BTR-60
Only if it's the Czech diesel version.
I'll see your BTR-60, and raise ya an Alvis Stewart & Saracen!
And a Tatra 815 Crew-cab with Bow-top bed & Dakar Performance
Package.
It should be "What's the coolest WHEELED military vehicle"!!!! Don't you guys have an editor? How did I miss this last year? *sigh* anyway the answer is obviously Stryker, followed later in the war by the beloved MRAP. Any other answer is by someone that hasn't been in the army/marines. Those two trucks rock, they've saved literally hundreds of lives versus the garbage HMMWV and such.