where is the external infantry telephone on the 21c M48?

Post by **aferguson** » Wed Dec 07, 2011 8:39 pm

where is the external infantry telephone located on the 21c M48 Patton?

binder001 · Post by **binder001** » Thu Dec 08, 2011 12:07 pm

My M48A3 is on a high display shelf and I haven't looked closely for some time. If 21C didn't screw up and leave the box off, it SHOULD be on the right rear. The real one is attached to the edge of the engine compartment just above the fender.

tmanthegreat · Post by **tmanthegreat** » Thu Dec 08, 2011 1:53 pm

I can't check my M-48 at the moment either, but here's a decent picture of the 21c M-48's rear deck taken from the FoxHoleToys website:

I've circled the area indicated by binder001. It looks like 21c did indeed include the external infantry telephone box

Post by **aferguson** » Thu Dec 08, 2011 1:57 pm

hm....if that's it it's kinda high off of the ground. How are infantry supposed to reach that? It's also pretty huge for just holding a phone.

I seem to recall seeing it in a movie (full metal jacket?) and i thought it was on the rear of the tank, on the right side and fairly low down.

Tinman · Post by **Tinman** » Thu Dec 08, 2011 3:07 pm

In Full Metal Jaclet it was an M-41, not an M-48. The 21C M41 also includes the phone box where it's supposed to be.

Threetoughtrucks · Post by **Threetoughtrucks** » Thu Dec 08, 2011 3:12 pm

What's with all the M-48's being on a "high shelf"? I'm sitting here and I look for my display piece and,,,, you guessed it, it's on my top sheft over my desk not easy to get to.

I just would not make any decision based on what was seen in "FMJ"..... Hollywierd is in fact, Hollywierd. A tank used in a movie, is a personally owned vehicle and is usually lacking various pieces of equipment. If a shot in the movie calls for a phone, a prop guy, usually not a tank expert, will stick one where it photographs best.

TTT

Post by **aferguson** » Thu Dec 08, 2011 3:28 pm

hm....all good points.

so then, how are the infantry supposed to be able to access the phone on the m48? It's about 5 1/2 feet off the ground. Not easily accessed especially in a combat situation, which is what i assume it's there for....otherwise you could just chat with the tank commander who's sticking out of his cupola.

Tanker85 · Post by **Tanker85** » Thu Dec 08, 2011 5:05 pm

I finally get to comment on something I know about from first hand experience. The phone is indeed located on the right rear fender. However, the box on the M 48 is not the right size or shape but close to the right location. It is less of a rectangle and more of a square. It also has a bracket that secures it to the back deck covering the engine for added strength. Aferg the cord on the phone is quite long and allows the soldier thats talking to stay up to 10 feet away from the tank for safety reasons. In my recollection the phone is the same on the M 48 tank as the M 60 series of which I have spent many years on and ended my time in service on the M 1 Abrams.

http://www.militaryfactory.com/imagevie ... escriptor=

Being a Tank guy I keep my M 48 on the lower shelf. I hope my memory does not suffer from CRS as my wife tells me all the time. LOL

Eric

Post by **aferguson** » Thu Dec 08, 2011 5:11 pm

thanks for the input, very helpful.

Tanker85 · Post by **Tanker85** » Thu Dec 08, 2011 5:28 pm

Earlier post updated with an accurate picture.

Eric

Threetoughtrucks · Post by **Threetoughtrucks** » Thu Dec 08, 2011 9:34 pm

The 21C M-48 does have what appears to be the telephone box exactly where Eric says it is on the real thing except that 21C's phone box is rectangular rather than square.

I'd take Eric's word, with his experience, over 21C any day.

TTT

Tanker85 · Post by **Tanker85** » Fri Dec 09, 2011 7:23 am

Heres some supplemental info for you Aferg. The radio box does not set on the fender because of excessive vibrations from the thin metal of the fender. But rather mounted on a bracket thats attached to the back deck that covers the engine. The box is at shoulder height and is more conveint then it appears. Other capabilites of the box would be a place to hook up commo wire. For instance, when we went into a defensive position we would run commo wire from each radio box in our 4 tank platoon, that way we could maintain radio silence, but still have intercom communication amongst our unit. Secondly, when putting out LP/OPs we could tie them in on our loop and have secure conversations. Times and methods have all changed now in the modern army so I and my M 60 tank are a dinosaur of the past.

Tanks for the memories.

Eric
US Army Sgt. Retired.

Post by **aferguson** » Fri Dec 09, 2011 9:31 am

sorry i'm confused. So you're saying the phone isnt on the right rear fender afterall but is on the back of the engine deck instead?

Threetoughtrucks · Post by **Threetoughtrucks** » Fri Dec 09, 2011 10:42 am

The phone box sits on a bracket above the right rear fender to avoid vibration from the relatively thin fender. The bracket is attached to the body in the right rear.

Same place, just a little higher due to the bracket.

That is my interruption of Eric's description. He will correct me if I am wrong...... after all, I can be wrong.... I was wrong once, a long time ago in a land far away....

TTT

Post by **aferguson** » Fri Dec 09, 2011 11:15 am

ah, so then 21c got it wrong by having it sitting on the fender.

Tanker85 · Post by **Tanker85** » Fri Dec 09, 2011 1:15 pm

Your record is still intact TTT. Your interpretation is correct. The radio bracket is connected to the backdeck (engine cover) and extends out over the fender giving it the impresison that its connected to the fender. And you are correct aferg 21st got it wrong.

Eric

Post by **aferguson** » Fri Dec 09, 2011 2:14 pm

thanks for the clarification and all the detailed info. What were typical combat uses for this phone?

Tanker85 · Post by **Tanker85** » Fri Dec 09, 2011 4:51 pm

Our most common application was in a defensive posture in a static night time fighting position maintaining radio silence and operating LP/OPs and security patrols. Ground personnel could talk without having to mount the tank. Also in cold weather, inclement weather or chemical environment, the tank would most likely be buttoned up and it's virtually impossible to get someones attention inside the tank especially if the motor is running. On the offensive side would have been communicating with ground units that were giving direct fire support info from a covered position near the tank. The cord could extend 10 or 15 feet (cant remember exactly). Hope this answers your questions satisfactory.

Eric

Tanker85 · Post by **Tanker85** » Fri Dec 09, 2011 9:04 pm

Well, having become intrigued by your interest I have continued to search other sources and pictures for external phones and finally found a close example of the 21st century phone. It is located near the bottom of this series of photos. Theres no door on the box but it is mounted to the fender and is rectangle in shape.
http://afvdb.50megs.com/usa/pics/m48pat ... M48A2CREAR
I was stationed at Ft. Knox and have probably been on this very tank 25 years ago as I was a frequent visitor of the Patton Museum located near the entrance of the Post.
Well its good to see that 21st nearly got it right in this example. What I've learned and what some the the other 1:1 collectors may atest to is that there are many rare or somewhat remote applications to components when it comes to military vehicles. I stand corrected in saying that it was wrong.

Eric

Post by **aferguson** » Fri Dec 09, 2011 9:07 pm

thanks again for the great info.

Tanker85 · Post by **Tanker85** » Fri Dec 09, 2011 9:26 pm

Ok Aferg One more example from youtube at about 36 secs showing another style of box.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MG2V9sT3 ... re=related
Nice tank in action.

Eric

Threetoughtrucks · Post by **Threetoughtrucks** » Sat Dec 10, 2011 7:17 am

Great video. Good find. Thanks for finding it, Eric. Brought back many memories of playing "MonBack" with my 1/1 buddies with their big vehicles needing back up guides.

Thanks,
TTT

digger · Post by **digger** » Mon Dec 12, 2011 1:00 pm

Thanks guys. Why this board still rocks.

Small Scale Military Headquarters

where is the external infantry telephone on the 21c M48?

where is the external infantry telephone on the 21c M48?

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