I like how the two trucks back away at around the 30 second mark, like they're afraid the tank is going to run over them, too.

I can't find out much (nothing really) about this, BUT:
1)That soldier is in some serious shit.
2)For all we know the situation was dealt with by the convoy commander and the Iraqi was reimbursed, so don't start slingin' shit here.

^Well said MGR, and this isn't actually an APC. APC stands for Armored Personnel Carrier. Something like the M113 would be an APC. The BFV is not a carrier, but a fighting vehicle. Someone try to prove me wrong... I used to drive these bad boys

There are three universal laws concerning driving a car. They are:

1. Watch out for pedestrians
2. Obey posted speed limits, or if there are none, drive at a reasonable speed
3. LOOK OUT FOR ANY TANKS THAT MIGHT BE COMING YOUR WAY

Poor guy - he was probably just driving to work or to go get some groceries.

I really, really hope this guy was paid handsomely - he could have been killed.

If he wasn't, then there is one more Iraqi who hates America, and will probably seek revenge.

Something like the M113 would be an APC. The BFV is not a carrier, but a fighting vehicle.

I dont know about this specific vehicle, but the new APC's looks more like a tank, take a look at the CV90, for example:
http://www.norvetnet.no/gfx/bilder/isaf/isaf-cv90_small.jpg

Similar to BillO:

Natural Law of the Road: the right of way goes to whomever can do the most damage.

or "might is right"

No one told that guy that tanks always have the right of way.

do they repair the road after fucking it up with tank tracks? (serious question)

Gotta agree with MG, one would hope that somebody in that convoy stopped and swapped insurance info with the civilian.

Likely not, but I doubt something of that tonnage would do much damage. M1A1 Abrams on the other hand and you could be talking serious potholes.

>> ^MINK:
do they repair the road after fucking it up with tank tracks? (serious question)


Actually vehicles that run on tracks do not cause that much damage to a road as you might think. The weight of the vehicle is spread out fairly well along the treads and as long as it's not going too fast wouldn't do much more then a snowmobile.

Not to say there isn't any damage, I'm sure it's worse then a car with rubber tires but I've seen the national guard run tracks over pavement without hardly any evidence that one has been there.

>> ^BicycleRepairMan:
Something like the M113 would be an APC. The BFV is not a carrier, but a fighting vehicle.
I dont know about this specific vehicle, but the new APC's looks more like a tank, take a look at the CV90, for example:
http://www.norvetnet.no/gfx/bilder/isaf/isaf-cv90_small.jpg

First, I offer this as evidence that I know what I'm talking about. Yes Thats me. A younger me, but me. So about as much proof as I can offer with out throwing a years worth of pictures at you.

Ok I have no idea what that vehicle is. It's not American, and probably isn't bad-ass enough to have been covered in my Armored Vehicle Recognition class.
What makes a "tank" a Tank, is the size of the barrel and rounds, not whether or not it has tracks.

And as far as road damage - No it does not damage the roads. Like I said, i used to drive that exact vehicle, and I've seen the Ambrams as well, there is no damage. Even the M88 wrecker. You'll recognize it as the vehicle that pulled down the Hussein statue. It is the largest tracked vehicle that I have seen. Get back at me later once i get my portable HD back from my buddy ill show you an M88 lifting my BFV.


The tracks are not just metal bands. Each track shoe has a track pad made of rubber. The most damage it does is leave black scuff marks everywhere in the motor pool that "Joe" has to sweep up on Friday before we could go home.

My uncle was a driver... M60, I believe. He was stationed in Europe and I do remember him stating that the tanks would mangle the old cobblestone roads a bit.

arsenault, I thought the BFV was a hybrid of sorts. It carries a small group of infantry, doesn't it? But still provides a bit more firepower than the average APC?

^ I do believe that to be true. But the tanks nowadays don't tear up the roads - and besides - you said cobblestone? The roads in Iraq are (for the most part) asphalt and easily withstand the massive weight of the M1A1 Abrams MBT.

"I dont know about this specific vehicle, but the new APC's looks more like a tank, take a look at the CV90, for example:
http://www.norvetnet.no/gfx/bilder/isaf/isaf-cv90_small.jpg"


ISAF = NATO forces. Definitely NOT American. Not only that, but if it were, it would have started with "M" - When's the last time something in the American military didn't?

>> ^xxovercastxx:
My uncle was a driver... M60, I believe. He was stationed in Europe and I do remember him stating that the tanks would mangle the old cobblestone roads a bit.
arsenault, I thought the BFV was a hybrid of sorts. It carries a small group of infantry, doesn't it? But still provides a bit more firepower than the average APC?

Well the M60 is no longer in use by the active military. I believe, however, that a small amount of Reserve or Guard Armor units may still be using them, though i doubt it. Anyways, The M60 was BEAST. It is one of the few, if not the only MBT (main battle tank - hey MGR most civvies don't know these acronyms) that had a secondary INDEPENDENT turret on it. The top of the tracks on that sucker were about 5 or 6 feet. I still don't think its any bigger than the M88 though.

Anyways, cobblestone roads are nothing more than bricks in the dirt, and are usually very old, and were not built to withstand heavy traffic loads.

As far as the BFV begin a hybrid.. well your right and wrong. The BFV as itself could carry troops in the back, but was also capable of independently fighting. MOST are outfitted with a 7.62 coaxial machine gun, capable of 900 rounds a minute, and as a primary weapon, the 25MM (MM = millimeter) Bushmaster. AHhhhhhh what a beautiful thing that was... Oh, whats that? You want pictures? No problem. On the left is the 7.62 and on the right, the 25MM on the left. These are training rounds, as there are many different types of ammo, all far to expensive to train with.

Anywho, the version I was on was a BSFV (Bradley Stinger Fighting Vehicle) We had room in back for 2 soldiers (the reload / Stinger Missile team) the driver, Track Commander, and the Gunner. The infantry version carries the basic operation crew of three (driver TC and gunner) plus 6 troops in back. (that one is of My Bradley - you'll notice the other seat behind this slacker. Thats he only other seat back there. The other side is occupied by a Stinger missile rack.)

There is also what we call a fister. Don't ask me what the real acronym is, i couldn't tell you. It was a BFV outfitted with a slew of gadgetry for use by forward observers for people like my brother here^, (what we affectionately call cannon-cockers) the artillery.


Ok heres the M88 Lifting my Bradley as promised.

Ok, im not done yet. Here are the weights:

M2 BSFV 29.9 tons
M270 MLRS 53 tons
M1 Amrams MBT 60 tons
M60 Patton MBT 60 tons
M88 Hercules Recovery Vehicle 70 tons

Heres a nifty little chart you can all look at, so you can get an idea of how big some of these tanks out there are. Notice the Bradley, Abrams, and the aforementioned M113 on the left. All the rest are non-us.

*wheels

Adding video to channels (Wheels) - requested by schmawy.