Your ideal military vehicle to be in charge of?

helimachoptor

So if you could pick any army vehicle (ship, plane, helicopter, tank, truck etc) to command/drive/fly etc what would it be?

My Top 5: (in no particular order)

Armored Combat Earth Mover

Amphibious Landing Vehicle

Hind Attach Chopper

A-10 Thunderbolt
Honorable mention for the P47

Charles de Gaule Aircraft Carrier


Just some of my favourites, feel free to add yours!!

Manic Moran

Well, I'll give you the pros and cons of the vehicles I've commanded...

M1 Tank.
Pros: It's a frigging tank! What's not to like? Cool factor: Double-A Plus Plus.
Cons: Maintenance is a bear. Fortunately, I have mechanics to do much of the work for me, but you're going to get muddy when the track breaks. System's getting a bit old.

M3 Bradley.
Pros. Has room for passengers. Suitable for families. Diesel engine is a bit simpler to trouble-shoot. Missiles and chain gun are a hoot to shoot though.
Cons. Not as cool as a tank. Rates as a sort of B Plus. Definitely not enough armour, a little top-heavy. Tend to suffer penis envy when driving by an M1. Still haven't figured out where to sleep on it. Cargo space is a bit small compared to the tank.

M1068/M577 Command Vehicle.
Pros: The ultimate RV. Room to stand inside, good off-road capability. Has expandable tent to the rear to set up when you've reached your campsite. Has standard household power supplies for your laptop/coffee machine/etc.
Cons: Very top-heavy. Not particularly sporty performance. Heater invariably breaks down in November. Seriously uncool. Horn is pathetic, it sounds like it came off a VW Beetle from 1967. (It probably did, actually)

M998/M1114/M1151 HMMWV
Pros: Surprisingly good off-road ability. Fits in most driveways, but is big enough to force Escalades and Expeditions off the road. Fairly cool.
Cons: Only later versions are capable against typical road hazards like bombs. Really quite cramped inside.

Hmm. Only four? I've driven a lot more, just not commanded them.

NTM

c-note

i'm not into the military at all
but i would enjoy going on the rampage with an A-10 warthog!

Manic Moran

Actually, I'll post my full M1 review here. (Posted some time ago in Motors)

____________________

2007 Chrysler Abrams.

Technically now produced by GD after a buyout, but introduced by Chrysler, at any rate.

Even though this is the fourth generation of this model, you would hardly know it to look at it. It retains with very little change the same lines as the earlier first generation, and is all but identical externally to the 1990 generation.

Getting into the drivers' seat can be difficult if you are of corpulent build, and unfortunately legroom is restricted. People over 6'2" are going to have some difficulty, though I did find myself able to squeeze in, with resulting problems of being a little heavy on the pedals. Once in, however, the driver's comfort is unparalleled by any other vehicle I've been in. Falling asleep can be a particular hazard.

Advertised as carrying the driver and three passengers, this is quite true with no provision made for additional persons: Four seats are all you get. Though it would theoretically be possible to seat persons on the flat outside, it is ill-advised in all but emergency situations. There is ample room for luggage, each person can bring two large bags and thensome. The passenger seats themselves are basic, and the two on the right are best described as 'cramped'

Creature comforts are limited. The heater has two settings, off and furnace, there is no air conditioning, and there are no cupholders. The sound system does have the facility to plug in your iPod or other such electronic device, but unfortunately there are no power outlets in the vehicle. Due to a design flaw, you have to step outside in order to hook into the power circuits. It is fitted with a CB-style radio system for communication with other road users. Satnav is available as an optional extra, and mounts in a pre-designated spot on the right side.

Driving controls are simple enough to understand. A simple 'start' button spins up the engine, and the gear lever is self-explanatory. Though there are only two pedals, be warned that one of them is not the accelerator: They're the brake, and parking brake, acceleration is obtained by twisting the handlebars, just like your average motorcycle. Although the dash controls are of an unusual configuration (headlights are a toggle switch, for example), they are all very clearly marked in writing for that 'Easy to find in an emergency' convenience. All the expected dials are present, speedometer, rev counter, and so on, plus ample warning lights. The headlights are kindof weak, but this is countered by the additional night-vision systems which will pick up a rabbit a mile ahead of you on the road.

Despite the high (1,500) horsepower engine, acceleration is nothing to write home about due to the rather low horsepower to weight ratio. My chevrolet has over 100hp/ton, but this has a mere 22hp/ton. Torque, however, is outstanding, and it will have no problems pulling the average camper trailer or boat, no matter how big, on the heavy-duty hitch provided as standard. With the ability to turn on the spot, however, parallel parking is a breeze.

The grip, on the other hand, is astounding. Particularly impressive is braking, as the vehicle will go from 30mph to zero in ten feet, even without ABS. This can be a problem as seat belts are not provided and this can cause injury to passengers if they are not braced in anticipation. Roadhandling is very good, and it is quite possible to weave through traffic at 45mph. Unfortunately, visibility for the driver is much less good, restricted to the front, coupled with a lack of mirrors, so the driver is dependant on assistance from the passengers. Of course, should you actually hit someone, so what? The vehicles' permanent all-track-drive also provides excellent cross-country abilities, should you feel inclined in that direction.

The ride is very comfortable, even on the worst-maintained of roads. At higher speeds, road noise is, however, atrocious. At low speeds, however, the vehicle is very quiet, and you may find yourself wishing that Chrysler had thought to incorporate a horn to get the oblivious out of your way.

It is apparent that Chrysler spared a thought for passenger safety, complete with a continuously monitored automated fire detection and suppression system, with both manual backups and portable hand extinguishers if required. There are, however, no airbags fitted, and there is a notable lack of crumple zones.

En-route entertainment, in addition to the aforementioned iPod hookup, is provided by the German cannon and Belgian machineguns. Hours of fun can be had with these, though one should be cautioned that their use is frowned upon in some jurisdictions.

Build quality is adequate. It certainly does the job, though one can occasionally see rusting bolts or excess grease. The systems are also prone to leaking. All panels seem to be seamlessly welded, however. Sadly, however, the vehicle really drops down in the world of practicality. It's a little big for most driveways, and though one rarely ever finds oneself hampered by traffic, the fuel bills at about four gallons to the mile are such that only the more affluent person can use it as a daily driver. Then again, at a drive-away cost of about 4.2 million dollars, before extras like ammunition or survivability upgrades, only the most affluent can really afford to buy it in the first place so filling up the 500 gallon fuel tank won't be much of an issue.

Recommended for small families or survivalists with a few select friends.

NTM

Leadership

Vehicles I have commanded and thought the best are:

FV180 - Combat Engineer Tractor (CET or Frog)

Pro's - Seriously fun vehicle, its like a Caterpillar loader that can do 40 mph
It can swim, great fun it was a 20 tonne fishing platform many a time for me
Drives both directions! Seriously cool!

Con's - A mechanics nightmare! Its a hybrid of parts from 8 other vehicles and constantly breaks down
Tiny crew compartment - Two men get very close on exercise!
No weapons mounts!

Mamba APC -

Pro's - Saved my life and the crews life twice by hitting landmines in Bosnia and all of us surviving
Based on a unimog so mechanically great!

Con's - Heating sucks, no weapons mounts

FV511 - Warrior command vehcle

Pro's - The cross country Ferrari APC
WEAPONS! - Chain gun and 30 mm cannon
Lots of room if you are a 3 man crew (Beds)

Con's - Lots of maintenance

FV434 - Tracked repair vehicle

Pro's - Its a camper van! Most are retro fitted by the REME to have 3 comfy beds in the back, loads of storage and wired up with TV's, Games systems and DVD players

Cons - Slow, cross country is poor

Mena

I've commanded the Rooikat, Olifant Mk1 and the Eland before. The Rooikat is an exceptional machine, loved every minute of it. The Eland you need to be a master to drive, also great fun but not very reliable any more. The Olifant was just sublime.

What would be my ideal?

M1A1, F-16 and my wet dream... : The USS Enterprise.

One can dream.

Leadership

My Wish list is as follows:

C130H Spectra - Call of Duty 4 has a great level where you are in one of these
Merkava - Seriously cool MBT

Manic Moran

Mena wrote: »

before. The Rooikat is an exceptional machine, loved every minute of it. The Eland you need to be a master to drive, also great fun but not very reliable any more. The Olifant was just sublime.

We have an Eland-90 just up the road here, actually. In great condition.

I'm curious to hear more about the Olifant 1 though. I mean, it's basically a WWII tank which has been given upgrade after upgrade. Granted it didn't need to be capable of dealing with much more than an Angolan T-55 or some such, but how would it have compared to something of a relatively modern bent like the M60, AMX-30 or OF-40?

NTM

Duffers

Leadership and Manic Moran, what do you think of the Viking?

Latchy

US army ww 2 jeep or feeling a little more adventurous (running amock ) the Humvi

Mena

Manic Moran wrote: »

We have an Eland-90 just up the road here, actually. In great condition.

I'm curious to hear more about the Olifant 1 though. I mean, it's basically a WWII tank which has been given upgrade after upgrade. Granted it didn't need to be capable of dealing with much more than an Angolan T-55 or some such, but how would it have compared to something of a relatively modern bent like the M60, AMX-30 or OF-40?

NTM

I'm almost (almost) tempted to track you down and give the ol' Eland another run. Some good memories there, especially learning the gears :eek:

I only spent 10 days or so with the Olifant, so won't say I am an expert on it at all, but it is pretty much a 1990's tank (the Mk1B) with computerised fire control system et al. They're pretty formidable but I've never used one in anger, unlike the Rooikat and Eland.

It was a pity as I'd always wanted to drive/command a tank and only got to spend very little time with her before being shipped out to the SSB.

Leadership

Duffers wrote: »

Leadership and Manic Moran, what do you think of the Viking?

It has a role and does its job well by being reliable. My only experience of them (It was the Hagglund BV then) and it was on a Artic Warfare Cadre in Norway so the warmth of it was my best memory plus not having to ski when was a plus.

I dont think it has much of a role outside of the artic although by all accounts they did well in Afganistan.

In terms of a cool vehicle it would be near the bottom of my list of ideal vehicles.

Manic Moran

Never played with a Viking. They're getting good reviews, but I've never as much as been inside one, let alone be in a position to give you an opinion on its merits.

NTM

slapper

a jeep
and a lot of ammo and weapons

Bethrifty

An airplane

borisbullrunner

Tiger II Heavy Panzer baby. 70 tons of pure power. Nazi Germanies greatest achievment. not many tanks could face it one on one. only reason the Russians defeated it was the faster more agile t-34. :eek: BEAST of a tank!

acmatman

An OT 90 is definatly up there with them 12 tonnes and handles like a sports car ,it nearly does hand brake turns ,19l diesel engine ,what more ?

jcatony

Leopard 2A6

Go for a spin to the Dail and bring plenty of HEAT rounds:D

Please GOD let me win the Euro millions!!!

Craigsy

Apache AH Mk1

Steyr

F15E or A-10.

Manic Moran

Saw one of these yesterday. Would make a very good RV.





NTM

toiletduck

Awesome! What's the name of that vehicle?

meathstevie

Something German for everyday use. Mercedes Unimog or an old G-Wagen in good nick. Preferably with searchlight controlled from inside for lamping.

Capt'n Midnight

toiletduck wrote: »

Awesome! What's the name of that vehicle?

BARC

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ship/larc.htm

Mahatma coat

seeing as this is in the 'power of the imagination' forum can we also get to pick our theater of operation and era

Would Napoleons 'Grand Armie' count as a vehicle to command :D

otherwise


this baby ath the battle of trafalgar, theres something appealin (yet utterly psychotic) about broadsiding the enemy.

or if we were allowed cross eras

this Baby at the battle of trafalgar

pat25c

casper APC http://www.google.ie/imgres?hl=en&sa=X&tbo=d&biw=1440&bih=764&tbm=isch&tbnid=evq_A1pSd6DpCM:&imgrefurl=http://flickrhivemind.net/Tags/armoredvehicles,vehicles/Interesting&docid=7GLqNkicxmGJqM&imgurl=http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2681/4517300566_2c191d3b36.jpg&w=500&h=334&ei=dLq7UM3GGJOKhQfQ4oC4BA&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=4&vpy=134&dur=2816&hovh=183&hovw=275&tx=35&ty=212&sig=100982442442523437728&page=1&tbnh=142&tbnw=198&start=0&ndsp=27&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:0,i:78

Tabnabs

I've conned one of the INS ships, so that box is ticked. But I'd love to have a shot at one of these beasts.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlOYG-_Hly4

And while we're at it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYsLvdSmKQI

triskell

meathstevie wrote: »

Something German for everyday use. Mercedes Unimog or an old G-Wagen in good nick. Preferably with searchlight controlled from inside for lamping.

yep i was thinking the exact same thing:D

long range shooter

I wouldnt mind trying one of these

http://youtu.be/gpobrfOhohI

Or this one

http://youtu.be/ZyPsZ7kBQK0

Victor

acmatman wrote: »

An OT 90 is definatly up there with them 12 tonnes and handles like a sports car ,it nearly does hand brake turns ,19l diesel engine ,what more ?

You can do 'hand brake turns' in tanks too. You'll just need to rebuild the road after.

Something a little different.

tac foley

WW2 Panther.

Any WW2 Panther.

tac

Cork boy 55

BattleTruck from the 1982 movie

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=za1w358LpkY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8vxxBYE5n4

iopener

1. spitfire or p-51 mustang for the history of the aircraft
2. F-15 pure air superiority
3. F-16 just to see how agaile it is
4. A-10 just to shoot that canon
5. APACHE no reason nesscary
6. ohio class nuclear sub the world most deadly killing machine
7. I know its not a military vehicle but my ultimate dream machine would be the saturn 5 appollo rocket.the most powerful machine ever created by mankind.

misses with rifles

anything with a minigun