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by Paul D. Handel
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A Caterpillar D* Dozer fitted with angled Rome plough. This type of blade was used in South Vietnam by the Royal Australian Engineers during land clearing operations. The dozer is yet to be fitted with its Vietnam era roll over protection cage. |
So Ruwolts faithfully stripped a Caterpillar D7 Dozer and reproduced it
almost in its entirety. This unit was destined to be the only fully
Australian-built bulldozer, as by the time it was made, the US was able to
supply equipment to all of its allies in sufficient quantities. CR1 was
restored by Cleary Bros of Wollongong, and its restoration resulted in the
unique exhibit first seen at the RAE Centenary Display. The Dozer runs and
it a significant item of both military and industrial heritage.
Another unusual piece of equipment was built by 1 Field Squadron RAE in
South Vietnam. It is an M113A1 APC used to clear the anti-personnel
minefields around Nui Dat. Originally three M113A1s, all destined to
return to Australia for rebuild, were modified and used, and were dubbed
HMAPCs (Her Majesty’s Armoured Personnel Carrier) Flint, Steele and
George. The M113A1 known as Flint was originally requested by the RAE as
an historical object back during the Vietnam war, but it was not until
early in 2002 that it was released to the AAMME. It had served for many
years with 3/9th Light Horse in South Australia. Vehicle number 134226 was
refitted with the original blast plate and an rebuilt axle unit similar to
that which was fitted in South Vietnam. Tyres were fitted to the axle and
the whole unit displayed as it would have looked during Vietnam.
Dominating the “Cust Hut” indoor area is an armoured D8 dozer, which was
modified in South Vietnam and used for land clearing. This dozer hit a
mine during its service, and the results are displayed by having the
dozer’s belly illuminated.
Other unique pieces of engineer plant included the Barber Green Trenching
Machine, Pettibone Mulliken Forklift and several stationary pumping
engines. For the children, several obsolete Wheelbarow Mark 7 bomb
disposal tracked machines were available to drive by their remote control
handsets.
A number of Army Museums attended, including the Army Museum Sydney, based
at Victoria Barracks, Sydney, The Royal Australian Army Pay Corps Museum
from Victoria, the National Artillery Museum from Manly and the Tank
Museum from Puckapunyal. The Gunners brought along several very nicely
restored artillery pieces – the 6 Pounder Anti-tank Gun in desert livery,
the big 17 Pounder Anti-tank gun, the Australian designed and built Short
25 Pounder gun and a Vickers Terni 75mm Field Gun, built in Italy,
captured in North Africa and used by the Australian “bush” artillery
during the siege of Tobruk.
The RAAC Memorial and Army Tank Museum brought along their recently
acquired Swedish Ikv 91 Tank Destroyer, and also had on their stand the
M113A1 Fire Support Vehicle belonging to the AAMME, as well as an
Australian LP2A Machine Gun Carrier.
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The Swedish Ikv 91 Tank Destroyer alongside the M113A1 Fire Support Vehicle (Saladin Turret). The sleek lines of the Ikv and long gun tube contrast with the rather angular shape of the M113. |
Several military vehicle groups brought along ex-military vehicles,
including and M3 Stuart Light Tank, M8 Armoured Car, several M3 Half
Tracks and the usual Saracen and Ferret vehicles. Soft skins included both
GMC and Studebaker 2 ½ ton trucks.
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An M8 Armoured Car, again privately owned. This vehicle sports a ring mount for the .50 inch machine gun and is not fitted with the usual mudguards, giving it quite a different appearance. |
With something of interest for all the family, Military Heritage Day
should be attended by the military enthusiast. It is usually held during
May each year.
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Article Text and Photographs Copyright ©
2003 by Paul D.
Handel
Page Created 19 June, 2003
Last Updated 18 June, 2003
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