We're the Military and Airpower Guys of Jonah Goldberg of National Review Online + a stray we found wandering around looking lost. All original material JHD, BHD, JR, WT, and KA 2003-2010 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/07/the_gizmo.html Sat, 24 Mar 2012 15:50:43 Z Movable Type 4.12 en Copyright 2012 http://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification Okay - here it is in it's entirety. It's a Trainer, Field Artillery, Mk3. A pneumatic job, used during WWII. On top - a "pantel" or panoramic telescope, which is used by the gunner to orient the tube for direction. Various adjustments to level the device, train it left or right, and to set elevation. And the compressed air system used for launching the projectiles (though I *really* prefer Jim B's take on it). Used on a 1000 inch range, they had special maps and firing tables, and this allowed for training most crew operations except loading, or shifting trails... http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/07/the_gizmo.html http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/07/the_gizmo.html Sat, 22 Jul 2006 08:39:39 -0600 how cute! you redlegs always get the most darling little toys to play with... http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/07/the_gizmo.html#comment-48143 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/07/the_gizmo.html#comment-48143 Mon, 24 Jul 2006 10:25:21 -0600 Oh - Trias, would that be Rod Bellars? And Pogue - sounds like your guys never got around to setting up the 1000 inch range. I hope the cacti weren't saguaro (sp?) or if they were, the statute of limitations has passed! http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/07/the_gizmo.html#comment-48114 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/07/the_gizmo.html#comment-48114 Sun, 23 Jul 2006 08:12:42 -0600 Jacques Littlefield didn't it?]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/07/the_gizmo.html#comment-48113 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/07/the_gizmo.html#comment-48113 Sun, 23 Jul 2006 08:10:13 -0600 be tanks in it. And artillery. An aircraft carrier if he could get away with it.]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/07/the_gizmo.html#comment-48112 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/07/the_gizmo.html#comment-48112 Sun, 23 Jul 2006 07:58:47 -0600 Neffi, If I let John spend all his time cleaning his toys that completely fill up our basement, I'd never see him, he'd lose his job, we'd go broke, and we would have to sell all the toys. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/07/the_gizmo.html#comment-48111 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/07/the_gizmo.html#comment-48111 Sun, 23 Jul 2006 06:29:44 -0600 The only 14.5 trainer we ever played with was the subcaliber version that fitted in the chamber of an M109 (although I'm sure they would have worked with the 198.) We hated them. We never had any FDC involvement with them so it ended up being direct fire at cactus. Borrrrrrring! The tripod mounted version looks like it would be a lot of fun in the backyard, though... http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/07/the_gizmo.html#comment-48106 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/07/the_gizmo.html#comment-48106 Sat, 22 Jul 2006 14:20:08 -0600 I still think it's a trident, mounted on a block, and hooked up to a firefighter's hose. It's The Armorer's version of a Super Soaker. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/07/the_gizmo.html#comment-48103 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/07/the_gizmo.html#comment-48103 Sat, 22 Jul 2006 13:37:54 -0600 You shoulda seen 'em *before* I cleaned up. The thing had apparently been stored in a barn in Montana for a while after being surplused out of Fort Snelling. It took hours to clean it to that state. I half expected to see Shelob. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/07/the_gizmo.html#comment-48102 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/07/the_gizmo.html#comment-48102 Sat, 22 Jul 2006 13:32:09 -0600 cobwebs, dude... tsk.]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/07/the_gizmo.html#comment-48100 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/07/the_gizmo.html#comment-48100 Sat, 22 Jul 2006 13:28:31 -0600 Great with this you can apply Zsa Zsa's makeup when it slides off during a photop. She will not be amused if you miss and make her hair white. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/07/the_gizmo.html#comment-48097 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/07/the_gizmo.html#comment-48097 Sat, 22 Jul 2006 13:17:15 -0600