Pioneer

I am so sorry my friend
I did not know that you were such a one eyed American patriot!

I have many good things to say about some American gear.
But that is not what the topics at hand were asking!

If you need to know, so that you can sleep better at night, let me tell you about some of them.
Oh and again it is from my ’19 years of service’ (as you like to dig at!!!) of personnel use and experience (and not just because, like many American like to think – because it has Made in the USA on it it’s the best!!)

- The PRC 77 VHF radio was a good and reliable system.
- The M1 steel helmet
- The Javelin AT missile system is great to use! (But have not used it in combat yet!)
- The M113 APC is a very reliable vehicle that leaves the ASLAV and LAV-25 for dead!
- The M198 155mm towed howitzer is a good weapon (its only because of Army bean counters, which forced us to use the Mack 6x6 truck, that it is a ***** to transport (tow)
- The venerable and RAAF workhorse C-130 Hercules
- The General Dynamics F-111 – I have rarely seen any other aircraft come in carry the weapons load that it does, so fast and low and be bang on target! (One of my biggest grips is losing the Pig!!)
- Paveway LGB
- The good old true and trusty U.S designed and built ET (Entrenching Tool)
Digs the best **** pit in minutes
- The Aim-9 Sidewinder AAM (its record speaks for itself
- The M72 66mm SRAAW (useless as an anti-armour weapon, but good to bury those in bunkers and defenses!)
- The Stinger SAM (unfortunately our army will not have a sniff of it. Some of my mates from AD Reg, love the idea of its compactness and lighter weight than the RBS-70)
- And of cause one can not be without his Dixie Tin!
- UH-1 – Old and gone, but probably the best time I have had in the back of a helo. Again another system that speaks for itself, and a helicopter that many owe their life too!!!!!!!
- CH-47 Chinook
- UH-6o Blackhawk
- M2 12.7mm MG


The flip side of this of cause is the **** American weapons that I have had to use and these are –


- The M60 GPMG – sorry it was cumbersome, fouled easy, parts rattle like hell when patrolling and a weak bipod. (Prefer the MAG-58 or MG 3).
- M16A1 /AR-15 – Early 5.56mm round crap (then again I have always thought the 5.56mm round compared to the 7.62mm round – For when I hit someone, I never want them to get up again); the weapons construction itself made for children and not ‘infantry proof! (Many American troops have told me the same!!), Loss magazines that would always drop out when needed most.
I have used the M16A2 – this is a better weapon!


My comments regarding the M47/M48 tank Vs. the Centurion tank are from both American and Australian Vietnam Vets that I have spoken to and interviewed.
The American’s were especially impressed with the way in which the Centurion could go bush and take hits from RPG-2 and RPG-7’s, when compared to their own tanks.
The American Vets that I spoke too commented that they were always happy when they knew that the Aussie would be operating with them!

My comments about the M2/M3 Bradley are again from my personal account of operating with them.
I do not like the Idea of having to split a section up into two vehicles, because that vehicle can only carry a few men each (as to with the LAV-25)
The Bradley’s height always worried us, from an infantryman’s perspective.
We could always see the Bradley’s coming, before they see us.
But often the lower M113 could sneak right up on us.
Also the heat signature of the Bradley stood out like dogs balls.
Again this is my point of view (as should be the case of Forums in a democracy!) –
Do not get me wrong – I would never say no to its firepower.

At the end of the day different countries and their industries produce some good things, but their will always be another that can do better, and that is a fact of life.
Your slant on trying to insinuate that I am anti-American is wrong, immature and frankly sad!
The way in which you are acting, reminds me of my 5-year old daughter acts like when sometimes playing dolls with her friends. If she does not get her own way or point of view she spits the dummy.
I then pack her dolls up, send her to her room.
At army I would suggest that you go to the Q-Store and be as anal as you like counting blankets and Rat packs!

At the end of the day my friend, your military (well more so the case of your Congress and defence industries lobbyists) demand for ‘Made and designed in the U.S.A’ is very detrimental to the fine Service men and women that serve that same bureaucracy!
You have found out that the after stupid amounts of expenditure and R&D that –
The M249 SAW (Belgian), M240 GPMG (Belgian), T-45 Goshawk (British), B-57 Canberra (British), L5 105mm tank gun (British), Chobham armour (British), 120 mm Rheinmetall tank gun (German), L-119 105mm Howitzer (British), Carl Gustav 84mm RCL (Sweden), Metal Storm (Australian), C-27 (Italy), AV-8A/C Harrier (British), M252 81mm Mortar, M120 120mm Mortar (Israel), Pioneer RPV (Israel)…………………… Are all to your want and needs!

Oh and as far as your comment ‘I call B.S. on this guy until he gets to the "Introduction" thread and shares some of his worldly experience.’

Well I do not piss in peoples pockets -
Married
3 Kids
Australian Army in one form or another for 19-years
Been here and there as part of the job!
Have an interest in never-built U.S military prototype aircraft
Researching into personal hero of mine – Pte Bruce Steel Kingsbury V.C of the 2/14th Battalion.

Do you want blood group???????

So let’s get on with what looks like some great Forums at WAB,
And practice what we fought the Cold War for – Individuals rights and freedom of expression please.

No personal hard feeling from me here
Hopefully the same over their my friends

Regards
Pioneer