On an unrelated note, I really miss when I actually could identify a BMW and its engine by model number. I really have no idea anymore.

Volvo’s?

The rubber track pads (depending on the armored vehicle) can be anywhere from 6-18" wide and are flat smooth hard rubber. So, yeah, that could definitely contribute to some serious hydroplaning. The track pads are really only there to keep the metal tracks from completely destroying any hardball surface they drive…

My dad got rid of his in less than two years. Nothing but mechanical issues from day one. Didn’t keep it long enough to rust.

In a long line of piece of shit vehicle produced by Ford (I am a fan of Ford, so I am not saying they all were), the Aerostar was one of the absolute shittiest.

They do when shit hits the fan :)

Probably, but smarter minds than mine work on stuff like that. I just looked at it as one more thing on the battlefield that was out to kill me.

That would be the “driver-be-good-stick”, standard practice in all armor units.

There is nothing soft inside a tank except the crew members head. I bet it hurt like a sunuvabitch when it hit that pole.

Not being sarcastic when I say this, but it is because tanks spin, especially at speed. They are built to pivot turn in order to maneuver, which does not promote the best of handling characteristics. Also, the rubber pads on the track are not built for traction, they are built to prevent excessive damage to the road.

As a former infantryman who served in an armor unit, reactive armor always scared the shit out of me.

I’ve both intentionally and unintentionally done that many times driving around in fresh wet snow. The impressive party is he can intentionally do it again and again while remaining in completely control.

I deployed with Srmored Cavalry in 2003 to Iraq. We had Tanks, Bradleys, Mortars, Kiowa helicopters, engineers attached, and occasionally artilery in the area. I never operated with any sort of anti aircraft capability close by unless we were at an airfield (which ironically is the last place we would need it).

I have a 2015 Tacoma with a 5 speed manual, 2.7L 4 banger, Bluetooth and power locks/windows. The most high tech option on it at this point is a backup camera I installed just yesterday. I bought it because it was no frills, the same basic truck Toyota had been selling for the past 12 years, and was built to last…

Ouch.

BMW as a graduation present? If not rich then very well off.

Footballers will flock to it!

Depends on the type of “kill” you are looking for. Every MBT has its weak points. The Avenger cannon is more than enough to get a mobility kill on any armored vehicle on the battle field with enough strafing runs. A catastrophic kill? Yeah, we will leave that to larger guided missiles.

Crazy, that is almost a mile farther than the previous records!

As a former infantryman, I can say without a doubt that ground combat is as important as ever. It is changing all the time, but it won’t ever go away.