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The lengthened chassis of the M19 necessitated an additional return roller compared to the M24 Chaffee on which it was based. The large 40mm gun turret occupied the rear of the hull, as the engine was moved to between the turret and the drivers' compartment. The auxiliary generator engine on this M19A1 is mounted about halfway back on the right fender, just behind the battery covers. Pioneer tools are stowed on the hull front.
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Compared to the M19, M19A1 also featured bulges in the turret sides, and a radio could be mounted in the right-hand bulge. The direct-fire front speed ring sight can be seen just behind the gun shield, and ammunition was stowed around the circumference of the turret. The single exhaust pipe can be seen just ahead of the turret, under a guard to prevent burns to personnel. Spare gun barrels are stowed on the hull roof between the turret and drivers' compartment.
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The positioning of the M19A1's auxiliary generator engine precluded the twin exhaust design of the M19, so the pipes were joined and routed off to the vehicle's left. Just ahead of the auxiliary engine is a battery box, and the spare gun barrels can be seen on top of the hull. Protruding from the turret is an ammunition box.
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The left-hand driver's position was inherited from the M24. The accelerator pedal is on the right, and the neutral pedal is in the center. The steering levers flank the driver's seat, and the vehicle's data plate is just below the instrument panel. Visible on the instrument panel, from left to right, are two circuit breaker reset buttons, the left engine tachometer, and the ammeter. The clip to the driver's left was for stowage of a .45cal machine gun.
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The drivers were separated by the controlled differential to the front, and the spare periscope and periscope head box sits atop the front main propellor shaft. The large black-tipped lever is the transmission unit shift control lever. The large cylinders in the rear of the driver's compartment are the engine carburetor air cleaners.
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© Copyright 2003 Chris Conners
