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"Blondie" is sporting a muzzle brake and double-pin T85E1 track, and stowage bins are welded to both sides of the turret.
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A closer view of the access hatch in the hull front is provided here. The headlight groups and siren mountings are obvious, and a tow cable is draped across the front of the vehicle. The split hatches for both drivers are open, and the periscopes mounted in the outside hatch doors are visible.
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The driver steered the vehicle with two steering levers that descended from the hull roof. The accelerator pedal is visible on the floor, and the vehicle's transmission separated the two drivers.
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The assistant driver was provided with an identical set of controls. Either set of steering levers could be used to control the vehicle, or they could be pivoted up out of the way when not needed. Only the driver's levers could be used as parking brakes, however.
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The rear hull deck was composed of an engine air outlet grille. The starter crank on the grille here was normally stowed on the hull rear engine access door
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The engine in the M18 was placed on rails to allow easy removal for maintenance. This same powerplant could be found in some varieties of Sherman tank. Its exhaust manifold and mufflers are among the components visible here.
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Details of the suspension are visible here. This vehicle is fitted with the original M18-type drive sprocket and single-pin track. Note that the track is engaged by every other sprocket tooth.
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© Copyright 2001-08 Chris Conners