 |
|
The very basic design of the M56 can be seen in this picture. Creature comforts, or even weather protection, were nonexistent. The mannequin in the vehicle is sitting in the gunner's position, and the seat for the loader is visible on the fender stowage box just in front of the gunner. The right-hand exhaust pipe for the engine can be seen exiting the front slope directly below the blast shield.
 |
A closer view of the gunner's position is provided here. The gunner used a telescope T186 for aiming the gun, and his right hand is resting on the traverse handwheel. A flashlight is stowed on the inside of the blast shield.
 |
The driver's window in the blast sheild can clearly be seen in this image. The vehicle commander's seat is also present on top of the radio box on the left-hand fender, and the engine's left-hand exhaust pipe is also visible.
 |
Ammunition stowage for the 90mm gun was provided in the rear of the vehicle, and the loader's platform is unfolded on this vehicle. Pioneer tools were stowed on the underside of the loader's platform.
 |
The run-flat pneumatic tires and band-type tracks were an unusual feature of the M56.
 |
The steering wheel on this vehicle is turned 180 degrees from straight ahead. The vehicle's radio was stowed in the enclosure on the left-hand fender, and an antenna guard is visible toward the front of the vehicle. A grab handle for the commander is visible to the left edge of the picture.
 |
The driver's footpedals are shown here.
 |
The driver's instrument panel in this vehicle is missing its gauges. The guard behind and to the right of the steering wheel was for the transmission gear selector gate.
 |
The rusted-through rear platform on this vehicle allows a glimpse of the torsion tube-over-bar suspension of the last road wheel station.
 |
An engine air cleaner occupied the front right corner of the crew compartment. The position of the gunner's seat mount on the gun mount can also be seen.
 |
The traverse handwheel has disappeared from this vehicle, but its mount is still there towards the gun mount's front. The elevation handwheel is present to the rear of the gun mount.
 |
Prototypes of the M56 featured a T-shaped muzzle brake, but this was replaced on production models by a blast deflector counterweight.
Questions? Comments? Corrections? Email me
© Copyright 2001-08 Chris Conners