Vehicles :: Best Military Surplus

Is the Motorcycle Sidecar Outdated?

by craigkent

February 25th, 2012

Use of the motorcycle sidecar has dwindled since the 1950s, but they were an important part of military history.

Sidecars were first used, either by the British or the Soviet Union, in the late 1920s and early ’30s. When World War II came along, the Germans used sidecars for their military motorcycles for passenger transportation. These sidecars were produced by Zundapp and BMW. Other companies known to have made motorcycles with sidecars include Harley-Davidson from the US and Ural Motorcycles from Russia. Ural is the most well-known company who still makes sidecars. Interestingly enough, Jaguar (the automobile manufacturer) was founded as a sidecar company.

Sidecar Racing. Image credit to gabigutz.blogspot.com

Sidecars usually have a wheel on one side and are attached to the motorcycle on the other. The nice thing about sidecars is that they can be detached from the motorcycle in case they are not needed. The benefit of using a sidecar is the versatility you get with a motorcycle, but the ability to add an additional passenger or luggage. A sidecar does not work well with some models, especially those that are made for speed. But don’t tell that to sidecar racing drivers

The reason the motorcycle sidecar is now no longer used as much is the role of motorcycles is now clearly defined. When room is required for passengers, cars are used. Motorcycles are also built to be steered by leaning, which does not work properly with a sidecar.

Credit to moviefanatic.com

As you may know, we at Best Military Surplus love to reference movies and TV when writing about military surplus. Our favorite appearance of the motorcycle sidecar is in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Indy (Harrison Ford) and his father (Sean Connery) traverse the roads of Germany in a Dnepr motorcycle and sidecar. And let’s not forget Hagrid’s (Robbie Coltrane) Enfield Bullet Classic, transporting Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) to safety in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2.

You may not be ready for a sidecar, but at least you can learn more about them here, and watch a movie with one here!

Categories Vehicles
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F-35 Fighter Paves the Road to the Future

by craigkent

October 23rd, 2011

The newest ace up Lockheed-Martin’s sleeve when it comes to military aircraft is the F-35 fighter (officially F-35 Lightning II). This aircraft has not been fully adopted by the U.S. military as of yet, but its time is quickly approaching.

The F-35 fighter is part of the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) Program, which began with the X-35 (a prototype of the F-35). The F-35 fighter won the JSF contest over Boeing’s X-32b back in 2001. The F-35 fighter is a versatile fifth-generation stealth fighter that will be used for air support and bombing missions. Its primary capabilities are air-to-ground attacks, although it will also be able to take part in air-to-air missions.

Weapons Bay on the F-35 Fighter

The U.S. Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps will all use the new jet. The F-35 fighter will replace the F-16 in the Air Force, and the F/A-18 and Av-8 (Harrier) in the Marine Corps. The jet is expected to be introduced officially into the Air Force in 2011, the Marine Corps in 2014, and the Navy in 2016. The Royal Air Force and Navy of the United Kingdom have also made requests for the new fighters.

There are three versions of the F-35 fighter: the F-35A, F-35B, and F-35C. The F-35A is made with a conventional take-off and landing (CTOL) system. The F-35B is made for short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL). The F-35C is made for use on carrier ships.

The F-35 is made with the latest fighter aircraft technology to give its pilots a big edge over his enemies. The F-35 combines the stealth of an SR-71 and F-22 with the vertical take-off capabilities of a Harrier (for the F-35B). The fighters are each armed with two GAU-22/A Gatling-style, four-barrel 25mm rotary cannons. For the A and C models, the fighter can carry two air-to-air missiles and two more air-to-air or air-to-ground weapons. The B model will hold two air-to-air missiles and two bombs.

Tony Stark's Helmet-Mounted Display

One of the most advanced systems as part of the new F-35 fighter and probably the coolest feature of the aircraft is the helmet-mounted display system. The F-35 does not need to point at a target in order to ensure accuracy. It uses a radio frequency and infra red to target enemies and displays targets on the new helmet display. So the new F-35 helmets will be similar to the one used by Tony Stark in his Iron Man suit.

The New Helmet-Mounted Display for the F-35 Fighter

This new system will replace the old heads-up display system. This new way of targeting enemies may seem to mean pilots won’t need good accuracy. But in the end, I’d rather have better accuracy overall (which is what these fighters will provide) than making sure that pilots themselves have good aim. It’s too bad this cool new military surplus item isn’t available to the general public. But I guess we wouldn’t really have a good use for it.

It would definitely be cool to pilot one of the new F-35 fighters. But even though most of us won’t get the chance to, we can be happy to just know that our soldiers will have the most advanced fighter jet in the world protecting our country.

Written by Craig Kent, member of the Best Military Surplus team.

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Float on Air – Military Hovercraft

by craigkent

September 2nd, 2011

Military hovercraft are not the most technologically-advanced form of transportation used for war, but they are definitely some of the most interesting vehicles.

The idea of using air-cushion to aid in vehicle transportation, leading to the development of military hovercraft, was born in the late 1800s. The Do-X flying boat, built in 1929, made use of air-cushion transportation. It allowed the “boat” to hover above the water surface, reducing the drag and increasing its speed and efficiency. The British military developed the first real hovercraft in the 1950s — the Saunders Roe, Nautical 1 (SR.N1). Soon after, the U.S., France, Sweden, and Japan developed their own versions.

Development continued as the benefits of a military hovercraft were discovered. These vehicles could traverse almost any terrain because of its air cushion, including land, water, and ice. Hovercraft were also given a rubberized skirt to hold the air cushion on uneven ground.

The hovercraft saw the most action in the U.S. military during the Vietnam War as a patrol unit. The hovercraft’s unique ability to travel on water and land proved useful in the reedy parts of Vietnam. Today, the military hovercraft serves a limited purpose. The Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) hovercraft has been developed for the U.S. Navy to serve as a connector between ships at sea and land bases. These military hovercraft primarily transport weapons and other military surplus to naval ships. Military hovercraft are also used in the Coast Guard for patrolling duties.

Many civilians own hovercraft for recreational or sporting purposes. You can build your own hovercraft with a kit, or buy one from a commercial supplier, such as Universal Hovercraft. I can remember my good friend Bill Wayne wanting to build his own when we were younger… Another interesting fact is that there are hovercraft clubs in Europe and the U.S. that have hovercraft racing events.

So you might not get to use a hovercraft like James Bond on a mission, but you can still get your own to enjoy.

Written by Craig Kent, member of the Best Military Surplus team.

Categories Movie/TV Gear, Vehicles
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The Heavy Equipment Transporter is the Military’s Muscle

by craigkent

March 21st, 2011

The last article about military surplus vehicles I saw at the Oshkosh 2010 air show is about the Heavy Equipment Transporter (HET) (click here to see other articles about the Oshkosh 2010 air show). This may sound like a boring vehicle to read about, but they’re actually pretty cool.

As the name suggest, the Heavy Equipment Transporter is used to move extremely heavy equipment. What kind of equipment? Mostly tanks and other large artillery units. A Heavy Equipment Transporter is just made up of a large truck and a trailer to carry its payload. The purpose for these behemoth vehicles is to move other military surplus vehicles to different locations to prevent wear. This allows the vehicles to be in the best condition possible for combat.

The military originally used either the M746 or M911 truck with the 747 trailer, but now it uses the M1070 truck and M1000 trailer. Those designations may not mean much to you, but basically, the latter set of models are just an updated version of the first two. The newer versions were first used in 1993.

The main vehicle carried by the Heavy Equipment Transporter is the M1 Abrams tank. This transportation system was very handy in Operation Desert Storm in the Middle East. However, the transporters exhibited poor performance with loads of over 60 tons (an Abrams tank weighs about 67 tons). That’s why the newer versions of the truck and trailer were made. The M1070 is about 30 feet long, and the M1000 trailer is about 51 feet long.

I didn’t get to see the M1000 trailer while at Oshkosh, but the M1070 truck was good enough for me. The truck looks huge in person! It’s interesting to note that the Heavy Equipment Transporter is made by Oshkosh Corporation, which is located in Oshkosh, Wisconsin — the site of the air show where I saw the vehicle.

Written by Craig Kent, member of the Best Military Surplus team.

Categories Vehicles
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The Military Jeep – One of WWII’s Top Weapons

by craigkent

February 23rd, 2011

There was not only military aircraft at Oshkosh 2010 (read other articles about this event I went to), but I also saw a military Jeep. The Jeep may not be high tech by today’s standards, but it was an integral part of multiple wars and aided soldiers immensely in the field of battle.

The military Jeep became extremely important for the US in World War II. In fact, President Eisenhower even called in one of the four most important weapons in World War II (the other three being the C-47 skytrain, bazooka, and atom bomb). The military Jeep is classified as a

M62 Gun Mounted on a Military Jeep

Light Utility Vehicle. The Willys MB Jeep was the iconic Jeep used in the second world war on which the design of other LUV’s would be based. Later models of the Jeep include the M38A1 and the M151 MUTT. Other auto manufacturers would produce similar vehicles, including Ford and Volkswagen.

The purpose of the military Jeep is pretty obvious: to transport up to four soldiers and their military surplus wherever they needed to go. The Jeep was a good fit for the military due to its ruggedness and ability to traverse tough terrain. The military Jeep was almost completely replaced by the High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle, better known as the Humvee, by the 1980s. This newer vehicle provided better protection for soldiers in the battlefield.

The military Jeep as it is outfitted for the battlefield is not available to the general public. However, Jeep began making a model for civilians after World War II. Since then, several models of Jeep have been produced, and they have become a favorite among many Americans. In 2004 and 2005, 1000 replicas of the Willys MB Jeep were produced and sold to the general public.

Although the military Jeep was generally used solely for transportation, it was sometimes mounted with weapons for protection. The Jeep I saw at Oshkosh 2010 had an M62 machine gun on a swivel mount to fend off enemies who would try to get too close.

The military Jeep is an American symbol that will live on for many decades. Although we civilians can’t get the exact models used by the military, we can get our own Jeeps that are made for the road. Amazon.com offers all kinds of parts and accessories for your Jeep. Check out their selection here. You can also get any Jeep apparel and other stuff at Amazon.com by clicking here.

Written by Craig Kent, member of the Best Military Surplus team.

Categories Vehicles
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Up Close With a Navy Blue Angel

by craigkent

February 15th, 2011

L-39 Albatross (Corrected) With Blue Angel Paint Scheme at Oshkosh 2010

In an earlier article, I said I’d be giving you a taste of what the Oshkosh 2010 airshow was like, so here’s a little more, this one about a Blue Angel aircraft.

The Blue Angels are the US Navy’s official flight demonstration squadron. They perform maneuvers for audiences across the globe, and are perhaps the most famous flight demonstration team in the world. The team has been in existence since 1946 and has performed almost every year since its inception.. The team’s purpose, besides entertaining airshow audiences, is to recruit citizens for the Navy. There have been numerous pilots as part of the team over the years, and a number of different aircraft have been used. Among the aircraft having the honor of being called a Blue Angel include the F6F-5 Hellcat (the first aircraft used), F8F-1 Bearcat, F9F-2 Panther, and F-4J Phantom. Currently, the team uses the F/A-18A/B Hornet, but a transition to the F/A-18C/D is being made.

The Blue Angels aren’t military surplus that’s available to you, but they certainly fit in with what Best Military Surplus is all about.

L-39 Albatross (Corrected) With Blue Angel Paint Scheme at Oshkosh 2010

The team performs some of the most difficult maneuvers for jets that are possible. Some of these include a knife edge pass by two Angels that look very close to each other, and the diamond roll, which is when the whole group rolls together while in the diamond formation.

The Real Blue Angels

Over the years, the Blue Angel team has been composed of anywhere from three to seven pilots. All of the pilots are actual US Navy soldiers. Currently, demonstrations by the Blue Angels are done by six F/A-18′s. Unfortunately, I did not have the chance to see a demonstration by this well-known team, but I did get to see the only Blue Angel that was at Oshkosh 2010. This Angel, number 7, is piloted by Lieutenant Christian Simonsen.

You can get Blue Angels apparel for yourself at Amazon by clicking here.

Feel free to comment below. Let us know if you’ve had the chance to see the Blue Angel team in person, and tell us about the experience!

Written by Craig Kent, member of the Best Military Surplus team.

Categories Vehicles
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Pave a Path With the Abrams Tank

by craigkent

January 25th, 2011

The Abrams tank is not military surplus that you can buy, but it’s definitely an important part of the US military. Without the use of the tank, we wouldn’t stand a chance against some of our deadly foes.

The beginnings of the Abrams tank are with the birth of the original tank at the start of the 20th century. The first prototypes were designed before World War I, but the first tank to see battle went into action in 1916. Tanks saw limited action until World War II began, when the US began using the famous M4 Sherman tank. After that, the development of the tank really took off, especially during the Cold War. In 1980, the Abrams Tank (designated M1) replaced the M60 Patton.

The Abrams tank is the military’s primary heavy artillery unit. In other words, when big firepower is needed, this beast is there to bring it. The main weapon is a 105 mm rifle with a range of nearly two miles. The variations of the tank (M1A1 and M1A2) use the 120mm smoothbore gun. The Abrams tank also has a .50 caliber machine gun and an M240 machine gun near one of the passenger hatches, and another M240 near another hatch. Those are some powerful military surplus firearms. The tank’s armor is made of a composite of many materials, including metal and Kevlar, and is more than 50 inches thick. Talk about lots of protection!

One of the reasons the Abrams tank is so useful is its ability to traverse a number of different terrains. The versatile caterpillar tracks used to mobilize the Abrams tank can travel over ground that conventional wheels and tires cannot. The top speed for the tank is 42 miles per hour. A typical crew for the tank is composed of four soldiers.

The Abrams has been an exceptionally important combat unit for the Gulf War, and the current Afghanistan and Iraq wars. Currently the M1A3 is being developed, and it is expected to be ready for combat by 2017. The US military is planning on using the Abrams tank until about 2050.

If you want to learn more about the Abrams tank, click on the link below.

Written by Craig Kent, member of the Best Military Surplus team.

Categories Vehicles
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Global Hawk Aircraft – No Pilot Required

by craigkent

October 26th, 2010

The Global Hawk is one of the most important aircraft used in the US military, and it doesn’t even use a pilot! I had the chance to see one up close at the 2010 Oshkosh air show (read other Oshkosh 2010 articles here), so I figured I’d give a few details about this craft.

The Global Hawk is a Remotely-Piloted Aircraft (RPA) that is classified under the larger category of Unmanned Aerial Vehciles (UAV’s). It is used for reconnaissance missions to provide the US military with information about its target area(s). This aircraft is made by Northrop Grumman, who makes the electronics and sensors for several military vehicles and pieces of equipment. Some of the units that use Northrop Grumman technology include the F-35 fighter, the B-2 Bomber, and the LITENING targeting system.

This UAV only began to be used earlier this decade. It’s actually somewhat of a surprise that the military let civilians get so close to such an advanced piece of technology at Oshkosh 2010.

The Global Hawk is designed for long-endurance, high-altitude surveillance missions. The Aircraft weighs 15,400 pounds while empty, and has a surprisingly large wingspan of 130 feet. It is designed to sustain flight for as long as 36 hours. It is equipped with infrared sensors, electro-optical systems, and synthetic aperture radar (SAR). The Global Hawk is not outfitted with any armament, but flying at an altitude of 65,000 feet should keep it safe from any enemy missiles. But just in case, this UAV has a warning system for potential enemies.

This aircraft is used by the US Navy and has been used in both the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

The Global Hawk helps protect soldiers and their military surplus from enemies that could attack by gaining information. It also gives the US military the advantage they need in preparing for attacks on enemies. I’m sure glad this thing is on our side!

Written by Craig Kent, member of the Best Military Surplus team.

Categories Vehicles
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An Inside Look at a Military Humvee

by craigkent

September 21st, 2010

The Humvee is one of the coolest military surplus vehicles being used today. I was able to see one up close, including the inside, at the Oshkosh 2010 air show this year. Read about other military stuff from Oshkosh 2010 here.

The technical term for the Humvee is the High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle, or HMMWV. It was designed to replace regular trucks (Jeeps) in the 1970s due to rigorous terrain encountered by US troops. It’s interesting to note that Lamborghini developed an off-road vehicle during this time for the military, but it was the Humvee that was adopted.

The Inside of the Back of a Humvee

The Humvee is made by American General, which was a subsidiary of American Motors. The Humvee saw its first action in active duty in the 1980s.

This versatile vehicle is designed for transportation of soldiers, supplies, and other military surplus in and near the battlefield. Anyone who gets the chance to look or go inside one of these vehicles is often surprised about how much room there is.

There are numerous variations of the Humvee, including models outfitted for emergency medical purposes and combat. Weapons used with Humvees include TOW missiles, surface-to-air missiles, and automatic firearms. The combat versions are also built with specialized armor for protection on the frontlines.

Humvee With a TOW Missile Launcher

Several other countries besides the US now use the Humvee due to its durability and ruggedness. The civilian version of the Humvee is the Hummer, which was sold by General Motors and is now no longer being produced.

Since the Humvee can be modified for so many different purposes, it doesn’t appear that it will be replaced anytime soon. However, one big weakness of the Humvee is its vulnerability to and lack of protection from mines and other explosives. The Mine Resistant Ambush Protected class of vehicles is expected to replace the Humvees in these instances.

It’s too bad the Humvee isn’t a readily-available military surplus vehicle for civilian purchase, although a few have found their way into civilian hands. The next best option is to get a Hummer.

Written by Craig Kent, member of the Best Military Surplus team.

Categories Vehicles
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The F16 Flying Falcon Can Do It All

by craigkent

August 24th, 2010

The F16 is an important aircraft in the US military, and I got the chance to see one up close at the Oshkosh 2010 air show (read about other military vehicles at Oshkosh 2010 here). I was pretty lucky to see one up close, since two years ago, when there was an F-22 Raptor at the show, it only did a fly-by and did not even land. But that’s only because the Raptor is the most advanced fighter the US military uses.

Built by General Dynamics, the F16 has been one of the primary multirole combat aircraft in US military history. This designation describes an aircraft that is capable of air-to-air and air-to-ground attack. Two other craft that have fit this category are the F-4 Phantom II and the F/A-18 Hornet. The F16 was developed in the 70s and officially joined the military in 1970.

The F16 is armed with as many as six AIM-9 Sidewinder heat-seeking air-to-air missiles. It has the ability to be armed with other air-to-air missiles, including radar-guided ones. Fulfilling its multirole function, the F16 can also carry bombs for ground attack.

The F16 was developed through the military’s Lightweight Fighter Program. This endeavor was based on the premise that a lighter aircraft would be able to maneuver better in combat. The F16 has mostly served for the US in operations in the Middle East, such as Operation Desert Storm (1991), and the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

The replacement for the F16 is the F-35 Fighter (Lightning II), which is due to begin its service in 2011. The F16 will still continue to be used in the Air Force until 2025.

Be sure to go to the Oshkosh air show so you can see an F16 up close and in person. It’s cool to see these aircraft on TV and in the movies, but there’s nothing like seeing one in action for yourself. If you want the closest thing to F16 military surplus, click here.

Written by Craig Kent, member of the Best Military Surplus team.

Categories Vehicles
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