This 1959 black-and-white U.S. Army military training film (T.F.17 2778) presents road test procedures for tactical tracked vehicles, which rapidly approach the camera. A tank crosses an open ditch and drives up an embankment. M-59 personnel carriers cross a river (:20-1:15). Soldiers dash into the back of a vehicle. A truck and a tank are broken down due to poor inspections (1:16-2:08). A transmission steering linkage is inspected in an assembly line. Students are taught to make inspections and repairs. Second echelon maintenance is performed on an M-48 tank (9B0695) using a road test (2:09-3:44). Before Operation Inspection. Outside, the mechanic checks under the tank for leaks. The fuel, main engine oil, auxiliary engine oil, and transmission levels are checked. The mechanic checks for defective parts and the gun travel lock for security. The loaders’ escape hatch cover and commander’s cupola door are checked. Hand tools are checked, as per the service manual (3:45-6:28). Inside, the mechanic inspects the fixed fire extinguisher system and mounting brackets. The cylinder pull handles are inspected. The service brake system and parking brakes are checked (6:29-8:06). The turret lights, ventilator blower switch, and airstream are checked. The portable fire extinguisher’s seal is checked. The master relay switch and dome lights are checked. The horn, all outside lights, and the blackout lights are checked. Drive vents are checked. The transmission and steering linkage are checked. The steering linkage is repaired (8:07-12:54). The suspension system is checked. Both engines are started and the steps showed to do so. The power plant, pressure gauge, magneto switch, and RPM gauge are shown (12:55-17:37). The tank rolls forward to test the suspension system. Treads and tires are inspected. Mountings and springs are checked. Towing hooks are checked (17:38-20:31). The tank is moved forward to check another area of the tracks. A loose bolt is marked with chalk and tightened. The torsion bars are checked (20:32-21:58). The Road Test. The driver and mechanic wear headsets to communicate as the tank is driven. The brakes are checked for a fast stop. The tank is tested at full throttle. The RPM gauge is shown. The steering mechanism is shown by making quick turns. The parking break is tested on a steep incline (21:59-24:07). The oil pressure gauges and generators are checked on the power plant. The tank is tested moving forward and backwards. The tank returns to the maintenance area (24:08-25:08). After Road Test Inspection. The engine and oil levels are inspected. The tank is inspected for leaks. The suspension system is checked. The track and tension are inspected (25:09-28:00). The mechanically sound tank is guided out of the maintenance bay. The tank is taken on another road test (28:01-28:46).

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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com