Here’s a good short article about crewing on M48s in Vietnam
https://cherrieswriter.com/2020/02/23/w ... been-like/
Oh and a bit more on night sights on AFVs. There are basically three types:
1st generation, or “active infrared”, first developed during WWII in which an illuminator light source is fitted with an IR lens and projects a beam of light on infrared wavelengths not visible to the human eye that can be seen by using a scope that “sees” in that wavelength and is coupled with and sighted with the armament of the AFV. This set up is limited by the distance that the scope can see and the light source can project, as well as the narrow field of illumination of the IR light beam as well as smoke, dust or precipitation in any form;
2nd generation or “image intensification” in which ambient light such as moonlight or starlight is magnified by a passive scope/vision device, and again coupled with the AFV’s weapons systems. No seperate active illumination is needed with these “starlight scopes”, while acuity and sensitivity has greatly improved with technology improvements. Range is again limited by the scopes capabilities, weather conditions, as well as natural ambient light. These types will see IR laser beams and illumination spots which are invisible to the naked eye, while the other types will not;
3rd Generation or “Thermal” sights which pick up heat signatures and convert those signatures into a visual picture. These can see through fog, rain, smoke, dust, vegetation to limited distance, etc to a certain degree depending upon the device but can not see through something as simple as a pane of clear glass (the glass will present a single temperature signature of its surface, warmer or cooler than its surrounding area). That pure Hollywood fiction where a human can be seen though a wall or window pane with a thermal sight, only differing temperature of one section of wall compared to an adjacent section from another room due to heat or cooling.
I’ve worked with all three types of Night Vision Devices between 1983 and 2007.
"Surely I have made my meaning plain? I intend to avenge myself upon you, Admiral. I have deprived your ship of power, and when I swing 'round, I intend to deprive you of your life."
FLSM
Really a great looking M48, well done, sir!