So it looks like one of the things I won't be able to do - after I've won that obscene Lotto jackpot :-) :-) :-) - is buy a couple of clapped-out old M113s and do 'em up as ACAVs for my backyard...

Wankers...
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US blocks sale of Army's old personnel carriers

20.02.06

Sixty decommissioned Army vehicles will probably be turned into scrap metal after the United States vetoed a $1 million sale to an Australian dealer.

New Zealand bought the M113 armoured personnel carriers from the United States about 40 years ago, on the condition that the State Department approved any future sale of the vehicles.

A private Australian dealer won the tender, but the sale was vetoed under new security measures in the United States.

Australian dealer James Swan, who won the contract, said the US should compensate New Zealand.

It was understood that Mr Swan was going to pay just over $1 million.

New Zealand Minister Ron Mark said the vehicles could have been "combat effective" in Iraq today if the Government had spent about $215 million to upgrade them.

But James Funnell, spokesman for Defence Minister Mr Goff, said that the vehicles were "dinosaurs" and unsuitable for modern Army use.

The Government would be looking at other options for the fleet, but considering the United States position, turning them into scrap metal seemed likely.

Mr Funnell said the decision by the Americans came as no surprise, but the Government was optimistic the sale would have been approved.

"We were hopeful that they would recognise that our M113s are 50 years old and are basically dinosaurs, but unfortunately a far more modern variant - goodness knows how many generations newer than our ones - are still used by the Americans, therefore they classify it as of being strategic importance."

- NZPA

Bummer! It would be interesting to see whether the US government would also block a sale of a 60-year old Sherman or two. Who knows, they might be battle ready after an $800 million upgrade

That defies physics, it sucks AND blows.....

They should be repainted and at least put on a VFW post, or whatever they have in Australia.... Scrap metal is near worthless anyway.

One of those would make a cool bass boat. Just drive down the ramp right into the lake...

Shaun

Since the US has vetoed any sales of the M113s.

Why not have New Zealand create a racetrack/obsticle (sp.) course. Paint them up bright colors, and send them racing.

Would be a blast watching them run around a muddy/sandy course painted up in sponsoship colors.

To add another element to the race....replace the 50cal, with a paintball firing variant....and have a commander sit there and try and fire at the other M113s in the race...a hit requires you to come into the pits for a 30sec penalty.

Of course there should be a few relagated to gate guard duty at some NZ bases.

May sound corny....but would keep them from becoming scrap metal!!!

You're suggesting that our right-on politically-correct safety-conscious lawsuit-averse middle-of-the-road consensus-mad offence-avoiding fence-sitting gummint could actually sanction something fun and creative..?

Gee, wish I lived in your version of our country.

Trouble is, the bureaucrats and polticians don't see why anyone would want to own an old M113, let alone whether they should...

I guess the answer 'because it'd be a hoot...' isn't good enough for them scum-suckin' knuckle-draggin' mouth-breathin' bottom-feedin' no-fun uptight lemon-eatin' never-had-decent-sex-in-their-lives (moderator edited for content) we keep allowing back into office...


acav
pissed off, because he's sure he coulda come up with the folding for an old bucket somehow...

nicely said acav

i would not mind having one of those and curzing round the school field on one i could drag the school mower and still lose lol


matt