Is an M548 Really Amphibious?

[Terra1936]

I cannot find a single photo of a M548 swimming? The operators manual says to keep it away from water? Every site describes it as amphibious? Anyone with real experience or photos? Thanks!

 

[dk8019]

Maybe?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYX4mEyJ5kY

 

[M813rc]

I have a DVD copy of an early 1960s Army film where they test various vehicles, including an M548. The video includes the M548, a Gama Goat, and an M656 8x8 all swimming in a lake. I'll see if I can dig it out and get the title, I imagine it is on the interweb somewhere.

Cheers

 

[BKubu]

I had a video of my old M548A1 "swimming" (video taken by the previous owner), although I cannot locate it. With that said, the A1s were not supposed to do so as they had one of the bilge pumps deleted (the vehicle has two). The older M548s had two bilge pumps. Apparently, one pump won't keep up for very long with the water seeping in so the swimming had better be quick! Still, I never wanted to swim the vehicles I had...to expensive to possibly sink.

 

[snowtrac nome]

the one up here swam for a short time before it sunk on a swollen river. I do remember de watering the engine.

 

[Guyfang]

We had a variant of the M548, that was a HAWK Missile transporter, Launcher. 10 bilge pumps would not have kept it afloat, do to the extra weight.

Towards the end of this clip, about 2.16 minuets, is a shot of one going over a Army floating bridge. Looks like early 70's, probable REFORGER here in Germany.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOYaFo6G_4w

 

[Terra1936]

Thanks! I saw that but that looks like fording not swimming. Thanks cool video.

 

[deuceman51]

I want to try with mine also, but like Bruce said, it's way to expensive to risk sinking for me.

 

[BKubu]

the one up here swam for a short time before it sunk on a swollen river. I do remember de watering the engine.

That was the one that I had a video of swimming! It entered at a fairly steep angle as I recall (which is not what is recommended), water splashed up the windshield, and then the vehicle floated and propelled itself across a small body of water. It, then, climbed up the far bank.

 

[Terra1936]

That was the one that I had a video of swimming! It entered at a fairly steep angle as I recall (which is not what is recommended), water splashed up the windshield, and then the vehicle floated and propelled itself across a small body of water. It, then, climbed up the far bank.

Seems to be like Big Foot. Everyone has seen but no real photos!

 

[MWMULES]

Make sure you have good swim skirts also

 

[montaillou]

Found this, at about 1:15 it appears to go fully amphibious, also around 2 minutes in as well:

I mean, it's not exactly the same thing, but it's derived from a 548, maybe check out what the company that makes them did, and you might find the difference.
https://www.aris-spa.it/veicoli-speciali/ark/?lang=en

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WywUmb6ZH6Y

 

[NEIOWA]

Try this newer video of M548 swim

Testing Our New Recovery Vehicle Went Terribly Wrong (WaveRunner Rescues TANK!) - YouTube

 

[Mullaney]

Try this newer video of M548 swim

Testing Our New Recovery Vehicle Went Terribly Wrong (WaveRunner Rescues TANK!) - YouTube

.
That is definitely an adventure!

 

[SCSG-G4]

Try this newer video of M548 swim

Testing Our New Recovery Vehicle Went Terribly Wrong (WaveRunner Rescues TANK!) - YouTube

The knuckle heads did not realize the bilge pumps only run when the engine is running.

 

[Mullaney]

The knuckle heads did not realize the bilge pumps only run when the engine is running.

.
Thanks @SCSG-G4

Who says you should READ THE TM's? Like maybe in the -10 where it tells you that the bilge pumps operate only when the engine is running? Was that important?

CRITICAL INFORMATION can be found in those crusty old books...
.

 

[Guyfang]

If you dont take an old inflated inner tube with you when swim testing a M548, you need to have someone check out all your screws. The difference between theory and practice, is sometimes razer thin.

 

[Mullaney]

.
Went back and watched the "Swim Test" video again.
Snagged a few pictures just because I could.

 

[NDT]

.
Went back and watch the "Swim Test" video again.
Snagged a few pictures just because I could.

View attachment 862874View attachment 862875View attachment 862876

Why do people post videos that make themselves look like morons.

 

[SCSG-G4]

Why do people post videos that make themselves look like morons.

Because that's what they are!