BATGUANO - An M151A1 of the 265th ASA, ABN, 101st ABN

[Madmedic]

BATGUANO is the latest restored addition to our collection.

It's a cut/reweld 1967 Kaiser M151A1, that we received from the estate of a dear friend of ours Chief Bernard Olive, of the Baytown Fire Department. Bernard had been a medic, and he had done a partial resto with markings from his time in service. The original intent was to restore it putting back his unit markings. That is until we found a unique marking on the passenger's side. That of a yellow bat.

With help from fellow SS Members (much appreciated) we did research and discovered that this vehicle had actually been used in Viet Nam by the 265th ASA, ABN, 101st ABN. The 265th was stood up and down in Viet Nam. Once we learned that, the plans changed, and we have instead restored as best we can, with proper unit markings etc, for it's service. This is a link to a history of the 265th, with additional pictures of other jeeps and vehicles used by them in Viet Nam. http://www.bathead.com/265RRC.html

Here also are some pictures of the restored vehicle, and the original yellow bat.

 

[m715mike]

Wholly bat sh$t, Miles! That Jeep came out great!

 

[USAFSS-ColdWarrior]

Holly Bat Poop, Batman!

What a great history!

Carry on!

 

[Madmedic]

Thanks guys. It's living in the Bat Cave of course. Had a fight with Ric to NOT go Bat Shite Crazy with gear like his gun/radio jeep. Wanted to keep it true to the picts of other jeeps used by the 265th.

 

[Madmedic]

Wholly bat sh$t, Miles! That Jeep came out great!

Mike, what's REALLY bad, was Ric. You know how he's batty about motorcycles. He wanted us to buy this

1972 Yamaha 250 Batcycle Replica for Sale at Auction - Mecum Auctions

View the 1972 Yamaha 250 Batcycle Replica for sale at Dallas 2020 in Dallas, TX as T24.

www.mecum.com

Replica batcycle at the 2020 Mecum Auction in Dallas. We would have been Fatman and Robin. Didn't get it for 2 Reasons. 1. Ric doesn't need another motor cycle, and NO ONE, I MEAN ABSOLUTELY NO ONE ever needs to see Ric in Tights.

 

[m715mike]

If Ric can ride a mechanical bull… I’m sure he won’t have a problem wearing tights and riding the bat bike.

 

[67Beast]

That's cool to see another truck marked for an ASA company. Several of my trucks are marked as ASA trucks representing the ASA units my father served with. He was with the 226th ASA and 313th ASA in the 60's.

 

[cobra5]

BATGUANO is the latest restored addition to our collection.
It's a cut/reweld 1967 Kaiser M151A1

Did you mistype the year in your post? Kaiser didn't produce the M151A1 after 1964.

 

[hambone]

Nice looking A1.

 

[steelypip]

Always cool to see any MV with its original historical markings. I have to say the A1 is my favorite variant of the 151 as well...

 

[Madmedic]

Did you mistype the year in your post? Kaiser didn't produce the M151A1 after 1964.

67 Beast.... NIIIICE Collection. Yes we did mis-label it. The original data plate was illegible except for the serial number and date of manufacture. The information I could find on the web for that year was ambiguous. Yesterday I was in North Texas consulting with a certain smart ass Parts and Paint dealer to remain nameless. He had in his files a Ford data plate with the same series and 3 months later. Here are pictures of both data plates.

 

[Mullaney]

67 Beast.... NIIIICE Collection. Yes we did mis-label it. The original data plate was illegible except for the serial number and date of manufacture. The information I could find on the web for that year was ambiguous. Yesterday I was in North Texas consulting with a certain smart ass Parts and Paint dealer to remain nameless. He had in his files a Ford data plate with the same series and 3 months later. Here are pictures of both data plates.

.
Well, for whatever it is worth to you -
There are plenty of smart ass people here in almost every line of business!
Texas doesn't have the market cornered on that type of people.

 

[cobra5]

67 Beast.... NIIIICE Collection. Yes we did mis-label it. The original data plate was illegible except for the serial number and date of manufacture. The information I could find on the web for that year was ambiguous. Yesterday I was in North Texas consulting with a certain smart ass Parts and Paint dealer to remain nameless. He had in his files a Ford data plate with the same series and 3 months later. Here are pictures of both data plates.

I have a 68 Ford that was assigned to the USMC and may have been over there but I can't say definitely. I have a document that shows another 151 in country that was within a few numbers of mine but again that isn't enough proof for me. The PO bought it from DRMO back in the 70's. It is basically a tub, hood, front and rear bumpers, steering column, striped control arms and it took a good side impact on the drivers side. Maybe I'll get lucky and uncover some hidden info when I get around to rebuilding it.
That original data plate has seen some years. Its always nice to find someone who has the missing information your are looking for whether they are a smart ass or not.

 

[Madmedic]

Everyone please keep in mind that my description of ...... cough cough.... Marrrrrk. (oops did I say his name?) even if he wimped out and didn't come to MVPA because he had a sniffle, Is meant tongue in cheek. And if y'all ever see me with knees or feet on his chest?? He has asthma and needed help with breathing....... really!!!!

 

[265thBat]

BATGUANO is the latest restored addition to our collection.

It's a cut/reweld 1967 Kaiser M151A1, that we received from the estate of a dear friend of ours Chief Bernard Olive, of the Baytown Fire Department. Bernard had been a medic, and he had done a partial resto with markings from his time in service. The original intent was to restore it putting back his unit markings. That is until we found a unique marking on the passenger's side. That of a yellow bat.

With help from fellow SS Members (much appreciated) we did research and discovered that this vehicle had actually been used in Viet Nam by the 265th ASA, ABN, 101st ABN. The 265th was stood up and down in Viet Nam. Once we learned that, the plans changed, and we have instead restored as best we can, with proper unit markings etc, for it's service. This is a link to a history of the 265th, with additional pictures of other jeeps and vehicles used by them in Viet Nam. http://www.bathead.com/265RRC.html

Here also are some pictures of the restored vehicle, and the original yellow bat.

 

[265thBat]

Thanks for reaching out....picture on the right is the first CO of then265th...he BAT continues with there D Co 326th BEB 101st ABN today. The Sentinel and the Shooter is a book about US in Vietnam. I posted your pictures one our FB page, one of our guys painted that bat. John Mastro 265th RRC 71-72 and 313th ASA....we are planning a reunion in FT Worth next MAY, and if possible check out the jeep.

 

[Madmedic]

Keep me updated on your reunion. I'd love to bring the jeep to it for you guys

 

[265thBat]

That's cool to see another truck marked for an ASA company. Several of my trucks are marked as ASA trucks representing the ASA units my father served with. He was with the 226th ASA and 313th ASA in the 60's.

313th ASA Ft Bragg, John Mastro...72-73/265th RRC 71/72 Great tribute to your dad.

 

[265thBat]

1973 Ft Bragg 313th ASA Barracks

 

[265thBat]

Keep me updated on your reunion. I'd love to bring the jeep to it for you guys

Greatly appreciated...you made a whole bunch of 265th guys happy. One swears he painted that original bat. Our reunion dates as of nows are 18-22 May 2022 in Ft Worth. This is another photo of one of jeeps.