Chris.
Interesting point, particularly in regards to the degree of common sense lacking from it which is so typical of political decisions made that directly impact our various military establishments today. We have developed such an amazing assortment of weapons that can lay waste and pollute the environment in so many ways, but God forbid the vehicles used by the military should be allowed to fail modern day emission standards. Somebody might get sick or hurt or even die.
Not sure what it is like out your way with ownership and operation of vintage MV's, but here in Manitoba it seems that every few years some political clowns try and legislate vintage vehicles of any kind off the road because they pollute, or don't meet modern safety standards in one way or another. It seems that only when they are confronted by documentation confirming the very low numbers of these amazing vehicles actually on the road, and how infrequently they are actually on the road, the politicians back off. Then a new batch get elected and we have to beat them into shape all over again!
I can't help but think that all our current problems with the Canadian and American governments growing reluctance to dispose of obsolete MV's can be traced directly to the lawsuits brought against the US authorities a few decades back when one or two idiots bought surplus M151's and proceeded to kill themselves in them by not driving them properly. Things went downhill very quickly after that happened.
It is sad that interesting, old military vehicles like the M113 series, or any other armoured vehicles for that matter are regarded with such fear by the politicians, should they ever end up intact in the hands of collectors. Probably a good thing they have not realized just how many Bren gun carriers, half tracks and other bits of armour are actually out there already.
David
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