Tom et al/CTIS

[gehl@domain.elided]

Hey Tom,
I enjoy your external tire inflation ramblings ... got me thinking 
about the old BTR152 East German/Soviet armored personnel
carrier.  The second series of these vehicles, known in the West
as the Model B, features the progressive modification of a 
central tyre pressure control system.  This is a Rube-Goldberg
gem with all the external pneumatic plumbing ... I have always 
wondered how they could traverse rough terrain without knocking
off a hose or two.  I guess the answer is obvious ... the later Model 
C moved the pneumatic lines inboard.  BTW, there were a host of 
pile-on options to this basic platform: twin 14.5mm heavy machine 
guns, quad 12.7mm AA mountings, twin 23mm cannon ... 
I have always thought a gun mount in the Scout bed would have been
a popular option. Mark