Decontaminator Question

[w30bob]

Hi Guys,

I keep seeing folks list "decontaminators" and the brackets for such on Ebay for 50's era military vehicles. I haven't found one where I can clearly read the label on the thing.....so can someone tell me what it was exactly that they were trying to "decontaminate"? Was this for stuff like biologic agents....ie, nerve gas? Just not getting what a little fire-extinguisher like device would actually do in such a case.

thanks,
bob

[RonD2]

In all my nuclear, biological, and chemical defense training throughout the 1970's, 1980's, and 1990's (mainly aimed at the Russkies) the main take-away I ever got out of learning to mask, put on a charcoal suit, or use any form of decontamination widget was that you were basically screwed to begin with. It made me feel like there might be a maybe slim chance to survive and continue the mission --- but all this stuff is so deadly that the odds are well against it.

I see no need to decontaminate a jeep with crapola all over your suit (inside and out) when you're still getting shot at.

In other words, my opinion is that any hand-held decon device provided by my Uncle Sam was just lip service to make me feel good. It didn't work much on nasty stuff where one drop would kill a herd of elephant and some materials (like 1950 and 1960's paint) are impossible to decontaminate to begin with.

I never saw a vehicle-mounted decon widget on a M151, M715, or anything after that in my time. I'm guessing that Uncle finally figured out they were a waste of time and money.

Just my 2 cents.

[4x4M38]

Hi Ron!

Couple of thoughts.
1. For a daily driver a fire extinguisher in that mount makes more sense.

2. The ultimate in taking one for the team was the Davy Crockett tactical
nuke mounted on the M38A1D. The flight range of the weapon ensured you
joined your foes in leaving this mortal coil either in milliseconds, or worse,
over time due to delayed effects.

I remember being in school in Florida in the 60's and doing the drills
where we placed our heads between our knees. I didn't figure out until
later this was essentially practicing kissing one's backside goodbye!

[wesk]

To actually answer your question Bob:




You should be able to read these labels. Also note the difference in size of Decontaminator vs Fire Ext. They used different mounting brackets.

They were for personnel decon not vehicle decon. They are too small for the whole jeep. The vehicle decon would take place at a company or higher decon site with adequate water for the job. The decon targeted all NBC materials. (NBC = Nuclear-Biological-Chemical).

Vehicles still have decon kits in them today. Here's a 1995 tactical decon procedures pub:
http://www.surfacezero.com/g503/data/50 ... n-Concepts

[w30bob]

Hi Guys,

Thanks! Wes.........great pic..........I didn't realize the size difference as compared to an extinguisher.

Brian.......we did similar drills in elementary school except we had to go out into the main hallway of the school and huddle against the wall. "Air Raid drills" they were called and that was from 1970 to 1973, ie, K thru 3rd grade. I don't recall us doing them from 4th grade on.

One of these decon devices just popped up on eBay with a big clear pic of the label. Doesn't say what the "fluid" is that's used to refill........so I wonder what was in it in the first place. But at $400+ for one I don't think I really need it.


https://www.ebay.com/itm/RARE-NOS-WWII- ... SwsBtaEGl5

thanks again,
bob

[RonD2]

Pages 336-339 have some interesting reading about Decon Apparatus:

http://tothosewhoserved.org/usa/ts/usat ... ter14.html

U.S. Army Chemical Warfare Service in WW2:

http://tothosewhoserved.org/usa/ts/usatsc02/index.html

[wesk]

Back then nothing but water.

[Jerseyhawg]

SO, its more correct to have a decontaminator in a 52 M38 than a fire extinguisher? I want to ad a bit of "bling" to the 52 I am buying. Where can I get what I need? I am new to military jeeps. Thank you for all your help.

[wesk]

Yes. The M38 & M38A1 did not come from Willys or Kaiser with a fire ext. bracket.

You can shop the decontaminators using their name, part number and etc on any of the search engines.

[Jerseyhawg]

Wes, thank you. I have been looking and will keep looking. I dont know parts numbers. But general google search terms I have been searching.
I yhink the place to mount it is in front of the passenger seat. I have other sthings I will be asking to in the future. Right now another bling item is the Denix M1 Garand. Another thing thats been a bit of a chore to hunt. But thats part of the fun. Hunting this stuff up.

Glenn

[wesk]

The only number I have seen is M-2. Here's a link to some good photos of WWII units: http://jeepdraw.com/NOS-PARTS3.html



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