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- DESOTO, KANSAS
A week ago I picked up a M353 3 1/2 ton trailer which happened to have a MK155 USMC MICLIC launcher bolted on to it. My first thoughts were to scrap the launcher and use the trailer for another heavy hauling device. After getting it home and talking to gbooth we decided that with his shop and my piles of surplus stuff that we should try and build a MICLIC. For you that don't remember he is the one that built a 105 gun out of a 105 trailer axle and stuff laying around the shop http://www.steelsoldiers.com/showthread.php?103222-Handbuilt-Towed-105mm-Gun&highlight= . A MICLIC uses a MK22 5" tractor rocket to launch a string of 1900 pounds of C4 out in front of you 300 yards to breech a mine field. Knowing that getting an inert M22 was out of my price range and that for some reason finding an empty M58 linear demo charge box is like finding hens teeth, we decided to make something that at least gave you the impression of the real thing. First was to make the charge box which since I just happen to have 10+ Nos M101 tail gates they would be the donor material for the box, A little tape measure work and a plasma cutter made quick work in getting parts for the box cut.
We cut down 2 of the tailgates for the ends and used 2 full size for the sides since the trailer came with the vinyl charge cover we decided we really didn't need a floor in the box, but may make one out of plywood just to keep kids from climbing under it. Using tailgates the box is about two foot short but most folks won't know. We decided that since the M22 is a 122MM or 5" we would build it out of 4" PVC as you can't find fittings for 6" PVC so between Lowe's, HD and Napa for 2 transmission funnels I got enough parts to vis mod one up. Also since Gregg thought it needed some color it got a red nose, it is supposed to be grey blue in color but grey primer looks ok to us and the back blast ring color in a reddish brown so we used brown primer for it. the tow cable came from an S280 shelter I picked up last year.
We cut down 2 of the tailgates for the ends and used 2 full size for the sides since the trailer came with the vinyl charge cover we decided we really didn't need a floor in the box, but may make one out of plywood just to keep kids from climbing under it. Using tailgates the box is about two foot short but most folks won't know. We decided that since the M22 is a 122MM or 5" we would build it out of 4" PVC as you can't find fittings for 6" PVC so between Lowe's, HD and Napa for 2 transmission funnels I got enough parts to vis mod one up. Also since Gregg thought it needed some color it got a red nose, it is supposed to be grey blue in color but grey primer looks ok to us and the back blast ring color in a reddish brown so we used brown primer for it. the tow cable came from an S280 shelter I picked up last year.
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