Somewhere deep in the Pine Barrens of New Jersey . . . IT LIVES ! ! !
The Gama Goat is a six-wheel-drive semi-amphibious off-road vehicle originally developed for use by the US Military for the war in Vietnam - it is no longer in service. Infamous for its articulated body, which allowed it to travel over exceptionally rough terrain and for the unique four wheel steering arrangement with the front and rear wheels turning in opposite directions, "The Goat" as it was referred to by GI's required almost daily maintenance.
The vehicle's name comes from two sources; "Gama" from the name of the inventor of its powered articulated joint, Roger Gamount, and "Goat" for its mountain goat-like off-road ability. Its military designation is M561, 6x6 tactical 1.5-ton truck. There was also an ambulance version known as the M792.
Some 15,000 Gama Goats were built at a cost of US$8,000 each; this was considered quite high at the time. While the Gama Goat had exceptional off-road ability, its quirky steering made it hard to handle on pavement, and it tended to founder in amphibious operations. Production was halted after the original contract expired. This is somewhat ironic, as some claim problems with "The Goat's" performance were largely due to cost-cutting modifications made at the request of the U.S. Army. "The Goat" is prized amongst military vehicle collectors because it is so unusual and in short supply.
Talk about Last of the Few . . .
The Heart and Soul of The Goat - the Infamous Powered Articulated Joint.
When I was in the 82D Airborne, these beasts infested the Division and were almost universally despised for the amount of heavy maintenance they required. I was almost taken aback at the feelings of joy and happiness this Goat evoked when I encountered it today. Nobody said a word as I popped open the engine compartment for a look at the 3-cylinder, 2-stroke Detroit Diesel engine - the owner of the body shop this thing is parked in front of is probably used to ex-GI's drooling all over his Goat. This baby's last depot overhaul was in '89, and has civilian registration dated 2006
- S.L.
i'm gonna go with the cool factor, since i can, and say that the army doesn't pay me enough to drive that thing, but on the other hand, wouldn't mind seeing what it could do off road
ReplyDeleteThat two-stroke engine was about the loudest thing on the battlefield. Incredibly loud.
ReplyDeleteSteve, you can take a Hummer places a Goat would faint at going to.
Like SL, I had a Goat in the 82nd Abn Div (1/319th AFAR). I loved it. Had much more personality than the HMMWV we replaced it with. As mine was made in 1971, I wouldn't trust it to try swimming (one guy did and it sank like a rock). We did use them to clear camp sites (you could push down a six inch tree in six wheel low). To me, the only drawbacks were changing tires and the deafening engine noise (at speed). Meeeeeemoooooories!
ReplyDeleteI drove one of these from 74 to 77 while at Ft Carson Colorado.They would go anywhere, were very hard to start if cold, brakes were the biggest mech problem.But if I needed to go to the mountains,I would still take one today.C co 4th Eng. H Blood
ReplyDeleteOh- My! I drove one of these also from 73 to 76 while at Ft Carson HQ&A Com 4th Med. It was the ambulance version and definitely loud the poor mechanic's. We did get to put the goats in the lake and all 10 did fine. I got to take the mast ski team up the mountains for their training. Glad back heater worked. It made it up & down the snow covered mountain road ok. I remember inspectors coming thru wanting to see what the goats would do in the field they usually left in shock they said they needed to know and we would show them. Veterans day just past so a big thanks to all who have served and the families that supported you and the troops that continue and their families.God Blessand protect you. Boy the meemooories! I do think they did the right thing stopping them. They sure beat you up if you were in the back.
ReplyDeleteafter a 100 hour search ive found a replacment for the brakes on a gamma goat
ReplyDeletenapa.number..UP/ 451-r..raylock brakes chevy c-2500,1988-2000.almost identical only have to trim top of new shoe to fit pyramid spacer on the goat..REMEMBER SHORT BRAKE PAD GOES TO THE REAR LONGER BRAKE PAD GOES TO THE FRONT..
after a 100 hour search ive found a replacment for the brakes on a gamma goat
ReplyDeletenapa.number..UP/ 451-r..raylock brakes chevy c-2500,1988-2000.almost identical only have to trim top of new shoe to fit pyramid spacer on the goat..REMEMBER SHORT BRAKE PAD GOES TO THE REAR LONGER BRAKE PAD GOES TO THE FRONT..