Found in a Nellis area MOA; Need ID

www.lazygranch.com/images/misc/usaf_recovery_5_102007.jpg
www.lazygranch.com/images/misc/usaf_recovery_4_102007.jpg
www.lazygranch.com/images/misc/usaf_recovery_3_102007.jpg
www.lazygranch.com/images/misc/usaf_recovery_2_102007.jpg
www.lazygranch.com/images/misc/usaf_recovery_1_102007.jpg




[edit on 11/2/2007 by benevolent tyrant]

It's sure to be of earthly origin, though I have no idea what that is. The last picture I viewed was a closeup of the "cockpit?" as it lay on the truck bed. There seemed to be a shielding or cowling with a place for gauges behind it.

Whatever it was, it had a hard life and a not too soft landing.

A real mystery find there, as far as I'm concerned.

Kinda looks like an external fuel tank for a large aircraft.

Or perhaps one of

I'll look around a bit, but don't know offhand.

[edit on 11/2/07 by makeitso]

My guess would be an external fuel tank, too. It don't look like a missile to me. Of course, I'm no expert, I just call it as I see it.

Checking a few other lists, most believe it is a fuel tank from a B-52.

Another theory is this fuel tank on a truck is used as a fake scud, that is a visual target.

what are the gauges for if it is an exernal fuel tank or a skud. i have no idea what that thing is though.

I'll use this as my first post. It is indeed a fuel tank from a B-52, either from a B-52A thru D model. I don't hink the its beings used as a imataion scud since A. The truck that is towing it (M939A1 5-ton tractor) is way too new to be put out a as target. Besides the scuds where carried by a massive Maz-543 truck.
I can see where one might see where there where "gauges" and a cowling, but thet in fact it the top of the taknk and part of the sturcture of the pylon the holds the tank to the wing.
For me the biggest mysytery is way is the tank sand colored? To the best of my knowlege there where no B-52s evers painted in sand camo, they fly so high you wouldn't need to camoflauge it with the ground.

Maddux

Yep, B-52 wing tank.

Here's a camo'd tank photo.

The TTR has real scuds, right down to the proper truck. However, I don't think they would place them in a spot where the public can reach. It's not like you can just buy a scud on ebay.

www.lazygranch.com...

I have no idea how this table will show up. However, you can find it on the same page as the scud photo
www.lazygranch.com/ttr.htm
I'll add an anchor later.

SYSTEM NAME SERIAL NUMBER LOCATION QUANTITY REMARKS
MAZ-543 TEL Tonopah, NV 1 Non-Operational (Carcass, Cannibalization)
MAZ-543 TEL 543 5000 211 1345-2-82 Tonopah, NV 1 Operational (All Original, R-27)
MAZ-543 TEL 543 50000 19 3753-7-77 Tonopah, NV 1 Operational (R-28/Repowered; With Missile)
MAZ-543 TEL 543 50000 19 3769-7-77 Tonopah, NV 1 Operational (R-29/Repowered, With Missile)
MAZ-543 TEL 543 50000 19 1200 3 78 Tonopah, NV 1 Operational (All Original, R-31)
MAN Crane 550 0012 Tonopah, NV 1 Operational (Registration No. NP 04 FP)
ZIL-131,Neutralizer Tonopah, NV 1 Operational (F-11)
ZIL-131,Oxidizer Tonopah, NV 1 Operational (F-26)
ZIL-131,Auto Ck-Out Tonopah, NV 1 Operational (F-30)
ZIL-131,Fuel Tonopah, NV 1 Non-Operational [F-41, (Needs Ignition Parts & Rear Axle Pinion Seal, F-41)]
ZIL-131,Compressor Tonopah, NV 1 Operational (F-50)
ZIL-131,Horz Ck-Out Tonopah, NV 1 Operational (MR-13); Awaiting Wheel Seals
ZIL-131, 5th Wheel 629350 Tonopah, NV 1 Operational [With a Single Missile Resupply Trailer (W/One Missile), No. 344565]
Decoy 1M9EB3621K1217839 Tonopah, NV 1 Operational (MAZ-543 Decoy on a Trailer, 82x10185)
Decoy Tonopah, NV 1 Operational (MAZ-543 Decoy on a Trailer, 91x17002)
TEL Trailer Tonopah, NV 1 Operational (Modified M747 Trailer, 74x1002 - ID Number 784)
TEL Trailer Tonopah, NV 1 Operational (Modified M747 Trailer, 74x1001 - Manufacturer's Serial Number 104)
Triple-Carry Trailer IM9FB362361217091 Tonopah, NV 1 Operational (9026227 - With Two Missiles)
ZIL-131 Tonopah, NV 1 Non-Operational (Used for Parts, Cannibalization, Carcass)
ZIL-131 Tonopah, NV 1 Non-Operational (Used for Parts, Cannibalization, Carcass)