Let's consider this "cost" issue for a moment. When you consider the cost of
selling a vehicle to the public and subtract it from the price that they might
get from such a vehicle, you would wind up with a fairly small sum of money.
If we assume, correctly I think, that the military needs targets for weapons
practice and if all vehicles are sold to the public, a substitute target must
be found. If you figure the cost of procurement, transportation and setup of
substitute "targets," I think you will find that a procured substitute would
cost far more than the net profit from any sale to the public.
In short, I'm quite certain it is much cheaper to shoot something you already
own and have already paid for, than to sell it and purchase a substitute.
"Someone" on the list keeps bringing up the issue of a liability disclaimer
for vehicles such as the M151. Irrespective of the actual safety of such a
vehicle, there are statements of public record that this vehicle is unsafe.
I'm afraid the genie is out of the bottle! ANY attorney would use such
statements as an admission of gross negligence on the part of the government,
for knowingly exposing the public to such a risk.
Frankly, I can't imagine they are dangerous if driven carefully and properly.
Hell, my wife's Ferret would be happy to roll wheel side up if maneuvered too
quickly. My feelings are irrelevant, once they were labeled with a "defect"
it cannot be retracted by a simple disclaimer. This would require a complete
change in the law regarding civil, and perhaps criminal, liability.
Regards,
Stuart Robinson
1993 Hummer, CARC 383 Green
FV622 Alvis Stalwart, Amphibious 6X6
FV704 Daimler Ferret MK 2/3
* FV101 Scorpion CVR(T)
* FV721 Fox CVR(W)
* Still in England undergoing restoration.
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