User Panel
User Panel
User Panel
|
Posted: 9/10/2022 9:29:34 AM EDT
We will finally be closing the loop today on a 52 year journey of reuniting a lost Zippo with it's owner, along with the actual vehicle it was lost in. Don hasn't seen the Zippo or the infamous V100 since 1970 Vietnam. In preparation, we gave a sponge bath to the V100 and cleaned up a bit in the shop. Pictures to follow.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 9/10/2022 10:35:06 AM EDT
[#1]
Awesome! I'm looking forward to hearing about the reunion!
|
|
|
|
Posted: 9/10/2022 1:43:22 PM EDT
[#2]
Very cool! It looks awesome, you guys did a fantastic job.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 9/10/2022 5:39:20 PM EDT
[#3]
Don Tillman in '70
 Don's first time in 52 years being able to lay hands on the vehicle he knew well   Would you believe he asked if it would be ok to climb in? "Of course Don, and while you're at it could you autograph this helmet?"  Don started up the side of the vehicle and before he got to the top he asked "should I take my shoes off" and I replied "did you have them off the last time you were up there?" and with a big ole grin he climbed on top.  This was the spot he dropped the Zippo 52 years ago and the same spot where I put it in his hand, and as I did I said "last time you climbed out of here without it"  Since the original Don Tillman Zippo is going home with it's owner, I asked Don if he'd mind personalizing my copy of it.   There were many more pictures that I will share later, but these were a few highlights. Meeting Don and his wife was a pleasure as both of them were as excited as kids on Christmas morning...just one of those things you'd have to experience, and I am just grateful I was able to. |
|
|
|
Posted: 9/10/2022 10:13:33 PM EDT
[#4]
What a great story! Must have been quite a day for him.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 9/11/2022 7:54:39 AM EDT
[#5]
Fantastic story and thanks for sharing
|
|
|
|
Posted: 9/11/2022 12:47:41 PM EDT
[#6]
Rad
|
|
|
|
Posted: 9/11/2022 1:49:23 PM EDT
[#7]
Awesome!!!
This story and the pics made my day 
|
|
|
|
Posted: 9/11/2022 3:04:09 PM EDT
[#8]
I'm glad he got his money's worth out of that Zippo!
 
|
|
|
|
Posted: 9/12/2022 6:06:43 AM EDT
[#9]
We have a "Blood Sweat and Tears" facebook page and just added an album with more pictures.
Don Tillman Album |
|
|
|
Posted: 9/12/2022 11:07:32 AM EDT
[#10]
|
|
|
|
Posted: 9/12/2022 11:36:02 AM EDT
[#11]
What a great story with a happy ending!
I’m sure it was a bit dusty there. |
|
|
|
Posted: 9/12/2022 11:43:19 AM EDT
[#12]
Quote HistoryQuoted: What a great story with a happy ending! I’m sure it was a bit dusty there. Yes Sir and yes it was... |
|
|
|
Posted: 9/12/2022 10:08:08 PM EDT
[#13]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Yes Sir and yes it was... Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: What a great story with a happy ending! I’m sure it was a bit dusty there. Yes Sir and yes it was... Thank you for what you did, your time and finances invested in this and for sharing it with us!
|
|
|
|
Posted: 9/13/2022 6:56:11 AM EDT
[#14]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Thank you for what you did, your time and finances invested in this and for sharing it with us! Considering how rare good news and stories with happy endings are these days, it would be a crime not to share this one. |
|
|
|
Posted: 9/13/2022 9:49:38 PM EDT
[#15]
I stumbled upon the facebook pictures without much description attached but figured it out. You guys did a great job. Thanks for making his day.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 9/21/2022 9:02:01 AM EDT
[#16]
He really kept himself in good shape, amazing story.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 9/21/2022 8:54:29 PM EDT
[#17]
Quoted: I stumbled upon the facebook pictures without much description attached but figured it out. You guys did a great job. Thanks for making his day. Thanks for the kind words. We are working on a complete story that will tie everything together nicely. Quoted: He really kept himself in good shape, amazing story. He sure did. I've never seen anyone climb aboard the way Don did. I could tell he's done it many times...even if it was 52 years ago.   |
|
|
|
Posted: 11/19/2022 11:16:56 AM EDT
[#18]
Making progress on the turret parts. The original finish on this fire control box was removed and white Cerakote and laser engraving/color fill replaced the ink stamped markings. This control box mounted on the traversing gearbox and controlled the twin M73 mg's
We will re-wrap the wiring harness before we reinstall it to give it the final restored touch. 
|
|
|
|
Posted: 11/19/2022 6:36:10 PM EDT
[#19]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Making progress on the turret parts. The original finish on this fire control box was removed and white Cerakote and laser engraving/color fill replaced the ink stamped markings. This control box mounted on the traversing gearbox and controlled the twin M73 mg's We will re-wrap the wiring harness before we reinstall it to give it the final restored touch. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/800x600q90/924/A9IspI.jpg I'm not sure what the appropriate song would be, but it needs something like this. 
|
|
|
|
Posted: 11/19/2022 8:01:42 PM EDT
[#20]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I'm not sure what the appropriate song would be, but it needs something like this. https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fi.redd.it%2Fti6idzpy66q51.jpg&f=1&nofb=1&ipt=610df1381e05d4cc8ae419971c8903ab0e6fc1d44f3b89a824abd27ed962ab9d&ipo=images Definitely a good choice. We have a few MP3 songs from the era (including that one) loaded into a vintage looking transistor radio that will be part of the display. |
|
|
|
Posted: 11/28/2022 8:59:23 PM EDT
[#21]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Definitely a good choice. We have a few MP3 songs from the era (including that one) loaded into a vintage looking transistor radio that will be part of the display. Not sure if you have any need for such hardware, but if anyone here does it would be you. M34 Tank Periscope Assembly, Complete, for M60 & M60A1 Tanks, https://www.apexgunparts.com/m34-tank-periscope-complete-excellent.html |
|
|
|
Posted: 11/29/2022 10:00:30 PM EDT
[#22]
That's pretty awesome! Have you contacted the Zippo museum in Bradford, PA? I'm sure they'd like to add this to their display.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 11/30/2022 9:24:03 AM EDT
[#23]
Quoted: Not sure if you have any need for such hardware, but if anyone here does it would be you. M34 Tank Periscope Assembly, Complete, for M60 & M60A1 Tanks, https://www.apexgunparts.com/m34-tank-periscope-complete-excellent.html Found a M28 periscope there that caught my attention. Quoted: That's pretty awesome! Have you contacted the Zippo museum in Bradford, PA? I'm sure they'd like to add this to their display. Thank you. I haven't heard of the Zippo museum before this. |
|
|
|
Posted: 4/1/2023 9:49:09 AM EDT
[#24]
I was forwarded a link to this M113 which bears the same name "Blood Sweat and Tears" and the caption associated with the photo reads "We had a slight problem one day. Bravo Co., 4th Bn., 23 Inf. Reg., 25th Inf. Div. 1970"
Although it isn't the photo of our V100 I had been searching for, it does give some hope that one may be found.  
|
|
|
|
Posted: 4/7/2023 3:32:41 PM EDT
[#25]
Someone should post a link to this in GD more people need to see the great work WGT has done on this project.
Outstanding.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 4/8/2023 9:03:41 AM EDT
[#26]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Someone should post a link to this in GD more people need to see the great work WGT has done on this project. Outstanding. Definitely a cool thread and story. I've enjoyed it. |
|
|
Win a FREE Membership!
Sign up for the ARFCOM weekly newsletter and be entered to win a free ARFCOM membership. One new winner* is announced every week!
You will receive an email every Friday morning featuring the latest chatter from the hottest topics, breaking news surrounding legislation, as well as exclusive deals only available to ARFCOM email subscribers.
AR15.COM is the world's largest firearm community and is a gathering place for firearm enthusiasts of all types.
From hunters and military members, to competition shooters and general firearm enthusiasts, we welcome anyone who values and respects the way of the firearm.
Subscribe to our monthly Newsletter to receive firearm news, product discounts from your favorite Industry Partners, and more.
Copyright © 1996-2024 AR15.COM LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Any use of this content without express written consent is prohibited.
AR15.Com reserves the right to overwrite or replace any affiliate, commercial, or monetizable links, posted by users, with our own.
