Help is here!

Dear Editor,

We have four suggestions that will help crews keep their Avengers ready to knock down the enemy.

* Check the spring that goes to the lever for the M3P machine gun's remote charger. If the spring is missing, corroded, or weak, the bolt can't be fully pulled forward and the gun can't be fired.

* Eyeball the M3P Feed chute for areas where the links are pulling apart from each other. Once the links start separating, the gun will probably have jamming problems. Tell your repairman. You may need a new chute.

* Use a training missile to test the missile release latches in the SVML during weekly PMCS. Most crews just look at the latches, but you really can't tell if they work unless you actually install a missile. If the latches don't release, you won't be launching any missiles.

* The principal reason the canopy gets out of alignment and the areas around the canopy arms crack is that gunners don't guide the canopy all the way up. Instead, they let go of the canopy strap because it's too short and the canopy slams open. We solved that problem by tying 550 cord or something similar to the strap to make it long enough so that the gunner can guide the canopy all the way while seated. Just tie the cord through the strap's loop.

Speaking of the canopy, we find it's a good idea to check weekly for cracks around where the canopy arms attach to the block mounted on the turret wall. Small cracks are easy to fix. But if they become too big, the arms can rip right out. Then you've got a big repair.

SSG Guadalupe Perez

SSG Erik Vazquez

C Co, 2/6 ADA 

Ft Bliss, TX

Editor's note: Good job, guys. Your suggestions should fire up Avenger crews.)