Special Shermans (1 Viewer)

[binder001]

An M4A1 Duplex Drive would be VERY interesting. It is also the ONLY verifiable use of the 75mm turret on the late ("large hatch" M4A1 chassis. The British developed the DD and the US used their plans to have Firestone assemble 350 DD kits that were applied at the Lima Tank Depot.

Here is a photo of the best preserved US M4A1 DD. It was recovered from the sea off Italy where is was lost during training for the invasion of southern France (Opn Dragoon). Nicely restored, it resides in a museum. There are also M4A1 DDs that were pulled from the sea and are displayed in England and France.

Gary

 

[binder001]

Some more photos of models "borrowed" from the Missing Links site.

The M4A1 with M1 dozer blade

 

[binder001]

The M4A1 with wading stacks, water proofing and one with ammo trailer

 

[Rob]

Excellant pics Gary,although i voted for the Calliope i'd like any of these variants,they all would make for a cool tank.

Rob

 

[desk11desk12]

Carlos that is one sweet tank! Where did you find it ? Who made it?


How about the one with the flail?

Well, I really don't know how do respond to your question other then to say that I found it on the internet. From time to time when I find an image I like I save it. This is one of those times and unfortunately I don't know who made this 1/35 model.

Carlos

 

[kilted vampire]

Well, I really don't know how do respond to your question other then to say that I found it on the internet. From time to time when I find an image I like I save it. This is one of those times and unfortunately I don't know who made this 1/35 model.

Carlos

Well poop! It looks great!

 

[fmethorst]

Ana,

Can you comment on crew options? Are there going to be new figures released with the Sherman? Are there going to be American and British crew options?

 

[nasirkasmani]

Ana,

Can you comment on crew options? Are there going to be new figures released with the Sherman? Are there going to be American and British crew options?

I second you Frank. I do hope there will be some new crew.

It will dampen the joy and mood to an extent if HB is recycling its crew again.

 

[Ana Donzino]

Frank - I don't have much news about the crew yet, but the figures will surely be new

Ana

 

[binder001]

Ana,

I have one concern - you mentioned that the boyz want to build an M4A1 75mm with a "late hull". Please tell the boyz that they can NOT use the same hull as the M4A1 76mm that they have done before. There were very few 75mm turrets placed on that hull type and almost ALL of them went to Duplex Drive tank conversion. They were extremely rare and I haven't seen photos of any of them fitted with the equipment on the list. The standard 75mm hulls were variations of the "small hatch" hull like K&C just released. People have produced models of the 75mm version with the 76mm hull and the topic has been chewed on for years on the modler's sites, but the concensus is that only a small handful of those excaped DD conversion. So basically they can do the DD tank with the "big hatch" hull, or they need to create the "standard" 75mm hull for the other vehicles mentioned or for gun tanks (most likely with the applique armor). The earlier hull could also be the basis for an M32B1 tank recovery vehicle.

Thanks,
Gary

 

[fmethorst]

I was wondering about this and now that Gary has doubts about its existence, other than in DD configuration, it raises some concerns for me.

While I appreciate the desire to re-use the original molds it doesn't make sense if it severely restricts the posibilities to create historically accurate vehicles.

Gary,

Do you think the 76mm turret from the original release creates a good selection of options?

My research into Shermans is just starting and I have to say I am surpirsed at how challenging this subject is. Give me another German AFV.

 

[binder001]

The 76mm turret from the original tank was nice. That particular turret appeared on the 76mm versions of the M4A1, M4A3, and M4A2. It was superceded in later production by the same turret with an oval loaders' hatch instead of the gun-ring hatch.

Gary

 

[Ana Donzino]

Gary,

Thanks. The hull is new, and it's the one with the small hatches for the 75mm turret (which is new too, as are the tracks).

Ana

 

[binder001]

Sounds delightful. As always I am certainly willing to help if questions come up. I believe that you still have my home e-mail address.

Gary

 

[Ana Donzino]

Yes, Gary. And your excellent CD. Thanks! I'll contact you if the boyz have any questions.

Thanks again,

Ana

 

[redhugh]

An M4A1 Duplex Drive would be VERY interesting. It is also the ONLY verifiable use of the 75mm turret on the late ("large hatch" M4A1 chassis. The British developed the DD and the US used their plans to have Firestone assemble 350 DD kits that were applied at the Lima Tank Depot.

Here is a photo of the best preserved US M4A1 DD. It was recovered from the sea off Italy where is was lost during training for the invasion of southern France (Opn Dragoon). Nicely restored, it resides in a museum. There are also M4A1 DDs that were pulled from the sea and are displayed in England and France.

Gary

Ha , that is one weird looking contraption, what was it designed for?

 

[nasirkasmani]

Ha , that is one weird looking contraption, what was it designed for?

to storm the beaches of normandy, providing armor support.

if i'm not mistaken, they landed successfully on 4 of the 5 beaches, excluding Omaha.

 

[Rob]

Well the Calliope seems to be racing away in the poll,will this one be made first do you think then Ana?.

Rob

 

[binder001]

Ha , that is one weird looking contraption, what was it designed for?

Duplex Drive was a British invention - the name refers to the fact that the tracks drive a pair of propellers for water propulsion. On a Sherman the track idler wheel drive the propellers through a set of gears. The sides (note one side skirt in the photo is cut away to show the supporting structure) were raised with compressed air and supported with a light frame. They provided the bouyancy to float a 30-ton tank in calm water. During water operation the commander stood on a platform attached to the rear of the turret and steered the tank via a tiller attached to the props. On reaching land the skirt was deflated allowing use of the turret weapons. Biggest problem on DDay was that the US 741st Tank Battalion insisted on launching from too far out from the beach in too rough of water. The wave action caused the skirts to collapse allowing almost two companies of tanks to sink. Other units had better success either by launching closer to shore or by cancelling the "swim" and having the landing ships bring them straight to shore.

Gary

 

[fmethorst]

Here is an article on Hobart's Funnies:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hobart's_Funnies