RC 1/16 Sherman T31 Demolition tank - LMCQ11 Build

[lmcq11]

Hi,

Time to start a new project. This one will be easier than the past few builds, it will be a Tamiya M4A3E8 Sherman conversion.

Here is the Sherman T31 Demolition tank prototype that i want to reproduce in 1/16 with RC features. I am guessing someone in the US Army was jealous of the Sturmtiger and wanted a tank that could do something similar.

The main turret armament is composed of two revolver type T94 7.2 inch rocket launchers in the side pods that can hold 5 rounds each, with 20 more rockets stored in the turret and that can be reloaded from inside the vehicle. The rocket launcher pods can elevate. There is a dummy and fixed 155mm gun pointing forward to make it look more scary. There is a total of 3 ball mounted Browning M1919 machine guns, and a Browning M2 on the commander's cupula. It's impressive.

RC 1/16 Sherman T31 Demolition tank - Build

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Notice the holes for the rocket back blasts and back door for reloading.

RC 1/16 Sherman T31 Demolition tank - Build

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The TC has a late Sherman style cupola.

RC 1/16 Sherman T31 Demolition tank - Build

It came too late to be produced during the war and after some technical issues were found during trials at Aberdeen regarding the rocket revolving basket mechanism, the project was cancelled and the unique prototype was sadly destroyed.

RC 1/16 Sherman T31 Demolition tank - Build

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The tank was armed with thirty T-37 demolition rockets, a modification of a naval anti-submarine rocket. It had a range of 212 meters.

RC 1/16 Sherman T31 Demolition tank - Build

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I do not want to repro the prototype as is, i prefer a "what if" production vehicle. To make it even more impressive, i also plan to equip the vehicle with an M1A1 bulldozer blade.

RC 1/16 Sherman T31 Demolition tank - Build

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RC 1/16 Sherman T31 Demolition tank - Build

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Because of the M4E3E8 HVSS suspension, the M1A1 blade is wider than the M1 and has a different mount.

RC 1/16 Sherman T31 Demolition tank - Build

RC 1/16 Sherman T31 Demolition tank - Build

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For the conversion, i will use an old Tamiya M4A3E8 HVSS that i built as a young man in the early 1990s and kept on the shelve ever since. I always found the small turret with the 105mm gun to be simplistic and quite unimpressive. I already converted two of these Tamiya Shermans to the 76mm turret with the Nick Aguilar conversion, i need something new.

RC 1/16 Sherman T31 Demolition tank - Build

Continuing on following post.

[lmcq11]

The old turret will be discarded.

RC 1/16 Sherman T31 Demolition tank - Build

Looking inside, the old Tamiya has a decent gearbox, but the T-01 board only allows the tank to be driven around, it has no turret or other functions. There are people that still pay $500 for these on eBay.

RC 1/16 Sherman T31 Demolition tank - Build

RC 1/16 Sherman T31 Demolition tank - Build

For the build, i will be helped by the BoldDivision 1/35 resin conversion kit to extrapolate shapes and dimensions for 1/16 scale.

RC 1/16 Sherman T31 Demolition tank - Build

Resin parts are well casted.

RC 1/16 Sherman T31 Demolition tank - Build

The model is simple and the core components can be built in less that 90 minutes, minus the fragile details that can be avoided for the 1/16 build as reference.

RC 1/16 Sherman T31 Demolition tank - Build

It comes with Master M1919 metal gun barrels, a nice touch. A third one for the hull mg would have been nice though for consistency.

RC 1/16 Sherman T31 Demolition tank - Build

A 1/35 kit is excellent to study, and see where there could also be some issues to correct for the 1/16 build. I am noticing the rocket barrels seems a bit too small in diameter.

RC 1/16 Sherman T31 Demolition tank - Build

RC 1/16 Sherman T31 Demolition tank - Build

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RC 1/16 Sherman T31 Demolition tank - Build

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Continuing on following post

[lmcq11]

RC 1/16 Sherman T31 Demolition tank - Build

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RC 1/16 Sherman T31 Demolition tank - Build

This is the Vandra M1 bulldozer 1/16 resin conversion kit. As usual, it comes with issues. Notice how the spade is warped and has a broken section.

RC 1/16 Sherman T31 Demolition tank - Build

30 seconds in the microwave does fix the warping.

RC 1/16 Sherman T31 Demolition tank - Build

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RC 1/16 Sherman T31 Demolition tank - Build

The M1A1 mounts will need to be scratch built. God knows what else will need to be redone.

RC 1/16 Sherman T31 Demolition tank - Build

As i need the wider M1A1 bulldozer because of the HVSS suspension and tracks, i need to convert it by adding 2.28mm in width to the blade.

RC 1/16 Sherman T31 Demolition tank - Build

Machine gun accessories.

RC 1/16 Sherman T31 Demolition tank - Build

Time to use my new Elmod Fusion Pro. As a builder, electronics are not my specialty and i have been using Clark boards for years. It looks a bit complicated but i will figure it out.

RC 1/16 Sherman T31 Demolition tank - Build

This is it, the build is starting.

Regards, Louis

[tankme]

That is definitely not your ordinary subject for a build. I'm sure you will make that ugly machine look great...

[Kaczor]

Interesting project. Shermans have some crazy versions

phpBB [video]

[HERMAN BIX]

I just cant get past how "out-there" it is !!
Great concept, possibly ahead of its time, but God !! What a hideous looking AFV
I get that form-follows-function, but its juuuuuust uuuuugly

That aside, cant think of a better reason to convert a boring 105 Sherman to something with a bit of "ring-a-ding-ding"!!

[EAO]

Louis,

That is one butt ugly tank! It looks almost Russian in the shape of the turret! Will be interesting to see how you handle the build. I've seen Kaczor's video before, but it still blows my mind! I guess it speaks of the solidness of the chassis to be able to come up with so many alien configurations!

Also, totally blown away by your "microwave modeling" skills! If I tried that the microwave would need replacing and the house would smell like a scorched cat!

Cheers,
Eric.

[Herr Dr. Professor]

Among the dozen or so Sherman books I have, I do not recall seeing that hilarious beast! I'd bet it's in some book, but I just missed it. Well, I am a bit run down (not COVID) and its snowing like crazy, so it's time for a lazy book search tonight. Meanwhile, you will up to your usual magic. This will be an absolute blast to see, Louis!

[lmcq11]

Hi everyone,

Thank you all for the encouragements. Yeah, it's not pretty but its impressive, that why i decided to build it. I already built most of the pretty Sherman based vehicles.. so this is what i am down to in order to keep interest in the M4. I like this one because the armament is really special.

The T31 should be seen as an American attempt to create a US KV-2 and Sturmtiger equivalent. If the war had lasted longer and it had been produced, it would have given amazing firepower support to the US troops.

Starting with the turret, i selected a cheap Heng Long turret base for modifications, keeping my Tamiya 105mm turret intact, just in case i decide to reuse it one day.

RC 1/16 Sherman T31 Demolition tank - Build

The Heng Long turret base just need two roundels to adapt it to the Tamiya upper hull. One to fit the turret ring of the hull as shown below, and one overlayed roundel over the lips to hold the turret in place for a smooth rotation.

RC 1/16 Sherman T31 Demolition tank - Build

The T31 turret structure needs a round flat base like this.

RC 1/16 Sherman T31 Demolition tank - Build

The cast turret core is done in 1.5mm plasticard in a few hours of work. Its shape is quite simplistic with flat areas, few angles and rounded corners.

RC 1/16 Sherman T31 Demolition tank - Build

The frontal area is completed. The back is left open until the elevation system is in place. Because the turret will have no recoil system, the electronics inside will be very simple, one servo for elevation and large LEDs on the rocket launcher tubes.

RC 1/16 Sherman T31 Demolition tank - Build

RC 1/16 Sherman T31 Demolition tank - Build

The turret structure is deposited on the base to check things out. You can already see the turret shape similarities between the T31 and the Russian KV-2. If the T31 had been armed with a large caliber howitzer instead of side rocket launcher pods, the resemblance would have been striking.

RC 1/16 Sherman T31 Demolition tank - Build

Next step, the rocket launcher pods and the elevation system.

Regards, Louis

[B_Man]

That is a very interesting subject Louis and not something I have come across before. When I saw the date you started the thread I assumed it was an elaborate April Fools.