1:16 Sherman convert to "Oddball's" tank

[sparks]

Fitted the gearbox support bars which requires removal of the motors and drilling out internal screw holes to pass new support rods through.

Test fitted into lower hull, once I have the return rollers in place I will fit it permanently using threadlock on the screws.

Heres a pic of it upside down, showing the hull pan brace in place of the kit spacer bars.
God,...you can tell I'm desperate for something to post


BFN

[sparks]

Received my package from Nick Aguilar.
M34A1 mantlet, 76mm cannon with threaded end protector.

[fleshpedler]

Sparky old boy i take it that you are going to use the T23 turret then as i believe that the 76 was only fitted in these turrets.. mind you i have been wrong before ,but if your going to use the mantlet and fit a 75mm then thats ok............
Fleshy.............
good luck any way and look forward to the next bit of your build.........sorry if puts you in a quan dery

[sparks]

Hi Fleshy,
Nick Aguilar checked out Oddball's tank on utube etc and says it has the early model turret,and M34A1 mantlet, I know from watching the film several times that Oddball says he has a 76mm cannon, and you can see it has the end protector on it , so right or wrong, thats what I'm going with, it looks OK to me
Alan

[fleshpedler]

Ok Alan its your baby keep at it ......
it sure looks good so far....and i am sure that it will be just fab when your done.........
Fleshy......

[Dragon245]

Well heres some shots of the tank does seem to have a muzzel protector, and it seems longer than a 75mm

[Dragon245]

any one got a better pic of the posters on the hull side

[sparks]

Found a bit more info:
It seems he tanks used in the film were M4A3E4's from the Korean war. They were retrofitted to take the 76.2mm cannon into the turret that housed the 75mm M3 during WWII. It was seen as impracticle, so new turrets were developed. But in Korea there was a rush to get tanks into the theatre, so many tanks were retrofitted as such and shipped over.
Regards
Alan
BFN

[sparks]

Hi,
Finally got the upgraded Impact return rollers, (still waiting for idler wheels ).

It says they come finished in olive drab, but its too light a shade and waxy shine finish, so out with the Tamiya XF-62 for a quick touch up

They are well detailed and the real rubber treads make a big bdifference.
Back when I get the idlers.

[Johnf]

Great work. Will it shoot paint or play music going into battle.