RC 1/16 Sherman T31 Demolition tank - LMCQ11 Build

[HERMAN BIX]

That’s very salubrious Mr Mcq11, sure is going to make a curious combination!!
An operational question, assuming the internal storage of the rockets was very limited, what do you think the plan was to keep ammo up to each machine ?
Half track or “Ram” type turretless tank ?
You’d have to make one to make the set

[lmcq11]

Thank you Barry, Mitch, Herman.

Yes Mitch, i thought about giving it a lower metal blade but i simply do not have the material available for it. I also do not want to make the blade too heavy as it might make it difficult for the elevation servo.

An operational question, assuming the internal storage of the rockets was very limited, what do you think the plan was to keep ammo up to each machine ?
Half track or “Ram” type turretless tank ?

No words on it but like the T34 Sherman Calliope, it would certainly have been resupplied by trucks in a quiet zone.

The following posts are for the completion of the Dozer blade.

I studied all the pictures i could find to sort out the various elevation systems for the Sherman dozer blades. It is important to study and select the right one for the Sherman host type. The elevation system is different whether the transmission cover is the old 3 piece or the newer single piece, and whether it has the wide or narrow distances between the hook mounts. Also, there is differences between jack design whether it is for the smaller M1 blade or the heavier M1A1. After having done my studies, i concluded that Academy might have made a mistake for the type they selected for the M1A1 blade.

RC 1/16 Sherman T31 Demolition tank - Build

For M1A1 blade on a Tamiya M4A3E8, i selected part J, D, C and E for the elevation jack with wide transmission cover.

RC 1/16 Sherman T31 Demolition tank - Build

The M1A1 has a stronger 3 piece jack than the one for the M1. I am no expert in Sherman dozer blades but Academy might have done a mistake by selecting the smaller jack for the M1A1 blade.

RC 1/16 Sherman T31 Demolition tank - Build

Thanks to the Academy kit, we can see that the blade used a tripod under the shield. However, i had to adjust the dimensions with the main reference picture at the top that shows a different spacing between the two legs.

RC 1/16 Sherman T31 Demolition tank - Build

Capture3a (2).JPG (70.03 KiB) Viewed 2534 times

As i want a solid and working dozer blade, i reproduced the tripod in brass with the material available.

RC 1/16 Sherman T31 Demolition tank - Build

Hook were added at the top, with solid screwed anchors for the blade.

RC 1/16 Sherman T31 Demolition tank - Build

The tripod is solidly anchored.

RC 1/16 Sherman T31 Demolition tank - Build

The front of the tripod needs to be attached to the blade. I figured i should make this adjustable in order to select the best pitch for RC purposes.

RC 1/16 Sherman T31 Demolition tank - Build

RC 1/16 Sherman T31 Demolition tank - Build

The main section that connects to the glacis is triangulated on a best effort method.

RC 1/16 Sherman T31 Demolition tank - Build

continuing on following post

[lmcq11]

Basic components for the jack and mount are created.

RC 1/16 Sherman T31 Demolition tank - Build

The jack is made in aluminum tubes and elevates.

RC 1/16 Sherman T31 Demolition tank - Build

The mount is assembled. However, i noticed i am missing some thickness as per red doted lines, which will be added a few steps later once it is installed. Notice that the jack section does swivel on the mount.

RC 1/16 Sherman T31 Demolition tank - Build

The mount is centrally glued on the glacis.

RC 1/16 Sherman T31 Demolition tank - Build

This is the bottom support bracket that is linked to the jack mount and the hook mounts on the transmission cover.

RC 1/16 Sherman T31 Demolition tank - Build

Done in brass with the material available. i did cut some corners for ease of construction and solidity. Shown here mounted on the hull.

RC 1/16 Sherman T31 Demolition tank - Build

RC 1/16 Sherman T31 Demolition tank - Build

RC 1/16 Sherman T31 Demolition tank - Build

For dozer blade elevation, a push rod, pre-curved is installed under the transmission cover and his connected to the jack and to a servo behind the gearbox. The rod is just applied against the bottom of the piston and pushes the blade up, gravity brings it down when the servo pulls the rod.

RC 1/16 Sherman T31 Demolition tank - Build

The jack is connected to the tripod for blade elevation.

RC 1/16 Sherman T31 Demolition tank - Build

continuing on following post

[lmcq11]

View of the dozer blade elevation servo inside the hull.

RC 1/16 Sherman T31 Demolition tank - Build

The push rod identified with the red arrow is barely visible.

RC 1/16 Sherman T31 Demolition tank - Build

I corrected the jack mount by adding some thickness to raise it a bit, and i also added the connections at the top and the cable protection plate on the left. Notice how the wiring is coming out of the hull from the right headlight location, as seen in reference.

RC 1/16 Sherman T31 Demolition tank - Build

I had to interpret the little information available to created these. It is likely imperfect but i could not find good references for the M1A1 mount.

RC 1/16 Sherman T31 Demolition tank - Build

RC 1/16 Sherman T31 Demolition tank - Build

The shield plates are added to the tripod, again done on a best effort.

RC 1/16 Sherman T31 Demolition tank - Build

RC 1/16 Sherman T31 Demolition tank - Build

RC 1/16 Sherman T31 Demolition tank - Build

RC 1/16 Sherman T31 Demolition tank - Build

RC 1/16 Sherman T31 Demolition tank - Build

continuing on following post

[lmcq11]

Some more view of the completed M1A1 Sherman dozer blade

RC 1/16 Sherman T31 Demolition tank - Build

RC 1/16 Sherman T31 Demolition tank - Build

RC 1/16 Sherman T31 Demolition tank - Build

Shown here at maximum elevation with a 19 millimeters raise.

RC 1/16 Sherman T31 Demolition tank - Build

Overview of the Sherman dozer with the 105mm turret

RC 1/16 Sherman T31 Demolition tank - Build

RC 1/16 Sherman T31 Demolition tank - Build

Overview of the Sherman dozer with the T31 demolition turret.

RC 1/16 Sherman T31 Demolition tank - Build

RC 1/16 Sherman T31 Demolition tank - Build

RC 1/16 Sherman T31 Demolition tank - Build

That's it for next. Next steps is to finalize some items on the chassis (ie headlights..) and connect the electronics.

Regards, Louis

[HERMAN BIX]

That dozer blade puts my Panther one to shame by light years !!
For a change it wasn’t the Germans that over engineered something
I have been trying to remember where I’ve seen a similar looking weapons system to your rocket turret

Robocop guard robots

[tankme]

Robocop...ED-209...

[Kaczor]

Fantastic modeling of this dozer blade mechanism.

[lmcq11]

Hi,

With this post, the construction phase is finished. The model is ready for painting.

My US tanks are always equipped with the Tamiya M2 that comes with the Pershing tank and purchased separately at Axel or AAF tank museum. Its highly visible and as usual, the body is stripped out and given the Aber brass treatment. It shows.

RC 1/16 Sherman T31 Demolition tank - Build

Capture.JPG (96.4 KiB) Viewed 2482 times

RC 1/16 Sherman T31 Demolition tank - Build

All the armament and capabilities of the T31 Demolition tank are now installed.

- Two 7.2 inch rocket launchers with 30 rounds
- Three M1919 machine guns
- One M2 machine gun
- One fake 155mm howitzer to scare the enemy
- One dozer blade to bury the enemy

RC 1/16 Sherman T31 Demolition tank - Build

RC 1/16 Sherman T31 Demolition tank - Build

RC 1/16 Sherman T31 Demolition tank - Build

Periscope guards and antenna mounts on both sides of the turret.

RC 1/16 Sherman T31 Demolition tank - Build

RC 1/16 Sherman T31 Demolition tank - Build

RC 1/16 Sherman T31 Demolition tank - Build

Periscope guards are installed on the chassis. It is given one headlight with LED on the left side. As the model represents a possible T31 production vehicle, the travel lock for the 105mm gun has been removed but the cast mounts have been left in place. Take note that the glacis of this M4A3E8 was previously given an add on armored plate and left in place for the T31 transformation.

RC 1/16 Sherman T31 Demolition tank - Build

RC 1/16 Sherman T31 Demolition tank - Build

Next time you see it, it will be painted.

Regards, Louis

[tankme]

Great looking mutant...maybe that should be the next build...an M6A2E1 "Mutant"...