RC Tank Warfare community hobby forum

Herr Dr. Professor.
Thank you for the compliment. Probably not the best write up or pictures. When I think it is finally complete I will do a full write up.

Help now need to a daft question.
Looking at pictures on the tinterweb and in books, the crews of Abrams often carry spare road wheels, drive sprockets, and extra ammunition for the machine guns on the top of the turret. How are the wheel and sprocket held in place? Is there a proper mount or are they just strapped on? Likewise with the ammunition boxes, are they wedged in place for easy access in a combat zone, or are they strapped down in any way? This is some this I would like to replicate and would like to make it look realistic and not just glue them on.

Thank you in advance.
Ian

Hi
That should help you:
http://www.primeportal.net/tanks/rob_mccune/m1a1/
http://www.primeportal.net/tanks/jeff_d ... 2_details/

And maybe you'll need some high res 1/16 MRE box? Just let me know


I can send you more photos in full resolution if you wish. Just PM me.

Here is one way Spare Road Wheels are mounted using a Track Guide Tooth Link.





Barry

BarryC wrote:Here is one way Spare Road Wheels are mounted using a Track Guide Tooth Link.
Barry

Yeah. It looks very nice. Did you used parts from Trumpeter sprue ( i have for mine M1 a full lower hull as spare )?

Meter rat wrote:Herr Dr. Professor.
Looking at pictures on the tinterweb and in books, the crews of Abrams often carry spare road wheels, drive sprockets, and extra ammunition for the machine guns on the top of the turret. How are the wheel and sprocket held in place? Is there a proper mount or are they just strapped on? Likewise with the ammunition boxes, are they wedged in place for easy access in a combat zone, or are they strapped down in any way? This is some this I would like to replicate and would like to make it look realistic and not just glue them on.

Thank you in advance.
Ian

The road wheel was shown to you by Barry. The sprocket is attached the same way (with a track link).

Talking about equipment needed for combat (e.g. ammo boxes for .50), the crew usually places them near the hatches for the commander and loader. In combat, they are unlikely to be attached. Then there is no time to play with unfastening them.

It is a different matter when it comes to exercises. No one soldier wants to be financially charged ( and sometimes disciplined ) because of lost / damaged equipment ( especially amunition ) of the Land Forces during exercises at the training ground.

When it comes to the personal equipment of the crew and food (usually MRE) - it is usually attached as best as possible to the armor elements and the bustle rack. Nobody likes going to sleep without their warm sleeping bag or being hungry (during the exercises we usually slept under the armor while sitting and we were always freezing after turning off the engine - it was damn cold ).
During combat operations, food and water was taken as much as possible, so that it would be enough for a crew of 3-4 people for 3-4 days (supply vehicles are always a fat easy target for the enemy).

abramsky wrote:

BarryC wrote:Here is one way Spare Road Wheels are mounted using a Track Guide Tooth Link.
Barry

Yeah. It looks very nice. Did you used parts from Trumpeter sprue ( i have for mine M1 a full lower hull as spare )?

Yes

Thank you for the replies.
I think I have been miss understood.Road wheels on the turret side rails, I have made mounts for. I am after how the road wheels are mounted on the turret roof. It here are lot of pictures of wheels shown on the front left hand side of the top, in front of the loaders hatch. I have found one photo showing what appears to be a metal plate with studs.
I hope I have explained this better?

This is the "plate" your are referencing. It is a cover for where the CITV mounts on the M1A2 and maybe some M1A1 with all the up grades.



With the TUSK upgrade I'm modeling the Armored Shield for the Loader's Station uses several of the mount studs so the Road Wheel nor Sprocket can be mounted there.



Barry

https://images.app.goo.gl/2ZpVj41qzZjL1gDr8
Hopefully this link shows what I mean. The spare wheel and sprocket are shown on the roof, in front of the CCTV.
Ian

If I can see correctly your Abrams is equipped with a CITV commander's sight (mounted on a pedestal in front of the loader hatch), so there is no room and the mounting points for a spare wheel or sprocket. It is true that there are 4 more bolts (analagically on the right in front of the gunner's sight)...
http://data4.primeportal.net/tanks/jeff ... of_125.jpg
http://data4.primeportal.net/tanks/jeff ... of_125.jpg
but they are used to mount the handles when lifting the turret (usually during a one of major renovation/rebulid in Anmiston )...
https://i.insider.com/5266e29b6bb3f70c4 ... &auto=webp
And not for attaching additional equipment.

As for the older M1 variants without the commander's sight, the wheel is attached to the side of the bustle rack and to the side of the turret
https://media.gettyimages.com/photos/un ... =2048x2048
And on the pedestal already mentioned by me and Barry, prepared for the commander's sight.
https://media.gettyimages.com/photos/ar ... =2048x2048
http://data4.primeportal.net/tanks/jeff ... of_435.jpg
Pay attention to the metal flat bars screwed to the pedestal.
https://pl.pinterest.com/pin/537828380505816114/
It is up to them that the spare wheel and sprocket is bolted.Unfortunately, I could not find a photo showing exactly how the wheel is screwed on, but I suppose ( and that way I would have done it by myself ) simply by matching holes spacing in the spare wheel, and in each of the bars.

I hope it helps you

P.s. Check PM