Mato Sherman Observation
Posted: Wed May 09, 2012 5:29 pm
Good Morning.
Last night I took apart the Mato Sherman for the first time to correct an intermittent turret rotation 'hitch'. The problem was evident as soon as I lifted the upper deck away. Wiring. A snake's nest of too taut connections, too loose connections, stiff tape, thin solder, etc. It was a work night so I settled for unplugging and rerouting the worst of it and replacing some tape 'bumpers' by the speaker. Rubber cement and electrical tape temp fixed the thin connection to the turret rotation motor. I lubed the gearboxes and tightened down the turret gear ring. I closed up the empty switch hole on the lower hull but some wire mesh covers will eventually need to be made for the upper hull gaps by the idler wheels to keep lawn debris out. The hull and turret are tall so there should be plenty of space for all the wiring. Not really. Every time the turret turns, it practically grinds it's wire loom across the circuit board on the battery box. A permanent fix will have to be done. That's a job for another day. Right now, my M4A1(76)W is once again, "In the Mood".
On to the next tank fix.
Last night I took apart the Mato Sherman for the first time to correct an intermittent turret rotation 'hitch'. The problem was evident as soon as I lifted the upper deck away. Wiring. A snake's nest of too taut connections, too loose connections, stiff tape, thin solder, etc. It was a work night so I settled for unplugging and rerouting the worst of it and replacing some tape 'bumpers' by the speaker. Rubber cement and electrical tape temp fixed the thin connection to the turret rotation motor. I lubed the gearboxes and tightened down the turret gear ring. I closed up the empty switch hole on the lower hull but some wire mesh covers will eventually need to be made for the upper hull gaps by the idler wheels to keep lawn debris out. The hull and turret are tall so there should be plenty of space for all the wiring. Not really. Every time the turret turns, it practically grinds it's wire loom across the circuit board on the battery box. A permanent fix will have to be done. That's a job for another day. Right now, my M4A1(76)W is once again, "In the Mood".
On to the next tank fix.
) I have one weathered tank, a HL Walker Bulldog. I'm fond of them looking their best so I fix what's broken, do the minor upgrade and try to keep them factory fresh. It's just a thing of mine. Hey!, before I forget, welcome to the Forum. 