YHR

With the Shermans on there way I decided I better get after my turret modifications. Here is a Tamiya turret being modified for the M4. I am waiting on a mantlet guide from Ethan. Once my Mato Sherman shows up I will be removing the split hatch and installing it in this turret.

Here is a photo showing the installation of the Heng Long recoil and elevation device. Note the use of lego to build up a pivot base.

I am also supplying a link to a video showing the recoil in action. This is about a $22.00 mod.

[link=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_flftyuF50]Youtube video of recoil[/link]

edoubleaz

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It's the Mail! I figured out the customs thing and managed to get it out last friday. They told me 5 days I guess that was conservative! I'm curious if it works. The lack of room made me try the old "t34 trick" as I call it. Static recoil, pivot and race....

YHR

Ethan

Can you give me the info on the M4A1 turret. Does it or does it not have a loaders hatch????? I am wondering if I should be filling in the opening or installing it???? I guess I am looking at a late model with the bigger access hatches. I am not a rivet counter, but if possible I would like to be as close as I can.

edoubleaz

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Mato's offering has the T-23 turret. It has the 76mm gun, split hatch/commanders cupola configuration, and the bigger drivers hatches that came with the "wet storage" hulls. Earlier M4A1's had 75mm turrets and the smaller drivers hatches.

My M4's early turret is in the commander's hatch only config and low bustle rear. That was common all the way through the M4A3.

YHR

Yes I am puttling the low turret on my Mato Sherman and putting the T23 on my Tamiya. So the low bustle turret with the 75 mm gun should only have the split hatch for the commander with no loaders hatch or is a loaders hatch OK?

edoubleaz

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All the low bustle turrets I have seen had one hatch. The exception is the british Firefly that had a loader's hatch added. I have seen a few late model low bustle turrets retro-fitted with the oval loaders hatch and the FOV sherman actually has a low bustle turret on it with a loaders hatch. Maybe some other Sherman-aholics know more but my references also point out very few late cast hull M4A1's had the 75mm Turret. Late model is identified by the angled oval hatches. I am told a few late M4A1's may have had the 75mm but that would be very rare.

YHR

Thanks for the info. I have seen tanks modeled in 1/35 scale with late cast hull , low bustle turret, with oval loaders hatch, but I have never seen an actual picture of one.

YHR

I think I found the photo I was looking for. A late model M4A1 with wide angled hatches with a 75 mm turret.




Courtesy of Flickr



Seems like most of these ended up as DD drive Shermans. These were pulled from the channel.


[link=http://images.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3116/2786374275_0478e51487.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.flickr.com/photos/xanthias/2786374275/&usg=__zGkGBCOlo6qUAAHBifne-NNVqn8=&h=375&w=500&sz=124&hl=en&start=25&um=1&tbnid=sE6CtvdRl6BTCM:&tbnh=98&tbnw=130&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dsherman%2Bdd%2Btank%26ndsp%3D21%26hl% 3Den%26sa%3DN%26start%3D21%26um%3D1]Sherman[/link]

edoubleaz

My Feedback: (1)

You have found the elusive DD Drive Shermans with the 75mm and late hatches. Also of note, the grousers on the rear deck turned backward and High Bustle turret with Cheek armor. These were a rare breed and I believe only in commonwealth service.

YHR

I continued to work on the low bustle 75mm turret today. It will be ready when the M4A1 shows up. I stuck it on my M4A3 just to get an idea of what it will look like. I am going to use the loaders split hatch from the Mato as the main turret hatch. For now I just used the split hatch from a 1/18 Century 21 tank.

This is a Tamiya turret.

edoubleaz

My Feedback: (1)

Did you get the rotor shield? I see on installed and if so, what do you think?

YHR

No it didn't show up yet. I used a 1/18 scale shield from a Century 21 Sherman. I have a couple of these to do, so your sheild will get used on the next one.

204sailor

YHR,many thanks for the tutorial on the Heng Long recoil system.Very clear and informative,thanks again.

Charlie

YHR

You are welcome. It a relatively easy mod

Here is a link to those who want to see how to improve the recoil action.

[link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_8427967/anchors_8439916/mpage_1/key_/anchor/tm.htm#8439916]Heng long recoil tutorial[/link]

The_Stuff

nice pictures! first time seeing a Sherman with props

YHR

Painting the turret, waiting for the Sherman to get here.