Thanks for the suggestion, but I was going to try and make an interference fit metal ring. That should do the same thing, and will not cause an out of balance situation. I will hoseclamp if it does not work out. One thinkg that is great about the Stuart is that it is so big, you can really get into fabricating without having to go cross-eyed doing it.

Size comparison between my Stuart (before mod) and my Tamiya Sherman. It really puts things in perspective... saying that the tank is 28" long really does not convey the bulk of this tank.