The Armortek Sherman was delivered on Wednesday. The seller shipped it on Monday. He took it to a UPS store where THEY packaged it and shipped it. Less than 500 miles and 48 hours later it arrived.

The lower hull was in one box (147 pounds) and the UPS driver said 'This box is heavy and there's some damage on the corner'. The second heavy box had the turret, parts, manuals, and other stuff and it arrived without damage.

On opening the box I found that the sprockets on BOTH SIDES had been badly BENT. If it would have been ONE side that's an 'accident' but BOTH sprockets? I have been 'slightly perturbed' and 'mildly angry' as you can imagine these past two days. Fuming and depressed.

UPS is going to send out an adjuster because they packaged it but you know how THAT'S going to go!

The original builder purchased this Sherman in 2005 when he was in his late 70s. Now 90+ years old he decided to sell it. He's did an EXCEPTIONAL job building it! What I thought was rust on the steel parts is red oxide primer. What he assembled over the 12 years he had it is BEAUTIFUL!!! EXCELLENT JOB! MATICULIOUS!

Then UPS got ahold of it for 48 hours...

Anyway, I've 'cooled off', regained some of my mental facilities and realized that I've had to fix tanks in the past. The 2003 Tiger 1 especially. I've emailed Gill at Armortek for repair parts/prices. I'll fix it but because of this damage it'll take a little longer. Figure it 'Ain't NOTH'IN BUT A THANG!'

It's cold out in the garage so I haven't did anything with it so far. But I wanted to show ya what's out on the bench now. I haven't even opened other boxes/bags to inventory yet. I'll post more later on when I get around to messing with it.

Mike

If there's anything I can do to help just let me know, Mike. My machine shop is at your disposal, My Friend.

Thanks Gary! I really appreciate the offer and I'll give you a holler if there's anything I can't fix.

I'm almost over the hysterical screaming spells and the occasional extreme bouts of loud naughty language. Now just have to get in the mood to do something on it.

Thanks again! Mike

Just a minor bump in the road Mike. Sounds like you're over it.

Have a nice, tall cool one while you're standing in the garage looking at it and thinking to yourself... "I got it"!!!


(thanks for the pictures too)




Jeff

UPS adjuster was just here. Decent guy but was out of Florida (up here in Kentucky??). Took LOTS of pics, part numbers, pics of the shipping box. He's just a field adjuster. Higher ups will decide.

And YOU know how THAT will go. We'll see...

SO, might as well git out the wifes' old panty hose and head on down to the Quik Stop again and see about mak'in another 'withdrawl'!

I've ordered parts for Armortek tanks before so I KNOW I'm gonna need it!

Mike

What are the sprockets made of? Will a magnet stick to them? If you don't get any relief anywhere else I could probably straighten the sprocket with a press and then dust each face in a rotary surface grinder, but it will be a lot easier if the parts are magnetic and not aluminum or something. It can still be done if it's aluminum, I'd just have to make a fixture to hold them for grinding. And don't worry about reducing the thickness, I think I can straighten them enough that I'd only have to take about .020 off each side. So keep that in mind if you can't find replacement parts, Mike.

Mike, from the look of the damage to the sprockets the case must have been dropped or hit with a heavy force, the must also have had the tracks on as both inner and outer sprockets are bent in the same direction by the same amount, you should also inspect the tracks as I would imagine that the tracks must also have some damage as the sprockets have taken some force/impact to bent in this manner.

THANKS GARY! If funds for new sprockets are approved then I will let you know. The sprockets are thick steel. Now that the adjuster has been here tomorrow I'll take them apart (because I DIDN'T want to 'disturb' the 'crime scene' so I left everything like it came out of the box.)

And yes Rivetcounter, the tracks that came over the sprockets (where they were pinched) had damage. A couple of guide horns had been broken on one side (and I haven't looked closely at the other side). I KNEW I'd have to order a set of those '10 Sherman Sprockets' special that's on the Armortek main page, because there are only two links and ONE guide horn in this ziplock package.

I'm going to get some extra tracks and stuff, with what I need to fix this tank. Because Armortek still has parts right now. I worry Armortek won't be sold, then all the 1/6 tank owners will be 'Up ****e Crick' for parts unless someone (a machinist/casting company?) that will start making them. I'm concerned.

I'll let you know if UPS provides any repair cost, but YOU all know and I know what's the chance of that.
I REALLY APPRECIATE the offers for help but I know this may (IS GOING TO) get expensive.

Course my little 'home bookkeeper' (i.e.: WIFE) is PO'ed too about this! (that's a 'good' thing, money wise!)

Mike

Hey Gramps! I think that whole UPS deal is ridiculous. They should pay every penny of the damage but like you, I know they won't. Been there done that with them. US Post is bad enough.

Mike sorry to see your trouble. Were the final drives damaged as well?

Hey Pa-paw! Yeah, if (when) I go to sell tanks I'm going to push the buyer to use UShip.

The seller of this Sherman decided to use UPS. Now that's going to cost me some time and coin.

Naw Rudy. I haven't really checked anything yet so I don't know. Since the UPS adjuster has taken pictures, today I took the sprockets off. I know two sprocket bolts are broken off in one of the hub flanges (they're threaded). I quickly (not paying much attention) put the hubs and drive gear housings on my drill press table cause that's the only really FLAT surface close. I'll look closer at everything later (especially until I hear from UPS.)

What really bums me out is all these drive parts are 12 years old and BRAND NEW. Never even RAN!

Later on I'm going to take the suspension housings (trucks), front (HEAVY cast aluminum) trans cover off, and a bunch of other stuff. Heck, I was going to do that anyway so I could paint'em.

I'll post more pics when I get something done. I'm just going to roll it on to that roll around frame I have and let it sit for a while cause I'm not in the mood to mess with it. I can fix it but it's just frustrating.

Right now I've got tacos and BEE.. cold beverages... to enjoy and there's movies to watch.

Mike

I would just send them the parts list and numbers along with quantities you need to fix the tank tell them you would be more than happy if they payed direct and had them sent direct to you, also remind them that it was them that packed the tank in an inappropriate manner and that it was there people who damaged the model though incompetence and don’t forget to tell them how kind you are being as you are not charging for labour to strip and rebuild the un-necessary damage that they have caused not to mention and distress and loss of use owing to the damage, also remind them how reasonable you are being, put everything in writing by email, never talk with them on the phone or face to face this way there will be a history of everything that has been said constantly remind them that they packed the tank and it was there people who damaged the tank.

Don’t worry about Armortek, I talk with Gill and Mark on a regular basis, I’m sure whoever takes the business on will be just as enthusiastic as they are, I can’t see someone spending a large amount of of £pounds to shut the company that wouldn’t make sense, I have a new Armortek coming at the end of the month and have no worries for the future.