$3.00 July 1994 Museum Ordnance The Magazine for the U.S. Army Ordnance Museum Promoting the preservation and collection of information and artifacts ...
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$3.00 July 1994
Museum
Ordnance
The Magazine for the U.S. Army Ordnance Museum
Promoting the preservation and collection of information and artifacts of military ordnance from around the world.
H~ 7)~ HlJi.t4
Frederick
J.
Tyson proudly announces these collector vehicles:
LVT-4 Buffalo (1 /24th-L:l 3 1/8) @$259.95 + 30.00 S/H
LVT(A)-5 Alligator with 75mm (1/24th-L:l 3 1/2) @$259.95 + 30.00 S/H U.S. Army Ml A 1 Abrams (1/24th wood) @$259.95 + 30.00 S/H
CAT D7/U.S. Army M1 Bulldozer (1/25th metal) @$119.95 + 7.50 S/ H M4A 1 to M4A4 Shermans 75mm & 76mm (1/24th - L:l2") @ $259.95 + 30.00 S/ H
METAL MODELS' • • • • • • •
WC-51 "Beep" @$119.95 GPW "Jeep" @$99.95 Type 82 Kubelwagen @$99.95 Type 166 Schwimmwagen @$99.95 Commando "Jeep" & Trailer @$129.95 M-3 Halftrack @$179.95 Caterpillar D-7/Ml Bulldozer @$119.95
WOODEN MODELS • LVTP7 A 1 @$259.95 • LVT(A)5 @$259.95 • LVT-4 @$259.95
plus $7.50 shipping each model All models listed are 1/24th scale.
• M4A3 @$259.95 • CCKW-353 2 1/2T @$199.95 • M35A2 2 1/2T @$199.95
Call or write for our free 36-page Product Catalog. We are a "Mail-Order Only" Company - no store.
NO CREDIT CARDS
FREDERICK
J. TYSON
PROVIDER OF THE VERY BEST IN DISPLAY MODELS 701 West Beaver Avenue, Dept. MOA-94-06 State College, PA 16801-3921 U.S.A.
1-814-238-1951 Hours: Mon-Fri 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM E.S.T.
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Dr. 'Jack' Atwater
Muse um Ordnance
The
Curator's
ColuDln Features Anned Forces Day and the annual meeting of the leadership of the Ordnance Corps have come and gone. Due to outstanding cooperation and hard work on the part of the museum staff, both of these events came off flawlessly as far as we were concerned and involved. Actually, we had very little to do with the visit of the Generals, however, we did host them on the evening of the 12th of May at a "Hall of Fame Reception." This reception was significant in that we were able to show off a new technology in the way we will display the Ordnance Hall of Fame in the future. Thanks to the good graces of Mr. Jeffrey Braverman, the owner of Rival Auto motive Products, and his chief pro grammer, Mr. 11m Gatins, the Ordnance Museum how has a state of-the-art touch screen 1V and com putersystem that has the Hall of Fame on it. For those of you that have visited us in the past, you will recall that the old Hall ofFame was displayed on a very large carousel-type of array. As the Hall of Fame grew at 7 to 10 members a year, we rapidly outgrew the old display and to install a new one to accommodate the new inductees would have been both cost and space prohibitive. The problem was solved by Mr. Braverman's generous gift of a computer and the touchscreen tech nology to go along with it. Although the Commanding General and Chief of Ordnance, Major General John G. Coburn, presented Mr. Braverman with a plaque to express his appreciation and that of the Ordnance Corps, the
The M24 Chaffee Light Tank By Carl Pietro Museum Photos by Jeff McKaughan
4
German Infra-Red Panther By Jeff McKaughan
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Japanese Type 97 Flamethrower By Greg Patterson
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Practice Pillbox By Jeff McKaughan
11
German 8.8cm Pak 43/3 Ammunition Ready Rack
14
South African Olifant (Part 1) By Helmoed-Romer Heitman
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Departments Curator's Column
3
Book Reviews 100 MILES FROM BAGHDAD With the French in Desert Storm TANK AND AFV BUYER'S GUIDE
8
12 The Ordnance Museum Foundation
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Miniature Ordnance: Refurbishing Those Older, Built-up Kits By James Welch
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Classified Ads
22
(Continued on Page 12)
Museum Ordnance
Volume 4, Number 4
July 1994
Jeffrey D. McKaughan Editor Adam Geibel Associate Editor
July 1994
Museum Ordnance is published six-times per year by Darlington Productions,Inc., P.O. Box 5884, Darlington, MD 21034. (410) 457-5400. AU rights are reserved. Copyright 1994. No part of this publication may be copied or reproduced without the expressed written permission of the publisher. This publication serves the interests and needs of the U.S.Army Ordnance Museum at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Aberdeen, MD. A donation is made to the Museum for each copy of this magazine sold either by subscription or as a single copy. Subscriptions: One-year (six issues) is $13.50 (Maryland residents add 5% sales tax). All foreign subscriptions: $18.50 surface, $27.00 airmail. Payment must be in U.S. funds. Make all checks or money orders payable to Museum Ordnance. Museum Ordnance is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, artwork or photos sent to the office. Material will be returned to the author only if accompanied by a self-addressed stamped envelope. The opinions and views expressed by the authors do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. Army Ordnance Museum, the publisher or the editor ..
3
Light tanks, by definition, role, and design, are not suited for, or expected to stand toe-to-toe with anything larger than itself and fight it out. Looking at light tank design in the late 1930's (and early 40's) you can see that virtually all light tanks were very Similar in many respects. Most were lightly armed (light machine gun at worst and light cannon (37mm or smaller) at best) and their shape was very boxy. On the positive side, they were almost always faster and exhibited better mobility than their larger brethren. The U.S. was repre sented in this arena by the M3 (and later the M5) series of tanks. For the heavy recon and flank sup port duties they were expected to per form , these characteristics were not necessarily ill-conceived - at least in peacetime. The reality of battle forced a rethinking of the concept and of the eqUipment that was to fill the role. The open spaces of North Africa proved an early and disheartening laboratory for the Stuart. While well liked for a variety of mechanical and reliability reasons. the Stuart series proved incapable of performing anything more than its des Ignated recon/flank support role at a time when the maturing armor battle field doctrine was requiring more. It was accepted that the armored units needed a lightly armored vehicle for the roles not suited for medium tanks just as it was accepted that the M3 had serious drawbacks trying to fulfill that role. The obvious answer was to improve on what was already in service which led ultimately to the M5 series. Betteryes, but not good enough. The fundamental problems of the M3 still existed and little could be done to compensate for those defiCiencies. As it proved impractical to mount a 75mm gun in the M5, the next step In the process was to move on to a new de sign. Using existing models as a start ing point. technical speCifications for a new light tank were issued in March 1943. The new design was the T7 which used the M5Al as its foundation . How ever, the same basic problem still ex isted .. . How do you mount a 75mm gun on the basic frame and stay within By Carl Pietro
Museum Photos by Jeff McKaughan
4
At speed, an M24 on the Churchville test track of the Aberdee n Proving Ground. Aberdeen photo A39738.
weight limits? In this form, the T7 (and T7E2) program ground to halt. Working from a different perspec tive, a new project used the gun as a starting point for the problem solving exercise. A 75mm gun had been devel oped for mounting in the B-25, and it proved to be just the ticket to up-gun the new light tank. With this funda mental issue resolved, the designers now turned their attention back to the rest of the design and in particular the powertrain, transmiSSion, running gear,
and tracks. The project had been deSignated the 1'24 and initially had stili been based around the mechanicals of the M5l1ght tank. Eventually even the die hard M3/M5 Stuart supporters ac knowledged that new designs were re quired and the Stuart series had to finally be given up. The new torsion bar suspension utilized five sets of paired roadwheels and a wider track. Based on a series of successful tests, the 1'24 was ordered into production and the
Standing vigil on the Mile of Tanks, the museum's M24 is a very good representative mode of the M24.
Museum Ordnance
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The M24 did not have a turret basket but searsfor the commander and gunner are attached to the turret via the bar shown above. Turret traversing was either by hand or the hydraulic traversing mechanism. The turret weighs about3500 lbs. (without the guns and mounts) and had a turret race diameter oj 63.5 inches. BELOW, RIGHT: Looking at the subjloor exposing the driver/co·driver positions, the rear
The vane style commanders sight.
transfer shaft, and the ammunition stowage.
design was type standardized as the M24 in late June 1944. The German Winter offensive in the Ardennes, 1944, Is recognized as the combat debut of the M24. The tank was also known as the Chaffee after General Adna Chaffee, the fIrst commanding general ofthe Arrnored Force. Although still lightly armored, the U.S. Army's
Looking forward from behind the right side of the turret you can see the antenna mount, the shell ejection port, and other exterior flt.tings.
July 1994
5
..
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NO.5 · 24-5/8 ± 1/2
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24.5/8 NO.4
24-5/8
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24-3/8 NO. 2
24.3/8 NO. I.
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This illustration shows the torsion bar suspension, which on the M24 and the M 18 Hellcat tank destroyer were theftrst U.S. combat tanks to utilize the system Por a variety of reasons, the M24 ChoJfee earned the battlefield nickname "Panther Pup." Externally, exceptfor a small amount of rust on the thin skirts, this M24 is in good condi tion. Prom this angle you can also clearly see the heavy tripod machinegun mount on the turret.
light tank now possessed a main gun powerful enough to protect Itself when the time came (there have been some remarkable stories of M24s taking on TIgers. Panthers, but usuaJlyonlywhen there were no other options open to the Americans!). It was also able to provide close support with more punch and still had all of the characteristics re quired for recon and flank support duties. . Gathering In numbers throughout 1944. the M24s slowly began replacing the M5s in service until the war's end. When the Korean War erupted, the M24s were once again called upon to fill a role they were not specifically de signed for: tank-to-tank combat. The North Korean T-34s could easily defeat the M24s in the open, but on the defen sive and with crews displaying extraor dinary bravery, the light tanks slowed the enemy advance until more power ful armor units could be deployed. The M24 also proved to be a popu lar export item. Besides Korea. the M24s saw combat in Indochina, Alge ria. Angola. and Bangladesh. They have also served around the world in various inventories and are still shown on the roles with Chile (with a 60mm gun). Greece, Norway (NM-116). Paki· stan. Taiwan Oncludingaflamethrower version). and Uruguay. In some of these countries they serve only in a reserve role or may not be serviceable at all. however. with several of them the tank is still on active duty.
RIGHT: Here you can see the twin sicle-by side Cadillac 8-cylinder gasolirre e ngines_ The powerplant could produce 220 hp at 3400 rpms which produced a maximum road speed of about 35 mph Fuel capacUy was 1 10 gallons_
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Museum Ordnance
~~--------------------------------------------------------------------~~~~~~
HAND rHROme
-;:.::;
HAND LEVER (TRANSFER ' UNIT SHIFT ,
'">--: DRIVEil'S HAND LEVER •
(STEERING BRAKE)
LEVER RA PO
~~
1 ?A()I-I
(TRANSMISSION I
Looking down into the drivers compartment.
Frontal view showing the headlight guards and thefrontdifferential cover plate. BELOW: External interphone box. The mantlet was a rather complex casting. Also note the prominent weld beads along thejoints.
RELEASE LEVER GYRO CONTROL
~~=",~rj fS~~B,i7i~~D IGEAR BOX
RA PD 29512C
OTIlER SOUl\CJlS
R.P. Hunnicutt. Stuart. Presidio Press. J. Mesko. M24 Chaffee. Squadron/Signal Publications.
July 1994
Although this is a very 'busy' photo. it does give a good idea of the underside of the gun and of the gunners seat. The M24 could be crewed by either four or five. if afour man crew was aboard, the assistant driver would move up into the turret and peiform the loaders duties.
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Museum Ordnance's Bookshelf Book Reviews
100 MILES FROM BAGHDAD
With the French in Desert Storm By James J. Cooke 256 pages, photos, maps 1993 ISBN 0-275-94528-6 Praeger Publishers 88 Post Road, Box 5007 Westport, CT 06881 1-800-225-5800 $45.00
Taken in perspective, the events of Desert Shield/Desert Storm evolved at a lightning pace. What might have been considered unthinkable in peace time now became the very real. So too were the circumstances that James J. Cooke; husband, full professor ofMiddle Eastern and North African history at the University of Mississippi, and Lt. Col. in the Mississippi National Guard encountered that gave him a role to play in the unfolding events. His continual research for most of the past 30 years spent mostly study ing the Islamic culture and the experi ences of the French in North Africa gave him a solid foundation to work from in Saudi Arabia. It was there that after about four months he was assigned to act as a Corps liaison between the XVIII Airborne Corps (U .S.) and the 6th French (Light) Division. The situation of a French light armored division sub ordinating their overall strategiC com mand to a U.S. Corps commander was not an initially comfortable deCision nor one that was without it political. strategical, and tactical problems. Cooke, along with other U.S. officers, played a role of great importance to wards keeping the lines of communica tions and cooperation open between the various Coalition forces. 100 Miles From Baghdad is the war story of one man. Cooke does not presume to tell the story of the Gulf War. the entire XVIII Corps. or even the complete battle story ofthe 6th French. What he does he give you an exciting and readable account of the war from his perspective. There are few descriptions of fierce firefights or bullets whizzing by his head. his descriptions of the command posts and activities are alive with the
8
"excitementofwar." However, Cooke is also humble enough to describe the fear, sorrow, and inhumanity ofwhat a war brings. He has a vivid understand ing ofwar and its relation to the soldier, his unit, and his country. The book is also interesting for the depth it gives to the background and makeup of the French people and their history. Cooke makes very pointed comparisons to the recent military his tories of the U.S. and France. They too had their 'Vietnam," followed by the terrible experiences in Algeria. This background is brought to light with such instance as the French treatment and concern for Arabie prisoners. The militaries had had decades ofmistrust, misunderstandings, and perhaps most importantly, independence. It can not be understated how much was at risk politically for the French to place their armed forces under the command ofan American general. The success of this cooperation bore fruit not only on the battlefields of southern Iraq, but will pay dividends for years to come. The opposition the French encoun tered and the battles that resulted were sometimes spirited, but ultimately re flect the same results mirrored else where in the theater. The photos are all black and white and are complimentary to the text. There are few shots that are close-up enough for detail hounds (only one error was the miSidentification of an American M551 as an AMX-30Bl . but they give you visual reference for things described. As rapid as the buildup in the Gulf seemed, so too was the draw down. The occupation and adminstration of the captured territories and the speed at which the Coalition forces left is equally interesting. A highly recommended book for those interested in the Gulf War, but one that should not be overlooked by military historians In general. Cooke's insights, historical references. and the military significance of the event itself should place this on your must read list.
TANK & AFV BUYER'S
GUIDE By Michael Green 160 pages, 175 photos 1993 ISBN 0-87938-794-7 Mototbooks International P.O. Box 1 Osceola, WI 54020 1-800-826-6600 $16.95 Since I have yet to see Consumer Re ports cover anything close to armored ve hicles, the Tank & AFV Buyer's Guide may be about your best bet. Collecting full-size armored vehicles is not a poor man's hobby nor is it one for someone living in a townhouse. Those best suited have at least a fair amount of spare money and at least a large (and also spare) garage bay. The book starts off with a basic explanation of collecting: where do you find things?; how do you learn more?; and what are the resources available? This is followed by a brief deSCription of AFVs as a vehicle and its major compo nents . Next are sections on tanks, ar mored personnel carriers, armored re connaissance vehicles, and miscella neous armored vehicles. Each section describes a variety of vehicles that can be obtained for a private collection. Each vehicle is given a brief historical resume describing when and where it was used the major facts about each one. Each vehicle type is concluded with a paragraph outlining the approximate availability of this particular vehicle type and what the estimated price could be based on the condition: hulk, opera tional. and restored. The focus of this book is targeted specifically at armored vehicles and does not include trucks. Jeeps, etc. The book is useful to those who do not intend on buying their own tank as a source of information and some very useful photos. To those that are inter ested in taking up the hobby. it seems that the Tank & AFV Buyer's Guide would be a great place to start.
Museum Ordnance
Germ.an Infra-Red Panther The Panther G was the largest tracked vehicle that the Germans mounted infra-red equipment on. They usually operated In conjunction with Sd.Kfz. 251 half-tracks 60 cm IR searchlights. although these particular vehicles ap pear to be able to operate Independ ently. Four such equipped Panthers were committed In a daylight battle north east of Minden late in the war. All were hit and abandoned by their crews. It is believed that the remaining vehicles in the unit moved north the previous evening. These Panthers were equipped with a screened car-type headlamp with a 12 volt. 200 watt transmitter lamp. an Infra-red receiver gun sight. a gun ele vation control device and a power source. a vibrator unit, and a trans former. A POW told Interrogators that the code name for this equipment was "Puma". however another POW referred to the same equipment as Sperber
By Jeffrey D. McKaughan
(Sparrow-Hawk). The transmitter and receiver are mounted on a base plate (lOmm thick) that Is keyed to fit on to a plate welded on the Inner edge of the azimuth indi cating ring inside the commander's cupola. When the infra-red equipment is in service. this ring is disconnected so that the ring. and attached base plate. rotate freely. A locking plunger Is provided so that the ring can be locked with the receiver and gun lined up. Inside the turret. fixed to the roofin front of the cupola opening is the gun elevation control device. Steel bands connect the table on the turret top to the mechanism and finally the gun cradle. When not in service, the infra-red receiver is carried in a mounting Inside the left hand wall of the turret In a frame built ofsmall rectangular section steel bars which also hold a junction box and the power supply for the head lamp. Immediately on front of this and attached to the turret front plate are the vibrator unit and the transformer for the power supply of the receiver. It is unclear where the other sections are
stored. These POWs told US officers that before going into combat the eqUip ment is lined up on a source of light at a range 600m. This was done by aim ing the main gun at the light source using its normal sight and then the infra-red receiver is also aligned with the light source. The lamp in the elevation control mechanism is then illuminated. The azimuth indicating ring is freed allowing the commander to traverse. depress. and elevate the receiver and headlamp using handgrips attached to the table. The tank is driven blind using directions issued by the tank commander until a target is spotted. He then ordered the gunner to traverse until the gun came into line with the IR sight at which point the IR sight. base plate. elevating mechanism and gun cradle were all locked together. After finally adjustments are made. the con trol mechanism indIcator lamp would illuminate once on target and the gun fired. The Germans experimented with a number of mountings and uses for IR equipment. FromAFVs to Volkswagens to infantry weapon systems. they were the first to operationally deploy these aids to ground combat. 12 Volt' 200 Wan' Scre.. ne.d Headlamp
s~rum€nt
ble
Socker for hand-grip
~~~~,...c.~_ Sock€~ for hand - gri p SeQmenr p. a~e for
S~€e.r band from €Ieva~ion con~rol
Vernier eievaJincg Conrrol
mechanism
Vernier locking
-t--'~--
S land
Base plare ---+
July 1994
9
Although flamethrowers were used in just about every theater during WWII. the images most invoked by the weapon come from the Pacific. U.S. Marines clearing caves or Sherman tanks spew ing flames up through the jungle. The Japanese themselves considered the flamethrower to be an effective weapon but seemed to have spent little effort on its refinement after the start of the war. Shortages of raw materials and/or dif ficulty in producing an effective long range fuel have been cited as possible reasons for the gap. One experiment Involved mount Ing flamethrowers on a slightly ·modlBy Greg Patterson
fied Type 97 medium tank. The basic suspension and engine were unchanged for this variant. The hull featured a distinctive squared-back. which was modified to accommodate the two large fuel tanks. The bow machinegun was also removed and replaced with two flamethrowers. one In each sponson. The turret armament was not in place in the captured model so it is not known whether the low-velocity 57mm gun or the newer 47mm one was mounted. The tank had not been extensively tested and appeared to have been in this condition for some time. Perhaps further evidence of either material. or operational problems.
The bow machinegun, standard on combat Type 97s. was removed and the opening plated overJor the flamethrower experiment.
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The opening on the right sponson Jor the flamethrower. The leJt was identicaL
This photo. takenJrom the top oj the tu rret illu.strates the modif'l€d rear deck oj the Type 97. TheJu.el tanks suppliedJu.el to the engine as well as to theflamethrower nozzles.
Museum Ordnance
Practice Pillbox
By Jeff McKaughan
..
~
These undated photographs were taken at Ft. Meade, Maryl and and were described as showing a simulated pillbox usedJor training exercises. The photo aboue shows that the old FT-17 turrets were notJust placed on the ground put had a concrete pad and roomJor one soldier inside. Can any uniform ajkwnados suggest a year?
Frontline Miniatures 1/15th scale Unassembled Resin Kit
8.8CM Flak 18 L/56 II Flak, Pak Und Unfein" (Anti Aircraft, Anti-Tank and Anti- Social) Distributor of Frontline products - send SSAE for price list. Distributor of SdKa -Modellbau/ Wittgrebe 1/10 scale tank models, Sankyo 1/10, 1/8 scale tank models, Little Engines' 1/10 Sherman as well as other manufacturers... Many Tracks, wheels, and other parts available.... LSSAE for list. JCSA PO Box 6684, Concord, Ca. 94524 (510)-680-8931 FAX VISA! MC
July 1994
11
expects to run several ads for them In the near future. Perhaps the price is high but the quality of photographs Is excellent and in full color. The ex amples we have seen have been abso lutely great!) By the time this issue of Musewn Ord nance is released you may already be aware that Challenge Publications is ending Its separate magazine Military Modeler and will Incorporate those ar ticles found in that magazine in its sister publication &ale Modeler. Chal lenge was not very cooperative when we tried to get more information from them about this and they did not return our phone call so we know little else about the combination. Keeping with other publication news: Delta Publishing of Tokyo, Ja pan have ceased the publication Tank Magazine. It has been replaced by a similar publication entitled Ground Power.
Russia has entered into the MLRS war for an order from the Kuwaiti Army with their BM 9A52 Smerch (Sand storm) system. The Smerch is a twelve barrded 200mm rocket system based on the MAZ-542M 8 x 8 truck. Analysts suggest that although the Smerch far outranges the U.S.-built MLRS (70km versus 32km), the Rus sian design lacks many features impor tant to the Kuwaitis. For example the Smerch reportedly requires 25% more manpower to operate, requires a larger logistics train, has twice the reload time, and features an unarmored cab. The Smerch Is being offered for $1 .7 million per launcher and $140,000 per rocket. The Russian magazine Military Parade features an article on this vehicle in the March 1994 Issue (text in English) . (Watch for more infor mation on this magazine which fea tures great color photographs of rus sian eqUipment including armor, air craft and shi s. Musewn Ordnance
Richard Hunnicutt sent a note regard ing Frank De Sisto's article In the last issue 'The Sherman That Never Was. " He explained that It is possible that that particular tank may not have been as rare as thought because it was not uncommon for new features (intended for a new production model) to be Intro duced on late production tanks of pre vious models. An example was that some late production M3 light tanks were fitted the turret shell of the M3Al, thus eleminating the cupola. Also, the M5light tank had a floor escape hatch although the TM shows that only for the M5Al. He went on to state that the Pressed Steel Car Company completed their run of the M4Al (75mm) In December 1943 and started production of M4Al (76W) in January 1944. Based on this, he believes that the late M4Al hull castings and the late 75mm turret were Installed before the end of the M4Al (75mm) run. However, he does not believe that the wet stowage was in cluded. The late production M4Als would have been a perfect candidate for the DD program as they were just com pleted at the time the DD program was being launched in ernst (early 1944). Regarding the same article, D.P. Dyer thought the article made some 'confusing' references" ... designating both the final M4Al dry stowage hull , (which had large hatches and thick ened side armor) and the final design of the 75mm turret (which had the raised bustle and loader's hatch) as being Wet Stowage.'" 'The final M4Al dry stowage hull was numbered 4 in my article in the
Armor Modeling and Preservation Society... ... or AMPS, is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to "associate interested individuals and organizations in both sharing an interest in the history of armored vehicles and in cultivating interest in armored vehicles and related subjects via the hobby of modeling..." Boresight the Society's publication, is issued six-times per year and is full of articles, reviews, and other information useful to the military modeler.
AFV News refered to (reproduced be low). The Wet Stowage' M4Al hull was numbered 5 and dispensed with the thickened side armor. 'The high bustle turret mentioned for the first time anywhere in an article by me in AFV News (Vol. 24, No. 1 January 1989) was introduced to suit the large hatch hulls, and should NOT be referred to as a 'Wet Stowage' turret. It would only be the fitting of a partial floor instead of a basket and the differ ent internal stowage that would define one as such. "From the foregoing it follows that the DD tank in the photograph was undoubtably Just another final design M4Al with 75mm and dry stowage, exactly the same as the Slapton Sands monument, and others. R.P. Hunni cutt was perfectly correct In his state ment that all wet stowage M4Als mounted the 76mm gun. 'The combination of the Tamiya turret and the Italeri hull as mentioned Is perfectly reasonable, although for accuracy both the hull sides and the right hand front of the turret should be thickened slightly where applique ar mor was standard on earlier vehicles."
4
Sloped rear no cut out (
Large hitches
-<;:;:;:;~:;;~Si~.!!.'Re'ocated
perl.eo"••
MUSEUM ORDNANCE BACK ISSUES Miss an issue? Get them while you can. September 1991 November 1991 January 1992 March 1992 May 1992 July 1992 September 1992 November 1992 January 1993
March 1993 May 1993 July 1993 September 1993 November 1993 January 1994 March 1994 May 1994
A one-year membership is $20.00 (U.s.), Canada $25.00,AIl Others: $25.00 surface and $35 airmail. All payments must be in U.s. funds, no credit cards.
$3.00 each U.S. (25¢ postage. Maryland reSidents add 5% sales tax), foreign $4.25. U.S. funds only.
AMPS
P,O. Box 331
Darlington, MD 21034
Museum Ordnance, POB 5884, Darlington, MD 21034
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Museum Ordnance
Curator's COIUIIlD (Continued from Page 3)
Museum would like to take this public forum to express its heartfelt thanks to Rival Automt)tive Products for its very magnanimous and great hearted con tribution . We can make the claim that the Hall of Fame display is now in the XXth century and we made it before the arrival of the XXlth! Now that we have this wonderful technol ogy, we plan to place on it, in addition to the Hall of Fame, a biography and picture of each of the Chiefs of Ord nance . I would also like to take this oppor tunity to Inform the readership that during the visit of the General Officers that make up the senior leadership of
• •• • •• ••• • •
the Ordnance Corps, many of those gentlemen expressed to me their strong support of the museum . In particular, General Leon Salomon, the Commanding General of Army Mate rial Command, is a stalwart supporter of the museum. Through the good graces of General Salomon there are several interesting initiatives under way that, as soon as they come to fruition, I will report upon In this col umn. Needless to say I am excited about the possibilities because they will have a significant impact upon the museum. Additionally, General D'Ambrosio, the Honorary Colonel of the Regiment, has been to see me and Mr. Ron Lehman. General D'Ambrosio has come up with several outstanding Ideas that as they unfold, will be re ported. I am hesitant to say more at this time except to say that the mu seum is receiving outstanding sup port from the leadership of the Corps
and we shall look forward to establish Ing stronger bonds in the future. To quote Lieutenant General J.E . Wilson ... "It's an exciting time gang!" The Explosive Ordnance Disposal Exhibit is still being completed. Hope fully we will have this special exhibit up and running by mid-summer. There is, of course. much more to report but I am afraid the press of business is such that I must cut this column short and attend to it. Come and visit us!
SHE RM AN By RP. Hunnicutt
Presidio Press just called Museum Ordnance to announce that they will be republishing the Sherman book!! The book is 576 pages with 1368 b&w photos, 12 color plates, and 27 full-page, four-view drawings. The book will retail for $95.00. Every knows about the book - few of you have one. Here is your chance. The planned ship date for the book is August 1994.
In a FAX from Richard Kane of Presidio Press, he agreed to offer Museum Ordnance readers a special prepublication price of $71.25 (U.S. street deliveries- plus $6.00 shipping/ handling and CA resident must add sales tax . Orders to P.O. Boxes, APO/FPO, AK, HI, or other noncontinental U.S. destinations add $11 .00 shipping/handling. Foreign readers should write directly to Richard Kane at Presidio for instructions on obtaining the book with the special Museum Ordnance pricing.)
"l
,
•
Orders must be pre-paid and MUST be received by July 31,1994. You should act quickly to take advantage of this discount and to ensure your copy. The press run for this reissue is sure to sell out just as the original did.
Presidio Press
505B San Marin Drive
Suite 300
Novato. CA 94945
\. ....••••..•••......•••.•...•.•••.••••...•.••••.•••••• ••••••• .1
July 1994
13
German 8.8 em
Pak 43/3
Ammunition
Ready Rack
During an indepth inspection ofan un named German proving ground, a single exampk of an experimental ammuni tion ready rack was found. It was found in a shop facility attached to an B.B cm Pak 43/3. The weapon itself was reportedly designed for a self-pro pelled system. It appears as if the rounds are laid in a ''V'-type channel. Although not apparent in the photos. there must have been a lip or angle to catch the back end of the round and hold it in. The front of the shell appears to simply ride along the curved bar shown in the photos.
PORTRAYAL PRESS Large 48 page catalog - $3 or free with an order P.O. Box 1190
Andover. NJ 07821
Phone (201) 579-5781 Recommended phone time
9 am EST BOOKS POSTERS
MANUALS
LUBE CHARTS
Tech Intell
track, Tiger II, Panther disguised as an M-10, Sd.Kfz 251 with a flatbed cargo deck, Bergepanther, Sturmgeschutz disguised as U.s., Pz.Kfw IV observation tank, Germ an radio vehicle on a French half-track, Flak During World War II, the United States Army deployed small teams of towers on railway cars, Panther pillbox, "new" German full-tracked ordnance personnel throughout the European and Pacific theaters of carrier, Jagdtiger, Sd.Kfz 251 with PaK 40 75mm, Sd.Kfz 140/1, operation. The task of these teams was to report on each type of enemy Flakdrilling on U.s. M8 armored car, an RSO with PaK 40 75mm, ordnance and equipment as they would encounter it in the field. "German Automotive" mat erial, Tiger B transport trailer, among others. Their reports and summaries were sometimes the first information available on a vehicle, gun, tank, or other system. Each report was usually Title Total
Qty Each accompanied by several photographs and a description of the subject. These reports were not compiled in a rear area motor pool but right on the Tech Intel! Volume 1
$13.95 front lines. Darlington Productions has put together a selection of these reports in Volume 1 ofTECH INTELL. This soft-cover book is 132 pages long with 141 photographs. Formatted with the look of the original reports, these re ports have not been altered or edited and appear as they did in 1944/ 45. Included in Volume 1 are reports on the Maultier armored half-
14
r Shipping & handling:
I
Sub Total Shipping & handling D ar rmg ton P df Tax (MD residents add 5%) TO ue IOns P.O. Box 5884 Total .,, Darlington, MD 21034 (U.s. funds only) $2.50 U.S., $3.50 foreign.
Museum Ordnance
South Mrican Olifant
Partl The Olifant (Elephant) is an upgrade of the Centurion and is the standard MBT of the SA Army. There are two variants currently in service. the Mk IA and the radically upgraded Mk lB. The former has been in service since 1985. the latter is beginning to enter service. The original Centurions were pur chased in 1954 as a mixed batch of200 Mk 3 and Mk 5 tanks. the deliveries ran between 1954 and 1956. The intentlon was for these tanks to form the core of an armored division. which would de playas part of a Commonwealth force in the event ofa war in the Middle East. The other major armored vehicles of the division were Comets for recon naissance work and Saracen APCs. The Centurion soon became known as the Meteor in the SA Armoured Corps. named for its 650hp water cooled V-10 petrol engine. The Meteor engine soon demonstrated that it did not feel at home in the South African climate. developing a reputation for poor reliability. The gun-control sysBy Helmoed-Romer Heitman
tern also gave endless problems. The 84mm (20 pdr) gun . however. was well received and remained popular throughout its service. Various minor improvements were implemented. but the engine remained a serious prob lem. In 1961 Sou th Africa left the Com monwealth. and the Middle East role of the SA Army fell away. The re-evalua tion following this development resulted in a decision to sell 100 of the Centuri ons in the belief that the Army's future role would have very little scope for tanks. The remaining 100 tanks were re tained to enable the Army to have one armored brigade with two tank regi ments (battalions) as the core of its conventional force . Early Upgrade Attempts
Continuing reliability problems with the Meteor engine. combined with a British embargo on a rms s ales . includ ing spares. forced the Army to look for a new engine. This led to an initial conversion
The early standard Olifant Mk I. The South Africans. perhaps second only to the Israelis. have kept the Centurion inJront line seroice with good results.
program in 1972. fitting a 30.3 liter 810hp air-cooled. fuel-injected V-12 gasoline engine and a new 3-speed automatic transmission with two for ward gears and one reverse gear. and incorporating two steering and braking units. The resulting vehicle kept the project name Skokiaan (a strong home brewed spirit). Only eight Centurions were converted t9 this configuration. but several crews 'were trained on them to conduct a full evaluation. The result of the evaluation pro gram was Project Seme~ begun in 1974. This Involved fitting the eight Skokiaan tanks and some "Meteors· with a modi fied engine and some other new compo nents. This variant was officially termed the Centurion Mk 5A (SemeO. It had a
Thej'lrs t major upgrade program resulted in the Olifant Mk lA.
July 1994
15
acceptance trials . and the Olifant MBT Mk 1 was ordered into production. Training on the new variant also began in 1978 once the first few tanks became available. Olifant Mk 1
The Olifant upgrade concentrated on improving mobility and firepower. and on upgrading the communications sys tem to match those used by the other combat vehicles. Another major re quirementwas improved reliability. The mechanical SUb-systems were laid out
A nice shot oj Olifant Mk I's oj E Squadron, School oj Armour zeroing their guns at Mavinga in SE Angola beJore engaging FAPLA and CubanJorces in late 1987.
modified version of the same V-12. delivering 81 Ohp at 2800 rpm and 2264 Nm torque at 2200 rpm. and the same automatic transmission as the Skokiaan. New fuel tanks held 1400 liters The Semel was a very considerable improvement over the Meteor-powered Cen turlon. giving greater reliability and flexibility. a higher top speed (50 km/h versus 34 km/h) and doubled range (200 km versus 100 km on roads). 100 km versus 52 km off roads). The Semel was also more 'drlveable' and. with a power/weight ratio of 16.5 hp/t com pared to the 13 hp/t of the "Meteor," a bit more agile. Strategic developments overtook the tank upgrade project In 1975 with the deployment of Cuban tanks to Angola In support of their ally the MPLA. Th~s pitted the SA Army with a hostile tank force in Southern Africa. some thing it had not really expected to ever experience. One resulted was an accel eration of the tank upgrade program. As a first step. a batch of35 Semels was quickly produced for the Armoured Corps. despite various faults revealed during their evaluation program. These tanks equipped a tank regiment that was trained and deployed to the Opera tional Area of northern South-West Africa (now Namibia) in 1976. to deter any southward adventure by the Cu ban forces in Angola. At the same time. a new project was launched to develop a diesel pow ered Mk 2 version. That fell away because no suitable engine could be acquired in adequate numbers. and also because it was decided to take the upgrade somewhat further than merely
16
fitting a diesel engine to a what was now a twenty years old tank. The Olifant
Project Olifant was initiated in 1976. with the aim of producing a complete upgrade package that would enable the new variant to remain effective through the 1990·s. The first Project Olifant prototype was delivered to the School of Armour for testing and evaluation in 1976. "Proto 2" followed the next year and "Proto 3" In 1978. incorporating the results of the Intensive test and evalu ation program. "Proto 3" passed its
Bre aking bush with F Squadron in Angola, 1987. Note the spare track onJront glacis plate and spare road wheel on turret.
An Olifant Mk [ with mine rollers . The South AJricans have always placed great importance on mine detection and protection.
Museum Ordnance
Olifant Mk LA at speed. This particular vehicle mounts the 84mm main gun.
to facilitate ready access and replace ment. Mobility and reliability were im proved by fitting a new 29 liter turbo charged V-12 diesel that delivers 750hp at 2300 rpm. for a power-to-weight ratio of 13.4hp/t. Torque is 2332 Nm @ 1800. The Olifant received the diesel engine variant of the automatic trans
mission first fitted to the Seme~ with two forward and one reverse gear. Other work included improvements to the Horstmann suspension. The new powerpack left less space for fuel tanks reducing total capacity to 1240 liters. but this was more than made up by the better economy of the diesel. Compared with the Semel. the
Rolling out of Mavinga, these Mk. LA's are headed for combat, Frontfenders have been rerrwved to prevent them tangling while moving through heavy bush.
July 1994
Olifant Mk 1 had a slightly lower road speed (45 km/h versus 50 km/h) but much improved range: 250 kmon roads and 200 km cross-country (Semel: 200 km and 100 km). Combat weight was up two tons to 56 tons. A shift in the center of gravity improved ditch cross ing ability slightly. from 3.35 m to 3.45 m. while the unprepared fording ability dropped slightly from 1.45 m to 1.2 m. Reliability was greatly improved. The operations during 1987/88 dem onstrated this very clearly: Several Olifant MBTs covered more than 2500 km on their tracks during operations in the very thick bush and often deep sand of south-eastern Angola. often breaking bush for other vehicles. and remained operational despite a short age of spares. Readers with no experience of re ally thick African bush and the effect of sand on things mechanical. may not be too impressed by this. Thick bush can in fact be a very serious obstacle. even to powerful modem combat vehicles. In one case the bush was so bad that the 56 ton Olifants were only able to cover some 800 meters in four hours! As to the sand. the School of Armour has a track pin worn down to some thing resembling a cam shaft. The original 83.4mm "20-pounder" gun was replaced with a South African version ofthe standard 105mm L7 gun. Improvements in the internal arrange ments allow a basic load of 72 rounds of 105mm ammunition. compared to then 64 rounds of the Centurion Mk 13. Secondary armament comprises a co-axial 7.62mm machine-gun and another mounted externally at the
17
commander's station, with 5600 rounds of ammunition carried. Eight launch ers for 81 mm smoke grenades are fitted on the turret sides. The new gun was matched with improved gun and turret drives, and an IR Metascope night sight was fitted for use with an IR/whlte light searchlight. As no integral laser rangefinder was available, tank commanders were is sued with hand-held laser rangefin ders as an interim measure. One squadron of Olifant Mk Is deployed to the Operational Area in December 1984. It formed part of 61 MechaniZed Battalion, the unit that provided the mechanized punch for external operations. This deployment came in the wake of Operation Askari, which had seen several clashes with mechaniZed forces operating in sup port of SWAPO. In the event. these tanks did not see action . Olifant Mk lA
The next step was the Olifan t lA which entered production in 1983. This added a substantially upgraded sighting sys tem giving the tank good night-fighting capability. The lA entered service in 1985 and saw combat in Angola during 1987/88. The gunner's sight of the Mk lA is the Eloptro MSZ-2 two-channel unit with an integral 10000m laser range finder working on both channels. The right-hand channel has an x8 magnifi cation sight with an 8* field ofview. The left hand channel houses the night elbow, which has an image-intensifier with a x7 .2 magnification and a 7.S· field of view. The night elbow has its own emergency power supply, in the form of two 1. SV dry cell type C batter ies. The night elbow can be replaced with a xl magnification 40·xI4· obser vation prism. The tank commander has an RCP sight and full override. The gun has two-axis stabiliZation. Other changes from the Mk 1 were
18
electrical modifications and an Im proved rear stowage bin on the turret. as well as a number of "cosmetic" changes. One major step was the change-over to the metric system for all fasteners. Several Mk I s received the new sight and turret bin. but not the electrical changes or the new metric fasteners. Olifant Mk 1A: Operational Experience
The fighting in Angola during 1987/88 saw the South African Army use tanks for the first time since 1945. The fighting showed the Olifant quite as tough as had been claimed for it. The tanks had to contend with thick bush and sand. and were used to break bush for other vehicles, Much to the chagrin of the infantry. It was the Olifant that proved to be the combat vehicle best suited to operating in such apparently unsui table conditions. The Olifant had only one real competitor in the bush breaking business - the G-6 self-pro pelled 155mm gun. The actual fighting during these operations was, arguably. less demand ing of the tanks than getting to the objective. The threat consisted mainly ofT-54 / 55 series tanks and a variety of Soviet antitank weapons, chiefly RPGs. B-1 Os. and some Saggers. The FAPLA. and Cuban-manned tanks did not achieve much. least of all against the Olifan t. Only one Olifant seems to have been damaged by them. having to be recovered after a 100mm hit on its idler. The various antitank weapons also failed to score any successes against the Olifant. although some of the tanks were hit Without suffering any damage. For their part, the Olifant crews shot out at least 32 T-S4/5Ss and a large number of other vehicles. The FAPLA brigades had 122mm D-30 guns - a gun that has a very effective HEAT round - but do not seem to have even tried to use them in
the antitank role. BM-21 multiple rocket launchers. by contrast, were fired In the direct-fire mode at advanc ing South African vehicles on several occasions. In one case a rocket tore the idler and track off an Olifant. although little other damage was caused to the tank. In one other instance. a nor mally-fired BM-21 rocket killed a tank driver when it hit the Olifant on its front armor before he could close his hatches properly. Antitank mines were rather more successful. stopping the South African tanks for a time on several occasions. It was finally a minefield well covered by artillery that stopped the last attack on the remaining FAPLA toehold east of the Cuito River. This also led to the 10ssoft..~reeOlifants that suffered track and suspension damage to mines and could not be recovered immediately. Instead of being destroyed. they were left intact for later recovery. In the event. this proved impossible and they were later recovered by FAPLA. These three Olifants were the only South African tanks lost In these operations. None were lost in actual fighting. nor did any suffer armor penetration. One tank went through much of the campaign 'short-tracked' while waiting for spares after being damaged by an an titank mine, and did not suffer any further damage as a result. The fire-direction system was not really tested by the 1987/88 fighting. Most of the armor clashes were at such short ranges that quick. almost in stinctive. shooting was the rule. In at least one case. a T-55 was shot at a range on only 50 m - so close that the sabot segments stuck to its armor! The gun and turret drives proved reliable and up to the demands of quick. close-range engagements. The 105mm ammunition naturally had no difficulty in dealing with the T-54/55 series tanks. One APFSDS projectile passed through the sand piled in front of a dug-in T-55 and penetrated its glaCis plate. The APFSDS projectiles also penetrated at some very shallow impact angles that resulted from the close-range melees. The 1 05mm HEAT also dealt with the T-55s Without diffi culty. (Part 2 of this article will appear in the September 1994 issue of Mu seum Ordnance.) Helmoed-R6mer Heitman is the South African correspondant Jor the Jane's series oj publications and has written numerous articles on deJense matters in southern Africa. He has also written several books including: South African War Machine; War In Angola; Modem African Wars 3, South-West A [rica; and Sou.thAfricanArmed Forces.
Museum Ordnance
The Ordnance Museum Foundation
P.O. Box 688 Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21005
Executive Director's Corner Fellow Members: Just a short note this month. We have been making steady progress with our program to write to all of the VFW and American Legion Posts in the U.S. We have written and mailed about 10,000 letters so far, and results have been fairly good. Two states will hand out our literature and ask for donations at their annual conventions and one state has offered us a portion of their state legalized gambling revenue (lottery money). Since this revenue is legal, we are comfortable accepting It. The primary problem with this mailing Is that some Posts feel that the Federal Government takes enough money from all of us In taxes and therefore, the Federal Government should pay for the Foundation Building program. We all agree about us paying enough taxes, but we also have to be realistic. The current administration and congress is, at best, unlikely to help the museum because they are determined to cut military expenditures. We are, through Represen tative Helen Bentley, trying to convince Congress that this is not a military appropriation, this Is an historical appropriation. We all see examples of multi hundred million dollar courthouses, filed with marble and wood panelling, funded by the government. Most of us consider this type of spending to be outrageous because while we may need new courthouses, etc. we do not need new Taj Mahals. Ifjust 1 or 2% of the cost of the new $300 million courthouse in Boston was diverted to Aberdeen, we could have our new museum and protect these priceless artifacts. While we are comemoratlng the 50th anniversary of D-Day may be a good time to tell your senators and congressmen about our museum. In many ways, the exhibits at Aberdeen also commemorate those D-Day sacrifices and the sacri fices made by other Americans in WW I and Korea, Vietnam and all the other cont1icts of this century. Again, if Congress spent at Aberdeen, just a portion of the money now being spent in France for these celebrations. far more Americans could see and touch our preserved heritage. On the good news side. The EPA has approved $125,000 to do a site survey at the museum because the museumgrounds have been contaminated by oil, heavy metals and leaded paint over the years. One of our hurdles is to get this area cleaned up before construction, so the study is a move in the right direction. Pre-planning and discussions are underway about base funding of about $900,000 for the construction of the rehabilitation building. It seems that some of our work is starting to payoff. Keep up the pressure on your representatives and posts and keep supporting the Foundation personally through your memberships. We WILL achieve our goal, and preserve this museum for future generations.
Veterans Group
Fundraising
Drive
The Foundation would like to ac knowledge the contributions made by the following veterans groups as they join with us In preserving our nation's glorious American Legion Post 198 Kent Island American Legion Disabled American Veterans, Chapter 25 American Legion Conestoga Post 662 Milton Jarrett Norman American Legion Post 201 Dewey Biggs American Legion Post 29 South Side, Pittsburgh Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6675 Pugh - Lenderman - Chalfonte Veterans of Foreign Wars Ernest Phillips American Legion Post 485 American Legion Towson Post 22 Sperry-Davis Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9151 Chesapeake City Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial Post American Legion Memorial Post 325 E.M. Connor Post 193
American Legion Illiana
Post 220
American Legion Col. Crawford
Post 181 American Legion Marne Post 13
'l\.9n Lehman
Join The Ordnance Museum Foundation, Inc. Regular Membership $25.00
July 1994
Ordnance Company Commander Membershlp $100.00
Ordnance Battalion Commander Membership $250.00
19
Miniature Ordnance
Refurbishing Those Older, Built-up Kits
This article features two "older" Tamiya kits and concentrates on how to put new life and rejuvenate old kits along with detailing them during the rebuild . Improving on our earlier modeling ef forts is always a modeler's goal and I will show you some ways to do this without going out and buying a new kit when you have one already built sitUng on your shelf. The kits, Tamiya's SU-122 and KV IB , have eleven years between them. The SU-122 being first produced in 1977 and the KV-IB in 1988. Despite this, they are both of a very high qual ity. However, with the march of prog ress and developments in modeling, it Is possible to effect certain alterations to them in order to bring them up to today's standards. This is made much easier with the plethora of accessory parts and photoetched detail sets now available. Today it is possible to add interiors, transmissions, and driving compartmen ts. These sort of possibili ties seemed far away only a few years
by James Welch
ago . The great advantage to the modeler in all of this is that he can spruce
up those old kits that have been lying around n eglected in a dusty corner of
The s tarting point. For this project I described the KV-IB on the left and the SU-122 on the right. At the same time [ did this article I decide d to redo a T·34 I had as well.
ARE YOU READY FORTHE NEXT STEP IN DETAIL?
IF YOUR ANSWER IS YES, GIVE US ACALL.
INTRODUCING PANZER CONCEPTS' NEWEST RELEASE, KIT #2018 KING TIGER INTERIOR DETAILS. DETAILS INCLUDE, BUT NOT LIMITED TO: NEW GUN BREACH, TURRET BASKET, FIREWAll, flOOR PLATE WITH SUSPENSION, TRANSMISSION &TURRET DRIVE TO AllOW YOU THE OPTION OF TURRET REMOVAL FOR MANY DIORAMA POSSIBILITIES.
KIT CONTAINS OVER 70 HIGHLY DETAILED RESIN PARTS TO COMPLETELY DETAIL THE FIGHTING COMPARTMENT OF TAMIYA'S NEW KING TIGER. SUGGESTED RET All PRICE IS $30.00
ASK FOR THIS LONG AWAITED KIT AT YOUR FAVORITE HOBBY SHOP, NAIL ORDER HOUSE OR ORDER DIRECT FROM US.
FOR AFIlEE CATALOG CONTAINING OTHER PIC CONVERSIONS AND ACCESSORIES SEND ALSASE TO:
PANZER CONCEPTS . . . . .--11
19401 N. 7TH ST. #77 PHOENIX AZ 85024 PHN/FAX 1602,-581 -8158
DEALER INQUIRIES ALWAYS WELCOME NO SHIPPING COSTS ON ADVERTISED KITS, PLEASE ALLOW TWO TO THREE WEEKS FOR DELIVERY.
20
Museum Ordnance
A home· brewed paint removal system. Mod· elers should be reminded that the chemicals involved can be dangerous and should only be used in a well· ventilated area and BE CAREFUL.
the attic. Old Junks
I remember how frus trating it was when first starting out; it seemed you were expected to know all of the tricks. I had a few of ,my earliest attempts lying around and I felt really bad about not being able to cure them of the "uglies. " After a little research. a little experi menting. and a deep breath I took the plunge and pulled them off the shelf. The first thing I did was to plug up the motorization holes from the inside with plastic card. The bottom is then filled with a filler putty and sanded when dry. To do this updating. several tools proved essential; a minidrill with slic ing/grinding wheels. a scraper. sand ing stock (file). and a sharp scalpel or hobby knife. By placing a round headed den tal burr in the minldrill and turning this at a low speed. a roughcut "steel" texture was rendered by bouncing this across the plastic of the kit.
July 1994
From the bottom up! [filled the motorization holes with card stock and putty.
Next carne the problem of remov ing the old paint. which had been badly and unevenly applied. The solution was actually quite easy after some thought. I took a can of oven cleaner and sprayed the entire vehicle. sealing it In a sandwich bag a placing it in a warm place for twenty-four hours. The next day. the kit was removed and gently scrubbed with an old durable toothbrush. Be careful to wash it in a container as several small parts are bound to corne loose. If all the paint hasn't come off. it can go back into the bag to another overnight. Generally. this system works well. although there may be some stains that may persist. Another advantage to this is that the plastic becomes "textured" and the paint adheres much better. From here it is almost like starting with the kit all over again.
The Buildup As a basis for the detailing I used two
photoetched sets from On The Mark Models. Before I (or On The Mark) are bombarded. no they do not make an SU-122 set. but theirT-34 set worked great. These sets are very complete and offer a chance to spruce up these kits. From here I will discuss the two kits separately. SU-122
I began by carefully removing the molded in engine screen on the rear deck with a razor saw. Next. the side vent openings are cut away and new photoetched replacement items are inserted. (Patience .. Patience!!) A few grab handles. tie-downs. and a holder for the saw are added along the hull side. Five small Grandt Line bolts are added to each rear fender at the point where they join the hull. The "Zip" box on the forward left fender is detailed with a handle at each end. made from brass wire with lead foil retainers. The spare fuel tanks are detailed by adding a scrap brass and placing a Verlinden bolt in the center. They then have their soldering traces reinforced. before be ing given a sound thrashing to simu late battle damage. Not wanting to put in an interior. I blocked off all openings with black construction paper. To finish up. a little battle damage was added to the front right fender by using a small candle to distort the shape and then by punching small holes to simulate small arms fire. That's it as far as the work goes. You could really splash it up by using single link tracks. but I thought the kit's would do.
21
KV-1B
This kit required very little work other than reinforcing the welding seams with a pyrograveur and adding the pho toetch detail pieces. One small item I did add was a small piece of plastic strip (.040) to represent the iron sup port found below the rear turret ball machinegun. I did remove the fender support brackets by carefully snipping them with flush cut nippers. This was fol lowed with sandpaper for a smooth finish. Photoetch replacements were then added. or you could use .010 plastic card for the job. As with the SU 122. I removed the molded in engine screen and replaced it with photoetch Ing. Final Look
This step usually involves crew mem
bers and outside stowage. Most of the photos I have seen show very little external stowage on either of these two vehicles. Also note that when the Sovi ets abandoned theirvehicles. when pos sible they took as much with them as possible leaving very little behind. Painting and Markings I decided to paint both vehicles in a winter camouflage scheme. Soviet ve hicles were either painted with a water based white wash or lime colored paint. I wanted to have a rather grainy finish on the vehicles so I used Humbrol matt 34 as the base color. I think if used pure that this is a little too strong in this scale. so I toned it down by adding a drop of Humbrol matt 28 grey. There was no highlighting done to the ve hicles. as I preferred to accentuate the weathering instead. When this base coat had dried after
Classified Ads
Museum Ordnance
P.O. Box 5884
Darlington, MD 21034
A free service to subscribers of Museum Ordnance. All subscribers are entitled to one free. thirty word classified ad per Issue. The Publisher reserves the light to approve and edIt all classIfied ads prior to publication. All ads mustinclude the date the ad is to be removed. For ads with more than thirty words or ads for non subscribers, the rate Is fifty cents (50<) per word. All payments must be made tn advance and in U.S. funds. Copy should be typed or nea Uy printed.
SALE/OFFERS Steam Is Alive and well and living in the U.S.A. One hour video of currently operating live 'Steam: Carousel, sawmill, calliope, tractors, trains. $20 postpaid. SPECTATOR, Box 27126, Den· ver, CO 80227. Built 1/35 armor k~s. Nicely done, some external detailing. Advise your particular needslwants. Will consider requests. Currently 100+ finished. Bill Whrtley, 311 Bundy Ave., Endicon, NY 13760. (607) 748·7922. HO 1/87th scsle models. WWII resin cast. Now: M3Al WMe scout car; Sooo: M5A t Stuan. Send requests to Paul heiser Models, P.O. Box 6t87, Lakewood, CA 90714·6187. Hundreds of armor books or kits now available at haH price. Please send large SASE L.L. Swanson, 1506 Lorraine Ave .. Bellevue, NE 68005 3/94 Study U.S. Coast Artillery Corps, artillery, harbor defense, and tonificationsl Trips and publications. Write: Coast Defense Study Group, 731 Baitirnore Pike, Bel Air, MD 21014. 6194
WANTED Researcher seeks combat·oriented photographs of T-54/55 MBTs for use in reference book. Atan Geibel, P.O. Box 2179, Philadelphia, PA t 9 t 03. Back issues of AFV News wanted. Colin Knapp, 35 Meadow Field, Stokes ley North Yorkshire, 759 5EL, England. Researcher seeks out-ol-print issues of Milhary Journal maga zine. also looking for quality out-ol-print books on armor, weap ons,&aJc. TomLaemlein,61 HarvardSt .. Rochester, NY t4607 1/95.
Wanted Data and informat ion on railway armor. Will exchange or buy. John Loop 12445 Pomerado PI.. San Diego, CA 92t28. (6t9) 487·8698. Researcher seeks originalphotos, award documents, paybooks of German WWII armor troops. Send photocopy/price. Frederick Clemens, t 81 t MacAnhurDr .. McLean , VA 22101. 3195 Collector seeks 1:36 WWII armor ID models by Framburg or Comet. Franc Isla, 3994 Peachtree-Dunwoody, Atlanta, GA 30342. 404·233-3708. 3194 Wanted : After action reports, U.S. Army and USMC· Desert Storm. To buy or trade. For trade I have America's First Team ~ (1 st cav) and Desert Jayhawk (VII Corps). Also have after action reports many units. Tom Dinackus, 4719 Major coun, Alexandria, VA 22312. 5194
Ordnance Sergeant. wanted complete January t 942 issue. Photocopy acceptable, if you don't wish to sell. Wilt Ross. 6456 Woodley Ave.. Van Nuys, CA 9t406. t /95 Wanted : Will pay reasonable price for R.P. Hunnicutt's book: Sherman ' A History of the American Medium Tank. Write to
Bernard McKenna, 144 Atlantic Ave., Staten Island, New York 10304. 6/94 Latin American AFVs. Research underway for a publication on AFVs serving in the Caribbean, Central, and South America. We are looking for information, material, and photographs 10 help trace the history of armor in these countries. Hyou would like to contribute contact either Jeff McKaughaniMuseum Ordnance, P.O. Box 5884, Darlington, MD 21034; or Paul Walsh, 227 Sunoybrook Rd.. Springfield, PA 19064. All contributions will be acknowledged and greatly appreciated.
The
"re·oolTl" Soviet
tanks have been transJormedJrom "back·oJ-the·sheif' embarrassments
into models that reflect your bUilding skills without having to drop the money Jor a new kit.
22
Museum Ordnance
a few days, I added the weathering using a rather different approach. I used Tamiya acrylic Dark Green XF 61. I applied this to areas which were the most exposed and hence more likely to lose their camo coating quickest. I worked on one small area at a time. After applying a line or two of green, I immediately washed this out with rub bing alcohol. I let the flow run naturally giving a most realistic "bleeding" into the white undercoat. Be careful to go slow and easy, until obtaining the de sired effect. I left the KV-IB without markings as many of these vehicles carried them. The SU-122 will look familiar to those ofyou who have had a chance to look at Steve Zaloga's fine new book on East ern Front markings. The red air-Iden tity marking was painted on the roof using Humbrol matt 60 with a drop of Humbrol matt 110 added. The mark ings are Verlinden rub down transfers and the branches were painted by hand using Tamiya XF-61. The final weathering consisted of adding the inevitable rust and fuel stains. These were done in the time honored fashion - using oil paints and surrounding the detail (such as a bolt) with raw umber and running streaks with burnt sienna. Heavily crusted
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rust was made, on the exhaust pipes for example, by powdering the wet oil paint with burnt sienna artists pastel chalks. Finally, pastel chalks are brushed into the deep recesses and various corners of the vehicles. The tracks were painted separately and last using Humbrol matt 33 (black) , dry-brushed with silver and then set aside to dry for two days. A heavy wash was then applied using diluted burnt sienna and raw umber oil paint. The road wheels of the SU-122 were dry brushed with Humbrol matt 11 after being coated with black. A final selec
tive highlighting was done on the areas of greatest wear, such as the steel KV IB road wheels, using silver. Reborn
Brought from the dark back corners of your display shelf, these "old" kits can now respectfully be shown in the light of day. Next time you are thinking abou t taking an earlier effort and tear ing it down to fill up your parts box, think again and try the same kit one more time!
Quality You Can Build Contest Quality Kits for the Serious Modeler with Crisp Detail and Ease of Assembly for the Average Modeler
Now Available
CMD 01 CMD 02 CMD03 CMD04 CMD05 CMD06 CMD07 CMD 09 CMD10 CMD 11 CMD12 CMD13 CMD 14A B C CMD15
75mm Dry Stowage Sherman Turret T-54 Turret T-62 Turret - Early Version Firefly Turret and Accessories T-34/8Smm Czechoslovakian Production Turret T-62M Turret - Late Version M4 Sherman Composite Hull (Hybrid) Russian T-34/44/54 Full Finned Roadwheel Set M4 Sherman Early One Piece Cast Nose (Transmission Cover) Screen-Aluminum Mesh 75mm Dry Stowage Sherman Turret with Applique Armor M4 Sherman Early Three Piece Cast Nose (Transmission Cover) T-72 Six Spoke Wheel Set (6) T-72 Scraper Blade T-72 Windscreen Set M60 Early Turret
Available from shops and mail order outlets. Also available directly from CMD, Box 393 Monkton, MD 21111 USA
July 1994
.. . INTRODUCING
• • •
CMD 14A: T-72 Six Spoke Wheel Set (6) CMD 14B: T-72 Scraper Blade
CMD 14C: T -72 Windscreen Set (includes 2 partial figures of driver and commanded CMD 15: M60 Early Turret
23
OVERLOOKED & NEGLECTED ... .... .FULLY APPRECIATED BY DML
It seems as though certain subjects just continue to be overlooked by most kit manufacturers bent on prooc:i:; :; ::-: ~ - ::.:~ _- r.lIe same old subjects, DML has become known for originality in their choice of subjects, frequently prcxlucing: ':; 0 :' 5"":::~ e::::s ::. ime ever expected to see as a 1135 scale injection molded kit. The Panther II is the second ofDML's "Secret I e ,", G ~~~.::- o:t:.-p~;,e releases that promises to fill a lot of gaps in available subject matter. This kit closely follows the release 0 - ± e P:::::. ::.C~ r, ::. e - S! ofDML's "secret items", The Panther II is all original DML tooling, including the individual track links ane c::' -:"''l-C:'':-=- - ':-e -1- '-d of the secret items is the M4A3E8 "Easy Eight" Sherman, This is another model that has never been prope ~ :~': J::.e "Y: ~ e. This Korean War era Sherman model with the advanced HVSS suspension also features individual traek r 0 ,
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.# .fIritl.#.fIN.fI PUBLICATIONS COMPANY
ARMOR AT WAR SERIES
This new photo series examines famous tanks of the 20th ee, .:. .- ';;"i::' ~ : :-=:~ _ f excellent combat photos and color plates. The combat phOlOo \1.:.:: e ~'.~ ~:e modelers and diorama builders, showing armored vehicles as __'-. :::. ~:.:.i...~. ~ Y'..c..~': :.. '} combat.
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THE M4 SHERMAN AT WAR
The M4 Sherman was the backbone of the US Arm,"s arm Q ~ ~: : ;'.:.::: c-::...: :::': }'~ , WW2, This book shows the Sherman in combat from the sa:-.~ _: -:-~-:~ : J:2 -.... '-z Operation Torch in 1942 to the fmal tank battles in Gennan~' . , ::.c o:: :-~; c:' : - 4: , !lli book concentrates on the Sherman in US service, but a\w CO,'C5 o.e'. e--:--~ o:- ::'e ied armies that used the Sherman,
~ r'\/lARC O ?O LO ~ I M PO T