$3.00 September 1994 Museum L Ordnance ',./$\":~~,,~..., , The Magazine for the u.s. Army Ordnance Museum Promoting the preservation and collection of...
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$3.00 September 1994
Museum L
...
Ordnance ',./,$\":, ~~,,~ 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.
Dr. 'Jack' Atwater
Museum Ordnance
The
Curator's
ColuInD Features In my last column I alluded to a new exhibit for the Ordnance Hall of Fame. I reported it was a gift from Mr, Jeffrey Braverman, the owner of Rival Auto motive Products, and had been pro grammed by Mr. 11m Gatins. That exhibit is now up and running. It consists of a computer and a touchscreen which one can now call up all the members of the Ordnance Hall of Fame. Unfortunately, we still have some minor glitches to iron out. Briga dier General Charles D.Y. Ostrom played an important role in the loading and staging ofammunition for the Kiska operation in the Aleutian Islands. The computer has him playing an imperii nentrole. General Ostrom Is a dignified gentleman who has a wonderful sense of humor and is definitely NOT pre sumptuous, meddlesome. or insolent. as we now imply in our display. I know we have other misstatements of fact. misspellings. and missed capital ization's in the various write-ups as they presently exist. We will correct these minor problems as soon as pos sible. The important thing is the ex hibit represents the wave of the future in the museum . A future upgrade will be to add the Chiefs of Ordnance onto the computer so we can get that infor mation out to the public as well. Other future upgrades will have us add color to the information we display and en hance our photographs. It is going to be really neato keeno stuff, as my 12 year nephew says. Provided, of course, General Ostrom does not have us shot for our impertinence. I also want to
The Medium T.3 Christie By Jeff McKaughan
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Tracking the Independent 605. Panzerjager-Abteilung with Rommel in North Africa By George Bradford
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South African Olifant (Part 2) By Helmoed-Romer Heitman
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AKHZARIT By Jeff McKaughan
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Departments Curator's Column
3
Book Reviews
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BEACONS IN THE NIGHT With the OSS and Tito's Partisan's in Wartime Yugoslavia KING TIGER HEAVY TANK 1942-1945 13
The Ordnance Museum Foundation
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Miniature Ordnance:
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Vickers Six-Ton Tank Conversion
By Peter Brown
Classified Ads
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(Continued on Page 14)
Museum Ordnance
Volume 4, Number 5
Septem ber 1994
Jeffrey D. McKaughan Editor Adam Geibel Associate Editor
September 1994
Museum Ordnance is published six-times per year by Darlington Productions. Inc., P.O. Box 5884, Darlington, MD 21034. (410) 457-5400. All 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% sa les 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 0 rdnance 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 ..
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The Medium T.3
Christie
Whether it was building race cars, motOrizing formerly horse-drawn fire carriages. designing turret mechanisms for U.S battleships. or designing and constructing combat tanks John Walter Christie had a eye for opportu nity. His first military application was a front-wheel drive truck that saw ser vice with Pershing's punitive expedi tion into Mexico in 1916. This was the beginning of a long, and tumultuous relationship between Christie and the Anny. Not long on patience. he and the Anny would lock horns on so many occasions that the argument could eas ilybe made that what killed the Christie tank design for the U.S. was not the machine but the man. Whatever the relationships may have been. what is indisputable is that Christie was the foremost designer and most prolific tank builder in the U.S. during the 1920's and into the early 1930·s. Throughout World War I. Christie was awarded several contracts to pur sue the design of prototype vehicles for tanks and self-propelled artillery guns. Just after the end of the war. an indi vidual just as brash became a sup porter of Christie and his tanks. Capt.
George S. Patton Jr. Patton went so far in his support of Christie that during a demonstration of a tank to a group of generals, he asked them if they would like to try and drive the tank. telling them how easy it was. When they all refused. Patton put his wife in the tank who managed it beautifully. He then again asked the generals to try, a re quest they curtly refused. Both men would pay for their straightforward. no nonsense approach to life. However. from these humble be ginnings. a pattern starts to emerge of a visionary designer (genius?) who is genuinely frustrated by government bureaucracy. administrative redtape. and by Army requirements and specifi cations that he does not agree with . Despite these problems. along with a cancellation of most funding for tank projects. Christie continued his work using funds earned from the Army through the purchase of prototypes and patents for his designs. It was not until 1928. that a sincere tank program was rejuvenated. After a demonstration of Christie's M1928 de sign. the Anny directed that the vehi cle be tested further and in 1929 autho -
Itis
Annual Meeting oj the Ordnance Corps Association in August oj 1931 . Speed is estimaled at about 25 miles per hour on its wheels. This was a novelJeature oj most oj Christie's designs, the abilityJor the vehicle to move either on its wheels (for better road traveU or on its tracks (for better cross-country performance)_ The tracks could be removed and s tored on the fenders or placed back on the running gear in 30 minutes.
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J. Walter Christie shown here (in white shirt just infront onflTst road wheeU demonstrat ing his M 1931 to government oIfkials at his Linden New Jersey facility.
rized its purchase. Christie's asking price for the M1928 was $82.750 plus $35,000 each for eight vehicles. The Anny baulked at the high price and Christie would not negotiate. During this same period. some high-ranking Ordnance Corps officers were pushing for more money to be Siphoned from the Christie program and be allocated to the Ordnance-designed Tl E2light tank. Afte r the M1928 had been put through a gruelling series of tests (see Sidebar). it was recommended for ac ceptance. Prominent on the Board of Review was Lt. Col. Adna R. Chaffee and Major Patton. Eventually. and not without the now expected arguments and posturing by Christie. a contractwas signed for eight vehicles to be delivered to the Anny for test and evaluation, These would be deSignated the M 1931 or as the Anny would desig nate it. the Medium T.3. What should have been a monumental milestone for Christie was in reality just another day in his war with the Army and its bu reaucracy. It is amazing and disturbing that when the U.S. ultimately found Itselfat war ten years later. it did so with no Christie tanks in its arsenal. Christie's personality and his lack and patience with those that had the responsibility of deciding what should be purchased was a fault that would ruin the oppor tunities his skills would create. His strong will and an overflowing creativ ity would also work against him in that he actually designed a tremendous numberofvehicles. usuallyworkingon the next design before completing the previous one. Christie also designed the tanks he wanted. which were not always the tanks the Army ordered. On more than one occasion. he ignored the speCifications requested and delivered tanks to his standards. These factors were to win Christie a number ofadmirers. but far too many detractors . Most of his problems stemmed not from his tanks but from the inability of Christie and his military counterparts to work closely in a mutu-
Museum Ordnance
OJ note in this photo are.first the missing headlight brackets located mid-way up on the angle plate (three holes in a triangularjormation. And secondly. the prominent weld seams on the right hand portion oj the photo.
--_rJ./.~
.. -
A nice illustration of the linkages that were used to steer the tank while it was operating
in its "wheeled" mode. Steering was con trolled with a dutch/ brake combination while on its caterpillar tracks.
An inside Look of the right hand door of the driver's hatch.
ally trusting atmosphere. While many of his designs were utilized. few were built byhiS company. The patents were used by the Army and the tanks built elsewhere. Foreign interest in Christie was high and his designs (and actual ex amples) were sold to both the Russians and British. The famous Russian BT and the British Cruiser series of tanks were direct descendents from his M1931/M 1932 design. Poland had
September 1994
ordered a copy but it was never deliv ered. after a price and other technical issues were disputed. Finally. the de sign potentials were not lost on the growing Germany army. Christie held fast and refused to deal with the Ger mans. although he did allow them to visit his plant on numerous occasions. Christie died on January 11. 1944 at the age of 69. his latest project was the M1950 which has lines very similar to the Swedish S-Tank built in 1963.
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His range of military designs Included not just combat tanks but airborne and amphibious tanks, and self-pro pelled guns along with armored cars and trucks. He had so many projects that it is difficult to follow the lineage without some degree of concentration. Perhaps Christie was a difficult and stoic man, but regardless of his personality traits, his forward thinking in the development of armored fighting vehicles blazed the way for other de signs and created a competitive envi ronment that created the U.S. tank.
Rarely did any two oJChris tie's tanks look exactly the same. Some are noted with a slightly dUferent rear end arrangementJrom the one shown here.
Many accounts oj Walter Chrtstie's de signs. accompltshrnents. and hts troubles wah the Army describe in great detaa the drcumstances. mostly Jrom the view oj the Army. [highly recommend reading Steel Steeds Christie, wTitten by his son J. ed ward ChTistie as a memoir oj hts Jather. Edward also pLayed a role in the running oj the company and does agoodJob ojexplain ing the Christie tank programs and hts Ja ther, The book was pubLLshed in 1985 by Sunjlowe r Uruversity Press. 1531 Yuma, Manhatte n. KS 66502.
Inside thefrghling compartment looking back to the errgine compartment. The powerplant oj the Christie T.3 was an Ordnance Liberty V 12 capable ojputting out a maximum 2,500 rpm (aJter all oj Chrtstie's modifications). Actually, the errgine could produce speeds in excess oj what the crew or the machine could realtstic handle. Arrgling in on either side oj the errgine were the radiators withJans that pulled air inJrom annored louvers on the errgine deck: You can also see the ammunition storage racks on either side ojthefighting compartment alorrg wUh the spring housing Jound on both sides but only vtsible at leJt !rt the photo. Fuel capacity was 89 gallons which gave the T.3 a range oj about 150 miles.
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Museum Ordnance
Looking straight down at the driver's position. With his se at missing, you get a nice view oj the se at rails on the jIoor, the ge ar shift lever is to the Jar right oj the steering wheel. The caterpiUar steering levers on located on e ither side oj the steering wheel (on the right inside oj the gear shift lever). The ammunition racks can be seen on either s ide.
r
"""
The Board of officers that we re overseeing the testing of the Christie tank saw the tank perform the following battery of tests which it did so in a "satisfa ctory" manner.
RJGHT: The turre t travers e hand-crank
Jan . 21 - 40 mph road speed trest on wheel
Jan. 21 - 25 mph track test speed
Feb. 10 - 200 mile road test on
wheels in eight consecutive hours Feb. 19 - 200 mile road test on
wheels in eight consecutive
hours
Feb . 26 - 140 mile cross-country
track test In seven consecutive
hours
Feb . 27 - 200 mile road test on
wheels in eight consecutive
hours
Feb. 27 - Negotiation of military wire Feb. 28 - Fording three feet of water Feb . 28 - Negotiation of 35-degree
slope from standing start
without grousers
Feb. 28 - Ta king tracks from
machine In 30 minutes
Feb . 28 - Placing tracks on
machine In 30 minutes
Feb. 28 - run of 1/4 mile up 10
percent slope at 20 mph Feb. 28 - Pivot on tracks 360 degrees Feb. 28 - Tum on wheels on 18-foot hard surface road Feb. 28 - Stop within 50 feet while traveling on wheels at 20 mph.
September 1994
7
Museum Ordnance's Bookshelf Book Reviews
BEACONS IN THE NIGHT With the OSS and Tito's Partisan's in Wartime Yugoslavia By Franklin Lindsay FOIWard by John Kenneth Galbraith 379 pages. photos. maps 1993 ISBN 0-8047-2123-8 Stanford University Press Stanford. California 94305 $29.95 Wanting to become more active in the war and finding it hard to do so. Franklin Lindsay volunteered for service with the OSS in Yugoslavia: Overstating his experience. he was chosen to go into Yugoslavia and coordinate sabotage ac tivity against German transport and communication lines. Working from his notes and di rectly from documents that were finally declassified (Including more than 1,000 pages ofactual radio logs) in the 1980's, Lindsay was able to put together a gripping account of the partisan war in northern Yugoslavia. The Slovenian government was also cooperative, which opened up other research avenues . His personal story is intertwined with facts and details which indicates careful re search and and effort for a complete view of the war from his perspective. The war against the Germans was not an easy one and the rigors and problems that beset the partisans and the Allied forces that were supporting them were tremendous. The rugged. mountainous terrain made travel diffi cult and further stressed the only means on outside supply - the air drop . If dealing with German ambushes and night fighters was not enough. finding the drop zone with poor radios, an ever changing drop zone location. moun tains, and whipping winds made these supply drops dicey at best. While Lindsay is not too bashful to speak highly of the loyalty that the partisans showed to each other, nor is he reluctant to describe their bitter hatred of other ethnic groups within Yugoslavia. All of the Allied represen tatives seem to spend some degree of time working to remind the partisan groups that they should fight the Ger mans, not each other. Although not necessarily focused on being a reader on the events that tramatize the former
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Yugoslavia today, you can not help but think in 1994 terms when reading this account from 1944-45. Another post war historical reference that can be gleaned from the book is that as the war went on, the U.S. and British off1c ers found the partisans growing colder
and more distance. while the Russian advisors were the obvious favored ones. The war in the Balkans was par ticularly savage and although rarely recognized. did playa significant role in further spreading the resources of the German Army and, through the dis ruption of rail lines and bridges, re stricting their ability to move forces strategically for great periods of time. Beacons in the Night is fine ex ample that 50 years after D-Day not all of the important history of the war has been told. The book is recommended as a good account of a relatively small theater that played a crucial role dur ing WWlI. and also a primer for the deep rooted problems that have torn a country to shreds.
KING TIGER HEAVY TANK, 1942-1945 Osprey New Vanguard Number 1 By Tom Jentz, Hilary Doyle, & Peter Sarson. 160 pages. 175 photos 1993 ISBN 0-87938-794-7 Osprey Publishing. Ltd. 59 Grosvenor Street London WIX 9DA England these changes occurred. Reviewed by Frank De Sisto "Sure," you say. "Just what we need! Another book on the Tiger II!" Those were my thoughts exactly. when I heard this book was coming. I picked it up with some trepidation. but was soon hooked. One might think it nearly impossible to un-earth new ma terial on a subject such as this, so why bother with a new book. right? WRONG 1 To start with. the team of authors have done over 20 years ofresearch into the subject. and have used only original German source documents, and in spection of actual surviving vehicles, in order to present the design and produc tion history of this vehicle. Capsule histories of the heavy battalions which employed the vehicles, in the East and West. are presented, including monthly vehicle availability figures. The information on paint specifica tions and their changes alone, is worth the price of admission . Just about every minor and major physical pro duction change is discussed. and WHEN
As the Tiger II was built in relatively small numbers . this helps the serious modeler in fitting a specific vehicle into a particular time and location. If you are looking for new photo graphs, unfortunately, you won't find them here, and that's my only major gripe. The color plates are wonderfully drawn, and explained in great detail. Mr. Doyle's line drawings are superb, but beware the captions on page 44 (top) and 46 (bottom) as they are re versed! The center spread cut awa y color dra wing is also fairly useful. and has the call-outs situated around the drawing. so you don't have to shuff1e pages to find the name ofwhat it is you are looking at. There are some tables which com pare penetration power of the various Allied and German guns of the time. as well as production statistics. There is not much more I can say. except that with the advent of new-tool Porsche and Henschel turreted Tiger II 's from Tamiya this book is right on target. offering very useful data to the modeler.
Museum Ordnance
100
Miles
200
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500
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BOO
900
_Tripoli Benghasi _
- -• - Tobruk
Mechili_
Gazala
•
Sidi Rezegh
Sirte 10
o Agedabia
Sir Hacheim
Bardia Solium
Mersa Matruh
-
EIAlamein
• EI Agheila
Track'ng the Independent 605. Panzerjager-AbteUung Wjth Rommel jn North A'rjca Axis air attacks on Malta had managed to neutralize British influence in the Mediterranean during February and March 1941. allowing the Italian 132nd "Ariete" Armored Division and "Trento" Motorized Infantry Division. along with the German 5th Light Division to arrive safely in Tripoli. In the period from February 1 to June 30. a total ofS1.785Axis troops were disembarked at Tripoli. along with
By George Bradford
450.000 tons of weapons. fuel and ammunition . The va nguard of the 5th Light Division was MotorVehicle Work shop Bn.13. Water Columns 800 and S04. plus Field Hospital 4/572. The following evening the 3rd Reconnais sance Bn. and 39thAntitankBn . started to come ashore. Rommel was there to greet them and gave them 5 hours to disembark and be ready to march. On the morning of February 15th they were inspected and then headed east on the 26 hour drive to the front lines at
Sirte. The 5 . leichte Division (5th Light Division) had originally been deSignated as "Sperrverband Libyen" (Libyan Blocking Formation). and was Intended as a strong. tactical defensive force to shore up the Italian defenses. and not as an operational formation. However. Rommel decided otherwise. and the rest is history. The 5. lelchte Division had been raised IS Feb. 1942 in Wunsdorf, Wehrkreis 1II from cadres of the 3. Pz. Division, along with its 5. Pz. Regiment. Among these units was the 605. Panzerj;3.ger-Abteilung (Sfl). which was a standard GHQ self-propelled anti tank battalion that would end up under direct D.AK. command as an indepen dent unit, to protect GHQ and for use wherever it was needed. Tobruk. April. 1941
This 4. 7cm PaK(V (Sj) auJPzKpJw I. AusJ B was captured somewhere in Ubya aJter suffering signykant damage. Ths photos in this article are courtesy oj the G.B. Jarrett collection.
September 1994
The first elements of 15th Pz. Div. fi nally reached the Tobruk perimeter on 9 April. 1-941. and augmen tlng it was 3. Pz-AufklarungsAbt.. S. MG-Bn., and the 605. PzJag-Abt.. all under the com mand of Gen. Heinrich von Prittwitz. His attack on Tobruk that day cost him his life and heavy losses to his men and vehicles from the wall of artillery and machinegun fire from the Australian and British troops that faced them. It was a rude awakening for the fledgling Afrika Korps.
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805. Panzerjager-Abteilung, May 27, 1942
(605th. Self-Propelled Anti-Tank Battalion) Battalion HQ Signal Platoon Trains
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Shown here is the suggested composition of the independent 605, Panzerjager-Abteilung at the outset of Rommel's attack on the Gazala Line, Its anti- tank capability has been strengthened by the arrival of the 7.62 FK36(r) auf Panzerjager Selbstfahrlafette Zugkraftwagen 5t (Sd Kfz 6). Six
of these vehicles arrived in January 1942, and three more in February. Their German crews nick-named these self propelled guns "Diana". They also managed to make themselves felt during the heavy fighting against the newly arrived British Grants.
supplies. On September 14th Von Raven stein's 21 st Panzer Division slipped out of its assembly area and moved south east. The division split into two battlegroups. Stephan and Schutte. Cruppe Schutte would steal the booty, while Kampfgruppe Stephan fought off any challengers. This mission was less than successful, as the British 7 Sup port Croup under Brigadier "Jock" Campbell smelled trouble and simply pulled back from the frontier, leaving Rommel empty handed. On October 1. 1941 the reorga nized 5th Light Division would become the 21 st Panzer Division Bir Hacheim, June 6,1942
Capuzzo, June 1941
The 605th was also heavily involved in the fighting around Capuzzo in an at tempt to fight off the advance of the British 7th Armoured Division on June 15th. 1941. during their "Battleaxe" offensive. September 3,1941
The 605thalso fought as partof"Cruppe Schutte" which was formed on Septem ber 3, 1941 in preparation for Opera tion "Sommemachtstraum" (Midsum mer Night's Dream), the main objective of which would be the British supply
dump at Bir Khireigat, about 15 miles the other side of the wire, This Cruppe consisted of 605 , PzJag-Abt. (minus 1 company): 8. MC-Bn.: 606, Flak-Bn, (minus 1 company); and one company of 200 Pioneer Bn .. plus several con voys whose main purpose was to sal vage captured British equipment and supplies. and escort it safely out of the battle area. Midsummer Night's Dream was intended to solidify the front before Rommel's intended second attack on Tobruk. and if possible to capture in formation on the enemy's orderofbatUe, Having lived on British rations In the past. it was not hard for him to entice his men into this round-up of British
As part of the final assault on Bir Hacheim by the 90th Light Afrika Divi sion and "Trieste" Division. "Kampf gruppe Marcks" was formed onJune 6. 1942. It consisted of 605. PzJag-Abt., 606. Flak-Abt. and 580. pz Aufklarungs-Abt. The fort had been under attack and pounded by Stukas for days but Col. Pierre KOnig and his 4.400 Free French, British. and Jewish soldiers had refused to surrender. Their mined defensive perimeter consisted of almost 1.200 anti-tank. MC and artil lery nests . On June 8th, with his "Cauldron" positions secure, Rommel finally sent a strong detachment of the 15th Pz. Div. to assist in overpowering this thorn In his side. Heavy Stuka bombing on the 9th. followed by a detennlned assault by infantry of 15th Panzer finally sealed the fate of the defenders. On the night of June 10th the French garrison finally decided to break out. with as many vehicles as they could muster. The 606. Flak-Abt. and 605. PzJag-Abt. In their blocking posi tions fired on escaping enemy columns In a pyrotechnic display throughout the night. destrOying numerous ve hicles. but large numbers still man aged to break through the Axis en circlement and escape. The following morning 90th Light occupied the fortress and took 500 prisoners. mainly consisting of medics and their wounded. EI Alamein, Nov. 3,1942
During the final days at EI Alamein "Kampfgruppe Fischer" was fonned on Nov. 3,1942 to cover the withdrawal of 15th Panzer Division to new positions.
11
605. PzJ
The Panzerja.ger IB w~s Gennany's first attempt to utilize an otherwise obsolete tank chassis as the mount for a cap tured Czech gun. At least 202 were converted to panzerja.gers between March 1940 and February 1941. Its 4.7cm L/43.3 Skoda antitank gun was fairly effective against the early British cruiser tanks and annored cars. but never had a chance
~liesapea~ V "Moae{fDes!iJns
against the Matilda Infantry tank and the later Grants. It was manned by a crew of three. and stowed 86 antitank rounds. The PzJa.g IB was the mainstay of the 605th during the early desert battles and was usually moved to the front on trailers to eliminate engine and track wear. 7.62cm FK36(r) auf Panzerjager (Sfl) Zugkraftwagen 5t (Sd Kfz 6)
Built on the Bussing-NAG BN9 (Zgkw 5t) chassis. this was an improvised attempt to mount the captured Rus sian 7.62cm M1936 field gun on a mobile chassis. A simple 10mm thick annored open-top box with doors was mounted on the rear of this 5-ton semi track. and the gun. complete with wheels but shortened guns trails. was anchored inside. Nine ofthese conversions were built in late 1941. and apparently all of them were sent to Africa. Six arrived in January 1942. and the final three in February. At that time Rommel wa s happy to get anything in the realm of heavyself-propeUed weapons. but their height would make them easy targe ts for enemy gunners. They played an
important role In the Gazala battles. especially against the M3 Grants which first made their presence known at that time. Their German crews knew them affectionately as ~Diana·. but this was never offiCially recognized. The maln complaInt was that after continuous firing the assembly braces loosened off and they had to continually keep tight ening them up. The Dlanas made up the heavy company of the 605th from April 1942 onward. and carried a crew of five. The only readily visible mark ings they appear to have carried were the white band across the hood for easy air recognition. and the white battery number Just behind the drivers posi tio n. The vehicles carried numbers from 1 to 9, and all were lost in North Africa except for one captured by the Britis h during the Alameln battles. George BradJord is the Director oj the AFVAssociation. andpub/ishesAFV :\E\ \ 'S three times per year. which I recomme nd to a ny armor/ordnance his torian.. For more inJormation on the as s ocia tion and AFV NEWS write to R. R. 32. 10 Brenda Street. Cambridge. Ontario S3H 4R7, Canada.
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Museum Ordnance
Regarding the July issue's article on the Japanese Flamethrowlng Type 97 tank. we found one additional photo after going to press. It is from the rear showing the add-on for the larger fuel tanks. We also heard from Terry Stlbal. Japanese armor afficlenado, that based on the visual evidence in the photo, he believes the gun mounted was most likely the standard 57mm gun. He also notes a dlfTerent muffier arrangement from the standard Type 97. We recently came across an interesting photo of a modification made to an Israeli M113 operating in sou them Lebanon. The commander's station is protected by four sections of armor
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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- SO -du!~SO /
SO- indicates this issue is sold out $3.00 each U,So (25¢ postage. Maryland residents add 5% sales tax), foreign $4.25. U.S. funds only. Museum Ordnance, POB 5884, Darlington. MD 21034
September 1994
plate, each fitted with a block of green tinted glass (assuming bulletprooO. The front is open allowing for use of the machinegun, while the back is covered by the open hatch, Beyond can be seen the angled plate on either side of the top infantry hatches. It appears to be a single plate on either side with two vision blocks. James Scheme r caught two errors in the July 1994 issue, both in the C31 column. In the article on the Russian built 'Smerch' MLRS we in correctly said that it was a 200mm system. when in fact the caliber is 300mm. We also misidentified the chassis, which should have read the MAZ-543M. He also sent along a newspaper clipping about the purchase of an M47 tank by Arnold Sc hwarzenegger (movie star, etc,), Seems it was the very ve
hlcle that he drove while in the Aus trian army and he now wants it outside one of his "Planet Hollywood" restau rants . An update to the article on Canadian
Universal carriers came from Paul Handel regarding similar Australian vehicles. In the original article we stated that the Australian Universals with 2 pdr guns wex:e experimental when in fact they were not and 200 were built during 1942-43. They did develop an experiment with the 2pdr on a hoist where the gun was lowered and raised alongside the driver. Volume 2 of Tech Intell is being worked on and is planned for a release sometime later this year (hopefully in November).
Armor Modeling and Preservation Society... '" or AMPS, is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to "associate interested individ uals 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. A on e-year membership is $20,00 (U.S,), Canada $25.00,All Others: $25.00 surface and $35 airmail. All payments must be in U.s, funds, no credit cards .
AMPS
P.O. Box 331
Darlington, MD 21034
13
ing the Carthegians in battle, the army Curator's Column would undergo a reorganization. Co ContinuedJrom Page 3)
thank Mr. Braverman again for his outstanding support. Rival Automo tive Products is a real friend to this museum and we want to make it abso lutely dear that they have, at least, Major General status with us. While I can't promise them the proper number of guns to be fired in salute, we will certainly go out of our way to welcome them here In the museum and at Aber deen Proving Ground . As many ofyou know, the museum has help several 1V producers with their efforts. The museum has figured prominently in A&E's production of Brute Force: The HlstoryofWeapons in Battle. Additionally, we has assisted the Discovery Channel in their produc tion of Firepower, and in the BBC's production of Small Arms, Soft Tar gets. Brute Force and Firepower have already aired and WGBH has picked up Small Arms, Soft Targets for future broadcast. .. probably in the NOVA series of scientific programs. The mu seum continues to attract 1V produc ers for example in August we will host Rimfire Productions for a program they are planning. For those of you with a classical education, Flavius Vegetius Rennatus is a familiar name. For those of you studied engineering, Vegetlus wrote The Military Institution of the Romans in the 4th century AD. He recalls that when Rome fought the First Punic War the army would train, and train hard. It would build unit cohesion and the men would come to trust the officers. Invariably, however, just before meet
mander. This will mean little to the visiting public, but it certainly means a lot to us. Naturally, it Is upsetting to us, and has added to our work load, caused staff changes and may mean more changes in the future. While change is Inevitable, I can't help think ing of Amenhotep III and the Roman army. Of course, there is the old service saying... "The Service isn't what it used to be-and never was." Which could also be followed by the saying that "The ability to gain Victory by changing and adapting according to the need is called genius?" And as long as I am in a literary mood I might as well end it with Shakespeare's Othello...
hesion would be lost. the men could not trust its new officers, and in general the smooth working of the organization, built up over time, would be lost. Go ing even further back into history the Pharaoh Amenhotep III (1411-1375 BC) complains about his generals reorga nizing his army so that...... "every man reported and one mustered an army of Pharaoh which was under the com mand ofthe king's son- But the changes wrought by his generals perplexed Pha raoh in that no man was with his village .. " Both armies, by the way, lost the next battle they fou ght after being reorganized. The point ofall this is that the Ordnance Center and School is unde rgoing one of those periodic re organizations in the name of effiCiency and saving money. The muse um will no longer fall unde r the Direc torate of Support , but under the Brigade Com
Forsooth, a great arithmetician... That
never set a squadron in thefield, Nor the
diuision oj a battle knows
M o re than a spinster.. . ...
mere prattle, without practice,
Is all his soldiership.
/ ARMORED CAR The Wheeled fighting Vehide Newsletter
PORTRAYAL PRESS
Now in its fourth year, AC is a
bimonthly publication which
covers the history and develop
ment of wheeled fighting
vehicles from around the world.
Contents include: photos, scale
drawings, vehicle and unit
histories, book & model reviews,
and more. Subscriptions: $18 a
year (six issues) everywhere in
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each. ARMORED CAR· 556
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Tech Intell
track, Tiger II, Panther disguised as an M-l 0, Sd .Kfz 251 with a flatbed cargo deck, I3ergepanther, Sturmgeschut z disguised as U.s., Pz.KIw IV observation tank, German radi o vehicl e on a French half-track, Flak During World War II, the United States Army de plo yed small teams of towers on railway cars, Panther p ill box, "n ew" German full-tracked ordnance personnel throughout the European and Pacific theaters of carrier, Jagdtiger. Sd.Kfz 251 with PaK 40 75mm. Sd .KIz 140/1 , operation. The task of these teams was to report on each type of enemy F1akdriUing on U.s. M8 armo red car, an RSO with PaK 4() 75mm, ordnance and equipment as they would encounter it in the field. "German Automotive" mat erial, Tiger B transport trailer, amon g o thers. Their reports and summaries were sometimes the first information available on a vehicle, gun, tank, or other system . Each report was usually Title Qty Each Total 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 Intell Volume 1 $13.95 fron t lines. Darlington Productions has put together a selection of these reports in Volume 1 of TECH INTELL. This soft-cover book is 132 pages long with 141 photographs. Formatted with the look of the original reports, these reports have not been altered or edited and appear as they did in 1944/ 45. Induded in Volume 1 are reports on the Maultier armored half-
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Sub Total ! - - '_ _--1 Shipping & handling
Darlington Productions Ta x (MD residents add 5%) 1 - - - - - ---1 P.O. Box 5884 Total Darlington, MD 21034 (L - .- . f-un - ds-o-n-I-' y) US
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14
Museum Ordnance
South African Olifant
Part 2
Olifant Mk 1B
The further deVelopment of the Olifant continued, with the Mk IB entering evaluation in 1986. The Mk 1B pro gram again improved the tank's mobil ity and reliability. The other area of major improvement was protection, and there were many ergonomiC improve ments. The weapon system has been left generally the same as in the Mk lA, albeit with several improvements. The resulting tank has hardly anything in common with the original Centurion, other than the basic armor envelopes of the hull and turret . Mobility Upgrade The mobility upgrade from lA to 1B comprises a new powerpack and a new suspension. The Mk 1B is powered by a 29 litre turbo-charged air-cooled V -12 diesel generating 900 hp . This gives It a power:weight ratio of 15.52 hp/tatlts combat weight of 58 tons . The engine drives through the South African AMTRAIIIautomatic transmission with four forward and two reverse gears. It incorporates double-differential steer ing with a two-speed mechanical steer-
By Helmoed-Romer Heitman
ing drive and a hydraulic retarder. The new. more powerful and flex ible powertrain makes the Olifant Mk IB less tiring to drive than the earlier tanks, and also much easier to drive well in rough terrain. The driver's task is also further Simplified by the provi sion of an electroniC speedometer and a gyro compass. The powertrain improvements are complemented by an entirely new tor sion bar suspension. replacing the origi nal Horstmann sys tem. A torsion bar system was selecte d over more sophis ticated hydr o-p n e umatic systems largely because it is so much cheaper and very mu ch s impler to maintain. Careful design to match the suspen sion characteristi cs to the tank. can obtain very good results from a torsion bar system. The new s u s pe n s ion has 290 mm wheel-trave l from t he sta tic laden po Sition. and total wh ee l-travel of 435 mm . Comparing tha~ with the 83 mm of a Horstma no bogey. or the 146 mm of a single wheel on a ny one bogey of the Horstmann sys tem. shows the con siderab1e imp rO\'ement in cross-coun try mobili ty that has been achieved: In terms of shee r cap a bility. and in terms ofac tu al s u s tai na bl e mobility as limited by crew comfort. Hydraulic bump stops a re fi n ed a t all wheel sta tions and teles co pi C da mpe rs at the first and las: tv.·o sta tions . The torsion
A South African Olifant IB on display complete with a three-lone camOUflage scheme.
September 1994
bar system has been fitted at no cost to interior volume. the torsion bars hav ing been placed between the bottom of the original hull and a new bottom plate. That has the side-effect of en hancing mine -protection. although it has slightly red uced total ground clear ance to 34.5 cm at the lowest point. The road wheels have been given a polyurethane surface to reduce wear. extending their life from around 300 km to 1 200 km. The Mk 1B has a road speed of 58 km/h and cross-country speed ofabout 30 km/h. depending on the terrain. It can accelerate to a speed of 30 km/h in 12 seconds. and covers the first 500 m in 50 seconds. It can reverse at 36 km/ h. The Olifant Mk IB can cross a 2 m trench at 30 km/h. and can cross 3.45 m ditches and climb a 98 cm step at crawl speeds. The unprepared fording ability is 1.5 m. Fuel capacity is 1,468 Iltres of die sel. for a road range of 360 km. a cross country range of 260 km, and a range in heavy sand of 200 km. Protection Upgrade The Centurion was highly regarded for its good armour protection when it was introduced. Newer weapons - not least shaped charges - have cut away at that until it became relatively thin-skinned. That was another aspect that had to be effectively addressed if the basic Cen turion was to soldier on for another decade or so. Armor protection has been improved by fitting passive composite armor arrays to the glacis plate and the turret. A single array is placed on the glacis, and a system of seven 'packets' fits on the turret front, front sides and front top. giving protection over an arc of 120 degrees . While actual protection fig ures are not discussed in public. the armor is said to defeat any 100 mm
15
h eavy bush. something that the SA Army has long experience of. Active protection has. of course. been somewhat enhanced by the greater agility resulting from the higher power to we ight rati o. the more responsive transmj s s ion and the more supple sus pe nsion . FI' 6:J :)'.-l e r
ammunition at ranges down to 100 metres . and RPG -7 class weapons at any range. The system probably does rather better than that. but actual per formance Is not discussed. Apart from Its ability to defeat solid penetrators. this armor system has the very real advantage over reactive armor and some passive ceramic sys tems. in that it can cope with multiple hits. The complete eight-package set adds 4 .1 tons to the combat weight. Damaged packages can be replaced within a few minutes . Some addi tlonal protection against light HEAT warheads is given by the side skirts and the various additional stowage boxes. As mentioned above. the new double floor Improves the pro tection against anti-tank mines. The turret stowage bins are fitted with hinged steel lids to keep out napalm a nd phosphorous that might set fire to their contents. These lids also keep out debris and snakes. the latter a definite consideration in Africa. The improved armor protec tion is backed up by a fire/explosion sup pression system covering the driver's compartment and turret. using optical detectors , and a fire-extinquish er sys te m covering the engine compa rtment.
16
All ammunition is stowed below turre t ring level. Eight smoke grenade launchers are fitted to the turre t sides a nd the tan k h as a n exha u s t smoke- screen ge ne ra t ing capability. The grenade laun chers are fitted four to a s ide, well back al ong the side ofthe turre t to avoid damage in
Th e \.k 18 retains the fire-direction s,'s em and s ights of the 1A but has a s o l ~C: ,s t a t e electric/manual gun-con 0: sys tem. giving prompt response 2..:1 ' gYJd elevation and traverse speeds. --c::e:-se is 360 degrees In 16 seconds. n .C~ '-=> mm gun has been fitted with a 1:a...7 .en [",),'ou nd glass-fibre thermal s - c·:e . ·.,·h·ch incorporates a fume ex r2. : or. Th e thermal sleeve Is said to ha':e ' .. prO\'ed its accuracy conslder a'::-::: i:-. :--:'0 and s unny conditions. -=:-.e : 1..: ITe t b us tie has been extended to c2..:a:-. .:: e L.e weight of the 105 mm . -.:::-.:: :-. :-.2. :3 '...r ght the added advan ' 2 ; e -":--.2. : :r-.C tu rret is now properly ta:a:-. ':: 7 :: 0:-. :LS ce n ter of rotation. That se:-:7'O ::: ~ e ':'·,,: e the load on the gun c o :-, ::-~: :3::S:7 :-:1 S. en h ancing both quick a ... 2. : ''::-2.:7 :-esponse. The extended bL 'O::e a:~ cr:ngs increased space in si'::e t:-.c :'J ~e : . a nd mo re space in the t :-roo : ·_ i:-.'O. ..:. . ::::c.. : :'2 or is that the new sus pe rt s ~ o :-. ~. ~ eS Lh e 0 uan tMkl8amuch mO::-e 5' 2.:: ::: :: . . g platfo rm. That did requI :'7 2. ':'cg ~ e-c of fi n e- tuning. as it \"'a s ::'.: ::a:.::: :' '_l , d th a t the tank took rat : ::~ LX :c:-.g to s tabllze in a quick nriL" r.a::.
Museum Ordnance
Ergonomics The Mk IB also incorporates various smaller ergonomic changes to make things easier for the crew. The driver compartment has been re-arranged for better access to the controls and some degree of comfort. Three wide-angle periscopes replace the previous two with the central one replaceable with a passive night driving periscope. A single-piece swing-out hatch allows a quick escape. almost regardless of the gun position. The floor escape hatch is retained. The loader's station now has two unit-power periscopes to give him a clearer idea of what is going on outside; and a front-hinged one-piece hatch to facilitate his quick escape. and to give some protection against small arms fire. The side-skirts are top- hinged steel plates that give relatively easy access for cleaning the suspension. Cut-outs in the front and rear skirting plates make mounting and dismounting easier. Stowage has been vastly in creased with additional and larger bins on the mudguards. more space in the extended turret bustle. and larger bins on the back of the turret. The largest of the bins is lined and has a drain hole to allow its use as a bath. The rear hull has been stretched by 20 cm to facilitate quick replacement of the power pack. which can be done by the crew and a recovery team in one hour. The nose ofthe tank can be fitted to take an electrohydraulic dozer blade or mechanical mine rollers. The 3.5 metre 1.5 tonne blade takes 7 minutes to attach using a crane. 15 without. The
September 1994
mine-roller system weighs 8 tons. each of the rollers weighing 2.3 tons. It reaches 1.4 metres ahead of the tank. and can be dumped using explosive bolts triggered from inside the tank. It takes the crew 15 minutes to fit. The South African experience of operations in thick bush has led to the development of a very unusual acces sory for a battle tank - a 'bush basher'. This is a one ton steel bush bar that is fitted to the front of the tank. It does much to reduce damage to vulnerable elements such as skirting plates and stowage bins, and reduces strain on the power train, because the sharp edge breaks any trees and brush and the flat V-shape pushes it aside. It takes the crew 15 minutes to fit. Derivatives An armored recovery vehicle has been developed on the Centurion hull, and incorporating the Mk IB dynamic sys-
S
$£IL
tern upgrades. This is'a 57 ton vehicle. fitted with a front-mounted spade cum dozer blade with 120 tonne capacity. a 40 tonne winch and a secondary 4 tonne winch. A crane mounted on the left side of the hull. can lift 5.5 tons at a 1 metre extension and 2 tonnes at a 3 metre extension. A large number of stowage bins and boxes allow a wide selection of tools and eqUipment to be carried. The upper hull has a roomy crew compartment with an armour glass window for the driver. which can be covered by armour flaps. The ARV has a road speed of 45 km/h and a range of 342 km. Still under develop ment is an armoured repair vehicle. which will transport a complete power pack and su pport the recovery vehicle. An armoured bridge launcher is in prototype stage. Helmoed-Romer Heitman is the South African correspondent for the Jane's series of publications and has written numerous articles on defense matters ofsouthemAfrica. He has also written several books including: South African War Machine: War In Angola; Modern African Wars 3. South-West Africa. and South African Armed Forces.
17
AKHZARIT
"Cruelty" Working from specifications drawn up by the Materiel Division of the Israel Defence Force (IDF). the Ordnance Corps has developed a new armored personnel carrier (APC) called the "Akhzarit. " While being satisfied to date with the M113 as their primary infan try delivery system, the ID F recog nized the major deficiency with the FMC-built APe and that was its armor protection. Israel doctrine demands that infantry accompany armor ele ments forward and allow the infantry and armor to act as a combined battle team . The Akhzarit is built on the Rus sian-made T-54/T-55 chassis and Is capable of carrying 10 fully-equipped troops along with the vehlcle's crew of two . The APe weighs about 43 metric tons . The armor protection afforded is reported capable of defeating anti-tank missiles and "advanced" ordnance. It appears to be armed with three
by
machineguns, plus one a t t h e commander's station. The com mander's weapon can be ope rated from either Inside or outside of the vehicle and will have night vision opti cs as well. Additionally, it will have a 60mIT. mortar and smoke dischargers .
.\ IuseW11 O rd nance hopes to fea lu re m ore ph otos on this vehicle In an u pcomir.; issue . We would like to th a n k L Te Yehu da Weinraub and Col. Roni :\ i\' fo r th eir assistance with this a nd olher !='roj ec ts .
Jeff McKoughon
ARE YOU READY FOR THE NEXT STEPINDETAIL ?
IF YOUR ANSWER IS YES, GIVE US ACALL.
INTRODUCING PANZER CONCEPTS' NEWEST RelEASE, KIT #2018 KING TIGER INTER IOR DETAILS. DET AILS INCLUDE, BUT NOT LIM ITED TO: NEW GUN BREACH, TU RRET BASKET, FIREWAll, FLOOR PLATE WITH SUSPENSION, TRANSMISSION &TL,RRET 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 AIL PRICE IS $30.00
ASK FOR THIS LONG AWAITED KIT AT YOUR FAVORITE HOBBY SHOP, MAIL ORDER HOUSE OR ORDER DIRECT FROM US. / ' A FKEECATALOG CONTAINING OTHER PIC CONVERSIONS AND ACCESSORIES SEt~ D ALSASE TO:
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18
Museum Ordnance
The Ordnance Museum Foundation
P.O. Box 688 Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21005
Executive Director's Corner Fellow Members: I guess you could say we are in the summer doldrums. We have just completed two major fundraislng programs and will be starting on several others by the time you read this. We have completed our initial efforts with the VFW and American legion Posts and frankly, the results were dismal. We have received contributions from only about twenty of the 10.000 to which we wrote . The primary response has been that since the members pay taxes, those taxes should fund the museum. While I agree with this sentiment. we have to face the reality that Federal fundin g under this administration Is, at best. unlikely. SInce Federal funding is not likely, we then must contribute privately, and deduct our contribu tions from our income taxes. Otherwise. these artifacts will not be preserved. The second major program has been the preparation of 'lhe Official Ord nance Museum Guidebook." I wish to thank Laura Rhoads and Dave Ripic for their efforts in preparing the photographs and equipment data into camera ready format. Without their efforts, we would n ot h a ve reached this point. By the time you read this, the guIdebook (approximately 300 pa ges long) will be at the printers. Each major artifact will h ave a single page devoted to it, and be shown in two photographs and h ave a brief description and appropriate comments. We are aiming for a retail price of $17.95. The Foundation and therefore. the museum should benefit gre a tly from this publication. The book will also contain a fold out ma p to s h ow the location of all of the major artifacts at the museum. and will h ave photographs and deSCriptions of many artifacts which are not currently on display. We will also have a larger version of the same map on sale at the museum as a separate Item. I wish to thank Winston Hamilton for his support. He will be providing us with a booth at their EUROPAFEST convention in Philadelphia this fall, and one of our officers will be a featured speaker. Our next projects include contacts with foreign embassies which buy U.S. made ordnance eqUipment. a major drive to develop corporate sponsors. and a major political campaign to try to break the Federal logjam mentioned previously. We may follow up on our original request to the VFW and American Legion Posts on a sample basis and try to better explain why our paying taxes does not help the museum at this point. If this sample pro gram shows good results, we will follow with a second request to all of the posts. I hope that you are enjoying your summer. I hope to have some better news at the next writing. ~nLehman
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 and historic past. American Legion Parker Bale Post 1597 American Legion Barre Post 10 American Legion Tonawandas' Post 264 American Legion Mohican Post 553
Join The Board Over the past several months several Board ofTrustee members have relo cated and/or changed jobs, and as a result they have resigned from the Board. This Is an open call to any Foun dation member living within reason able driving distance to the museum who would like to Join the Board and take an active part in the projects that we have underway. We meet once a month and you can donate as much time as your schedule will allow. We really are In need ofmembers to help and any time that you can give will be greatly appreCiated.
/
Join The Ordnance Museum Foundation, Inc. Regular Membership $25.00
Ordnance Company Commander Membership $100.00
Ordnance Battalion Commander Membership $250.00 /
September 1994
19
..
MINIATURl~
ORJ)NANCn
Vickers Six-Ton Tank Conversion
By Peter Brown
I have long wanted to model one or more of the Vickers Mark E variants. so once I had finally obtained a good idea of what it looked like I set to work. As a basis I used the SpoJnia TrP kit. This is really reversing history. as the Poles developed the 7TP from the Vickers vehicle by fitting a new diesel engine which meant new engine decks and adding a bigger gun In a suitably modi fied turret. The TrP kit is good. main problem is the color of the plastic. I have several examples In shades ranging from sky blue to mid purple tO,pale blue-green. Fine for an airplane. but to one used to green or sand. a new experience! That apart. design. fit. and detail quality is good. built from the box it is a good replica of its subject needing only mi nor extra detail in the form of rivet heads. Tracks are very stiff and devoid of detail. although after market re placements are available ifyou want to
r
20
take that route . However. I was content to use as much of the kit as possible. Much of what follows shows how I made the conversion. you may have your own techniques which work equally well. Likewise. modeling another Vickers E variant or even a Soviet T-26 can be done with similar methods and suit able references. Down to cutting plastic. taking the kit Instructions as a guide. forget the turret stage 1 and assemble the wheels as in stage 2. painting as you go. Watch the small pins on the sprockets and idlers. they are not all the same length so these parts only assemble properly when correcting aligned. Before assembling the hull. the small square tabs on parts 29 and 30 need to be removed. This can be done by sawing or cutting to match the line of the 'step' In the hull sides. then sanding smooth. or else by careful cut ting with a sturdy blade. AJso. file off the two small triangular moldings on
the Inner rear of the vertical section. The rear faces of 29 and 30 need to be trimmed to match the rear face of the floor plan part 53, best done after the glue has set. Adhesive tape Is useful while this happens as I found the floor pan needed stralghtenlng out. The small angle strip on part 29 needs to be matched by a mirror image one on the top edge of Its counterpart. using either plastic angle or card. Af ter trying to match the two I finally carved the kit part off and bu!lt new on es on both sides so that they matc hed . As my wheels were not intended to rotate. all the interior bosses parts 56 and 57 were left off. and I also left the rest of stage 4 until later. The hull top part 42 needs the rear section removed. Luckily there is a well define d line molded to act as a guide fo r modeling saw or knife blade. File olT the rai sed section where the kit tu rre t wo uld go. leave off part 54 and fill it s loca tin g depression with a sliver of plas tiC sheet which can be flied smoo th later. I also filled the molded li nes on Lhe glaCis plate with plastic strip a lthough fill er would be just as good. When th e result is filed smooth you will lose some rivet detail. this can be left off or replaced as you wish. I make my ri\'e ts using a proprietary woodworking a dh esive. This is a white glue. fairly Lhick. which can be applied precisely \\i lh a pin or other pointed object. The ri\'ets on this model are very sma . so yo u may prefer to leave some off. A ne \,' engine deck needs to be fitte d. He re I prefer the solid approach. usin g -t o thou or 1 mm thick plastic card. I cut piece to fit the width snugly. one to a ct as fighting compartment rear face \,'hich was located using small pieces of scrap plastic to help keep it s olid. I also chose to extend it below the le\'el of the deck plate and add a len gLh of card to support the deck piec e. More card was used to form a firm su pport for the deck plate. Befo re fitting the deck plate it was scribed to represent the hatch lines. The was done by first making a fairly deep cut with a sharp modeling knife. then widening this by using the rear side of the point of the blade - the sketch may be easier to understand
Museum Ordnance
than words here! Any excess plastic can be carefully sanded off. Hinges are from plastic sheet and small strips of plastic rod with one face filed flat. The big cooling vent was made by cutting two sets of plastic strips. one about lmm deeper than the other. Cut and fit side pieces from 20 thou or 0.5mm card. and then glue one deep strip to the back of the fighting com partment and the top of the deck plate with the top of the strip flush with the side pieces. forming an angle. A shal low strip is then fitted at the bottom of this strip. buttlng on to the deck plate. Then. another deep strip Is fitted up against the shallow one. top flush with the side pieces. and the process re peated until the whole section is filled.
The result should look like a louver. once the shallow strips are given a coat of black paint and the deep strips high lighted. the Illusion should be com plete. Finish this area with strips at the sides of the louver. and a neat extra wide rear face. You may well have to adjust the final plate to fit the number of louvers you have. at worst however you will only be 17. 5mm or 3/4" differ ent from perfection. Again. see the sketches. At the rear of the hull Is a small grill. here I used metal mesh. although you may settle for scribing lines on to a solid plastic card base, Other detail on the deck is from card and the handle Is one of the kit ones. part 2. Modify the kit silencer parts 49-50
by cutting off the pipes. sanding into a plain cylinder and adding plastic card strips and new pipes. My pipes were made from plastic cocktail sticks. any suitable rod would do. Heated over a candle or other heat source. they are bent to shape before being cut and fitted. The actual pipe end was hol lowed out with a small drill bit. The hull Is now complete apart from whatever detailing you wish to carry out. Ifyou wish to. fit the suspen sion units now. I shortened the axle arms by about lmm. then drilled out the centres of parts 19 to create the Illusion of a hollow tube. but black paint may be as effective. Watch that the flat face of parts 19 always faces to the front on the front axle and the rear
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on the rear one. To fit the tracks. I added the sprocket next and glued it solid. then the return rollers. After painting all the lower hull and dry brushing the track with suitable silver-gray paint. I warmed the track in hot water and bent it around the sprocket. aiming to have the track join on the ground. This was successful enough but resulted in a very tight fit. the situation was only saved using crazy glue and patience. When the Idler was fitted and the glue on that had dried. I crazy glued the track to the
return rollers before applying more hot water to bend the track round the idlers to be held by more crazy glue. I also scored the outer surface of the track next to the molded raised 'spud' to help it curve. After letting the whole thing set I continued to glue the track to the bottom of the road wheels and luckily it all joined where it should do. With that done. [ sanded the molded tools off part 32. and fixed both it and its fellow track gucu:d part 31 in place. For the small support brackets I used brass strip cut from a sheet bought at
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P,O. nox 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 Publ!sher reserves the right to approve and edit all classified ads prior topubl!cation. All ads must Include the dale the ad Is to be removed. ror ads with more than thirty words or ads for non subscribers, the rale Is fifty cents (50<) per word. All paymen 18 must be made in advance and in U.S. funds. Copy should be typed or neaUy printed.
SALE/OFFERS Sleam i. Alive and well and living in Ihe U.S.A. One hour video of currenlly operaling live sleam: Carousel, sawmill, calliope, Iraclors,lrains. $20 poslpaid . SPECTATOR, Box 27126, Den ver, CO 80227. M4 Sherman tanks in 1/35. CUrren1ly have Iwenly plus buin models for sale. The model are of good qualily. some eXlerior delailing. Bill Whilley, 311 Bundy Ave .. Endiool1, NY 13760. (607) 748·7922. HO 1/87th scale models. WWll rasin cast. Now: M3A 1 Wh~e seoul car; Soon: M5A 1 SlUan . Send requesls 10 Paul heiser Models, P.O. Box 6187, Lakewood, CA 90714-6187. Hundreds of armor books or kils now available al haH price. Plaase send large SASE L.L. Swanson, 1506 Lorraine Ave .. Bellevue, NE 68005 3194 Sludy U.S. Coast Artillery Corps, arlillery, harbor defanse, and for :ticationsl Trips and publications. Wrile; Coasl Defanse Study Group, 731 Ballimore Pike, Bel Air, MD 21014. Sl94
WANTED Researcher seeks combat· oriented photographs 01 T-54/5 5 MBTs lor use in relerence book. Alan Gebel, P.O. Box 2179, PhiladelphIa. PA t 9 103. Back issues 01 AFY News wanted . Colin Knapp, 35 Meadow Field. Stokes ley North Yorkshire. 759 5EL. England. Researcher seeks OUI-ot-prin! issues of Military Journal maga zine. also loo king for qualn y out- of .prinl books on armor, weap on5,&alc. Tom Laemain,61 HaJvardS1.,Rochesler, NY 14S07 1/95.
Wanted Data and inlormation on railway armor. Will eXChange or buy. John Loop 12445 Pomerado PI. . San Diego, CA 92128. (619) 487 ·8698. Reaearcher seeks originalpholos , award documen1s,paybooks of German WW II armor troops. Send pholocopy/price. Frederick Clemens. 18t 1 MacAnhur Dr., McLaan. VA 22101. 3/95 Wan led copies in good condilion 01 Ballanline Books: ~ Russjan Armor, by Douglas Orgill and OspreyNanguard series # 14 1:.31. Jim Huddleston. R1. 3 Box 1610, Jacksboro, TN 37757. 1195 Wanled: Af1er .clion report., U.S. Army and USMC- Deserl Storm. To b uy or trada. For Irade I have America's First Team ~ (1s t cav) and DeserlJayhawk (VII Corps). Also have after action repons many unllS. Tom Dlnackus, 4719 Malor Coun, Alexandria, VA 22312. 5194
Ordnsnce Sergsant, wanled complele January 1942 issue. Photocopy acceptable, if you don'l wish 10 sell. Will Ross, 6456 Woodley Ave., Van Nuys, CA 91406. 1/95 Wan1ed: Will pay reasonable price for R.P. Hunnicul1's book: Shermao- A History of the American Medium Tank. Write 10 Bernard McKenna, 144 Mamie AVe., Stalen Island, Naw York 10304. 6194 Lalin American AFV•• Research underway for a publication on AFVs serving in Ihe Caribbean. Cenlral. and Soulh America. We are looking lor inlormalion, malerial, and pholographs to help trace the hislory of armor in Ihase coun1ries. H you would like 10 contribule contael ailhar Jaff McKaughan/Museum Ordnance, P.O. Box 5884, Darling1on, MD 21034; or Paul Walsh, 227 Sunnybrook Rd .. Springfield, PA 19064. All oonlribulions will be acknowledged and greally apprecialed.
22
Museum Ordnance
my local model railroad store. The kit supports. parts 37 thru 40. may well be fine. or you may prefer plastic card strip. It's your choice for your model! I also fitted the headlights parts 44 add ing side supports from plastic strip. New tools were added from my spares box. plastic rod and strip. The curved bar by the way is the track adjusting tool. a Model E feature which was used on the T-26 and also by Vickers on the All Matilda I. the A9 and Al 0 Cruiser tanks and the Valentine of later years. Do not be fooled by the turrets. while looking a simple shape they are deceptive. Basically. they are a cylin der. with a box built on the front offset to one side. and a beveled slope to box and cylinder top. Here I used a 35mm film cassette which was about the right size, any suitable tube would work here. The box was added from thick plastic card. while the gun mounting was also card cut to shape. Armored gun barrels were fashioned from the thickest sprue in the kit, hatch covers were thin plastic card. and handles from kit part 2. With all the work done, the whole vehicle was given a final coat of paint. Here I was in a dilemma. The vehicle was on loan. so would no doubt have
been left in its delivery scheme. But what was that? The photos suggest a single plain color. I elected to use a mid green. Tanks supplied by Vickers to the British Anny at about this time would have been in Bronze Green. more like a grass green than the later. post WW2 Deep Bronze Green. Hopefully. this article may tempt you to add a model of a missing link in US armor history to your collection. or else another of the Vickers Six Ton
Presenting 1/35 scale AFV plastic kits from RUSSIA and EASTERN EUROPE
series. Whichever way. I hope some of my modeling methods prove useful to you. Keep modeling!
Editor's Note: When Peter sent this article in he also included an historical study ofthe six-ton. Because ofspace it was not added to the September issue, but will be afeature article in the Novem ber, 1994 Museum Ordnance.
T·6 0 $13.60
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0-$30 $3.65 $30-$40 $5.65 $40-up $7.65 Canada: Please double Rates include insurance
T·38 $11.90
Send check or money order to:
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September 1994
T·18 $14.05
23
EZ DOES IT!
NEW RELEAS ES HASEGAWA 091071/48 Spitfire MkVI 091 13 1/48 Ju87B-2 Stuka 091 16 1/48 Ju87B-2 Stuka Desert 11021 1/200 ANA DC-3 I 1027 1/200 Kawasaki C-I 1 1 161 1/200 KC-I OA Extender Nose M 43110 11700 Hiei 43 1 12 11700 Kirishima 43151 11700 Kongo (Full Hull) 5 I 0 I 2 1/32 Fw 190D-9 Pappagai Staffel 5 1320 1172 P-5 1D Mustang 51324 1/72 F4FA Wildcat 5 I 366 117"2 Bf I 09G-6 "Graf" 5 136 7 1172 Bf 109G-6 "Finnish" 5 1368 117 2 Fw 190D-9 Pappagai Staffe1 51630 117 2 Ki-44 Tojo Spec. Mark 5 163 I 117 2 Ki-84 Frank Spec. Mark 5 16 32 1172 KIA 3 Oscar Spec. Mark 87 107 1172 A7M I Reppu 872 1 I 1/ 48 Ki -43 Type 111 Oscar 873 0 2 1/35 Type 97 "Te-Ke" 87304 1/3 5 Jpn . Light Armored Car
DML
9009 M4A3 AS EASY EIGHT SHERMAN
1/35 SCALE
DML introduces the M4A3 E8 "Easy Eight" Sherman. This is the third of their "Secret Items" to be released this summer, and it's something of a departure for them. This Korean War era EZS is the first vintage American tank that the/ve done. Also new this summer, is this five figure "Tiger Aces" set that features the likenesses of the fam ous German tank ace, Michael Wittmann and his gunner Boddy WolI, as well as their radio operator, driver and loader. Of course, all five figures can be used to accompany any 1/35 scale German armor piece, not just Wittmann's Tiger I.
Exciting new releases this summer from Kirin and AFV Club!
3022 38 09 38 10 38 11 45 7 1 4574 457 5 50 16 55 18 5907 59 08 6024 6025 602 6 6027 6028 65 04 9005 9006 9009
)/35 Delta Force 135 WW2 Ger. Inf. Weapons 1/3 5 King Tiger Trans . Tracks 1/35 Pzr III, IV Tracks-Early 1/14 4 A- l OA Kuwait Hwy. Pat 1/ 144 EA-6B Prowler 1/14 4 RAF Tornado F.3 117 2 P-6 I A Black Widow 1/4 8 Ju I 88 E-I Ave nger 1/48 Fokker OVIII 1/48 Fokker OVII w/Udet 1/35 Ger. Sturmpio nier 113::; Ger. Inf. - Hedgerows 1/3 '::; Sturm panzer IV Brumbar 1/35 Panther II 1/ 35 Ti g er Aces, Normandy 1135 LA Sheriff's M0530E 1172 Ar 234C w/E38 1 Julia 1/72 0033 5B-2 Zerstroyer 1/3 5 M4A3E8 Sherman
AFV CLUB 3S 08 1/35 M88A-1 Rec. Vehicle 3510 1/3 5 T- ) 62 Tracks for M88/60
IRONSIDE IR004 1/3 5 4.7 Pak(t) auf Pzr I IROl 6 1135 Renau lt R40 IR901 1/35 K5 Eisen bahn 28cm Railroad Gun
KIR1N
3508 M 88AI RECOVERY VEHICLE
1/35 SCALE
DOUGHBOY
TRENC H RAIDER
GERMAN DRAGOON OFFIC ER
AFV CLUB'S EXCITING NEW M88A-1 RECOVERY VEHICLE IS NOW AVAILABLE!
~MARCO POLO
~I
M
P
0
R
T
2 1008 1/ 17 21526 1/1 6 2200 I 1/9 250 17 1/35 2501 8 )135 255 16 1/3 5 28513 1/35 285 18 1/35 285 19 1/35
Celti c Warrior 82 nd Airborne Vietnam Ge rman Totenkampf Luftwaffe Flak Crew Ger. Storm Troopers Russian Farmhouse Tiger I Late Zimm. Conv M4A I Sherman Conv. Sd kfz 251/19 wl2cm Flak Conversion
GULFSTREAM 930 I 1/3 50 Type VIIC U-Boat 930 2 1/3 50 Type IXC U-Boat
