Re: tanks under wraps
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SamClarke
Hello group,
My guess is the vehicles do actually appear to be rear
views of M4 Shermans with "welded hulls" and "full fender
side skirting". I don't believe they are front view M5/M8, nor
are they M18s. Look closer at the angles of the tarp crease along the
sides which matches the lines of the rear view of the welded M4 hull. The
two square fender tips match the back ends of the full side skirts
(mostly seen on the British versions used in the desert). If they are
front views of M5s or M8s the turrets look like they'd be on the engine
compartment, way too far back and the front slope look way too steep and to
me the hulls look too long for any version of the Stuart chassis. If
they are M18 Hellcats then the barrel of the 3" gun would protrude
past the end of the body with the turret turned in either direction, let
alone the lower more level silhouette of the M18 hull.
There is a certain mystery about why the tarps
especially over common Sherman tanks but there are tarps over all the visible
equipment whatever it might be. Another thing about the tarps is they do not
appear to be secured very well, which might be OK for all I know about heavy
tarps back then. Also, if these are new factory fresh M4 Shermans. or any
other tank for that matter, they seem to lack the crates of add on parts
usually attached to the top of the hulls.
The more we look at this kind of photo the more
questions arise, the more guesses and opinions we hear which is very
interesting and thought provoking.
Sam Clarke Kadee Quality Products
Andy, No, these are not M4 chassis. not backwards, not forwards.
Period. They are too narrow and the rear of a sherman (or any other
M3 or M4 derivative) does not look like that! If people insist on believing that these are a specific vehicle please
provide a link to a photo that supports you opinion. Here is the early
M5A1 https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/1/1f/Stuart_m5a1_cfb_borden.jpg Additional features supporting the M5 include the machine gun blister, and
the horizontal creases may be welded on angles such as those seen in the photo
above... Regards Bruce Smith Auburn, AL From: STMFC@...
on behalf of andy.laurent@... [STMFC]
Sent: Tuesday, March 15, 2016 3:55 PM To: STMFC@... Subject: Re: [STMFC] tanks under wraps Gents, These look like M4 Shermans...we are looking at the rear of the tanks, with the turrets turned rearwards for transit (appearing to be turned to the "7:30" position, at an angle - the tarp is slightly tented where the barrel would be). If I'm seeing things on the barrel, it could be that these are M4 chassis headed for conversion to a M74 Recovery Vehicle. Andy
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