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Hi all,
Is this tank a Sherman Duplex Drive? It's exposed outside the Saumur Tank Museum in France. If yes, it would be the 8th one that I know for the moment..
Bovington (UK) has one complete, there is another one (welded hull) in Courseulles sur Mer (Juno Beach, France), one (cast hull) is in Slaptons Sands (UK) as a monument, 2 (both cast hull) are exposed in Port-en-Bessin (France) in the DDay Wreck Museum, one (cast hull) is in a museum in Italia, the last one is a prototype on a HVSS sherman in Aberdeen (USA). Hope this one is the 8th !!!



Best regards from France

Pierre-Olivier

The only 76 armed DD I have seen was the trialled IIIAY - M4A2 76 HVSS by the Brits. I know of no M4A1 76 DD's ever being manufactured. The lower hull looks to be a DD and many large hatch M4A1 hulls were used. I think this is a post war mockup of a DD possible for a movie? The lowert hull may be genuine but the turret has probably been added later.
CHeers
AL

- Al_Bowie

The only 76 armed DD I have seen was the trialled IIIAY - M4A2 76 HVSS by the Brits.

You mean like this one?





With Shermans, it seems like there's almost always an exception. There was a whole series of articles in Museum Ordnance on such exceptions.

Neil

Yep, I'd say that was the one. Interesting to see the Grouser storage vents on an A2. Where is this one?

The Ordnance Museum (albeit in storage) at Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD.

Neil

Hi Neil:

I'd really appreciate more photos of that vehicle. Have you been able to pull any serials from it? Also, is it publicly accessible at all? I'm going to be coming to the AMPS convention next April and would very much like to see this particular tank.

Cheers and thanks,

Scott Taylor
Thachweave Products
thachweave.tripod.com

Is AMPS coming back to Maryland again?

Sorry, its really not publicly accessible. Bob has pretty good pull over at the museum, but I'm not even sure what was the last time he got up & close. You'll notice all my pics are through the fence. And FYI that was based on guidance regarding photography that I received personally from security - not to say everyone else would get the same advice...

Unfortunately, due to the access issues, I dont know that anyone has gotten serials off of it. If anyone did it would be Joe DeMarco, and I'm pretty certain he doesnt - at least last time I talked to him...

Neil

Interesting reads from the AMPS site. A lot of talk about how "successfull" the show was this year in Ohio and then one line about 2007 being back in MD - with no explanation...

www.amps-armor.org/amp...esMsg.aspx

www.amps-armor.org/amp...s2007.aspx

Neil

- Neil_Baumgardner

Is AMPS coming back to Maryland again?

Sorry, its really not publicly accessible. Bob has pretty good pull over at the museum, but I'm not even sure what was the last time he got up & close. You'll notice all my pics are through the fence. And FYI that was based on guidance regarding photography that I received personally from security - not to say everyone else would get the same advice...

Unfortunately, due to the access issues, I dont know that anyone has gotten serials off of it. If anyone did it would be Joe DeMarco, and I'm pretty certain he doesnt - at least last time I talked to him...

Neil

I'll make no promises right now but I may be able to arrange a group tour of the yard where that tank and several others are stored for AMPS weekend if there is interest. The main problem with access is that the yard is locked and the key is kept in a shop that is also closed on weekends so I would have to work with the Museum staff to arrange it but I think it is do-able. If it happens we may need to but some reasonable upper limit on how many people can come on the 'tour' so if anyone is interested let me know.

The Aberdeen HVSS DD tank seems to have been put on public display few years ago..





Pierre-Olivier

You'd have to count me in for such a tour. Plus I am sure Joe would jump at the chance to get some SNs off the DD.

Neil

Count me in too Bob, When would the date range be?
Jeff Lewis

Well, AMPS is April 21 & 22 next year...

Neil

- the_shadock

The Aberdeen HVSS DD tank seems to have been put on public display few years ago..





Pierre-Olivier

Well that is the 'old old' Mile of tanks. I think that would be before the current Maryland Ave gate was constructed which I think was in the early 90s. Do you have any idea when the photo was taken? I'm guessing mid 80s at the latest

sherman DD in action
dennis
click on pic to enlarge