Skip to main Skip to content Skip to menu

Com-Central.net

`±`Recent Visitors

Recent Visitors to Com-Central!

`±`User Info-big

Welcome Anonymous

Membership:

Latest: HighestAce

New Today: 0

New Yesterday: 0

Overall: 6648

People Online:

Members: 0

Visitors: 3412

Total: 3412

Who Is Where:

Staff Online:

No staff members are online!

Forum FAQ

Moderators

Libya / WW2 Tank unearthed at construction site
The AFV ASSOCIATION was formed in 1964 to support the thoughts and research of all those interested in Armored Fighting Vehicles and related topics, such as AFV drawings. The emphasis has always been on sharing information and communicating with other members of similar interests; e.g. German armor, Japanese AFVs, or whatever.
Go to page 1, 2 Next

Forum Index › AFV News Discussion Board

View previous topic :: View next topic

Author

Message

west-front
Power User

Offline
Joined: Jan 10, 2009
Posts: 154
Location: Australia

Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2009 7:45 am
Post subject: Libya / WW2 Tank unearthed at construction site

The Libyan Capital of Tripolis is undergoing massive civil construction works at that time. During excavations for a new residence quarter at the seashore at the western limits of the city, a WW2 tank has been unearthed.Since Tripolis was not defended by the Axis forces in January 1943 and since the damage on the tank is too various, it seems to me that this particular vehicle was used for target practicing and then left abandoned

clausb
Power User

Offline
Joined: Jan 25, 2006
Posts: 146

Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2009 10:50 am Post subject: Re: Libya / WW2 Tank unearthed at construction site
As this Sherman has add-on armour on the hull, wouldn't it seem rather unlikely that it has anything to do with WWII in Africa? Perhaps rather a vehicle aquired by Lybia post-war and used as a target? Claus B

bsmart
Power User

Offline
Joined: Jan 23, 2006
Posts: 2523
Location: Central Maryland

Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2009 1:53 pm Post subject: Re: Libya / WW2 Tank unearthed at construction site
But there isn't add on armor in front of the driver and co-driver position and I thought that was one of the first weak spots that was addressed with add on plates

claude_GILLONO
Power User

Offline
Joined: Jan 25, 2006
Posts: 80

Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2009 7:58 pm Post subject: Re: Libya / WW2 Tank unearthed at construction site
An M4A4. This version was quite frequent in Commonwealth hands while training in North Africa before crossong to Italy. HTH

Jared
Power User

Offline
Joined: Oct 09, 2007
Posts: 57
Location: Wherever the army sends me

Posted: Sun Feb 08, 2009 1:36 am Post subject: Re: Libya / WW2 Tank unearthed at construction site
The mantlet is a bit strange. _________________ Inevitably Jared

Joe_D
Power User

Offline
Joined: Jan 29, 2006
Posts: 2069
Location: Razorback Country

Posted: Sun Feb 08, 2009 4:56 am Post subject: Re: Libya / WW2 Tank unearthed at construction site
Looks like it's turned 90 degrees. Joe D

JimWeb
Power User

Offline
Joined: Jan 24, 2006
Posts: 1439
Location: The back of beyond

Posted: Sun Feb 08, 2009 9:32 am
Post subject: Re: Libya / WW2 Tank unearthed at construction site

Nah it couldn't be...

I seem to recall reading an article quite a few years ago about the development of the Churchill NA 75 by one of those involved In it the author said that they tried the gun mount at various angles on some damaged Shermans before settling on the upside down position and then transferring it to an actual Churchill.

I'll see if I can find the article.

_________________
TTFN
Jim

If your not a member of JED then your
not serious about anything military..

***********************
www.jedsite.info
JED Military Equipment
***********************

Buq-Buq
Power User

Offline
Joined: Mar 04, 2006
Posts: 87

Posted: Sun Feb 08, 2009 2:35 pm Post subject: Re: Libya / WW2 Tank unearthed at construction site
I think that the rotor shield is rotated about 75-80 degrees clockwise (as viewed from the breech end). Notice where the little 'ears' are positioned. Mark

tankbarrell
Power User

Offline
Joined: Jan 24, 2006
Posts: 56

Posted: Mon Feb 09, 2009 12:37 pm Post subject: Re: Libya / WW2 Tank unearthed at construction site
The M34 mantlet is only held on with 4no. 5/8" screws and in this case it almost certainly has broken screws and the shield has turned and slipped off a little. The M34A1 mantlet is held on with 6no. 1" screws. It is an M4A4 converted to twin GM diesels from an M4A2 and used as a range target.

Dontos
Power User

Offline
Joined: Jan 24, 2006
Posts: 3436
Location: Vine Grove, KY

Posted: Tue Feb 10, 2009 2:09 am Post subject: Re: Libya / WW2 Tank unearthed at construction site
I thought I'd add my 2 cents to the conversation Regards Don

tankbarrell
Power User

Offline
Joined: Jan 24, 2006
Posts: 56

Posted: Tue Feb 10, 2009 10:20 am Post subject: Re: Libya / WW2 Tank unearthed at construction site
Not sure what that adds.... A head on of a large hatch hull with an M34 mount, not a production model. Are you saying you disagree about it being an M4A4?

bsmart
Power User

Offline
Joined: Jan 23, 2006
Posts: 2523
Location: Central Maryland

Posted: Tue Feb 10, 2009 11:46 am Post subject: Re: Libya / WW2 Tank unearthed at construction site
Looking at the spacing of the suspension I don't think there is much doubt about it being an M4A4 hull. I'm curious as to how we know it was converted to have twin diesels from an M4A2. _________________ Bob Smart ([email protected])

tankbarrell
Power User

Offline
Joined: Jan 24, 2006
Posts: 56

Posted: Tue Feb 10, 2009 6:01 pm
Post subject: Re: Libya / WW2 Tank unearthed at construction site

I have an M4A4 I restored and so am very familiar with the engine installation. This tank is quite different. The extra filler pipes are typical of M4A2 oil tank fillers, the M4A4 air cleaner pipe holes are covered as a result, what looks llike an M4A2 fuel tap is visible on the bulkhead and the perforated fuel tank cover plates are often seen in M4A2.
Ok, it's not a definate without seeing a better view but it's also not an uncommon conversion in that part of the world.
I'd risk £10 on a bet!

Dontos
Power User

Offline
Joined: Jan 24, 2006
Posts: 3436
Location: Vine Grove, KY

Posted: Tue Feb 10, 2009 6:08 pm Post subject: Re: Libya / WW2 Tank unearthed at construction site
I don't dispute the ID as I'm not quite as proficient distnguishing Shermans. I've got a bit of experience crewing an operational M4 & M4A2, aand I've turned a wrench or two on several Sherman projects, but I'm actually not a big fan. I Just thought each image helped ID that vehicle as having M4A4 & some M4A2 features. Regards Don

bsmart
Power User

Offline
Joined: Jan 23, 2006
Posts: 2523
Location: Central Maryland

Posted: Tue Feb 10, 2009 7:22 pm
Post subject: Re: Libya / WW2 Tank unearthed at construction site

- tankbarrell

I have an M4A4 I restored and so am very familiar with the engine installation. This tank is quite different. The extra filler pipes are typical of M4A2 oil tank fillers, the M4A4 air cleaner pipe holes are covered as a result, what looks llike an M4A2 fuel tap is visible on the bulkhead and the perforated fuel tank cover plates are often seen in M4A2.
Ok, it's not a definate without seeing a better view but it's also not an uncommon conversion in that part of the world.
I'd risk £10 on a bet!

I am constantly amazed at how much information some folks can garner from a realtivly limited photo. As I said I could tell it was an M4A4 hull because of the bogie spacing. I was curious as to whether something in the picture told you it had been converted or if you knew more about that particular hull than had come across in the message thread.

I had never heard of Shermans having their engines converted during that time frame. Do you know if it was common?

_________________
Bob Smart ([email protected])

Forum Index › AFV News Discussion Board
Page 1 of 2

All times are GMT - 6 Hours
Go to page 1, 2 Next

You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You cannot attach files in this forum
You cannot download files in this forum

Com-Central.net

Select Language

Login

`±`Recent Visitors

`±`User Info-big

Com-Central.net

Select Language

Login

±Recent Visitors

±User Info-big

`±`Recent Visitors

`±`User Info-big