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D80146 is the part number for the lower hull side plate (obviously). Expect to find others in the D801xx range.

The applique side armor was in two pieces - the vertical seam can be seen in the middle of newly found name on the right side. It would be interesting to learn the P/Ns of the two pieces as the surviving drawings show a single plate.

I suspect those R/Ns were applied over the years once the tank went to Europe. The original factory stencil is probably at the front of the hull, per Fisher practice. See Hunnicutt pp 148, 247-248.

KL

Kurt

I plan to 'look' for any signs or remains of 'original' stencilling. Primary focus on the left side since there is a photographic record of it in the Dec 44 image.

With a 'process' that seems to work on uncovering the older stencilling, I hope to be able to continue discovery successes.

As for the SN data, I'm always looking for stampings to add to the historical record. Such information might assist other efforts to add definition to such production information.

I thought the Left & Right rear (lower) hull stamping were a nice little treat. Hopefully it will help as an example to learn more on the overal Sherman production 'story'. Information sharing is an important part of recording & researching History. I'm just trying to do my own modest part to 'The Quest'.

Regards
Don

Kudos to you on finding the name and the older reg. numbers.

For Don, Garry, et. al. I seriously suggest that you guys hang on to your photos the research notes, and correspondence. This piece of modern "tank archeology" needs to be published in a book. Perhaps chapters on the M4A3E2, on the WW2 history of "Cobra King" and an outline of the actions that made it famous, a chapter on the discovery of this tank sitting on a post, the movement efforts to get it home, along with chapters on the stripping and disassembly and a final chapter on the final restored tank with walk around photos. Maybe we could get Squadron interested in adding this to their recent nice series of "Walk Around" books on US vehicles. I would certainly buy one!

Gary B.

Gary,

Excellent idea, and I suggest we take this a little further.

Could the museum possibly make a book of this restoration with the help of Squadron or some other publisher and reap some needed funds ???

I don't see why they can't take advantage of this situation, I'm pretty sure there are many more out there that would like a copy of one if it were produced ( Me included). This tank is not one of your average Sherman restorations, She has a provenance that is established with the Battle of the Bulge Relief and the Hammelburg Raid. I would imagine many who normally wouldn't care for such a book would buy it based on that alone.

Much like a car owned by a Famous person, the value is much greater based on it's history.

Just wanted to post these for the detail interested fans.

One side note: It seems that there is a designator on the stampings. "P" for left side, "X" for right side.

Left Side:


Right Side:


Heres what she looks like as of yesterday:


A note on the publishing topic. Seems to me the project needs to be completed first before anything can be considered or submitted. I'm interested in keeping focus on getting it done, while recording all discoveries and information for the historial record.

One step at a time....
Regards
Don

I would be the first in line for a hard copy of this restoration.

Obviously you have to have the project completed before you can think of publishing. The climax of the book would be a detailed look at the finished product. I was just encouraging all of the team to keep their notes, keep writing down any anecdotes about the recovery, movement and restoration, etc. Make back ups of your photo files. Then when the project is completed the author will have all the material at hand to assemble a nice book. The "Cobra King" story goes far beyond the technical details of the tank. The WW2 history, its discovery, and the rest of the story involves a lot of interesting people, probably with others to come. It's a really fascinating human story that revolves around a historical weapon.

Gary

There are a number of individuals who are amassing a bunch of data on this project conserning not only the M4A3E2 but also 37th Tank Bn, 4th AD, 3rd Army, Cobra King, .....

The actual work on CK is a very small part and it is definitely being 'recorded' for the historical record.

This DG has assisted greatly in some background information as we make discoveries. I wish to thank everyone for the help & encouragement.

As for the project, work will continue as long as possible here.

Stay tuned...

Regards
Don

One thing you can do right now is apply for a copyright for that line drawing.

- JWB2

One thing you can do right now is apply for a copyright for that line drawing.

1. In the US, you need only register a copyright if you intend to initiate legal proceedings against infringement. Otherwise, it's just "there" upon creation or publishing (forget which).
2. In the US, mechanical drawings cannot be protected by copyright. In fact, most of the pictures shown on this forum can't be protected either. Copyrighted works must have a discernable creative aspect that the factual representation of a mechanical does not have. This dates back over 100 years to a Supreme Court case involving photographs of Oscar Wilde, and was reinforced by a more recent USSC case involving a computer design firm vs. an automaker.

KL

If I was worried about 'ownership' of images, I wouldn't post them on the 'net' and then information flow would cease.

Although I understand, I'm basically not worried about it. My 'sophmorish' images are at best an example for all to understand not any sort of publishable item.

I have a few others I'm tinkering with to be posted upon ompletion. If some interested model builder is interested in a March 45 scratch build project of 'Cobra King', stay tuned (& get in line... )

Regards
Don

Interesting find from yesterday. After doing paint removal on the left and right side, and additional bogie assemply bolt removal, I focused on the left idler wheel.

With amazing ease, the hub 'cap' bolts & center retaining nut were removed. The impacted grease within the bearings was a liquid soup. It had appearently lost is consistency and liquidified. The inner & outer bearings are in excellent condition. The idler slide off with little effort.



Regards
Don

I've seen the same thing on 30 year old cars and even those newer with disc brakes. I guarantee those bearings never were serviced ... AT ALL!

It was totally unexpected, and a first for me.

BTW: The retaining nut did not have the locking 'cotter pin' and I found the nut was hand tight!! I removed it by hand.

Did I mention that it was AMAZINGLY easy to remove.....

Regards
Don

You should write ExxonMobil about this, with a little history and so forth, and ask if they'd like to provide a little explanation as to why this happens, their WW II grease accomplishments, etc. for inclusion in the display and stuff. Maybe hit them up to donate a barrel of grease for the restoration.

KL