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Today I did somemore exploration of various vehicles in RMP.

First I climbed around in the M4A3E8 (aka Thunderbolt VI) that was previously at Brooks Field beside the installation flag pole.

Old image while at Brooks Field: (circa 2008)


The interior is perhaps in the poorest condition of any tank I've climbed around in. The gun & breech are intact as they were used to fire blanks for flag lowering.

The excellent find was the original data plate of this tank.


I assume this is a remanufactured tank as the stamped date is 19 Jan 1950. Also the stamped SN is 44969. This was previously unknown, so it was a pretty neat find.

More to follow
Don

Next is the M18 Tank Destroyer.

This vehicle was aquired from Bosnia. It is failry complete. The radial engine is still in the engine compartment.

An excellent find for this vehicle is the Data Plate fro the drivers compartment.



The vehicles SN is 740. I found it interesting that it was remanufactured by 'Brown & Root' from Houston Texas, In 1952. I assume this is before it is shipped off to Yugoslavia.

I did find a torch cut hole in the bottom of the gun tube. I assume this was some sort of demil prior to transportation to the US. Perhaps as part of the Dayton Accord in 1996 (??).

More to follow
Regards
Don

I was able to get into the Leo 1 Prototype.







The interesting 'find' was the keys to the tank....(!?)




No data plates were found in the interior. Production date seems to be in 1961-62 as there were some date stamps in the gun & breech.

More to follow
Don

Some of the other vehicles I checked out were a repeat visit to the M4A1 flamethrower (Still no sign of the build sequence), The M3 GMC with 75mm (tank destroyer), and the MBT 70 'PIGG'.

Next week (or on next RMP visit) I'll see about getting the MBT 70 & XM803 open, to see what 'secrets' are in their interiors as well as the M4A3(75) aka 'Tiger Jack'.

Regards
Don

Here are some additional shots of the M4A3(76) from above....









Regards
Don

Thanks Don.

The M4A1 mark could be on either side, but the best bet is the data plate. Can't you throw CN grenade in there or something?

That Sherman was made by Chrysler on an order of 673 tanks. They only listed two of those as being HVSS. Perhaps this is one that was converted in 1950? The best place to check are the return roller brackets. If they are held on by bolts, it was built HVSS. If by welds or welds and a few bolts, it was converted.

The build date was July 1944. The configuration matches a tank of that vintage. The best info I have on the correct registration would make it 30101204.

If you are by there I'd appreciate photos of the driver's top hull plate and differential casting markings if you think of them.

KL

Kurt

Awesome information, thank you.

'Drivers top hull plate'....interior? If so that may be VERY difficult since the Drivers & BOG areas are packed with misc interior parts & components. The turret floor is reinforced with rusty steel plates & wire mesh. Sinc this vehicle was accessed on a daily basis, stable flooring was installed. There is even a ladder for the flag detail to climb down into the turret prior to 'firing' the retreat salute.

I was able to reach & remove the data plate thru the 'wreakage'. It was hanging from a single corroded mount screw, so its removal was easy. I couldn't get close enough to confirm the SN on the hull wall beneath were it was mounted. Perhaps on another visit, with more time, I can clear some of the junk and be able to climb in to get the drivers top hull plate interior.

Regards
Don

No, no, - exterior!

picasaweb.google.com/g...0008609746

It would be over the driver's left shoulder.

You should also be able to confirm the serial of any *large hatch* M4, M4A2, or M4A3 by looking at one or both of the rear tow lugs.

Thx,
KL

Ohhh,...you mean the hull E8020 cast info. I have notes taken a year or so ago,...E8020 cast number is B321.

Both rear tow lugs are messed up, one has weld marks obscuring & the other is torn off. I was never able to confirm the SN, especially since the vehicle was always locked up and being in such a 'high visibility' area, interior access was not possible.

Regards
Don

- Dontos

Here are some additional shots of the M4A3(76) from above....




Regards
Don

Don,
What's up with that turret lock thingy? Was there nothing inside to keep it from freewheeling around or did someone have something else in mind?
D.

Doug

The turret rotates freely. I believe each day it was hand rotated then that 'lock' secures the turret from rotating as the detail climbs down the ladder to load & fire the gun for retreat. Then the process is repeated. Since the turret is oriented at the Post HQ & the flag pole, rotation would be required for safety. Remember that this detail is headed by MPs & not tankers, so extreme safety precautions as well as ladders are needed, so the 'Mud Puppies' don't get hurt on the 'Big Boys Toys....

BTW: you'd think they'd at least have the responsibility to clean and lube the chamber & breech......WRONG !! Periodically the Museum's RMP staff had to go 'degunk' the gun. Blanks tend to corrode and leave a large amount of residue. The cleaning usually took an entire day....

Regards
Don

- Dontos

Doug

The turret rotates freely. I believe each day it was hand rotated then that 'lock' secures the turret from rotating as the detail climbs down the ladder to load & fire the gun for retreat. Then the process is repeated. Since the turret is oriented at the Post HQ & the flag pole, rotation would be required for safety. Remember that this detail is headed by MPs & not tankers, so extreme safety precautions as well as ladders are needed, so the 'Mud Puppies' don't get hurt on the 'Big Boys Toys....

BTW: you'd think they'd at least have the responsibility to clean and lube the chamber & breech......WRONG !! Periodically the Museum's RMP staff had to go 'degunk' the gun. Blanks tend to corrode and leave a large amount of residue. The cleaning usually took an entire day....

Regards
Don

Thanks, Don. I never watched that process in much detail, even though I bunked for a while on the third floor of the you-know-what building overlooking it.

D.

Kurt

Here you go....





Regards
Don

- Doug_Kibbey

Thanks, Don. I never watched that process in much detail, even though I bunked for a while on the third floor of the you-know-what building overlooking it. D.

You were in the stockade as well?

Thanks Don - That's definitely one of the HVSS conversions discussed on here a couple of months ago.

KL