mcspool

Stuart Light Tank final drive housing sitting op top of Sherman turret: http://news.webshots.com/photo/2605514210096881803BBAEwe

Here´s a nice example: one jeep has a "2" on it's bridge classification sign, as it weighs (less than) 2 tons, the other sports a "5" as it weighs no more than a class 5 bridge can carry! Confusing subject, eh? Hanno

From http://milifax2003.tripod.com/bridging_markings_part_1.html "(a) Vehicles will be classified and marked according to the equivalent loads which they impose on a bridge. The classes are in multiplicity of one ton, from one ton upwards. Vehicles can cross any bridge bearing a classification number with is the same or greater than its own classification. For example, a vehicle of class 12 can cross safely any bridge marked 12, 18 or 24. It cannot cross a bridge marked 5 or 9" Although being much lighter, Jeeps and other light vehicles could be marked as a class 5 vehicle as they can cross a class 5 bridge (the lowest bridge class rating during WW2). H.

Adrian, I was never approached by anyone regarding the use of your pictures on any of the pages at http://www.geocities.com/sherman_sn5271/ The footer of each page clearly states copyright is reserved, so anyone using any images or text doesn't care about the work others do to inform readers. Not nice, especially if done for commercial gain. From my many sites photos and complete texts have been lifted and copied elsewhere, both online, electronic media and in print. Sadly these people, some of them reputable authors and publishers, never contacted me to ask for permission. I would gladly give permission to other people who do not gain commercially - my goal being exchange of information - but I think it is normal to be compensated when material is being lifted from a website and published commercially. If and when I confronted the perpetrators, the answer - if any - was a mere "sorry. . . ". But like Adrian said, life's too short! Regards, Hanno

Actually, there are two events: there is the Paradropping at the Ginkel Heath near Ede. Keep Them Rolling organises the vehicle part, which is open to all WW2 vehicles. As far as I know, the Race to the Bridge is open only to vehicle types which were used by the British Paratroopers in Arnhem. E.g. a Jeep in British Airborne configuration is o.k., one in standard configuration is not. I think the organisers have broadened this to British/Canadian vehicles, but no US vehicles other than those used by the British Airbornes Forces. To be sure, check with the organisers of both events, KTR (http://www.ktr.nl/) and ABWO respectively. For what my 0,02 EUR is worth. . . - Hanno

Kuno, Further to Adrian´s postings, please read Sherman serial numbers on my web page. Attached are two pictures of serial numbers on rear towing lugs; first one is T211 stamped on the towing shackle boss of a Grant M3 Medium Tank. Second picture shows 18903 stamped on left rear towing shackle boss of an M4A4 (converted to Sherman VC Firefly). Hope this helps, would be great if you could get the number. Take along a wire brush! - Hanno

Adrian, So if I understand correctly the 100 round box is the 'box, ammunition, M17'? What is the designation of the 50 round box? - Hanno

The SU-COE is a rare truck, both in civilian or military trim. Here´s one at the Overloon Museum in Holland: - Hanno

What ho! Was this picture taken near Guildford? I´m asking because back in 1985 I found a pair of Scammell Explorers just like this in a field next to my aunt´s house. Her neighbour bought three at an auction, and was restoring one at that time. Reportedly, the other two were to be used as spares. I remember I nicked a valve from a soggy carton in the back. . . - Hanno

Is this one of the type of boxes you guys are talking about? From http://www.bmgparts.com/mount.html:

Really?!? That building it sits in looks a lot newer. . . .

Alastair, Why don´t you give Joop Staman a call on +31 548-61 04 32. He speaks English perfectly. - Hanno

Interesting to see how this thread digresses from tanks to a tin can on wheels! H.

I remember the ads in Wheels & Tracks magazine to this day! Did sparkle the imagination. I always wondered how on earth why they did not use those vehicles during the war when there was a shortage of everything?!? I wonder about the same thing when I see mid-war unissued webbing, NOS vehicle parts and the like. . . . - Hanno

Yeh, a friend of a friend of mine saw them, they were stored next to the new-in-the-crate $50 Jeeps! - Hanno

Interesting little war story, thanks for posting it here. - Hanno

Indeed, the M4A4 with twin diesel engines was used by Egypt, but as far as I can ascertain, was orginally a French modification. From wikipedia I learned the Libyan–Egyptian War was a short border war in July 1977. By that time the Sherman tank must have been regelated to second-line duties, if not struck off charge already. It the Sherman was still on strength, could the Egyptian Army have risked using an obsolete tank, even in a "border war"? Was there an earlier armoured clash? The plot thickens! H.

Kuno, Thanks for educating me! - Hanno

Kuno, I´m thinking in the post-war scenario, when Lybia was under British and French administration. No doubt these countries helped Lybia to build up its armed forces as part of the process to become independent in 1951. So, this Sherman tank which seems not to be a wartime relic (Libya's biggest source of income in the late 1940s was from scrap metal salvaged from the World War II battlefields!), was most likely brought into the country by either Great Britain or France. Those amphibious vehicles you saw in the desert were LVT3´s, these were ex-British Army as well. - Hanno

Lybia was under British and French administration in the late 1940´s, So ?? maybe a French modified Sherman like the M4A4 T (transformé)? But as you know the M4A4 T was equipped with the Continental R975 engine. Could that be a possibility for the discrepancies you see in the enigne bay? - Hanno

I was looking at the distance between the bogies and the small plate welded to the rear of the splash ring around the turret. But like I said, I would love to be proved wrong, you should know better as you´re one of those lucky blokes who gets to crawl over and under one in their spare time! H.

Kuno, Great find! Thanks for sharing the pics. This Sherman is an M4A4 or Sherman V (British designation of the M4A4 Medium Tank). I don´t think these were used during the North African campaign. IIRC they first came into use in Italy. Do not have my references at hand here and now, but I´m sure Adrian will chime in shortly. Could well be this Sherman came to Lybia post-war when the British assisted to build their armed forces. The damage could have been inflicted on a range while being used for target practice. Would love to be proved wrong though! Thanks, Hanno

Jack, I would love to establish an on-line register where people can search for type of Sherman, location, serial numbers and other configuration details, location (incl. satnav setpoints), and picture(s). Nothing technically unfeasable about it, but we would need sponsorship in terms of server space, technical expertise etc. Would something like this be a nice addition to the HMVF website? - Hanno

Thanks Neil, your expertise would be very welcome! - Hanno

Michel, I would prefer a database dedicated to the American M2-M4 Medium Tank series plus derivatives and conversions. I´d be interested to hear about the option to narrow down your database to one family of vehicles. - Hanno