the_shadock

that's probably why one can find some tools and accessories when dismounting everything in a tank that needs to be restored. I remember some members of Fort Knox museum to have found various items in the M4A3E2 Jumbo "Cobra King" during its restoration, some can be seen there : http://www.armorfortheages.com/NACM/NACMmain/Projects/CobraKingProject/CKProjectPage11.htm http://www.armorfortheages.com/NACM/NACMmain/Projects/CobraKingProject/CKProjectPage14.htm P-O

thanks for the information and photos; guys !! P-O

This M3 Grant was for sale by Hugh Movies Supplies in 2012, who bought it then? On the older photo, the piece of armor above the main gun is damaged, it needs some restoration works. Pierre-Olivier

congratulations !!

great pics. I knew you were missing the gun, but was not sure that you had a mantlet for the turret. P-O

yes they did, during the Algerian War. http://www.chars-francais.net/new/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=667&Itemid=41 P-O

the turret looks good. Could be used to restore a Sherman hull that is missing the turret !! P-O

fortunately, the loader's hatches are easier to fabricate than the commander's cupola (I guess). P-O

amazing job !! Pierre-Olivier

I know this Sherman, it is a large hatches hull with a 75mm turret. It comes from France, belongs to this association : http://www.balmoralgreen.com/sherman%20m4a1.html P-O

I would bet that it is this one, on the background : The hull is nearly original, made from parts collected mainly in the Trun scrapyard, and the turret is most probably a reproduction. The restoration works has been done by Hoebig company in Germany. P-O

well, sorry but there is something that looks "wrong" with this tank. The gun mantlet, drive sprocket, front plate appliqué armor look curious, and I would not be surprised to read that all these items are reproductions. Pierre-Olivier

Rick, I understand what you mean. It's often heartbreaking to sell a piece of a collection when you really like and appreciate it. I was lucky enough not to be obliged to sell any piece of my own uniforms and weapons collection yet and will probably never do if I'm not required to, even for a WW2 vehicle restoration project. Pierre-Olivier

a great new project

M4A3E2 Jumbo??? I remember that you post some photos of a Jumbo wreck that came from Camp Ripley, is it the same one or another one? Pierre-Olivier

Johann, I know that you were looking for a Sherman tank engine, but I think that you've found a very nice thing. Like Adrian said, given the amount of M3A1 Stuarts to restore, you'll probably find someone to exchange this engine for something that you're looking for. How are the cylinders? Will you try to run it soon? P-O

they did it with the M3 Lee too :

and so do I

Alex, French websites don't give any figure about how many Panther tanks were operated by French forces after 1945. However, the article about the Panther tank on Wikipedia says that "After the war, France was able to recover enough operable vehicles and components to equip the French Army's 503e Régiment de Chars de Combat with a force of fifty Panthers." I've not heard anything about the Bayeux museum recently... it was reorganized in 2006 and I visited it in 2007... what do you call the "old Bayeux vehicles"? P-O

Alex, The new museum will be located at Colleville sur Mer and will open in June 2013. You could read an article here, but it's in French : http://www.larenaissance-lebessin.fr/2012/10/21/omaha-overlord-museum-sort-de-terre-a-colleville-sur-mer/ It says that the new museum will display about 30 vehicles, the heavier weighting 48 tons (probably the Panther), and there will also be a landing craft. The building will be 1300 m². P-O

this is a photo of Leloup's (Falaise) Panther being transferred to a restoration facility (Paratrooper vehicles company). After the restoration, it will be placed in a new museum that will open in Omaha Beach sector (the Falaise museum will merge with another to open a bigger museum with plenty of vehicles). P-O

There is/was a gearbox that seems to be in good condition at the Westwall museum. P-O

To answer the question : Federal Machine and Welder : plant located in Warren, OH. Closed down in 1963. Pacific Car and Foundry : Company created at Seattle in 1901, original name was Railway Steel & Supply Company. It manufactured rails, wagons and train equipments. After 1945, PCF stopped to produce railway equipments and built some trucks, and then refrigerated trucks. It closed down in 1984. Baldwin Locomotive Works : Company created in 1832 under the name Baldwin Vail and Huffy. It started its life producing steam locomotives and rails, and in 1890 it tried to develop a small electric locomotive to be used in mines. Baldwin produced some M3 Lees before assembling Sherman tanks. It was the first company to assemble Sherman hulls by welding. After the war, it merged with Hamilton and Lima LW to become the Baldwin Lima Hamilton Co. , and in 1972 it stopped to produce any rail equipment. Lima Locomotive Works : created in 1859 to develop steam machines. First company to manufacture the Sherman tank from February 1942, due to its ability to cast the M4A1 hull. Merged with Baldwin to form the Baldwin Lima Hamilton Co., the Lima plant closed its doors in 1980. ALCO : created on 24 June 1901, gathered smaller companies, including Schenectady Locomotive Works. This company manufactured M3 Lees, M7 Priests, M36 TDs during WW2. It was bought by the Studebaker Worthington Incorporated in 1964. In 1969, Bombardier acquired the assets of ALCO for the locomotive activity, and the motor/engine activity was sold to White Motor Corporation in 1970. Pullman Standard : created in 1862 ,specialized in the building of high-standard wagons. Assets bought by Bombardier in 1987. Pressed Steel Car : created in 1895 after the merging of Schoen Pressed Steel Co. and the Fox Pressed Steel Equipment Co.Specialized in the production of wagons, tramways, rails. Bought by US Steel in 1956, the plant closed after 1970. Fisher : see General Motors http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Motors Then we have Ford and Chrysler, and that's it !! P-O

the name "Montreal Locomotive Works" appeared on Grizzly manufacturer's plates, I think that it was a kind of official name.