Adrian Barrell

The gun cradle itself bolts onto the back of the mantlet which fits on the turret trunnions. This is different to Sherman for example where the mantlet bolts to the mount and the trunnions are on the cradle. The tube and mount have to be slid through the mantlet and then the muzzle brake can be fitted.

It's been seven weeks since the last update, having been sent quite a few pics I thought I should post them up! The turret is ready to be fitted to the hull, though this will wait until the vehicle is running. The gun has been deactivated and various parts have been restored and fitted. These pics show parts of the semi-automatic gear and closing spring.

I don't really see my role in life as putting a Sherman on everybodies drive. I got mine through hard work and putting myself in the right place at the right time, that may be harder now but there is no easy way I'm afraid. To be fair, when they were plentiful and cheap, nobody wanted them. Seeing other peoples restorations on show has made them more desirable and with that comes a price increase. I would not want to try to do what I did now, I simply could not afford it. As you have found, if you want something rare, you either have a shedload of money or take on a real basket case.

I'll let John fill you in but here, for interest, is the tank as she used to be.....

All true I'm afraid. If you want a collection of cheap tanks you have to do what I did and get them twenty years ago!

Not sure we want you after what you've said in the past.........:n00b:

Oh no.....:drive:

The forward cockpit is 13" further forward than when a single seater so the C of G is averaged a bit.

That's Andy Blackfords.

I've never seen anything that shows D2 was even used much by the military, it was a bit small really. I suppose some were procurred on an ad-hoc basis and a small order could have been placed at some point. Serials I have are:- 1938 - 1943 3J 1 - 3J 7000 1938 - 1947 5J 1 - 5J 10600 The 3J is narrow gauge (40") and the 5J is wide (50"). The Cat plate is a small, aluminium plate about 2" x 1 1/2" with just the serial number stamped into it. There is one on the left hand rear lower block and another on the rear face of the transmission.

Not strictly true. I understand that to privately own a piece of armour in Germany a 300mm square hole must be cut in front of and possibly to the side of the driver to enable shooting him. This can be covered by a maximum of 3mm ms plate. I have seen several vehicles that have had this done. I imported a Swiss Cent through Germany some time ago and though I needed a special permit to move 'war material' through the country, there was no requirement for de-milling at all.

Ah but which Ford Dark Green? The green one, the blue one, the black one, the.....etc.etc. :cool2:

Blimey that's quite a conversion!

Tsk, odd chaps, women.....

It's an M35 series so it would not have been 1945! Possibly 1954? Certainly post 1947 as it has USAF on the bonnet and that did not exist before then. I think the M35 first came out in about 1950 with the tractor truck having it's own number which I would have to look up!

Now that is justice! :thumbsup:

:tup:: I'm not fussy as to colour.....

I do get through lots of socks......

Ken, it is a nice round, just stencilled incorrectly. These are the wartime rounds for the 105. I did get your PM, sorry for not replying, I'll PM you later today.

So what shower did you buy that from then?

The M42A1 HE shell was a 3" shell as used in the M10 TD or M5 AT gun. I'm guessing that has been repainted wrongly?

I'm sure they are Cent or Chieftain with 10 stud holes but just in case...... If they are 8 stud, please do not cut the middles out, I will swap them for 10 stud plus cash if need be!

Mine lasted 1060 days.......:angel:

I have had no problems whatsoever getting manuals off the 19 set group. They have taken the trouble to scan in the manuals, why do people think they are owed them?

Heathen!